Largest figure in the news

$46 billion

Border wall project budget. Read the fact sheet

Sponsor

The Handiest Man Handyman and home repair, Huntsville to Austin. Learn more

Elections, Dubai

Ken Paxton attended Dubai New Year's party with federal fugitives

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton attended a New Year's Eve celebration in Dubai on December 31, 2024, with two men facing federal criminal charges in the U.S. and his girlfriend Tracy Duhon. The men, Anosh Ahmed and Sameer Suhail, had been indicted on federal healthcare fraud charges and had not returned to face prosecution at the time.

$ $190,000 for campaign contribution from Ahmed to Paxton

Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General and Republican Senate candidate; Anosh Ahmed, Man indicted on federal healthcare fraud charges who attended the party; Sameer Suhail, Man indicted on federal healthcare fraud charges who attended the party

Reported by 7 outlets   Facts and sources

Courts

Texas appeals federal order to air condition all prisons by 2029

A federal judge ordered the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to install air conditioning in all state prisons by the end of 2029. Texas appealed the order to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and asked the judge to suspend it pending appeal.

$ $1.5 billion for estimated cost to air condition all prisons

U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman, federal judge who issued the order; Texas Department of Criminal Justice, state agency ordered to install air conditioning; Bobby Lumpkin, TDCJ Director

Reported by 7 outlets   Facts and sources

Schools

Texas awards 84 career training grants totaling $20 million statewide

Governor Greg Abbott announced that the Texas Workforce Commission awarded 84 Jobs and Education for Texans grants totaling over $20 million to Texas public junior colleges, state colleges, technical colleges, school districts, and open-enrollment charter schools. The grants will fund equipment purchases for career and technical education programs expected to train over 7,400 students in the first year.

$ over $20 million for jobs and Education for Texans grants

Greg Abbott, Governor; Texas Workforce Commission, Grant administrator; Joe Esparza, TWC Chairman

Official record and 5 more   Facts and sources

Energy & Environment, Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi spent $50 million on unfinished desalination plant

Eight years after city officials approved a plan to build a seawater desalination plant funded by industrial companies, the city has spent at least $50 million on the project, which has not materialized. The companies now contribute only a fraction of expected costs, leaving residents to pay the rest.

$ At least $50 million for desalination plant spending

Corpus Christi City Council, Approved the desalination plan; Frank Brogan, Consultant who presented plan to city officials; OxyChem, Large water user and original plan supporter

Reported by 4 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections, Harris County

UH survey shows Plummer leading Sanchez by 7 points in Harris County judge race

A University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs survey found Democrat Letitia Plummer leading Republican Orlando Sanchez by 7 percentage points in the November Harris County judge race. Plummer drew 47% support versus 40% for Sanchez, with 13% undecided among 2,750 likely voters surveyed.

$ Harris County commissioners approved a property tax increase, with 72% of surveyed likely voters disapproving of the hike.

Letitia Plummer, Democratic candidate for Harris County judge; Orlando Sanchez, Republican candidate for Harris County judge; University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs, Conducted survey

Reported by 3 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections, Harris County

UH poll shows Talarico leading Paxton by 22 points in Harris County

A University of Houston poll of 2,750 Harris County likely voters shows state Rep. James Talarico leading Attorney General Ken Paxton 58% to 36% in the U.S. Senate race, with Gov. Abbott trailing state Rep. Gina Hinojosa by 16 points in the gubernatorial race.

$ 72 percent of respondents disapprove of Harris County commissioners' vote to approve the highest property tax rate in decades.

James Talarico, State representative, candidate in U.S. Senate race; Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General, candidate in U.S. Senate race; Greg Abbott, Governor, candidate for re-election

Reported by 3 outlets   Facts and sources

Public Safety, East El Paso County near Eastlake Boulevard and Rojas Drive

Man arrested after throwing rocks at driver in El Paso County

A traffic dispute near Eastlake Boulevard and Rojas Drive in East El Paso County escalated when a man allegedly threw rocks at another driver and his BMW, shattering windows and striking the victim. Edgar Sanchez was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

$ $5,000 for property damage from rock-thrown assault

Edgar Sanchez, Man arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon; El Paso County Sheriff's Office, Agency that investigated and arrested suspect

Reported by 3 outlets   Facts and sources

Public Safety, Grapevine/Tarrant County (arrest location); Fort Worth (church location)

Fort Worth associate pastor arrested on child indecency and family violence charges

Brandon Dillard, 48, was arrested in Grapevine on charges including indecency with a child by sexual contact and assault of a family member. He was an associate pastor at IMRSN Church in Fort Worth.

$ $230,000 for bond

Brandon Dillard, associate pastor at IMRSN Church in Fort Worth; IMRSN Church, employer

Reported by 3 outlets   Facts and sources

Schools

Texas waives college application fees for residents this week

Texas public universities and colleges are waiving undergraduate application fees for state residents applying through ApplyTexas during Free College Application Week. Applications must be fully submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 18 to qualify.

$ waived for college application fees

Texas Higher Education Commissioner Wynn Rosser, Texas Higher Education Commissioner; Gov. Greg Abbott, Governor

Reported by 3 outlets   Facts and sources

Taxes & Budget

Texas health agency proposes eliminating children's autism program

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission proposed eliminating all funding for the Children's Autism Program in its 2028-2029 biennium budget request to the Legislature. The proposal came in response to a directive from the governor, lieutenant governor, and House speaker to cut spending by 3 percent.

$ $13.7 million for children's Autism Program spending over last two years

Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), State agency that proposed eliminating the program; Greg Abbott, Governor who directed 3% budget cut; Dan Patrick, Lieutenant Governor who directed 3% budget cut

Reported by 3 outlets   Facts and sources

Economy & Jobs

Gov. Abbott announces $20M in JET grants to 84 Texas schools

Gov. Greg Abbott announced that 84 schools statewide received Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants totaling more than $20 million. The grants help schools buy equipment for career and technical education programs that lead to high-demand careers. Four area schools were among the recipients.

$ more than $20 million for JET grants for career and technical education programs

Gov. Greg Abbott, Governor announcing grants; Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), Administrator of grants; Joe Esparza, TWC Chairman

Reported by 2 outlets   Facts and sources

Local Government, Waco, Texas

Waco AMC Galaxy 16 theater closes after 28 years of operation

AMC Theatres closed its Galaxy 16 theater in Waco on October 8, 2026. The cinema, which opened in February 1998 as Starplex Galaxy 16 and was rebranded after AMC acquired Starplex Cinemas in 2015, was the second movie theater in Waco.

$ $175 million for acquisition price for Starplex Cinemas

AMC Theatres, company that closed the theater

Reported by 2 outlets   Facts and sources

Economy & Jobs, Cotton Bowl, Dallas

Oklahoma defeats No. 1 Texas 27-24 on final field goal in Red River Rivalry

Oklahoma kicker Tate Sandell made a 47-yard field goal on the final play to give the Sooners a 27-24 upset win over No. 1 Texas at the Cotton Bowl. Texas quarterback Arch Manning threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter, including a pick-6. Oklahoma scored on special teams and defense.

Tate Sandell, Oklahoma kicker; Arch Manning, Texas quarterback; Peyton Bowen, Oklahoma safety

Reported by 11 outlets   Facts and sources

Border & Immigration, Southern Texas (Roma, Rio Grande Valley)

Indiana National Guard deploys 125 members to Texas for border enforcement

About 125 Indiana National Guard members from Plymouth deployed to southern Texas for nearly a year to support immigration enforcement operations. They are part of Operation Arden Vanguard and will support Customs and Border Protection, replacing an earlier mobilization from Monticello.

Indiana National Guard, deploying troops; U.S. Customs and Border Protection, agency being supported; Capt. Jakob Young, commander of 381st Military Police Company

Reported by 6 outlets   Facts and sources

Other

SEC announces Texas A&M at Alabama kickoff time and TV assignment

The Southeastern Conference announced Monday that Texas A&M's football game at Alabama on Saturday, Oct. 24, will kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT and air on ABC. The game is part of Alabama's homecoming weekend at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Southeastern Conference, Announced kickoff time and TV assignment; Texas A&M, Team playing at Alabama; Alabama, Host team

Reported by 6 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections

Texas candidates campaign as early voting begins October 19

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico returned to the campaign trail with a canvass launch in Austin after being absent since Sept. 30 due to flu. Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton posted on social media about his campaign stops across Texas. Early voting for the 2026 midterm election runs Oct. 19-30.

James Talarico, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate; Ken Paxton, Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, Attorney General; Greg Abbott, Incumbent Republican candidate for governor

Reported by 6 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections

Multiple polls show Texas governor race between Abbott and Hinojosa tightening

Multiple polls conducted in September and early October show the Texas 2026 gubernatorial race between Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa is closely contested. Recent surveys show varying results, with most polls showing the race statistically tied or within the margin of error.

Greg Abbott, Republican governor, candidate for reelection; Gina Hinojosa, Democratic state representative, candidate for governor

Reported by 5 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections

Trump calls for Paxton and Talarico to debate in Texas Senate race

President Donald Trump called for Republican U.S. Senate nominee Ken Paxton and Democratic rival James Talarico to face off in a debate. Paxton told Fox News his campaign has been trying to schedule a debate for months but cannot work out details, while Talarico's campaign said Paxton has ignored debate invitations and Talarico is willing to debate anytime.

Donald Trump, President, called for debate; Ken Paxton, Republican U.S. Senate nominee; James Talarico, Democratic U.S. Senate nominee

Reported by 5 outlets   Facts and sources

Schools

SEC media poll ranks Texas women's and men's basketball second

The SEC released preseason media polls predicting Texas women's basketball to finish second and Texas men's basketball to finish second in the conference for the 2026-27 season. Madison Booker was named to the women's preseason All-SEC First Team, and Matas Vokietaitis and David Punch were selected to the men's preseason All-SEC teams.

University of Texas women's basketball, Team predicted second in SEC preseason media poll; University of Texas men's basketball, Team predicted second in SEC preseason media poll; Madison Booker, Texas women's basketball senior forward named to Preseason All-SEC First Team

Reported by 5 outlets   Facts and sources

Public Safety, Milam County

Volunteer firefighter dies in rollover crash responding to grass fire

Rick Joseph Fuentes, a 26-year-old volunteer firefighter with the Buckholts Volunteer Fire Department, died when his truck left the road and rolled over while responding to a grass-fire call. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash.

Rick Joseph Fuentes, Volunteer firefighter, Buckholts Volunteer Fire Department

Reported by 4 outlets   Facts and sources

Other, Austin

SEC announces Ole Miss at Texas football kickoff time and TV network

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

Reported by 4 outlets   Facts and sources

Economy & Jobs

Texas coach Sarkisian addresses team performance after Oklahoma loss

Texas football head coach Steve Sarkisian addressed concerns at his weekly news conference Monday following the Longhorns' 27-24 loss to Oklahoma. He discussed special teams performance, offensive struggles, and defended quarterback Arch Manning against criticism.

Steve Sarkisian, Head coach, Texas football; Jeff Banks, Special teams coordinator; Arch Manning, Quarterback

Reported by 3 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections

Ken Paxton addresses leaked audio from September fundraiser

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican Senate candidate, appeared on Fox News to respond to leaked audio recordings from a late September D.C. fundraiser. The leaked recordings showed him making critical comments about Donald Trump and other topics, which his campaign says were taken out of context.

Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General, Republican Senate candidate; James Talarico, Democratic opponent in Senate race; Donald Trump, Referenced for campaign support

Reported by 3 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections

Trump's influence shapes Texas Republican 2026 midterm campaign

Texas Republicans face difficult 2026 midterm races as Trump's falling favorability ratings and higher consumer prices put the party on defense. Trump intervened in the Republican primary to endorse Attorney General Ken Paxton for Senate over incumbent John Cornyn, and has visited Texas three times recently to campaign for Paxton and other GOP candidates.

Donald Trump, President; campaigning for Republican candidates; Ken Paxton, Attorney General; Republican Senate candidate; James Talarico, State Rep.; Democratic Senate candidate

Reported by 3 outlets   Facts and sources

Elections, The Woodlands, Texas

GOP leaders cast Paxton-Talarico Senate race as battle against evil

GOP leaders spoke at a Texas Youth Summit for conservative youth, describing the upcoming midterm election as an existential fight between good and evil. They urged attendees to support Attorney General Ken Paxton's Senate bid and opposed his Democratic challenger, state Sen. James Talarico, characterizing him as a dangerous socialist.

Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General, Senate candidate; James Talarico, Democratic state Senator, Senate candidate; Texas GOP leaders, Speakers at Texas Youth Summit

Reported by 2 outlets   Facts and sources

Schools

Five Texas community colleges approved for new Workforce Pell grants

Five Texas community colleges received federal approval to allow students to use Workforce Pell grants for short-term job training programs. This marks the first time low-income Texas students can use the grants for workforce training rather than traditional degree programs.

U.S. Department of Education, Approved the five colleges for Workforce Pell; Kilgore College, Approved college offering electrical power linemen, phlebotomy, and pharmacy technician training; Weatherford College, Approved college offering HVAC, basic machining, and advanced machining training

Reported by 2 outlets   Facts and sources

Weather & Disasters

Cold front expected to bring lower temperatures to Texas by Friday

A significant cold front is forecast to move through Texas by early Friday, bringing a major shift from current summer-like October heat. Temperatures are expected to drop below 80 degrees in San Antonio with stronger north-northeast winds and gusts up to 40 mph.

National Weather Service, Weather forecasters

Reported by 2 outlets   Facts and sources

State Government

Governor Abbott reappoints Sellers as State Cemetery Committee chair

Governor Greg Abbott reappointed Tom Sellers as Chair of the State Cemetery Committee for a term expiring October 12, 2028. The Committee works with the State Preservation Board to adopt rules managing the Texas State Cemetery.

Greg Abbott, Governor; Tom Sellers, State Cemetery Committee Chair

Official record and 1 more   Facts and sources

Elections

Talarico campaign ad attacks Paxton over Hoffman sex abuse case deal

The James Talarico campaign released a television ad criticizing Republican Ken Paxton's handling of a sex abuse prosecution against Waco attorney Adam Hoffman. The ad states Hoffman should have faced lengthy prison time but received minimal jail time under a plea agreement negotiated by Paxton's office.

James Talarico, Democratic candidate in Texas Senate race; funded attack ad; Ken Paxton, Republican attorney general; candidate in Texas Senate race; subject of ad; Adam Hoffman, Waco attorney accused of sexually abusing boy under age 10

Reported by 2 outlets   Facts and sources

Public Safety, Possum Kingdom Lake, Graford, Palo Pinto County

Authorities seek help identifying man found dead in North Texas lake

Deputies recovered the body of an unidentified man from Possum Kingdom Lake near Graford on Sunday morning. Investigators believe the body had been in the water for at least 48 hours.

Palo Pinto Sheriff's Office, Law enforcement agency conducting investigation; Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens, Emergency responders

Reported by 2 outlets   Facts and sources

Other, St Andrews, Scotland

Texas leads both team competitions after opening round

Texas golf teams took the lead in both men's and women's team competitions after the opening round at the St Andrews Links Collegiate. The fourth edition of the tournament features teams from Texas, Washington, Pennsylvania, and host University of St Andrews, with stroke play followed by match play.

University of Texas, competing team

Reported by 2 outlets   Facts and sources

Other, Lubbock

Texas Tech enters top 10 of both polls after 5-0 start

Texas Tech entered the top 10 of both major college football polls following its 5-0 start to the season. The Red Raiders ranked No. 9 in the coaches poll and No. 10 in the Associated Press poll, marking their first appearance in both top 10 rankings this season.

Texas Tech Red Raiders, college football team; Joey McGuire, head coach

Reported by 2 outlets   Facts and sources

Weather & Disasters, Montgomery County, Interstate 45 at Rayford Road

Hazmat spill closes Interstate 45 southbound lanes in Montgomery County

A hazmat spill occurred on Interstate 45 southbound at Rayford Road in Montgomery County on Monday morning. Four right lanes and the right shoulder closed for cleanup; all lanes reopened by 2:20 p.m.

Houston TranStar, reported accident and lane status

Reported by 2 outlets   Facts and sources

State Government, Plano, Statewide

Abbott and Paxton concocted fraud case against East Plano mosque project

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

Reported by 2 outlets   Facts and sources