Area News

View as a webpage  /  Share (WASHINGTON, D.C., October 5, 2026) — Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins issued a statement on President Trump’s new executive order to provide relief for our farmers and ranchers by lifting taxes on dyed-diesel. Today’s action expected to represent approximately $640 million in combined federal and state savings…

By Amanda Watford, Stateline October 5, 2026 For years, the psychoactive compound kratom has been sold across much of the United States as an herbal supplement, available in powders, capsules and extracts with few of the restrictions applied to controlled substances. But the market is changing. Products containing a potentially dangerous kratom derivative known as…

(AUSTIN) — Texas Comptroller Don Huffines today announced the selection of Austin, Barbers Hill, El Paso, and Prosper school districts for a detailed review to ensure taxpayer funds are being spent responsibly. These are the population profiles of the selected school districts as of the 2025-26 school year: Austin ISD — 69,074 students enrolled Barbers Hill ISD — 8,088 students enrolled…

This article was originally published by Votebeat, a nonprofit news organization covering local election administration and voting access. By Natalia Contreras, Votebeat Oct 5, 2026 at 2:17pm EDT Votebeat is a nonprofit news organization reporting on voting access and election administration across the U.S. Sign up for Votebeat Texas’ free newsletter here. At 6 p.m.…

By Alex Nguyen, The Texas Tribune October 5, 2026 A federal judge on Monday denied a request by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and four Harris County Criminal Court-at-Law judges to vacate a landmark settlement on misdemeanor bail reform in the county.  U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal’s ruling preserves the 2019 ODonnell consent decree,…

By Gabby Birenbaum, The Texas Tribune October 5, 2026 WASHINGTON — Attorney General Ken Paxton raised over $18 million last quarter for his U.S. Senate bid — a personal best that is larger than his prior two quarters combined, yet still trails the record hauls his Democratic opponent James Talarico has posted this year. Paxton’s…

By Jonathan Shorman, Stateline October 5, 2026 When Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin declared in September that Immigration and Customs Enforcement could serve warrants on individuals at polling places this fall, officials in Denver, a liberal city where roughly 14% of residents are foreign-born, quickly sued. “Every day we find new things to be astonished…

Land Commissioner Buckingham Announces Opening of a Promotional VLB Veterans and Public Land Sale AUSTIN, Texas— Today, Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D., announces the opening of a promotional Veterans and General Public land sale through the Veterans Land Board (VLB). In total, 11 tracts with more than 30 acres,…