State Highway 12 near the Newton/Orange County line was closed for a fatal crash investigation. FM 149 in Montgomery County was also closed in both directions after a multi-vehicle crash with at least two critically injured.
Where
State Highway 12 near State Highway 87 at Newton/Orange County line and FM 149 near Magnolia Hills in Montgomery County
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.
Jefferson County and Tyler County issued burn bans effective October 22 due to drought and low humidity that could turn small fires into wildfires. Jefferson County's ban lasts three months unless ended or extended early; Tyler County's lasts up to a week.
Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick, issued burn ban for Jefferson County unincorporated areas; Tyler County Judge Milton Powers, issued burn ban for Tyler County
A powerful storm system brought heavy to excessive rainfall across portions of Texas and Oklahoma October 13-15, 2026, with 3 to 5 inches in southeastern Texas Panhandle and localized amounts of 6 to 8 inches in western and central Oklahoma. The storm caused localized flooding and a record crest along the Middle Wichita River in northwestern Texas.
U.S. drought monitoring (unspecified agency), reporting drought and weather conditions
Federal officials have denied individual assistance for survivors of July flooding in Uvalde and Kerr counties. Some families remain without permanent housing and are paying for repairs themselves or staying with relatives.
FEMA, Federal agency that denied individual assistance; Sean Doerre, Fredericksburg Communications Director; Mark Isbell, Co-owner of Arrowhead Creek Vineyards, flood survivor and 2 more
A structure fire broke out early Wednesday morning near Canton in Van Zandt County, killing three children. Firefighters found four children trapped inside after breaching an exterior wall; three had died, and two other victims were hospitalized in critical condition.
Van Zandt County Fire Marshal Kevin Palmer, Fire marshal confirming details
Weather & DisastersKerr County, Uvalde County, Bexar County, Atascosa County, Blanco County, Brewster County, Comal County, Medina County, Terrell County, Wilson County; StatewideHappened Sep 28
FEMA denied Gov. Greg Abbott's requests for individual assistance and public assistance funding for residents and local governments affected by July 2026 flooding in Texas. President Trump had previously approved public assistance for 23 of 30 requested counties.
$$1.9 billion for State budget for emergency response 2027
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), denied requests for federal aid; Gov. Greg Abbott, requested federal assistance for flood victims; Texas Division of Emergency Management, reviewing FEMA decision and appeals process and 4 more
A multi-vehicle collision involving a semitrailer and about five other vehicles occurred at Transmountain Road and North Desert Boulevard in West El Paso on Monday, October 19, 2026. One man died and nine others were injured. Multiple roadways were closed.
El Paso Police Department, responded and investigating; El Paso Fire Department, provided emergency response; Special Traffic Investigations Unit, investigating the crash
Gilead Sciences Inc agreed to a $45 million settlement on October 22, 2026, resolving allegations that it used illegal kickbacks to influence Medicaid prescriptions in Texas. The settlement ends a legal action initiated by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in October 2023.
$$45 million for medicaid kickback settlement
Gilead Sciences Inc, defendant in settlement; Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General who initiated legal action