Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Texas news, down to the facts.

Early voting is open through Oct. 30. Election Day is Nov. 3, 13 days away. Elections

Health

U.S. Health Secretary Kennedy announces national kidney care plan in Fort Worth

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited JPS Health Network in Fort Worth on Tuesday to announce a new national kidney care plan. The plan focuses on preventing kidney failure, improving dialysis care, and reforming kidney transplantation.

Where
Fort Worth, Tarrant County
When
Oct. 20, 2026
Sources
Reported by 2 outlets

Counties: Tarrant

Taxes and money

None stated in sources.

Does this affect you?

Who's involved

  • Robert F. Kennedy Jr.U.S. Health Secretary
  • Tom EngelsHealth Resources and Services Administration Administrator
  • JPS Health Networkpublic hospital system where announcement was made

The facts

  • Kennedy's plan focuses on preventing kidney failure, improving dialysis care, and reforming kidney transplantation.2
  • Kidney disease was the 10th leading cause of death in Tarrant County in 2023.2
  • In Tarrant County, MMR vaccination rate for kindergartners dropped from almost 94% to almost 93% in the last year.2
  • Conscientious exemptions to MMR vaccine in Tarrant County increased from 5.3% to 6.8% in the last year.2

Who said what

These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.

  • Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Organ transplant program had a monopoly that corrupted the system.2
  • Tom Engels New plan focused on ensuring no corruption in dialysis and transplant systems and stopping monopolies.2
  • Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Americans lost faith in vaccination because of COVID overreach and dishonesty by his department.2

How they headlined it

The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.

Sources

Outlets: 2 not rated Who's covering Texas →

These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.

  1. RFK Jr. visits JPS Hospital in Fort Worth to announce kidney plan Fort Worth Star-Telegram Not rated, October 20, 2026
  2. RFK Jr. visits Fort Worth hospital to announce kidney plan The Spokesman-Review Not rated, October 20, 2026

This sheet was written by AI from the sources above and adds nothing they don't state. Read the originals for full context.

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ElectionsSouth Texas near San Antonio, Bexar, Guadalupe, Karnes and Wilson counties

Republican De La Cruz, Democrat Garcia vie for redrawn Texas 35th Congressional District

Republican Carlos De La Cruz and Democrat Johnny Garcia are competing for the newly redrawn Texas 35th Congressional District. The district was redrawn in 2025 to flip from Democratic to Republican, moving from Austin to South Texas near San Antonio.

Carlos De La Cruz, Republican candidate for Texas 35th Congressional District; Johnny Garcia, Democratic candidate for Texas 35th Congressional District; Donald Trump, Endorsed De La Cruz in February and 7 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Public SafetyTemple, Rockdale, Milam CountyHappened Oct 15

Two arrested in Central Texas methamphetamine distribution investigation

Two arrests were made following a joint law enforcement investigation into suspected methamphetamine distribution in Central Texas. Officers seized over 700 grams of methamphetamine during the investigation.

Cedric Mitchell, arrested person; Raschel Arbuckle, arrested person; Temple Police Department, investigating agency and 2 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Public SafetySan Antonio, Bexar CountyHappened Oct 15

Man arrested after crystal meth seized in Bexar County traffic stop

Bexar County Sheriff's Office Organized Crime Unit, working with the Texas Department of Public Safety, seized over 300 grams of crystal methamphetamine during a traffic stop and arrested a suspect on a first-degree felony charge.

Raul Takahashi, Suspect arrested and charged with manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance; Bexar County Sheriff's Office Organized Crime Unit, Conducted traffic stop and seizure; Texas Department of Public Safety, Worked with sheriff's office on the operation

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

State Government

TCEQ advances data center permits despite Abbott's pause directive

Environmental watchdog groups reported that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has continued advancing permits related to data center projects, despite Gov. Greg Abbott's September directive to halt all data center-related permits. TCEQ officials disputed the characterization.

Greg Abbott, Texas governor; Kathryn Guerra, TCEQ Watchdog Campaign director, Public Citizen; Public Citizen, Advocacy group and 3 more

Reported by 2 outletsOnly left-leaning outlets reported thisFound via Google News

ElectionsLubbock, Lubbock County

Trump to hold Lubbock rally for Paxton in U.S. Senate race

President Donald Trump will campaign in Lubbock on October 27 for Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by John Cornyn against Democratic state Rep. James Talarico.

Donald Trump, U.S. President campaigning; Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General and Republican U.S. Senate candidate; James Talarico, Texas state Representative and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate and 1 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

ElectionsMultiple states including Montana, Nebraska, and Texas

Trump announces plans to visit states with economic initiatives before midterms

President Donald Trump is conducting a 32-day midterm campaign tour visiting multiple states. He plans to announce new economic initiatives tailored to each state's local economy and highlight past accomplishments including tax cuts, border security measures, and deregulatory efforts.

Donald Trump, President; James Talarico, Democrat candidate mentioned in campaign context

Reported by 2 outletsOnly right-leaning outlets reported thisFound via Google News

All of today's news