Texas news, down to the facts.

Early voting is open through Oct. 30. Election Day is Nov. 3, 15 days away. Elections

Local Government

San Antonio City Council approves SAWS rate increases of up to 30%

The San Antonio City Council voted to approve proposed San Antonio Water System rate hikes of up to 30% spanning 2027 through 2030. The measure passed 8-3, with three councilmembers voting no. An earlier SAWS proposal for 32.7% rate increases was rejected by the council.

Where
San Antonio
When
Oct. 8, 2026
Sources
Reported by 6 outlets

Counties: Bexar

Taxes and money

The sources don't state an effect on taxes. They do state these figures.

  • SAWS rate hikesup to 30%1 3 Who pays or receives it: San Antonio water customers
  • System improvements request$3 billion1 3

Does this affect you?

Who's involved

  • San Antonio City Councilvoted to approve rate hikes
  • Jalen McKee-RodriguezDistrict 2 Councilmember, voted no
  • Marc WhyteDistrict 10 Councilmember, voted no
  • Misty SpearsDistrict 9 Councilmember, voted no
  • Alderete GavitoDistrict 7 Councilmember, supported the measure
  • Ivalis Meza GonzalezDistrict 8 Councilmember, supported the measure
  • Ric GalvanCouncilmember, supported the measure
  • San Antonio Water SystemProposed rate increases

The facts

  • Council vote passed 8-3 approving SAWS rate increases of up to 30% from 2027-2030.1 3 Stated by 2 sources
  • SAWS initially proposed 32.7% rate increases in June, which the council rejected.1 3 Stated by 2 sources
  • McKee-Rodriguez, Whyte, and Spears voted against the rate increase.1 3 Stated by 2 sources
  • Gavito said the rate increase would save residents millions of dollars through efficiency gains.1 3 Stated by 2 sources

Who said what

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

  • Alderete Gavito Rate increase will save residents millions of dollars; demands efficiency and accountability.1 3
  • Ivalis Meza Gonzalez Delaying infrastructure investment risks costly repairs and greater future burdens on residents.1 3
  • Ric Galvan Safe drinking water is essential; SAWS should expand recycled water infrastructure and assess data center rate structures.1 3

Where the sources disagree

  • Councilmember who votes in District 6 Ric Galvan's district identified as District 6 per text [1,3], but no title clarification given

How they headlined it

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

  • City Council to consider SAWS rate hikes of up to 30%, detention center assessments

    KABB

  • Taylor City Council to Consider Revised Data Center Agreement

    KLBJ-AM - Austin, TX

  • City Council approves SAWS rate hikes of up to 30%, debates detention center assessments

    WOAI

  • Taylor city council prepares vote on data center campus agreement

    KXAN Austin

  • Taylor data center is moving forward

    FOX 7 Austin

  • 1 GW Taylor Technology Campus, Taylor City Council Approves Data Center Annexation in Texas

    Construction Review

Sources

Outlets: 4 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. City Council to consider SAWS rate hikes of up to 30%, detention center assessments KABB Not rated, October 8, 2026
  2. Taylor City Council to Consider Revised Data Center Agreement KLBJ-AM - Austin, TX Not rated, October 8, 2026
  3. City Council approves SAWS rate hikes of up to 30%, debates detention center assessments WOAI Not rated, October 8, 2026
  4. Taylor city council prepares vote on data center campus agreement KXAN Austin Not rated, October 8, 2026

Also reported by FOX 7 Austin, Construction Review.

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

Tarrant County Judge O'Hare touts public safety and tax cuts before election

County Judge Tim O'Hare delivered his annual State of the County address, touting lower taxes and public safety efforts ahead of early voting. He is seeking his second term as county judge and faces Democratic Commissioner Alisa Simmons.

County commissioners lowered the county tax rate for the fourth consecutive year, saving property owners an estimated $1 per year on their tax bills. [1]

Tim O'Hare, County Judge, Tarrant County; Alisa Simmons, County Commissioner, Tarrant County, Democratic nominee for County Judge; Fort Worth Chamber, Host of State of the County address

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

Harris County seeks legislative authority to regulate data center development

Harris County officials held a press conference to call for expanded local authority to regulate data center development. The Commissioners Court passed a motion requiring county departments to report on oversight options and identify statutory changes needed for the next legislative session.

eight gigawatts by 2029, plus approximately four additional gigawatts afterward for expected data center electricity demand addition

Abbie Kamin, Harris County Attorney; Lesley Briones, Harris County Commissioner; Adrian Garcia, Harris County Commissioner and 1 more

Reported by 3 outletsFound via Google News

FAA restricts unauthorized drones along US-Mexico border

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a temporary flight restriction barring unauthorized drones along the US-Mexico border up to 400 feet above ground, extending one nautical mile north of the border. The action addresses concerns about illegal drug shipments and cartel drone activity.

Federal Aviation Administration, Issued temporary flight restriction; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Stated military will shoot down cartel drones; Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Said restrictions will counter cartel drone threats and 1 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Texas A&M University-Victoria holds investiture ceremony for President Hardigree

Texas A&M University-Victoria held an investiture ceremony Wednesday to celebrate President Christian Hardigree's first year of leadership and the university's first year in The Texas A&M University System. State and federal officials, university system leaders, and higher education representatives attended the event at the Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts.

Christian Hardigree, President of Texas A&M University-Victoria; AJ Louderback, Texas State Representative; Lois Kolkhorst, Texas State Senator and 4 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Bexar and Brazoria counties hold county judge races on November 3

Two Texas county judge races are scheduled for the Nov. 3 election. In Bexar County, Republican Patrick Von Dohlen is challenging Democrat Ron Nirenberg. In Brazoria County, Republican Rob Giesecke, independent Lucinda Henry and Democrat Eugene Howard are running to replace retiring County Judge Matt Sebesta.

Patrick Von Dohlen, Republican candidate for Bexar County judge; Ron Nirenberg, Democrat candidate for Bexar County judge; Rob Giesecke, Republican candidate for Brazoria County judge and 3 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Texas counties prepare election security measures ahead of early voting

County clerks and election administrators across Texas are implementing security procedures before early voting begins October 19. Travis County plans 201 voting locations on Election Day. Multiple counties conducted security training for poll workers.

Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado, Travis County Clerk; Bexar County Elections Administrator Michele Carew, Bexar County Elections Administrator; Dallas County Elections Administrator Paul Adams, Dallas County Elections Administrator and 2 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Body recovered from Lady Bird Lake in Austin

A body was found in Lady Bird Lake near Austin early Friday morning. Police were called for a welfare check after witnesses reported seeing a body floating in the water. The person was pronounced dead at the scene. The death is not being investigated as a homicide.

Austin Police Department, Investigating death; Austin Fire Department, Assisted with body recovery; Austin-Travis County EMS, Responded and pronounced person dead and 1 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

All of today's news