August 18, 2026 Español The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) announced Michelle Kranes as deputy commissioner of the Strategy and Performance Division on August 17. Kranes will oversee the division that supports TDI’s strategic planning, performance and risk management, and process improvement through technology, automation, and business innovation. “Michelle brings fresh energy and a strong…

The program, in collaboration with the National Volunteer Fire Council, provided a total of $1.5 million to 150 volunteer fire departments nationwide   Eight volunteer fire departments in Texas were among 150 nationwide recipients of a $10,000 grant through the State Farm® Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program. The program, in collaboration with the National Volunteer Fire…

By Dr. Billy Holland Do you remember that old song in Vacation Bible School that said, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart? Do you still have it today? I hope you do, because as God’s children we have lots to be joyful about. Be edified as you read I Thessalonians…

DALLAS, TEXAS (August 18, 2026)– Last week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) joined the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to conduct inspections and train CBP agents at the Port of Houston, and in parallel EPA inspected Houston-area retailers—all in support of the Trump Administration’s continued efforts to crackdown on illegal toxic pesticides and chemical…

New AAA Foundation research finds many motorists believe driving 10 mph over the limit is acceptable and keeping up with traffic is safer than obeying the posted speed limit Speeding has become so commonplace that many drivers now consider it a normal part of being behind the wheel, according to new research from the AAA…

By Ayden Runnels, The Texas Tribune August 17, 2026 El Paso County and Harris County on Monday sued the Department of Homeland Security alongside communities in Tennessee and Ohio over new requirements for federal grants that they argue undermine election security and public safety. In June, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced it would withhold…

By Jaden Edison, The Texas Tribune January 20, 2026 Texas families on Monday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether state lawmakers can require public schools to display the Ten Commandments.  The formal request comes after the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled earlier this year that Texas’ and Louisiana’s laws mandating such…

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…

By Jessica Priest, The Texas Tribune August 18, 2026 Texas lawmakers will examine Tuesday whether colleges are doing enough to protect research from foreign adversaries, while Gov. Greg Abbott plans to unveil measures aimed at limiting foreign influence in education during a campaign event later that day. The House Higher Education Committee’s agenda does not…

By Eva-Marie Ayala, The Texas Tribune August 18, 2026 This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters. On Wednesday, elementary schools in a small southwestern Colorado district stopped using a controversial reading curriculum developed by the state of Texas. It was the third day of school. The sudden shift…