Area News
Back-to-School Means More Kids on the Road. AAA Texas Urges Drivers: Slow Down, Put the Phone Down, and Save a Life.
School bells will soon be ringing across Texas, and that means thousands of children will once again be walking, biking, and riding to school. AAA Texas reminds drivers that one careless decision behind the wheel can change a family’s life forever. The annual return to school brings a sharp increase in pedestrian and bicycle traffic,…
Read MoreAI Is Being Used to Boost Medicaid Enrollment, but Not Without Concerns
By Mark Kreidler Aug 4, 2026 Vanessa Barahona received a call this past spring from Angelica at Kern Family Health Care in Bakersfield, California, telling her it was time to renew her coverage under Medi-Cal, the state’s version of Medicaid. Angelica helped Barahona, 41, schedule an appointment to complete her paperwork in person at Kern…
Read MoreMost Black Texas voters back Talarico over Paxton, poll finds, despite Senate primary tensions
By Alejandro Serrano, The Texas Tribune August 4, 2026 Fewer than one in 10 Black voters in Texas say they are less likely to vote in November’s midterm elections due to U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s defeat in the Democratic primary, according to a poll released Tuesday that suggests James Talarico could face limited electoral fallout…
Read MoreDistracted driving and speeding put school children at risk
After more than 3,200 traffic crashes in school zones or involving school buses last year, Texans are reminded to drive safe and smart Download video August 3, 2026 Why this matters Traffic crashes in Texas school zones increased 12% from 2024 to 2025. As kids across the state head back to school this month, TxDOT…
Read MoreSAU on the Square bridges classroom to real-world learning with Experiential Learning Lab
News from Southern Arkansas University MAGNOLIA, AR (08/03/2026) The David F. Rankin College of Business has partnered with SAU on the Square to launch the Experiential Learning Laboratory, a hands-on program where students from every discipline can apply classroom knowledge, test ideas, and engage with the community. The lab is led by Janell Reeves, who…
Read MoreMD Anderson ranks No. 1 in the nation for cancer care for 12th year in a row
Ranking reflects commitment to excellence in evidence-based cancer care Two specialties receive national rankings, and six procedures and conditions earn High Performing ratings HOUSTON, AUGUST 3, 2026 ― The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center today was named No. 1 in the nation for cancer care in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026-2027 “Best…
Read MorePREPARE TO BE AMAZED!
Prepare your TBR to take you through the last weeks of summer and the run-up to a new school year with some fresh new Texas-connected books. Provide the little ones in your life with a touching new tale. Equip your beach bag with a new thriller. Stock your favorite reading spot with the perfect…
Read MoreFEMA Calls May Come from Unfamiliar Numbers
BATON ROUGE, La. – After Louisianans apply for disaster assistance, FEMA may call to schedule an inspection of the damaged home or to gather more information before they process the application. These calls may come from unfamiliar area codes or phone numbers. It is important to answer the call. A FEMA inspection is required to…
Read MoreColonial Village to Host Back-to-School Bash with Free Backpack Giveaway for Local Children
Aug. 8 event will provide 100 prefilled backpacks for local students and feature games, snow cones, face painting and family-friendly activities. LONGVIEW, Texas – Colonial Village, a local senior living community, will host a Back-to-School Bash on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 10 a.m. to noon, offering free prefilled backpacks for local children as families prepare…
Read MoreEastern District of Texas prosecutes multiple defendants as part of Homeland Security Task Force investigations in July 2026
Two defendants sentenced to 350 months, two others face life in federal prison, and a fugitive was extradited from Qatar as U.S. Attorney’s Office advances DOJ mission to protect the Homeland PLANO, Texas – The Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative was established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The…
Read More