The Briefing
A tense U.S. Senate Judiciary confirmation hearing in Waco’s region is underway involving Todd Blanche, with questions focused on Epstein-related records and a settlement arrangement shielding former President Trump from IRS liability. In Bosque County, Texas Rangers are investigating the death of Commissioner Ronny Liardon after his vehicle was found in a wooded area on his family farm. Waco Police handed out more than 1,500 free backpacks at a Back to School Bash at the Waco Convention Center, and a Killeen business owner plans to open a third Big Sharks Fish & Chicken location in Bellmead in late September.
compiled Jul 26, 3:43 AM
CRIME · Jul 24, 6:15 PM
Court documents allege Bellmead’s Aaron Bradley Compton uploaded nude images of children to Google Drive before a Waco police standoff lasting about three hours.
CRIME
Bosque County Commissioner Ronny Liardon died after his vehicle was found in a wooded area of his family farm, with the Texas Rangers investigating.
INFRASTRUCTURE
A Union Pacific train collided with a FedEx van in Itasca, killing passenger Sheldon Gutierrez-Rangel and leaving the driver in critical condition.
CRIME
A Waco man was arrested on child pornography charges alleging he used AI to generate sexual images of children under 18.
Public Safety
Friday, July 24
A Bremond woman escaped injury after her car became stuck on railroad tracks and she drove into a ditch as a train arrived.
Thursday, July 23
A Waco jeweler and an alleged accomplice were indicted on federal charges for buying stolen jewelry from store robbers.
A 19-year-old Waco man faces felony charges for allegedly choking and kidnapping his girlfriend during a violent confrontation Tuesday.
A man from the Lorena area received probation after entering an indecent assault plea deal.
Wednesday, July 22
A child-porn suspect identified as Aaron Compton surrendered after an hours-long standoff following a stop and chase in Waco.
James Brandon Bartels, an eight-time felon, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for a March 2024 home burglary in McGregor.
McLennan County deputies arrested Jose Aviles Ruiz after a bystander stopped him from abandoning three puppies on a rural road.
Tuesday, July 21
A Waco man, Erik Ceballos, was arrested after police say he pointed a handgun at a driver during a road rage incident on Herring Avenue.
Texas DPS is investigating a Highway 6 crash near Clifton in which a Dodge Ram and Ford F-250 collided, injuring three people.
Monday, July 20
A McGregor man, Bradly Wade Johnson, was sentenced to eight years in prison for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old family member and exposing himself to her sister.
Sunday, July 19
The family of a child sex abuse victim criticizes Texas AG Ken Paxton and opponent James Talarico for politicizing a plea deal and case outcome.
Civic Affairs
Friday, July 24
Liz Mitchell, paralyzed after a 2012 fall, was sworn in as a part-time assistant district attorney with McLennan County.
Thursday, July 23
Robinson police use Flock cameras to monitor semi-truck routes on residential streets and enforce an ordinance restricting large trucks to certain destinations.
Wednesday, July 22
McLennan County campaign worker Cheryl Foster found errors in the state voter database ahead of the November 2025 election, including a precinct voter count jump.
Tuesday, July 21
Waco City Council will vote Aug. 8 on a budget proposal that would cut library hours across the system starting Oct. 1.
McGregor recall advocates submitted enough signatures to the city secretary to start a recall process targeting Mayor Jim Lilley.
Business
Saturday, July 25
Mo Shawabkeh plans to open a third Big Sharks Fish & Chicken location in Bellmead near Waco with a late-September ribbon cutting.
Thursday, July 23
Waco’s housing market adds a 3D-printed luxury development and other subdivisions while the median home price stays around $270,000.
Wednesday, July 22
Shorty’s Pizza Shack in Waco is expanding next door to open 12th and Bagel, a new bagel and espresso shop planned for 2027.