Largest figure in the news

$2.9 trillion

Texas economy size. Read the fact sheet

Border & Immigration, Big Bend region, Texas; Big Bend National Park; Big Bend sector

Federal judge temporarily blocks border wall construction in Big Bend

A federal court in Texas on Friday issued a temporary injunction blocking the Trump administration from building a border wall and other infrastructure across Texas' Big Bend region. The ruling covers Big Bend National Park and the roughly 500-mile-long Big Bend sector.

$ $46 billion for border infrastructure project budget

Judge Kathleen Cardone, U.S. District Judge who issued the ruling; Trump administration, Party blocked from proceeding with construction; Laiken Jordahl, Center of Biological Diversity representative who brought the lawsuit

Reported by 27 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections

Angela Paxton backs Republican ticket including estranged husband Ken Paxton

State Sen. Angela Paxton released a TV advertisement urging voters to support the entire Republican ticket in the November 3 election, including her estranged husband, Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is running for U.S. Senate against Democrat James Talarico. Angela Paxton filed for divorce in 2025 after 38 years of marriage, citing adultery.

$ over $126 million per [1]; more than $130 million per [3] for super PAC spending on Ken Paxton's campaign

Angela Paxton, State Senator, R-McKinney; Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General, Republican U.S. Senate nominee; James Talarico, Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate

Reported by 7 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections

Texas Senate candidates Paxton and Talarico answer Hispanic Business Council questions

U.S. Senate candidates Ken Paxton and James Talarico separately answered questions from the United States Hispanic Business Council on healthcare, immigration, and affordability. Paxton appeared in person on Monday; Talarico appeared via Zoom on Wednesday after being diagnosed with the flu.

$ Paxton proposed tax deductions for homebuyers, medical expenses, and healthy choices spending; Talarico did not propose tax deductions in his response.

Ken Paxton, U.S. Senate candidate; James Talarico, U.S. Senate candidate; Javier Palomarez, USHBC president and CEO

Reported by 4 outlets   Facts and sources

Taxes & Budget

Texas seniors pay zero school property taxes under recent exemption increases

Texas has expanded homestead exemptions for seniors on school property taxes. Nearly 2.4 million Texans no longer pay school property taxes, and about 60% of homeowners age 65 and up pay no school property taxes.

$ Lawmakers funded school property tax cuts using state revenue surpluses, creating a wealth transfer from younger Texans to older homeowners, per sources.

Paul Bettencourt, State Sen., Houston Republican; authored property tax cuts; Dan Patrick, Lt. Gov.; proposed extending senior exemption to age 55 and up; Greg Abbott, Gov.; proposed eliminating school property taxes for all homeowners

Reported by 4 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections, Texas

Republicans express concern over Ken Paxton Senate campaign spending

Republican officials and senators expressed concern over mounting spending to support Ken Paxton's Texas Senate campaign, worrying the race is becoming too expensive and unlikely to succeed. Audio leaked of Paxton criticizing Trump's midterm convention effort.

$ $200 million-plus for outside spending by Republican groups to support Paxton campaign

Ken Paxton, Texas Senate nominee; John Cornyn, U.S. Senator (R-TX); James Talarico, Democratic Senate nominee

Reported by 3 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections

GOP launches ad campaign supporting Ken Paxton for Texas Senate

The Republican Party is running a television ad blitz in Texas to support state Attorney General Ken Paxton's bid for the U.S. Senate. Paxton faces Democrat James Talarico in what multiple polls show is a closely contested race.

$ 166 million for ad campaign budget

Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General, Republican Senate nominee; James Talarico, Democratic Senate candidate; Donald Trump, President

Reported by 2 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections

Texas governor's race tightens as Abbott attacks Hinojosa

A New York Times/Siena College poll showed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa leading Republican Gov. Greg Abbott by three points, within the margin of error. Abbott has begun attacking Hinojosa with ads and social media posts, while Latino Democratic leaders urged the Democratic Governors Association to invest $10 million in the race.

$ $10 million for proposed Democratic Governors Association investment

Greg Abbott, Republican Governor; Gina Hinojosa, Democratic gubernatorial candidate; Julián Castro, Former HUD Secretary and former San Antonio Mayor

Reported by 2 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections

Ken Paxton took 275 out-of-state trips costing Texas $1.9 million minimum

Records reviewed by the Associated Press show Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton took over 275 out-of-state trips since 2015 to places including California wine country, Caribbean resorts, and European tourism destinations. His security detail expenses for out-of-state travel rose from about $30,000 in 2015 to nearly $400,000 in 2024.

$ $1.9 million minimum for security detail travel expenses for out-of-state trips

Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General and Republican U.S. Senate candidate; James Talarico, Democratic opponent in Senate race; Joshua Blank, Director of research, Texas Politics Project at University of Texas at Austin

Reported by 2 outlets   Facts and sources

Taxes & Budget, Bell County

Bell County loses $12.1 million in property tax revenue from business exemption

Proposition 9, a state constitutional amendment approved by voters in November 2025, created a $125,000 exemption for income-producing tangible personal property. House Bill 9 implemented the proposition and took effect January 1, 2026. The Tax Appraisal District of Bell County estimates the exemption cost Bell County taxing entities more than $12.1 million in uncollected property tax revenue this year.

$ Bell County taxing entities will collect approximately $12.1 million less in property tax revenue this year due to the business personal property exemption, with schools accounting for about $6.7 million of the loss, though the state Foundation School Program partially offsets school district losses. [1]

Billy White, Tax Appraisal District of Bell County Chief Appraiser; Hillary Hickland, State Rep., R-Belton, joint author of HB 9; Howard 'Scot' Arey, Former vice president with appraisal district, property-tax reform advocate

Reported by 2 outlets   Facts and sources

Taxes & Budget, Gregg County

Gregg County raises property tax rate to fund budget increases

The Gregg County Commissioners Court approved a property tax increase to fund the county budget as costs rise. Judge Bill Stoudt said the increase was necessary to maintain vital services including road maintenance, law enforcement, and jail operations.

$ Gregg County property taxes increased by $0.03 per $100 of property value per [1,2].

Bill Stoudt, Gregg County Judge

Reported by 2 outlets   Facts and sources

Schools

Governor Abbott announces Workforce Pell approval and federal grant

Governor Abbott announced that five Texas community colleges earned approval from the U.S. Department of Education to offer Workforce Pell student aid for short-term programs. A consortium of Texas community colleges led by Alamo Colleges District received a $10.4 million Department of Labor grant to expand workforce programs.

$ $10.4 million for department of Labor grant

Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas; Wynn Rosser, Higher Education Commissioner; Mike Flores, Alamo Colleges District Chancellor

Official record and 1 more   Facts and sources

Economy & Jobs

Texas reports 7 percent increase in new business filings in April

Secretary of State Carlos H. Cascos announced a 7 percent increase in new business filings in April 2016 compared to April 2015. A total of 14,871 certificates of formation were filed in April 2016, up from 13,874 in April 2015.

$ 14,871 for certificates of formation filed in April 2016

Carlos H. Cascos, Secretary of State

From an official record   Facts and sources

Elections

James Talarico leads Ken Paxton in Texas Senate race survey

A poll shows Democrat James Talarico leading Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race. Different sources report different margins between the candidates.

James Talarico, Democrat, Texas House member, candidate for Texas Senate; Ken Paxton, Republican, candidate for Texas Senate

Reported by 9 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections, Texas

Rove says Paxton loses Senate race if he refuses to debate Talarico

Republican strategist Karl Rove said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will lose his U.S. Senate race if he refuses to debate Democratic opponent state Rep. James Talarico. Paxton has not agreed to proposed debates.

Karl Rove, Republican strategist and former senior adviser to President George W. Bush; Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General, U.S. Senate candidate; James Talarico, State Rep., Democratic U.S. Senate candidate

Reported by 3 outlets   Facts and sources

Border & Immigration, Rio Grande Valley, Texas; near Garceno, Texas

500 troops deployed to Rio Grande Valley after Coast Guard shooting

Approximately 500 troops are deploying to Texas' Rio Grande Valley this week following a shooting incident involving Coast Guard personnel. Coast Guard Forces Rio Grande personnel came under gunfire from the Mexican border near Garceno, Texas, on Saturday while conducting joint interdiction operations; personnel returned fire with no injuries or damage reported.

Coast Guard Forces Rio Grande, Personnel conducting joint interdiction operations who came under gunfire; U.S. Border Patrol, Federal partner working with Coast Guard; Department of War, Federal partner coordinating border operations

Reported by 3 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections, San Antonio, Freeman Coliseum

Trump to speak at San Antonio rally with Paxton and De La Cruz

President Donald Trump will speak at a rally in San Antonio on Wednesday, October 9 at 4:30 p.m. at Freeman Coliseum. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is running for Senate, and congressional candidate Carlos De La Cruz are scheduled speakers.

Donald Trump, President; Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General, Senate candidate; Carlos De La Cruz, Congressional candidate for U.S. House District 35

Reported by 3 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections

Texas Secretary of State urges voter registration by October 11

Texas Secretary of State John Scott encouraged eligible Texas voters to register by October 11 for the November 8 General Election. Texas law requires registration 30 days before Election Day.

John B. Scott, Texas Secretary of State

Official record and 2 more   Facts and sources

Public Safety, San Antonio

Governor Abbott honors 2026 Texas Officer of the Year recipients

Governor Greg Abbott delivered remarks at the 50th Anniversary Convention of the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) in San Antonio and honored the state's 2026 Texas Officer of the Year award recipients. Abbott proclaimed October 2026 as Law Enforcement Appreciation Month in Texas.

Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas; Scott Leeton, CLEAT President

Official record and 2 more   Facts and sources

Elections, Tarrant County (UT Arlington, Arlington, Fort Worth)

Tarrant County removes early voting site from UT Arlington campus

Tarrant County commissioners voted to remove the early voting polling location at University of Texas at Arlington, citing proximity to another site. The county reduced voting locations from 316 in 2022 to 224 for the November 2026 election, and early voting sites from 50 to 47.

Tarrant County commissioners, voted to remove polling location; Tim O'Hare, Tarrant County Judge; Clinton Ludwig, Tarrant County elections administrator

Reported by 2 outlets   Facts and sources

Public Safety, Waxahachie, Ellis County

Texas mother charged with capital murder in deaths of two sons

A 42-year-old Waxahachie woman was charged with capital murder after shooting and killing her two sons, ages 21 and 15, in their home on Thursday morning. One died at the scene; the other died at a hospital after being taken in critical condition.

Colleen Nichole Lemmon, Accused shooter; Christopher Scott Pitre, Victim, age 21, pronounced dead at scene; Brad Norman, Ellis County Sheriff

Reported by 2 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections

Texas Secretary of State urges voters to prepare for March 1 primary election

Texas Secretary of State John Scott urged eligible voters to prepare for the March 1 Primary Election by visiting votetexas.gov. Early Voting runs February 14-25, with a mail ballot application deadline of February 18. The Secretary emphasized Texas's tradition of early in-person voting beginning in 1988.

John Scott, Texas Secretary of State

Official record and 1 more   Facts and sources

Public Safety, Midland, Texas

One killed, ten hurt in mass shooting in Midland, Texas

Victor Mata Villarreal opened fire at bystanders and officers in Midland, Texas on Friday morning around 8 a.m. One person was killed and ten others injured. Villarreal barricaded himself in an abandoned veterinary clinic and was found dead around 12:30 p.m. after an hourslong standoff with police.

Victor Mata Villarreal, Suspected gunman; Edward Randall Scott, Victim killed in shooting; Lori Blong, Midland Mayor

Reported by 2 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections, Austin (festival); Waco (rally); Dallas (interview)

Mock campaign sign criticizing Paxton spotted at Austin City Limits festival

A satirical "Paxton 2026 Dirtbag Criminal for Senate!" sign was placed outside an entrance to Austin City Limits Music Festival. The creator was not identified. Paxton, the GOP U.S. Senate nominee, addressed criticism at a Dallas event about a plea deal prosecutors offered to Adam Hoffman, a former Waco attorney charged with child sexual abuse.

Ken Paxton, GOP U.S. Senate nominee, Texas Attorney General; James Talarico, Democratic challenger, state Rep.; Adam Hoffman, former Waco-based attorney charged with child sexual abuse

Reported by 2 outlets   Facts and sources

Public Safety, Commerce, Hunt County

Multiple people injured in shooting at party near Commerce

A shooting occurred at a party in northeast Commerce, Texas early Saturday morning, injuring multiple people. At least one victim was an East Texas A&M University student, though the event took place off-campus. The Commerce Police Department is investigating with assistance from East Texas A&M University Police and Texas Rangers.

Commerce Police Department, Responding agency; East Texas A&M University Police, Assisting with investigation; Texas Rangers, Providing investigation resources

Reported by 2 outlets   Facts and sources

Courts, Austin

Federal prosecutors charge man shot by ICE agent with assaulting officer

Federal prosecutors charged Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, 28, a Venezuelan delivery driver, with assaulting a federal officer after he was shot in his car by an ICE agent in Austin on September 20. Prosecutors allege Garces Perez struck an officer with his side mirror while attempting to drive away.

Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, Venezuelan delivery driver shot by ICE agent; Federal prosecutors, Filed assault charge

Reported by 2 outlets   Facts and sources

Public Safety, Lubbock

Texas Tech police investigate sexual assault of two students

Texas Tech police are investigating a report of sexual assault involving two students. The incident occurred just after midnight Thursday. The students accepted a ride from multiple unknown people in a black pickup truck and report not remembering much after accepting the ride.

Texas Tech Police Department, investigating agency

Reported by 2 outlets   Facts and sources

Federal, El Paso; Fort Hancock airspace

Department of Defense mistakenly shoots down CBP drone near El Paso

The Department of Defense mistakenly shot down a Customs and Border Protection drone over El Paso. Congress was briefed on the incident Thursday. The FAA expanded temporary flight restrictions over Fort Hancock airspace, about 50 miles southeast of El Paso, through June 24.

Department of Defense, Shot down CBP drone; Customs and Border Protection, Operator of the drone that was shot down; Rick Larsen, Ranking member, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

Reported by 2 outlets   Facts and sources

Local Government, Austin

Austin City Council candidates miss financial disclosure deadlines

Some Austin City Council candidates across all five races missed a deadline to disclose financial records.

Austin City Council candidates, candidates in city council races

Reported by 2 outlets   Facts and sources

Public Safety, El Paso County, near Sparks (Flying J truck stop on Horizon Boulevard)

El Paso County responds to unattended death at truck stop

El Paso County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of an unattended death at a truck stop near Sparks. Investigators said they do not believe foul play was involved.

El Paso County Sheriff's Office, responder and investigator

Reported by 2 outlets   Facts and sources

Public Safety, Guadalupe County and San Antonio

Suspect arrested in connection with December 2025 shooting

Guadalupe County sheriff's deputies and San Antonio police arrested Miguel Angel Pacheco, 20, on September 24 in connection with a December 2025 shooting. The arrest followed a joint investigation by the Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office Special Investigations Bureau and Narcotics Unit with the San Antonio Police Department's Street Crimes Unit.

Miguel Angel Pacheco, Suspect arrested; Joshua Ray, Guadalupe County Sheriff

Reported by 2 outlets   Facts and sources

Public Safety, Post, Garza County (about 40 miles southeast of Lubbock)

Post ISD band director arrested on child pornography possession charge

Bruce Bailey Jr., a band director at Post ISD in Garza County, was arrested Friday on a charge of possessing between 10 and 50 images of child pornography. Post ISD placed the employee on administrative leave Thursday after receiving information about the matter, and notified authorities and parents.

Bruce Bailey Jr., Band director at Post ISD

Reported by 2 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections, Corpus Christi, Waco, Statewide

Trump visits Texas as three GOP Senate candidates seek his endorsement

President Trump traveled to Texas on Friday to speak about energy and the economy. Three Republican Senate primary candidates—Cornyn, Paxton, and Hunt—attended or planned to attend his Corpus Christi speech, each seeking his endorsement in the Tuesday primary. Meanwhile, Paxton held a campaign event in Waco on Saturday drawing supporters and protesters.

Donald Trump, President; John Cornyn, Texas U.S. Senator, Republican primary candidate; Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General, Republican primary candidate

Reported by 2 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections

Texas delays new voter registration cards due to redistricting litigation

The Texas Secretary of State announced that mailing of new voter registration certificates is delayed due to ongoing redistricting litigation. However, voter registration status remains valid for those previously registered. Dallas County's voter registration deadline for the November 3 general election is October 5.

Texas Secretary of State, Official government agency; Dallas County voter registrar, County election official

Official record and 1 more   Facts and sources

Elections, Senate District 28 (51 West Texas counties, including Lubbock and San Angelo)

Early voting begins in Texas Senate District 28 special election

Early voting in the Senate District 28 special election runs from August 25 through September 5, with the election on September 9. The special election is to replace former state Senator Robert Duncan. Photo ID is required to vote in person.

Nandita Berry, Texas Secretary of State; Robert Duncan, former state Senator

From an official record   Facts and sources