County clerks and election administrators across Texas are implementing security procedures before early voting begins October 19. Travis County plans 201 voting locations on Election Day. Multiple counties conducted security training for poll workers.
Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado, Travis County Clerk; Bexar County Elections Administrator Michele Carew, Bexar County Elections Administrator; Dallas County Elections Administrator Paul Adams, Dallas County Elections Administrator and 2 more
The 2026 State Fair of Texas runs through October 18, entering its final weekend with concerts, food, and attractions at Fair Park in Dallas. The 140th season closes Sunday night.
$$25 for adult gate admission
State Fair of Texas, organizer; Big Tex, fair mascot
Organizers of the "No Kings" movement held a gathering in Dallas to encourage early voting. The event included speakers, music, community activities, voting information, and election volunteer opportunities.
Indivisible Dallas, organizer of Dallas gathering; Black Voters Matter Texas, participating organization
Former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger was released from the Christina Melton Crain Unit in Gatesville on Friday morning after serving seven years of a ten-year sentence for the 2018 murder of Botham Jean. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles granted her parole on October 1, 2026.
$nearly $100 million for civil judgment ordered by jury against Guyger
Amber Guyger, Former Dallas police officer, convicted of murder; Botham Jean, Murder victim; Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, Granted parole and 1 more
Dallas County election officials are training poll workers for the Nov. 3 general election. The county has expanded early voting hours to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for both early voting weeks, starting when polls open Monday.
Nicholas Solorzano, Dallas County Election Department employee; Tomiko Washington, Dallas County Elections trainer; Dallas County Election Department, Conducting poll worker training and election administration
Avelo Airlines announced two new nonstop routes to North Dallas/McKinney National Airport: one from West Palm Beach beginning Dec. 17, and an expansion of Las Vegas service from four to six weekly flights beginning Dec. 16.
$$69 for introductory one-way fares
Avelo Airlines, airline announcing new service; Andrew Levy, founder and CEO of Avelo Airlines
Governor Abbott sent a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on October 15, 2026, requesting federal disaster tax relief for individuals and businesses affected by severe storms and flooding that began on July 14, 2026.
$Abbott requests temporary suspension of federal tax filing and payment deadlines and waiver of late fees and penalties for taxpayers in all 62 counties affected by July storms.
Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas; Scott Bessent, U.S. Treasury Secretary
The Dallas City Council unanimously approved renaming the historic Houston Street Bridge ceremonially after late Dallas Cowboys legend and civil rights advocate Pettis Norman. The bridge, over 100 years old, connects downtown Dallas to Oak Cliff.
Dallas City Council, approved the ceremonial renaming; Pettis Norman, late Dallas Cowboys legend, civil rights advocate and business leader being honored; Joe Greene, NFL Hall of Famer who spoke in support and 4 more
Lynlee Pollis was sentenced to seven years in prison and 10 years of probation for intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault in a September 2023 crash that killed SMU student Honor Wallace and injured passenger Catherine Solberg.
Lynlee Pollis, driver convicted of intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault; Honor Wallace, 19-year-old SMU student killed in crash; Catherine Solberg, passenger seriously injured in crash and 1 more
Gov. Greg Abbott said he wants the Texas Legislature to enact his data center restrictions into law next year, rejecting Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa's call for quicker action. Hinojosa held a news conference to criticize Abbott's response to data center effects on neighborhoods, electricity, and water supplies.
$Abbott called for eliminating sales tax breaks for data centers.
Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas; Gina Hinojosa, Democratic challenger for governor
Grand Prairie Independent School District canceled a production of "Little Shop of Horrors" at South Grand Prairie High School after a female student was cast in the male lead role of Seymour. The district cited compliance with Texas Senate Bill 12 and concerns about themes in the musical involving an abusive relationship.
Ana Mota, South Grand Prairie High School senior cast as Seymour; Grand Prairie Independent School District, School district that canceled the production; Nancy Jimenez, Ana Mota's mother
Texas Health and Human Services Commission is proposing to eliminate funding for the Children's Autism Program, which provides free therapy services to some families. If approved, funding would end after August 2027 as part of a 3% budget reduction over two years.
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, proposing the funding cut; Aida Garcia, Brownsville parent of two daughters with autism; Partner Resource Network, organizing advocacy against the cuts and 1 more
Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico was absent from the campaign trail for nearly two weeks in late September and early October. He said he had the flu. His campaign released security camera footage it said showed him at his home in Austin during the absence.
James Talarico, Democratic Texas Senate candidate; Ken Paxton, Republican Texas Senate candidate; Spencer Pratt, Former Los Angeles mayoral candidate and 4 more
Lockheed Martin announced a $300 million expansion of its Grand Prairie operation to increase advanced munitions manufacturing capacity. The company plans to create 6,000 jobs across the United States, including 2,000 in Texas, and will partner with Hadrian to install a 24-machine automated machining cell expected to be operational in early 2027.
$$300 million for expansion investment
Lockheed Martin, announced expansion plans; Jim Taiclet, chairman, president and CEO of Lockheed Martin; Michael P. Duffey, Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment and 2 more
Kacey Musgraves and Kristi Noem exchanged posts on social media over the Texas Senate race after Democratic candidate James Talarico attended one of Musgraves' concerts. Musgraves referenced a 2024 admission by Noem that she killed her dog.
Kacey Musgraves, Country music star; Kristi Noem, Former U.S. Department of Homeland Security secretary and current U.S. special envoy; James Talarico, Democratic Texas state representative and U.S. Senate candidate and 1 more
Dallas County Elections Administrator Paul Adams reported to county commissioners that the number of suspended voter registrations fell from 200,789 on Aug. 31 to 179,946 as of Oct. 7. Adams credited community and political campaigns for the reduction.
$More than 20,000 for mail-in ballots sent
Paul Adams, Dallas County Elections Administrator; Dallas County Commissioners, Received update on voter suspense list and mail-in ballots
According to news reports, Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton created a securities fraud case targeting EPIC City, a housing development and mosque project outside Dallas. A memo from Abbott's office was distributed to state agencies using language about foreign threats and undermining communities.
Greg Abbott, Texas Governor; Ken Paxton, Attorney General; Travis Iles, Commissioner of Texas State Securities Board and 4 more
Dallas city offices, schools, libraries, and most municipal facilities closed Monday, October 12, 2026, for the federal Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day holiday. Essential services including trash collection and public transit operated on regular schedules.
City of Dallas, declared holiday and closed municipal facilities; Dallas ISD, closed schools; designated day as professional development for employees; Federal Reserve, observes federal holiday
No. 1 Texas played Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on Saturday, October 12, 2026. The game was scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN. Texas entered the game undefeated at 4-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play, while Oklahoma was 2-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
Texas Longhorns, competing team; Oklahoma Sooners, competing team; Bevo XV, Texas mascot and 5 more
The College Football Playoff announced that discussions with ESPN continue after an exclusive 30-day negotiating window ended over media rights for a potential expansion of the playoff field from 12 to 24 teams. ESPN's current deal is worth $7.8 billion over six seasons and includes first option rights for any expansion games.
$$7.8 billion over six seasons for media rights deal value
College Football Playoff, announced continuation of discussions; ESPN, broadcast partner in negotiations; Tony Petitti, Big Ten Commissioner, said he was optimistic about expansion