Flu cases are appearing in Texas four to six weeks earlier than normal, with the CDC reporting rising cases across all 50 states from late August through early September. Children's Health Dallas reported a 36% increase in flu cases over the past week.
Where
Statewide
When
October 2026
Sources
Reported by 2 outlets
Taxes and money
None stated in sources.
Who's involved
Dr. Donna CaseyInternal medicine physician affiliated with Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas
Dr. Zarchary MostChildren's Health infectious disease specialist
Centers for Disease Control and PreventionFederal health agency reporting cases
Children's Health DallasHealthcare provider
The facts
CDC reports flu cases rising in all 50 states from late August through early September.1
Influenza A is the dominant strain currently circulating.2
Children's Health Dallas reported 36% increase in flu cases over past week.2
Flu cases appearing four to six weeks ahead of schedule compared to past five years.2
Flu shot reduces risk of getting flu by up to 60%.1
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Dr. Donna Casey West Coast seeing more flu; Dallas also seeing more flu this year1
Dr. Donna Casey Season expected to peak earlier than usual, in December1
Dr. Zarchary Most Now is the time to get flu shots; wouldn't wait any longer2
Health officials Can't tell yet how severe this flu season will be2
How they headlined it
The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.
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.
Governor Greg Abbott announced that Texas Health and Human Services Commission plans to award $8 million in Rural Texas Strong grants to 28 rural healthcare providers across the state. The awards are part of an estimated $1.4 billion in federal funding over five years through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Rural Health Transformation Program.
$$8,145,444.89 for rural Texas Strong grants to rural healthcare providers
Governor Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas; Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), State agency awarding grants; Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Federal agency providing funding and 2 more
Texas Workforce Commission cut the number of children served by the federal Child Care Services program by nearly 10% in 2027 due to rising per-student costs. The cost increase stems partly from inflation and a 2021 law requiring providers to meet Texas Rising Star quality standards to receive subsidies.
$14,000 for children added to subsidy waiting list
Texas Workforce Commission, administers child care subsidy program; announced cost increase and cut enrollment; James Talarico, state representative who led House Bill 2607 through the House; now running as Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate; Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General; Republican candidate for U.S. Senate and 3 more
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department announced that a New World screwworm parasite was detected in a female elk harvested by a hunter in Pecos County, the first confirmed wildlife infestation during the current outbreak. A New Mexico beef cow in Otero County also tested positive for screwworm on the same day. Screwworm cases in the United States have reached 59 since June.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, announced screwworm detection in elk; Texas Animal Health Commission, to modify infested zone in Pecos County; New Mexico Department of Agriculture, confirmed screwworm case in beef cow and 2 more
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.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Health Secretary; Tom Engels, Health Resources and Services Administration Administrator; JPS Health Network, public hospital system where announcement was made
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas announced it will stop offering Medicare Advantage plans, prescription drug plans, and dual care plans effective January 1, 2027. Affected customers were notified by mail before October 2 and have a special election period to choose another plan during open enrollment.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, insurer ceasing Medicare Advantage offerings
Tech companies and AI have emerged as a major focus of 2026 midterm election campaigns. Both Republican and Democratic candidates are running ads and making speeches attacking or defending datacenters, AI, and tech billionaires. Ken Paxton, the Republican U.S. Senate candidate in Texas, has called for a slowdown on AI despite the industry's pro-Trump alignment.
$more than $75 million for PAC fundraising for tech-friendly candidates
Ken Paxton, Republican U.S. Senate candidate in Texas; James Talarico, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate in Texas; Three Star Pac, Democrat-aligned PAC running anti-datacenter campaign ads and 4 more
Instagram suspended an account belonging to No Kings Coalition, an activist group organizing protests against President Donald Trump's policies. Meta said its automated tools identified AI-based scanning associated with the account. The company later apologized on X but did not explain directly to the organization.
Meta, suspended the account and apologized; No Kings Coalition, activist group whose account was suspended; Meta's advisory board, criticized the company's action
Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democrat state Rep. James Talarico have released campaign ads and made statements attacking each other as the midterm election approaches. Paxton has criticized Talarico's record on taxes and energy policy; Talarico has attacked Paxton's legal history.
$$500 million for campaign spending
Ken Paxton, Republican Texas Attorney General running for U.S. Senate; James Talarico, Democrat state Rep. running for U.S. Senate; Ben Ferguson, mentioned in Paxton campaign post