Area News

By Alex Nguyen and Berenice Garcia, The Texas Tribune August 25, 2026 BROWNSVILLE — A federal judge Wednesday rejected Minnesota’s attempt to keep an immigration officer jailed in South Texas as the state fights to extradite the man to face criminal charges related to a January shooting. In a lawsuit filed last week, Minnesota officials…

By Gabby Birenbaum, The Texas Tribune August 26, 2026 WASHINGTON — Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said “it’s no secret that I want to be president” on Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s podcast Wednesday as chatter about the 2028 presidential field — and whether Cruz will run — intensifies. Cruz, who finished second in the 2016 Republican presidential…

By Renzo Downey, The Texas Tribune August 26, 2026 Editor’s note: This story contains explicit language. A Republican running for the Texas House in a marquee battleground district is reckoning with the recent unearthing of his decade-old social media posts, including ones that use homophobic slurs and racist tropes, which he says he now views…

By Jaden Edison, Sneha Dey and Megan Menchaca, The Texas Tribune August 27, 2026 The outcome of Texas’ gubernatorial race will determine the future of testing, school district takeovers and who oversees public education for nearly 5.5 million children. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, his Democratic opponent, diverge in their perspectives…

From at least the 1880s through the early 1970s, it was illegal for parents in Idaho to choose prayer over medical care when a child’s life was at stake. By Audrey Dutton Co-published with The Oregonian/OregonLive August 26, 2026, 5:00 am ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up for Dispatches,…

John Whitehead’s Commentary By John & Nisha Whitehead August 26, 2026 “Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government, owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people.“—Theodore Roosevelt What began publicly as Donald Trump’s lavish, taxpayer-funded vision of a gilded White House ballroom is now being justified by the administration—in and out…

Texas Crop and Weather Report – by Sarah Fuller Based on available population surveys and precipitation trends across much of the state, hunters can anticipate an average-to-good fall hunting season across key game species, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert. Information from available population surveys and precipitation trends across much of the state indicate hunters…

August 26, 2026 AUSTIN – A Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) 10 Most Wanted Fugitive is back in custody after his capture last week in Midland. A Crime Stoppers reward will be paid. Ronnie Matthew Velarde, 37, a documented West Texas Tango gang member, was taken into custody on Aug. 18, 2026, in Midland. Following…

DALLAS, TEXAS (August 26, 2026) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Gulf of America Division (GAD) announced 24 projects selected from the Innovative Solutions for Improving Water Quality and Strengthening Local Economies in the Gulf of America Watershed Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The NOFO encompassed EPA Regions 4 through 8 and the awards ranged from $500,000 to…

Plan continues progress on high-priority preservation, mobility and safety projects Aug. 26, 2026 AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) announced a new 10-year transportation plan with a total projected investment of $138 billion. In a rapidly growing state, this transformational investment will help improve safety, reduce congestion and strengthen…