Largest figure in the news

$104.9 billion

State budget for K-12 education. Read the fact sheet

Elections

Ken Paxton says Trump's convention and D.C. control hurt his Senate campaign

In leaked audio recordings from a private Washington fundraiser on Sept. 24, Texas Attorney General and Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton said the Republican convention in Dallas "dropped our numbers" and complained that Washington D.C. controls his campaign messaging rather than his own team.

$ upward of $200 million for republican-aligned ad spending supporting Paxton

Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General and Republican U.S. Senate nominee; James Talarico, Democratic U.S. Senate nominee, state representative from Austin; Donald Trump, President

Reported by 45 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections

October 5 is final day to register to vote in Texas midterm elections

October 5, 2026 was the final deadline for Texas voters to register or update their registration for the November 3, 2026 midterm general election. Texas counties experienced a significant backlog of voter registration forms due to hundreds of thousands of records sent by the Texas Department of Public Safety about two weeks prior.

$ Not stated for grants to Texas elections offices

Texas Department of Public Safety, sent backlog of voter registration records to elections offices; Celia Israel, Travis County Tax Assessor and former State Rep.; Chris McGinn, executive director of Texas Association of County Election Officials

Reported by 19 outlets   Facts and sources

Schools

Texas comptroller announces financial review of four school districts

Texas Comptroller Don Huffines announced Monday that Austin, Barbers Hill, El Paso, and Prosper school districts will undergo detailed financial reviews. The reviews, requested by Gov. Greg Abbott in August, will examine whether district spending complies with state law and whether public funds are directed toward students, classrooms, and teachers rather than administrative or non-instructional expenses.

$ $104.9 billion for State budget for K-12 education

Don Huffines, Texas Comptroller; Gov. Greg Abbott, Texas Governor; Sarah Eckhardt, State Senator, D-Austin; candidate for comptroller

Reported by 17 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections

Abbott outraises Hinojosa but depletes most campaign funds in Texas governor race

Gov. Greg Abbott raised over $20 million from July through late September, more than challenger Gina Hinojosa's $13 million, but has spent $141.3 million total since the start of the year. Abbott ended the reporting period with $18.2 million in cash on hand versus Hinojosa's $4 million.

$ Over $20 million for campaign funds raised

Greg Abbott, Republican incumbent Texas governor running for reelection; Gina Hinojosa, Democratic challenger in Texas governor race; Kim Snyder, Abbott campaign manager

Reported by 14 outlets   Facts and sources

Courts, Big Bend sector, West Texas (covers more than 500 miles of Rio Grande corridor in Texas)

Federal judge halts border barrier construction in Big Bend region

U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone issued a preliminary injunction on October 2, 2026, blocking border barrier construction and ground-disturbing activities across the Big Bend sector. The injunction covers five contracted border wall projects and nullifies federal waivers suspending 28 environmental and historic preservation laws.

$ over $7.5 billion for government contracts for border barrier infrastructure totaling

U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone, issued preliminary injunction; Center for Biological Diversity, filed lawsuit and obtained injunction; Friends of the Ruidosa Church, plaintiff in lawsuit

Reported by 9 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections, Federal

Ken Paxton raises $18 million in third quarter for Senate race

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton raised $18 million in the third quarter of 2026 for his U.S. Senate campaign against Democrat James Talarico. The haul more than doubled his second-quarter fundraising of $9 million.

$ $18 million for third-quarter campaign funds raised

Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General, Republican U.S. Senate candidate; James Talarico, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate, Austin state representative; Nick Maddux, Paxton senior adviser

Reported by 7 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections

Republican PACs air Ken Paxton ads nationally during NFL games

Republican political action committees Texas PAC and Senate Leadership Fund purchased advertising time during Fox's nationally broadcast NFL games on Sunday, October 5, 2026. The ads, which ran during the Cowboys-Texans, Eagles-Rams, Packers-Buccaneers, and Jets-Bears games, reached millions of viewers nationwide, including those outside Texas. The ads featured state Senator Angela Paxton urging support for the Republican ticket and attacked Democratic nominee James Talarico.

$ $2 million for cost for one 30-second ad spot

Texas PAC, Super PAC affiliated with Senate Majority Leader John Thune; purchased and ran ads; Senate Leadership Fund, Political action committee tied to Senate Republicans; purchased and ran ads; Ken Paxton, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate from Texas; subject of ads

Reported by 6 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections, Texas

CNN analyst says Texas Senate race could determine control of Senate

CNN data analyst Harry Enten said Democrats' chances of winning the U.S. Senate depend heavily on the Texas Senate race between Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton. Enten said Texas is the fourth most likely seat to flip and Talarico's victory would give Democrats a 78% chance of Senate control.

$ $31 million for campaign spending

Harry Enten, CNN chief data analyst; James Talarico, Democratic state representative running for U.S. Senate; Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General and Republican Senate candidate backed by Trump

Reported by 6 outlets   Facts and sources

State Government

Governor Abbott announces $31 million in veterans assistance grants applications open

Governor Greg Abbott announced that applications opened for an estimated $31 million in Fund for Veterans' Assistance (FVA) grants administered by the Texas Veterans Commission. Nonprofit organizations and local government agencies providing direct services to veterans may apply.

$ $31 million for fund for Veterans' Assistance grants

Governor Greg Abbott, Announced grant funding; Texas Veterans Commission (TVC), Administers the grants; Laura Koerner, TVC Chairwoman and Navy veteran

Official record and 5 more   Facts and sources

State Government, Lake Palestine, Henderson County, approximately 18 miles west of Tyler and 20 miles east of Athens

Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation purchases 650-acre ranch on Lake Palestine

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation sealed a deal Thursday to purchase a 650-acre ranch on Lake Palestine in Henderson County. The property will eventually become a Texas state park, with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department expected to purchase it from the foundation in late 2027.

$ more than $10 million for purchase price of property

Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, Purchaser of property; Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Will purchase property in late 2027; Anne Brown, Executive director of Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation

Reported by 6 outlets   Facts and sources

Local Government, Harris County Precinct 4

Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner spent $223,000 on billboards

Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones spent more than $223,000 over two years on billboards in Precinct 4, with 10 billboards titled "hurricane preparedness." Commissioner Briones did not respond to requests for comment.

$ Tax dollars are being spent on billboards, according to Charles Blain.

Lesley Briones, Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner; Charles Blain, President of Urban Reform

Reported by 5 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections

Texas voter registration software errors affect hundreds of thousands of voters

A software bug in Texas's voter registration system led to at least 590,000 voter registrations not being sent to county officials for processing. The Texas Election Administration Management (TEAM) system, rolled out in July 2025, has experienced multiple errors and data consistency problems that county officials say stem from fundamental system architecture failures.

$ $17 million for contract amount for TEAM system overhaul

Civix, Louisiana-based technology and consulting firm that rolled out the TEAM system overhaul; Texas Secretary of State's office, State agency overseeing voter registration system; Texas Association of County Election Officials, Organization of county election officials

Reported by 5 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections, Texas (Houston, Dallas, Denton, San Antonio)

Trump travels to Texas third time in month to campaign

President Donald Trump is traveling to Texas for the third time in a month to campaign for the midterms. On Oct. 7, Trump will appear in San Antonio with Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is running for U.S. Senate.

Donald Trump, President campaigning for midterms; Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General running for U.S. Senate; James Talarico, Democrat running for U.S. Senate against Paxton

Reported by 26 outlets   Facts and sources

Other

Former Texas A&M, TCU, Alabama football coach Dennis Franchione dies

Dennis Franchione, a college football coach who led programs at Texas A&M, TCU, and Alabama among others, died Tuesday at age 75 after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was first diagnosed with cancer in 2016, beat it, and it returned in 2021; the disease returned again this year.

Dennis Franchione, Former head football coach at Texas A&M, TCU, Alabama, New Mexico, Texas State, and Southwestern College; Darrell Dickey, Former North Texas head coach, part of Franchione's staff at Texas State

Reported by 22 outlets   Facts and sources

Weather & Disasters, Dallas

Fire destroys gaming stands at State Fair of Texas Midway

A fire broke out at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas on Tuesday morning before the fair opened to the public. Dallas firefighters quickly contained the flames at two Midway game booths near the greenhouse.

Dallas Fire-Rescue, Responded to fire; Karissa Condoianis, Senior Vice President of Public Relations, State Fair of Texas

Reported by 15 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections

NYT/Siena poll shows shift in Texas Senate and governor races

An October 3 New York Times/Siena College poll of 615 likely Texas voters found Democrat James Talarico leading Republican Ken Paxton in the Senate race, and Democrat Gina Hinojosa leading incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in the governor race. The results mark shifts from earlier polling.

New York Times/Siena College, pollster; James Talarico, Democratic candidate for Texas Senate; Ken Paxton, Republican candidate for Texas Senate

Reported by 13 outlets   Facts and sources

State Government

Texas AG Paxton investigates Fruit of the Loom, Hanes for toxic chemicals in children's underwear

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into whether Fruit of the Loom and Hanes use toxic chemicals in producing children's underwear. Paxton sent civil investigative demands to both companies, citing potential health effects on children.

Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General; Fruit of the Loom, Company under investigation, owned by Berkshire Hathaway; Hanes, Company under investigation, owned by Gildan Activewear

Reported by 12 outlets   Facts and sources

State Government

Texas Attorney General Paxton launches investigation into UnitedHealth Group

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton opened an investigation into UnitedHealth Group over allegations of deceptive insurance practices and improper denial of medically necessary care to Texas patients. Paxton's office issued Civil Investigative Demands seeking records and information from the company.

Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General; UnitedHealth Group, Subject of investigation

Reported by 12 outlets   Facts and sources

State Government

Governor Abbott orders Texas flags to half-staff for Hamas attack anniversary

Governor Greg Abbott ordered United States and Texas flags at all state buildings lowered to half-staff on October 7, 2026, marking the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. Flags are to return to full-staff at sunset. Abbott also encouraged individuals, businesses, municipalities, and other entities to lower their flags during the same period.

Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas; Col. Freeman F. Martin, Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety

Official record and 10 more   Facts and sources

Courts

5th Circuit hears arguments on Texas college protest law

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit heard arguments Tuesday on Senate Bill 2972, Texas's Campus Protection Act, which requires public colleges to restrict expressive activity from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. and during final weeks of semesters. A federal judge temporarily blocked key parts of the law last year after students at two University of Texas system campuses sued.

Daniel Ortner, Assistant Solicitor General arguing for Texas; Adam Steinbaugh, Senior attorney for Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression representing students; U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, Federal appeals court hearing arguments

Reported by 9 outlets   Facts and sources

Courts, Harris County

Federal judge upholds Harris County cashless bail policy for misdemeanors

U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal denied requests to end the 2019 O'Donnell consent decree, which allows most people facing misdemeanor charges in Harris County to be released without paying cash bail. The four judges and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have appealed the ruling to the 5th Circuit.

U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal, issued ruling denying request to vacate consent decree; Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General requesting to vacate consent decree; Paula Goodhart, Harris County Criminal Court-at-Law Judge requesting to vacate consent decree

Reported by 8 outlets   Facts and sources

Schools, Blue Ridge ISD, Collin County

North Texas football coach placed on leave over player eligibility violations

Jason Russell, head football coach and athletic director at Blue Ridge ISD, was placed on administrative leave while the district investigates eligibility violations on its football roster. The school discovered the violations during its initial investigation and says it will comply with any forfeitures required by the UIL.

Jason Russell, Head football coach and athletic director at Blue Ridge ISD; Blue Ridge ISD, School district conducting investigation; Dr. Matthew Brown, Superintendent of Blue Ridge ISD

Reported by 7 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections

Texas holds Nov. 3 general election with federal, state, and local races

Texas will hold a general election on Nov. 3, 2026, with races for U.S. Senate, Congress, governor, state attorney general, and other statewide offices, plus local and school board races. Early voting begins Oct. 19.

Greg Abbott, Governor, campaigning for fourth term

Reported by 6 outlets   Facts and sources

Federal, Fort Hood, Texas

Fort Hood shooter Hasan scheduled for execution by firing squad December 3

Nidal Hasan, convicted of killing 13 people in a 2009 shooting at Fort Hood, has been scheduled for execution by firing squad on December 3, 2026, at Fort Hood. President Trump approved the execution method, and the Pentagon confirmed this will be the first military execution since 1961.

Nidal Malik Hasan, Army major convicted of killing 13 people in 2009 Fort Hood shooting; Donald Trump, President who approved the execution; Pete Hegseth, Defense Secretary who recommended using firing squad

Reported by 6 outlets   Facts and sources

Weather & Disasters, Gulf of Mexico (Bay of Campeche); forecast landfall Louisiana/Mississippi coast

Tropical Depression Nine forms in Gulf of Mexico south of Texas

Tropical Depression Nine formed in the southern Gulf of Mexico in the Bay of Campeche, about 350 miles southeast of Brownsville. The system is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Isaias and turn northward toward the northern Gulf Coast, with forecasters saying Texas is expected to stay out of the storm's primary path.

National Hurricane Center, forecasting agency; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, hurricane hunter aircraft operator; National Weather Service (Austin and San Antonio office), regional forecasting office

Reported by 6 outlets   Facts and sources

Economy & Jobs

David Borde named president and CEO of Entergy Texas

David Borde has been named president and CEO of Entergy Texas, effective Oct. 5, 2026, succeeding Eliecer Viamontes, who departed for other opportunities. Borde previously served as vice president of utility strategy and regulatory initiatives at Entergy.

David Borde, President and CEO of Entergy Texas; Eliecer Viamontes, Former president and CEO of Entergy Texas; Drew Marsh, Chair and CEO of Entergy

Reported by 6 outlets   Facts and sources

Local Government, Lubbock County

Lubbock County Clerk launches free property fraud alert service

The Lubbock County Clerk's office announced a new free service called Fraud Notify, provided through Tyler Technologies, that sends email alerts when documents are recorded under a registered name. The service covers deeds, deeds of trust, liens, and notices but excludes court case filings.

Lubbock County Clerk's office, launched the service; Kelly Pinion, County Clerk who announced the service; Tyler Technologies, provider of Fraud Notify service

Reported by 6 outlets   Facts and sources

Other, Cotton Bowl, Dallas

Brent Venables calls Oklahoma-Texas football game opportunity and challenge

Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables described the upcoming Red River Rivalry football game against No. 1 Texas as both an opportunity and a challenge for his team. Venables highlighted quarterback Arch Manning as an obstacle and said the Sooners are having "honest" conversations to improve.

Brent Venables, Oklahoma head coach; Arch Manning, Texas quarterback; John Mateer, Oklahoma quarterback

Reported by 5 outlets   Facts and sources

Public Safety, Pieper High School, Bexar County

Two teens detained after alleged weapon threat at Pieper High School

Two 16-year-old boys were detained after a student was allegedly threatened with a realistic-looking Airsoft gun in the parking lot of Pieper High School in Bexar County. The school was placed on lockdown as deputies responded and searched the campus.

Javier Salazar, Bexar County Sheriff; Bexar County Sheriff's Office, Law enforcement responding to incident; Bexar County District Attorney's Office, Determining possible charges

Reported by 5 outlets   Facts and sources

Other, Not stated

Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas" ends 24-week run at No. 1

Ella Langley's song "Choosin' Texas" ended its record-breaking 24-week run at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Taylor Swift's "Patient Zero" took the top position.

Reported by 5 outlets   Facts and sources

Courts, Travis County

PUC sues Paxton's office over data center location records release

The Public Utility Commission of Texas filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Ken Paxton's office in Travis County to block release of information showing where data centers and virtual currency mines operate. The PUC argues geographic details like county location and regional water planning area are sensitive and exempt under the Texas Homeland Security Act.

Public Utility Commission of Texas, plaintiff suing to block data center records release; Ken Paxton, Attorney General, defendant in lawsuit; Greg Abbott, Governor, ordered state agencies to review data centers

Reported by 5 outlets   Facts and sources

Public Safety, El Paso County

El Paso County tax office employee arrested for tampering with vehicle records

An El Paso County tax office deputy was arrested on charges related to tampering with vehicle title records. The arrest involved allegations of altering nearly 400 vehicle records.

El Paso County tax office deputy, employee arrested

Reported by 5 outlets   Facts and sources

Weather & Disasters, North Texas

Fall-like weather arrives in North Texas with cool mornings

Fall-like weather conditions arrived in North Texas on October 6, 2026, with the coolest morning temperatures of the fall season so far. Morning lows ranged from upper 50s to low 60s with low humidity, while afternoon highs remained in the middle 80s.

Reported by 4 outlets   Facts and sources

Public Safety, Brushy Creek near Fort Worth / Montague County (near Bowie), Texas

Flight attendant's body confirmed in Texas creek over one year after disappearance

Flight attendant Rana Nofal Soluri's body was discovered in Brushy Creek in June 2026, more than one year after she went missing in March 2025. DNA testing confirmed the remains in early October 2026. Her former roommate Dennis William Day, 67, was arrested and charged with her murder; a second person, Joni Thomas, 63, was charged with tampering with evidence.

Rana Nofal Soluri, Victim, Envoy Air flight attendant; Dennis William Day, Arrested, charged with murder; Joni Thomas, Charged with tampering with evidence

Reported by 4 outlets   Facts and sources