Texas news, down to the facts.

Early voting is open through Oct. 30. Election Day is Nov. 3, 8 days away. Elections

Elections

Ken Paxton rally held at New Braunfels barbecue restaurant without owner approval

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton held a campaign rally for his U.S. Senate race against Democrat James Talarico on Saturday, October 24, at Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que in New Braunfels. The restaurant's ownership said they were unaware of the event beforehand and blamed it on a rogue employee.

Where
New Braunfels, Comal County
When
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Sources
Reported by 3 outlets

Counties: Comal Guadalupe

Taxes and money

None stated in sources.

Does this affect you?

Who's involved

  • Ken PaxtonTexas Attorney General, U.S. Senate candidate
  • James TalaricoDemocratic U.S. Senate candidate
  • Ted CruzU.S. Senator
  • Darrell IssaU.S. Representative from California
  • Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-QueRestaurant where rally held

The facts

  • Rally held at 8:30 a.m. on October 24 at Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que in New Braunfels.1
  • Restaurant ownership said they had no advance knowledge of the rally.1 2 Stated by 2 sources
  • Restaurant issued statement at 10:48 a.m. saying the event was a rogue employee's action.1
  • Event was publicized in New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung on October 23 and Comal County Republican Party Facebook posts.1
  • Ted Cruz and Darrell Issa appeared at the rally with Paxton.1
  • Paxton is on 18-day Texas tour with over 30 stops before November 3 Alamo event.1
  • Cooper's operates restaurants in Austin, College Station, Fort Worth, Llano, Katy, and New Braunfels.1 2 Stated by 2 sources

Who said what

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

  • Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que Ownership had no knowledge beforehand and will address the rogue employee internally.1 2
  • Ken Paxton Honored to be joined by Ted Cruz to deliver for Texas in U.S. Senate.2

How they headlined it

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

  • New Braunfels Barbecue Restaurant Part of Chain Once Touted by George W. Bush Blames 'Rogue Employee' for Ken Paxton Rally

    My Canyon Lake

  • 'Rogue employee' led to Ken Paxton's BBQ rally in New Braunfels

    MySA

  • Texas Barbecue Restaurant Blames ‘Rogue Employee’ for Allowing Paxton Event

    Newsweek

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. New Braunfels Barbecue Restaurant Part of Chain Once Touted by George W. Bush Blames 'Rogue Employee' for Ken Paxton Rally My Canyon Lake Not rated, October 25, 2026
  2. 'Rogue employee' led to Ken Paxton's BBQ rally in New Braunfels MySA Not rated, October 26, 2026

Also reported by Newsweek.

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

Spot an error on this sheet?

All corrections and updates

Keep reading

Talarico and Paxton campaign in Texas days before Senate election

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico rallied students at University of Texas at Austin on Friday, urging them to vote. Republican opponent Ken Paxton made two campaign stops in South Texas the same day. Both candidates criticized each other and continued months of attacks.

James Talarico, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate; Ken Paxton, Republican U.S. Senate candidate; Brandon Maples, UT Austin student and 1 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Guttmacher study estimates Texas abortion numbers in 2025

A Guttmacher Institute study published October 22 estimated that approximately 42,000 Texas residents obtained abortions through telehealth providers in other states in 2025, and nearly 23,000 traveled outside Texas for abortions. The study drew attention to Texas abortion laws ahead of the November 3 elections.

James Talarico, State Rep. (D-District 50), Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate; Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General, Republican nominee for U.S. Senate; Greg Abbott, Republican Governor and 2 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Approximately 1.8 million Texans flagged on voter suspense list before midterm elections

Approximately 1.8 million Texas voters were placed on a suspense list ahead of the 2026 midterm elections due to address changes flagged by registrars. Voters on the list can still cast ballots by providing proof of residence or using provisional ballots.

Alicia Pierce, Spokesperson for the office of the Texas Secretary of State; Texas Secretary of State, State election official; Election Protection, National nonpartisan coalition providing voter assistance

One outletFound via Google News

2026 midterm elections scheduled for November 3

The 2026 midterm elections are scheduled for November 3, 2026. Texas features a Senate race between Democratic nominee James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton, the state's attorney general.

James Talarico, Democratic nominee for Texas Senate; Ken Paxton, Republican nominee for Texas Senate, state attorney general; Donald Trump, President of the United States

Reported by 4 outletsFound via Google News

Harris County sets early-voting record in first seven days

Harris County voters cast more than 624,000 ballots in the first seven days of early voting for the November midterm elections, a record pace for any midterm in county records dating back to 1998. More than 104,000 people voted in person on the first day alone.

Harris County voters, voted in early voting for November midterm elections; Fort Bend County voters, cast over 157,000 early votes in this election

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

South Texas congressional race features Trump-backed Republican against incumbent Democrat

U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, a five-term Democrat, faces Republican Eric Flores in Texas' 34th Congressional District on Nov. 3. The district was redrawn to favor Republicans, with Trump winning it by 10 points. Both campaigns focus on immigration issues.

part of $3 million for campaign funding shift

Vicente Gonzalez, five-term U.S. Representative, Democrat; Eric Flores, Republican candidate, federal prosecutor and National Guardsman; Donald Trump, Endorser of Flores and Trump-led rally organizer and 5 more

One outletOnly left-leaning outlets reported thisFound via Google News

All of today's news