Area News
Texas schools say they still face budget difficulties despite $8.5 billion boost
By Sneha Dey and Jaden Edison, The Texas Tribune June 1, 2026 The influx of nearly $8.5 billion to Texas schools last year was not enough to stop schools from making tough cuts, district officials told state lawmakers during a Capitol hearing Monday. School leaders across Texas have already had to eliminate jobs and close campuses…
Read MoreEight data centers threaten to transform this small Texas county. Local officials say they have no power to stop them.
By Alejandra Martinez, Shelby Tauber, Apurva Mahajan and Alex Ford, The Texas Tribune June 2, 2026 This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center. HOOD COUNTY — Brian Crawford points to the top of a hill northwest of his family’s home garden, just past their gently sloping yard dotted with live oaks beginning to flower.…
Read MoreAnnouncing our next round of can’t-miss speakers for September’s TribFest
By Matt Ewalt, The Texas Tribune June 2, 2026 With a rapidly shifting political landscape and a world increasingly in flux, there’s no shortage of big issues for Texans to reckon with together when we gather at this year’s Texas Tribune Festival. Among the influential voices joining our lineup in downtown Austin September 24-26 are…
Read MoreWISE COUNTY MOTORCYCLE FATAL CRASH
Wise County – On Monday, June 1, 2026, at 7:00 a.m., Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Highway Patrol (HP) Troopers responded to a single-vehicle motorcycle crash on Farm-to-Market (FM) 920 near Private Road (PR) 3738 in Wise County. A preliminary investigation indicated that the rider of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle was traveling south on…
Read MoreDPS Announces Resumption of Non-Domiciled CDL Issuances for H-2A Workers
AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announces approval by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to resume the issuance of non-domiciled commercial driver licenses (CDL) and commercial learner permits (CLP) for individuals with H-2A (Temporary Agricultural Workers) status, effective today, June 1, 2026. Under updated FMCSA guidelines (Final Rule 91 FR…
Read MoreOp-Ed: The NCAA’s Uneven Enforcement Could Cost Texas Tech a Historic Season
By: Senator Charles Perry Published 5/29/2026 in the Lubbock Avalanche Journal (View here) In West Texas, support for Texas Tech football is not conditional. Red Raider fans show up because Texas Tech represents something bigger than football. It represents pride in this university, pride in our region, and the belief that West Texas can compete…
Read MoreTexas Parks and Wildlife Department Awards Statewide Recreational Trails Grants Totaling $6.17 million
AUSTIN—The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved more than $6.17 million in grants during its May meeting in Austin, funding 21 trail construction and maintenance projects across the state. The National Recreational Trails Fund (NRTF) supports recreational trail construction, renovation and acquisition through grants funded from a portion of the federal gas tax generated…
Read MoreOp-Ed: Around the world, global solidarity and cooperation are remarkably popular
By Lawrence S. Wittner One of the curious ironies of our time is that, although many politicians spout heated nationalist rhetoric, rail against foreign nations, and belittle international cooperation, this approach to international affairs is not at all what most people want. The climate of aggressive nationalism is clear enough. In nations around the globe,…
Read MoreFarmers Market now open every second and fourth Saturday morning of the month at the FNBETX gazebo on US 271 in Gilmer
Gilmer Area Farmers Market April 2 at 9:00 AM · Calling all makers, growers, bakers, and creatives The Gilmer Area Farmers Market is looking for vendors for the upcoming season!This is your chance to showcase your goods, connect with the community, and be part of something special right here in our hometown. Non-profits welcome Kids’ booths…
Read MoreFunding available through wildfire mitigation grants for Texas landowners
June 1, 2026 COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Applications are open for Texas A&M Forest Service’s Mechanical Fuel Reduction and Prescribed Fire grants, offering financial support to private landowners and municipalities taking action to reduce wildfire risk. Applications will be accepted through July 14. The reimbursement program supports projects that reduce hazardous vegetation and create defensible…
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