Texas Students Embrace Free College Application Week in its Second Year
October 21, 2026 AUSTIN — Prospective students submitted more than 400,000 applications to Texas public colleges and universities during Free College Application Week last week, marking a 47 percent increase over the program’s inaugural year in 2025. Students who apply to college during Free College Application (FCAW) week can save up to $75 per application fee,…
Read MoreCHRISTUS Health performs first da Vinci robotic surgery in Sulphur Springs
(SULPHUR SPRINGS, Texas) — CHRISTUS Health Sulphur Springs has reached a milestone in advancing surgical care with the completion of its first da Vinci robotic-assisted surgical procedure, performed by urologic oncologist Dr. Randy Vince on Oct. 20. The addition of the da Vinci surgical system allows Vince to perform advanced procedures not previously available at…
Read MoreFederal regulators crack down on organ donation groups
By Nada Hassanein, Stateline October 23, 2026 Federal regulators are cracking down on the nonprofits responsible for coordinating organ donations, aiming to begin shutting down substandard groups by early next year. New criteria will score the organizations on donation and transplantation rates and will decertify the bottom tier, meaning their contracts with the federal government…
Read MoreFEMA Approves More Than $135 Million to Help Communities in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas
DENTON, Texas – FEMA announced the approval of more than $135 million in funding for Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program projects in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. These programs empower states, local communities, tribes and territories to recover from disasters, rebuild safer and more resilient communities and protect infrastructure from future events. With this funding, President Donald…
Read MoreShopping for an ACA Plan This Year? Here’s What You Need To Know
By Julie Appleby Oct 23, 2026 Consumers who buy Affordable Care Act health insurance are going to see changes both big and small as open enrollment for 2027 coverage kicks off. These include premium increases, possible additional identity checks, potential delays in working with a broker, and new limits on which immigrants can get subsidies.…
Read MoreGOP Congressman in California Swing-District Race Defends Vote for Medicaid Cuts
By Jackie Fortiér Oct 23, 2026 U.S. Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.) at a campaign event on Sept. 30, 2026, in Bakersfield, California. Valadao told the crowd the 22nd District race is “one of the toughest in the country.” (Jackie Fortiér/KFF Health News) BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Ulises Hernandez has had health coverage through Medicaid for as…
Read MoreTips for Finding a Holiday Side Gig
Looking for seasonal work? Amazon plans to hire more than 300,000 workers across its U.S. operations this holiday season, and UPS expects to add 100,000 seasonal employees. If you’re hoping to earn some extra income this season, now is the time to apply. But scammers know this is when people are actively looking for work,…
Read MoreTexas’ child care quality control measures played a role in enrollment cuts this fall
By Jess Huff, The Texas Tribune October 22, 2026 Quality control measures implemented on programs receiving federal Child Care Services have put an even deeper financial strain on the Texas child care system. Now, thousands of Texas children are shut out of affordable child care as the state struggles to keep the strained program within…
Read MoreFeds charge Fort Bend County official with theft of government money
By Stephen Simpson, Alex Nguyen and Eleanor Klibanoff, The Texas Tribune October 22, 2026 HOUSTON — Federal prosecutors Thursday announced indictments accusing Fort Bend County Tax Assessor-Collector Carmen Turner of theft of government funds and wire fraud. U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz, joined at a Houston news conference by agents from the regional office of the…
Read MoreWest Texas DA opens forgery investigation into disputed transgender mailers
By Ayden Runnels, The Texas Tribune October 22, 2026 A Republican district attorney in West Texas has opened a criminal investigation into pamphlets mailed to homes across Texas purporting to come from a transgender rights organization. Sarah Stogner, district attorney for Loving, Reeves and Ward counties west of Odessa, told The Texas Tribune that her…
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