Area News

By Natalia Contreras, The Texas Tribune April 15, 2026 This coverage is made possible through Votebeat, a nonpartisan news organization covering local election administration and voting access. Sign up for Votebeat Texas’ free newsletters here. Allen West, the Dallas County Republican Party chair, resigned Wednesday, according to Dallas County Elections Department officials.  The announcement comes…

April is Occupational Therapy Month (EAST TEXAS) – April marks Occupational Therapy Month, a time to recognize the vital role occupational therapists play in helping individuals regain independence and improve their quality of life through personal care. Throughout the month, health care providers are highlighting the impact these professionals have across hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation…

SHERMAN, Texas –A Mexican national illegally living in the United States has been sentenced to 27 years in federal prison as part of the Homeland Security Task Force for trafficking methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.   Israel Sanchez Arciga, 48, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to manufacture and…

By Jessica Priest, The Texas Tribune April 13, 2026 Regents on Monday named Susan Ballabina as the sole finalist for president of Texas A&M University. Ballabina currently serves as executive vice chancellor for the Texas A&M University System, where she is Chancellor Glenn Hegar’s top deputy and oversees day-to-day operations across the system’s 12 universities…

By Jessica Priest, The Texas Tribune April 13, 2026 A Texas Tech University law student is suing university leaders and faculty, arguing they violated her free speech rights by disciplining her over comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Ellen “Ellie” Fisher, a third-year law student, Texas Tech undergraduate alum and founder of…

By Gabby Birenbaum, The Texas Tribune April 15, 2026 WASHINGTON — State Rep. James Talarico raised $27 million in the first three months of 2026 in his bid to flip Texas, according to his campaign. The Austin Democrat’s haul is the largest-ever sum for a Senate candidate — in any state — in the first quarter…

John Whitehead’s Commentary John & Nisha Whitehead April 14, 2026 “In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule.”— Friedrich Nietzsche One week after posting a profanity-laced Easter message threatening to wipe out the entire civilization of Iran, Donald J. Trump, the 47th president of the United States,…

By Winslow Myers In a tough and complex world, people tending to the left side of the political spectrum are often accused of starry-eyed naïveté when they push for the prevention of war and the building of peace through law, diplomacy and budgetary control over military forces—replacing the law of force with the force of law.…

By Austin Current, The Texas Tribune April 14, 2026 Tesla’s Giga Texas increased its annual treated water use by more than 200 million gallons in just two years, raising concerns about whether Austin can fulfill its long-term water conservation plans as Elon Musk advances plans for a new semiconductor plant expected to push demand even…