Largest figure in the news

around $27 billion

State rainy day fund current balance. Read the fact sheet

Elections

Paxton blames Texas Senate campaign struggles on Iran war and fuel prices

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, told donors and lobbyists at a closed-door fundraising event that the Iran war and high gasoline and diesel prices are the main factors hurting his campaign. An audio recording of his remarks was published by Axios on October 7, 2026.

$ $5.72 for average diesel price per gallon in Texas

Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate; James Talarico, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate

Reported by 48 outlets   Facts and sources

Courts, Silsbee, Texas (approximately 100 miles northeast of Houston)

Texas executes Jamaal Howard by lethal injection for 2000 murder

Jamaal Howard, 46, was executed by lethal injection on October 7, 2026, for the 2000 fatal shooting of convenience store clerk Vickie Swartout during a robbery in Silsbee, Texas. Howard was pronounced dead at 8:03 p.m. CT.

$ $114 for money taken during robbery

Jamaal Howard, Man executed for 2000 murder of convenience store clerk; Vickie Swartout, Convenience store clerk fatally shot during 2000 robbery; Greg Abbott, Texas Governor

Reported by 46 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

Taxes & Budget

Texas Comptroller ends tax on medical records and related systems

Texas Comptroller Don Huffines signed an executive order to end taxation on charges for accessing medical records, electronic health records, patient portals, and other healthcare technology systems. The rule change applies to services previously taxed under 1987 legislation on information services.

$ The rule change ends taxes previously applied to medical records access, electronic health records, patient portals, and healthcare technology systems.

Don Huffines, Texas Comptroller; Texas Legislature, Author of 1987 taxation rules

Reported by 8 outlets   Facts and sources

Economy & Jobs, Texas

Talarico says Paxton-backed tariffs threaten free chips and salsa

Democrat James Talarico released a Facebook post claiming that tariffs backed by Republican Ken Paxton could end free chips and salsa at Texas restaurants by driving up tomato costs. The Trump administration announced a 17% tariff on fresh tomatoes from Mexico in July.

$ 17% for tariff on fresh tomatoes from Mexico

James Talarico, Democrat candidate; Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General and opponent to Talarico; Trump administration, Announced tariff

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 7 outlets   Facts and sources

Taxes & Budget, Dallas County

Dallas County voters to decide property tax increase for homelessness

Dallas County is asking voters to approve Proposition A in November, which would increase property taxes to create permanent funding for mental health, addiction treatment, and housing programs. The measure would generate approximately $100 million annually and raise taxes about $60 per year for the average homeowner.

$ Property tax increase of approximately $60 per year for average homeowner to create $100 million annual funding for homelessness services.

Dallas County leaders, Proposing Proposition A; County Judge Clay Jenkins, County Judge supporting the measure; Sarah Kahn, Housing Forward representative

Reported by 4 outlets   Facts and sources

Schools

Texas STAAR rescoring requests triple as schools question computer grading

Texas school districts submitted 64,489 requests to rescore open-ended reading responses on STAAR exams this spring, nearly tripling from the prior year. The Texas Education Agency has used an automated scoring engine since December 2023 to grade open-ended questions, with humans manually reviewing a quarter of exam scores.

$ $15 million to $20 million for additional annual cost to score essays by hand

Texas Education Agency, State agency that implemented automated scoring and conducts manual reviews; Allison Matney, Director of Texas Center for School Accountability; Jake Kobersky, Texas Education Agency spokesperson

Reported by 4 outlets   Facts and sources

Local Government, San Antonio

San Antonio Water System board approves 2027 budget with rate increase

The San Antonio Water System board approved its 2027 budget on Tuesday, which includes rate increases for residential and business customers. San Antonio City Council is scheduled to vote on the rate change Thursday.

$ $3.91 for average residential monthly bill increase

San Antonio Water System, Utility company that approved budget; Cecilia Velasquez, Chief Financial Officer, presented to SAWS board; San Antonio City Council, Final decision-maker on rate change

Reported by 4 outlets   Facts and sources

Taxes & Budget

Texas sales tax revenue reaches $4.4 billion in September

Texas collected $4.4 billion in state sales tax revenue in September, an increase of 11.5% compared to September 2025. The increase was driven primarily by strong business spending in mining, construction, manufacturing, wholesale trade, and real estate.

$ Comptroller Huffines said continued revenue growth puts the Legislature in position to use state surplus to ease tax burdens for homeowners, businesses, and renters.

Texas Comptroller Don Huffines, Texas Comptroller announcing revenue figures; Texas Comptroller's Office, Agency collecting and reporting state sales tax revenue

Reported by 4 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections

Talarico leads Paxton in Texas Senate race as spending approaches record

Democrat James Talarico leads Republican Ken Paxton by six points in the Texas U.S. Senate race, according to a New York Times/Siena Research Institute poll. Advertising spending in the race has reached $442 million, the second most expensive non-presidential race on record.

$ $442 million for U.S. Senate race advertising spending

James Talarico, Democrat candidate for U.S. Senate; State Representative; Ken Paxton, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate; Attorney General; Angela Paxton, State Senator (R-McKinney); appeared in ad during race

Reported by 4 outlets   Facts and sources

Federal, Carrollton; Statewide

Senate candidates Paxton and Talarico debate gas and diesel tax policy

U.S. Senate candidates Ken Paxton (Republican) and James Talarico (Democrat) disagreed over federal gas and diesel taxes. At a Carrollton gas station, Talarico called for suspending federal fuel taxes and condemning the Iran war. Paxton responded by calling for permanently eliminating the gas tax.

$ Talarico proposes suspending federal gas and diesel taxes; Paxton proposes permanently eliminating the gas tax to return money to drivers.

Ken Paxton, Republican U.S. Senate nominee; James Talarico, Democratic U.S. Senate nominee; Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas

Reported by 4 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections, San Antonio, Freeman Coliseum

Trump holds rally in San Antonio to support Paxton Senate campaign

President Trump held a rally at Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio on Wednesday evening to support Ken Paxton's campaign for U.S. Senate. The event came amid a closely contested Texas Senate race between Paxton and challenger Talarico.

Donald Trump, President, rally speaker; Ken Paxton, U.S. Senate candidate; Talarico, U.S. Senate candidate

Reported by 90 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections, San Antonio, Texas

Trump holds San Antonio rally for Paxton Senate campaign

President Donald Trump held a campaign rally in San Antonio on October 7 at Freeman Coliseum to support Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton. Texas Governor Greg Abbott did not attend, citing other planned campaign events.

Donald Trump, President; rally speaker; Ken Paxton, Republican Senate nominee; rally host; Greg Abbott, Texas Governor; did not attend

Reported by 32 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 25 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

Cowboys and NFL stars endorse Ken Paxton for Texas Senate race

Dallas Cowboys legend Randy White and former NFL defensive lineman Bryce Huff endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the U.S. Senate race. White cited their shared work on child safety and opioid awareness; Huff emphasized support for small business and limited government.

Randy White, Dallas Cowboys legend, Pro Football Hall of Famer, endorser of Paxton; Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General, U.S. Senate candidate; Bryce Huff, Super Bowl champion, former NFL defensive lineman, endorser of Paxton

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 13 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 11 more   Facts and sources

State Government

Abbott orders Texas flags lowered to honor October 7 victims

Governor Abbott ordered US and Texas flags to be lowered to half-staff on October 7 to honor victims of October 7.

Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas

Reported by 10 outlets   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 10 outlets   Facts and sources

Other, Dallas

Oklahoma lists 13 players on SEC availability report before Texas matchup

Oklahoma released its initial SEC availability report on Wednesday ahead of Saturday's Red River Rivalry game against No. 1 Texas at the Cotton Bowl. Running back Xavier Robinson is out; four other Oklahoma players are out or doubtful. Texas has four players listed with Coleman out and Smothers cleared.

Xavier Robinson, Oklahoma running back; Taylor Heim, Oklahoma linebacker; Trell Harris, Oklahoma wide receiver

Reported by 8 outlets   Facts and sources

Public Safety, Houston and San Antonio, Texas

Abbott outlines public safety agenda in Houston and San Antonio visits

Governor Greg Abbott met with law enforcement and families affected by fentanyl in Houston and San Antonio, outlining a four-point public safety agenda for the next legislative session. Abbott proposed denying bail for criminal illegal aliens, establishing a statewide prosecutor's office, enabling impeachment of district attorneys who fail to enforce the law, and expanding the repeat offender task force.

Greg Abbott, Governor; Ray Hunt, HPOU Executive Director; Brian Hawthorne, Chambers County Sheriff

Reported by 7 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections

Texas holds general election November 3 with statewide and federal races

Texas will hold a general election on November 3, 2026. Early voting runs from October 19-30. Races include one U.S. Senate seat, all U.S. House seats, statewide offices, state representatives, statewide judicial candidates, and county offices.

Gov. Greg Abbott, Candidate for fourth gubernatorial term; Ken Paxton, Candidate for U.S. Senate; Colin Talarico, Candidate for U.S. Senate

Reported by 7 outlets   Facts and sources

Other, Fort Worth, Texas

Seven Texas tennis players compete in ITA Regional Championships

Seven University of Texas men's tennis players are competing in the ITA Texas Regional Championships being held at the Friedman Tennis Center in Fort Worth from October 8-12. Two singles players and one doubles pair will qualify for the NCAA Championships.

Jeremiah Braswell, Sophomore, Texas men's tennis player in singles qualifying; Tomasz Berkieta, Freshman, Texas men's tennis player in singles main draw and doubles; Mariano Dedura-Palomero, Sophomore, Texas men's tennis player in singles main draw and doubles

Reported by 6 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections

Chris Stirewalt analyzes Texas Senate race between Paxton and Talarico

NewsNation's Chris Stirewalt brought his show "The Hill Sunday" to the State Fair of Texas and analyzed the U.S. Senate race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico. Stirewalt said the race reflects concerns about Paxton specifically rather than Texas turning Democratic.

Chris Stirewalt, Political analyst, NewsNation host; Ken Paxton, Republican U.S. Senate candidate; James Talarico, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate

Reported by 6 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 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

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 6 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections

Most Texas Republicans decline to debate Democratic opponents in statewide races

Most Republican nominees for Texas statewide office have not accepted debate invitations from Democratic opponents with two weeks left before early voting. Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, has not accepted any debate invitations despite his July statement that he would debate. James Talarico, his Democratic opponent, has accepted at least four debate invitations. Abbott's campaign has not publicly agreed to debate Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa, though he debated his opponents in each of his three previous races.

Ken Paxton, Republican nominee for U.S. Senate; Attorney General; James Talarico, Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate; Greg Abbott, Governor; Republican gubernatorial nominee

Reported by 5 outlets   Facts and sources

Courts, Webb County (Laredo), Texas; Southern District of Texas

Former Webb County sheriff's deputy sentenced to 20 years for sexual assault

Ignacio Rodriguez IV, a 29-year-old former Webb County sheriff's deputy, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for sexually assaulting a woman during a traffic stop on September 1, 2024. He pleaded guilty and was ordered to serve 240 months followed by five years of supervised release.

Ignacio Rodriguez IV, Former Webb County sheriff's deputy, age 29; U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo, Judge who sentenced Rodriguez; U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz, U.S. Attorney, Southern District of Texas

Reported by 5 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections

Talarico steps off Texas Senate campaign trail after flu diagnosis

Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico stepped off the campaign trail after being diagnosed with the flu. He disclosed his illness at a virtual Hispanic Business Council forum and canceled at least two campaign events.

James Talarico, Democratic Senate candidate, state representative from Austin; Ken Paxton, Republican Attorney General, opponent; JT Ennis, Talarico campaign spokesperson

Reported by 5 outlets   Facts and sources

Border & Immigration, Presidio and El Paso areas, Texas southern border

Cartel threatens to kidnap federal agents at Texas border, alert says

An internal Department of Homeland Security alert obtained by media sources warns that a cartel is threatening to kidnap federal agents and officers at the Texas southern border. The alert says a known alien smuggler plans to bring migrants from Colombia and Venezuela into the United States, possibly targeting U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel in the Presidio and El Paso areas.

Department of Homeland Security, issued alert; U.S. Customs and Border Protection, personnel potentially targeted; agency responding

Reported by 5 outlets   Facts and sources