Rio Grande Valley residents are feeling more negative about their lives. That could spill into the voting booth.
By Berenice Garcia, The Texas Tribune August 13, 2026 EDINBURG — At 50 years old, Abel Gonzalez says he’s happy to be involved in his eight-year dream career of filmmaking, something he sees as fostering the budding film industry in the Rio Grande Valley. But, he still has some anxieties. He’s worried that a family…
Read MoreU.S. attorney confirms that FBI tests didn’t find meth in van driven by man fatally shot by ICE in Houston
By Alejandro Santos Cid, The Texas Tribune August 13, 2026 Tests of a substance found inside the van driven by a man shot to death by immigration officers last month in Houston revealed it wasn’t methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz confirmed to The Texas Tribune. “I can confirm what’s already public: lab testing showed the…
Read MoreWhich families are using ESAs? Here’s what we know about Texas’ first school vouchers
By Jaden Edison and Sneha Dey, The Texas Tribune August 3, 2026 More than 100,000 families are participating in Texas’ private school voucher program during its first year, a number that could increase as officials finalize enrollment data, according to the state’s finance chief. White families make up the largest share of participants so far,…
Read MoreGov. Greg Abbott proposes further limiting screen time in K-12 classrooms
By Kayla Guo, The Texas Tribune August 13, 2026 Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday proposed further limiting screen time in K-12 schools, framing the idea as a way to improve student learning across the state and building off the Legislature’s move to ban cell phones in public school classrooms. Citing studies purportedly showing decreased screen…
Read MoreFederal judge extends pause on border wall construction at South Texas wildlife refuge
By Berenice Garcia, The Texas Tribune August 13, 2026 McALLEN — A federal judge upheld a temporary restraining order against government contractors building a border wall along the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, pausing construction until Aug. 27. Spencer Construction LLC and Royal Concrete Products LLC were prohibited from continuing construction or related work and…
Read MoreUT Austin overhauling core classes but hasn’t detailed how new center relates to the courses
By Jessica Priest, The Texas Tribune August 13, 2026 Future UT-Austin students would have fewer classes to choose from to meet graduation requirements under a proposal university leaders presented Thursday. The plan to remake the flagship campus’ core curriculum replaces the sprawling menu of classes students can now take to meet core requirements with a…
Read MoreLongstanding limits on certain firearms, silencers lifted in Texas after judge’s order takes effect
By Alex Nguyen, The Texas Tribune August 13, 2026 Nearly century-old federal restrictions on certain short-barrel firearms and silencers were lifted Thursday in several states, including Texas, after the Trump administration declined to file an emergency appeal challenging a federal court order. Gun rights activists and Republican lawmakers called the change a historic win for…
Read MoreData center audit lacks specifics even as Gov. Abbott, industry leaders tout it
By Paul Cobler, The Texas Tribune August 14, 2026 Tech companies are lining up to voice support for Gov. Greg Abbott’s audit of data centers seeking to connect to the power grid, although little is known about what the audit will entail or what it means for the data center construction boom. Since the Aug.…
Read MoreTractor Supply Unleashes Another Animal Days Event to Celebrate Pets, Animals and All Those Who Care for Them
August 10, 2026 Now through August 23, customers can enjoy special deals on national and exclusive brand essentials for pets and animals On Saturday, August 15, stores nationwide will host a community ‘pawty’ with treat tastings, giveaways, doorbuster deals and more As part of the Animal Days celebration, Tractor Supply and Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation Foundation…
Read MoreNTCC Honors releases new Alacrity newsletter
August 13, 2026 By: Dr. Andrew Yox, Honors Director Since 2008, the honors program of NTCC has published a biannual newsletter. The recently released 2026 summer edition can be accessed by clicking here. One can also write Honors Director, Dr. Andrew P. Yox, for a real copy at ayox@ntcc.edu. The current issue provides a summary…
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