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
A body was found in Lady Bird Lake near Austin early Friday morning. Police were called for a welfare check after witnesses reported seeing a body floating in the water. The person was pronounced dead at the scene. The death is not being investigated as a homicide.
Austin Police Department, Investigating death; Austin Fire Department, Assisted with body recovery; Austin-Travis County EMS, Responded and pronounced person dead and 1 more
University of Texas senior linebacker Rasheem Biles was named one of 16 quarterfinalists for the Lott Impact Trophy, announced Thursday. The award goes to the defensive player with the biggest impact on his team both on and off the field.
Rasheem Biles, Texas senior linebacker; Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, award sponsor
A cold front is forecast to bring cooler temperatures and stronger winds to the Greater Houston area over the weekend. The National Weather Service issued a Wind Advisory for portions of Southeast Texas including Houston, Galveston and Austin, with gusts up to 40 mph inland and 45 mph along the coast.
National Weather Service, issued Wind Advisory and provided weather forecast; Bradley Brokamp, meteorologist for the National Weather Service
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott hosted a tailgate Friday evening at the Texas Governor's Mansion before Saturday's football game between Texas and Florida. The event featured remarks from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and UT leaders, and the two governors made a bet on the game's outcome.
$1 liter Dr Pepper, 1 gallon Blue Bell ice cream, 1 bottle Garrison Brothers bourbon for wager on football game
Greg Abbott, Texas Governor; Ron DeSantis, Florida Governor; Kevin Eltife, Chairman, University of Texas System Board of Regents and 3 more
The No. 6 Texas Longhorns and Florida Gators play a college football game Saturday at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin. Texas is coming off a loss to Oklahoma; Florida has lost back-to-back SEC games.
Steve Sarkisian, Texas coach; Arch Manning, Texas quarterback; Colin Simmons, Texas defensive end and 3 more
A software error on texas.gov's address validation feature caused a voter registration backlog affecting at least four Texas counties. The Secretary of State's office discovered and resolved the issue before early voting begins Monday.
Texas Secretary of State's office, discovered and resolved the software error; Alicia Pierce, spokesperson for the Secretary of State's office; Kristin Miles, Bastrop County Elections Administrator and president of TACEO and 1 more
Election Day for Texas 2026 midterm elections is set for November 3. Early voting runs October 19-30. The last day to register for early voting was October 5. Voters will choose candidates for U.S. Senate, governor, Congress, state legislature, county offices and school boards, and will vote on propositions and tax measures.
$West Oso ISD ad valorem tax rate increase of 8.95% in M&O revenue; Skidmore-Tynan ISD ad valorem tax rate increase of 8.98% in M&O revenue; sales and use tax of 1.25% adoption in an unspecified city location; Nueces County Emergency Services District No. 1 considers local sales and use tax not to exceed 2%.
James Talarico, U.S. Senate candidate; Ken Paxton, U.S. Senate candidate; Greg Abbott, Governor candidate and 3 more
Democrat Gina Hinojosa appeared at the Governor's Mansion to challenge Governor Abbott to a debate. She brought podiums and sent terms to Abbott for the impromptu debate.
Democratic members of Congress held a field hearing in Austin on October 15 to investigate multiple ICE shootings across Texas, including the September 20 shooting of Wilber Garcés-Pérez in Austin. Witnesses included family members and attorneys from immigration advocacy groups.
Greg Casar, U.S. Representative (D-Texas), led the hearing; Bennie G. Thompson, U.S. Representative (D-Mississippi), Ranking Member of House Committee on Homeland Security; Pramila Jayapal, U.S. Representative (D-Washington), Ranking Member of Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement and 10 more
A pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle on North Lamar Boulevard in North Austin on the night of Oct. 13. The driver remained at the scene, was not impaired, and is cooperating with police. The crash is Austin's 66th fatal collision of 2026.
Austin Police Department, investigating agency; Austin-Travis County EMS, emergency responders
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
A Central Texas resident purchased boxes at an estate sale and discovered six World War II-era grenades inside. The Austin Police Department's Bomb Squad responded, confirmed the grenades were live and active, and safely removed them after render-safe procedures.
Austin Police Department Bomb Squad, confirmed grenades were live and active, assessed devices via X-ray examination, conducted render-safe procedures; Austin Police Association, posted incident details to Instagram
MSU Federal Credit Union announced a merger with University Federal Credit Union, based in Austin, Texas. The combined organization will serve more than 850,000 members and hold $13.5 billion in assets.
$$13.5 billion for combined assets
April Clobes, MSUFCU President and CEO; will serve as CEO of combined organization; Michael Crowl, UFCU President and CEO; will serve as President of combined organization; MSU Federal Credit Union, Merging institution and 1 more
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport experienced a partial power outage at the Barbara Jordan Terminal on October 13, 2026. The outage lasted approximately two hours and disrupted airline ticket counters and flight schedules, though TSA screening and baggage claim remained operational. Power was fully restored by 8 p.m.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, facility affected; Austin Energy, responded to restore power; Barbara Jordan Terminal, affected location
Omaha, Nebraska-based Pinnacle Bancorp announced it will acquire Southern Bancshares, parent company of Moulton, Texas-based SouthStar Bank. The transaction is set to close in January 2027.
$$1.4 billion for SouthStar Bank assets
Pinnacle Bancorp, Acquiring bank; Southern Bancshares, Company being acquired, parent of SouthStar Bank; SouthStar Bank, Texas-based bank being acquired and 2 more
The Southeastern Conference announced that Ole Miss will travel to Austin to face Texas on Saturday, October 24, with kickoff at 6:30 p.m. Central on ABC. The matchup will be nationally televised between two top-10 ranked teams.
Southeastern Conference, announced kickoff time and TV network; Ole Miss, will travel to Austin to face Texas; Texas, will host Ole Miss
The Sumo Championship League, a new professional sports league, held its first-ever event this weekend outside of Austin. The competition features 58 athletes from 10 different countries, including several Texans.
Stuart Snyder, Chairman and CEO of Sumo Championship League; Sumo Championship League, New professional sports league
Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico reappeared at the Austin City Limits music festival on Friday after a 12-day absence from the campaign trail due to flu. His last in-person event was a fundraiser in New York on September 28-29; he appeared virtually on September 30 to announce his flu diagnosis.
James Talarico, Democratic U.S. Senate nominee; Ken Paxton, Republican Senate nominee, Texas Attorney General; Donald Trump, President and 1 more
Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico made his first public appearance in nine days at Austin City Limits music festival on October 9 after being sidelined by the flu. His absence from Sept. 30 through early October drew attacks from Republican opponent Ken Paxton and President Donald Trump, who questioned his whereabouts and demanded "proof of life."
James Talarico, Democratic U.S. Senate nominee; Ken Paxton, Republican U.S. Senate nominee; Donald Trump, President and 3 more