UnderWalker — Central TX News

Headline	Significance	Date ▴
Harris County approves $20-an-hour living wage for 222 Harris Center employees Harris County Commissioners Court approved extending a $20-an-hour living wage to 222 Harris Center employees supporting mental health and disability services. ■ Government · Central Texas · click2houston.com	●●●○○	Sep 9, 9:15 PM
Williamson County assessor defends office's work \| Latest Headlines Williamson County’s assessor Josh Smith defended assessment updates and described how property owners can appeal rising property tax values. ■ Government · Williamson County, TX · thesouthern.com	●●○○○	Sep 9, 10:15 PM
Dallas Police overtime cuts could cost taxpayers more Dallas Police faces scrutiny after overspending nearly $3 million on overtime, with reports of high overtime earnings at Love Field and traffic units. ■ Government · Texas · nbcdfw.com	●●●○○	Sep 9, 10:30 PM
County elections office addresses questions about March primary Burnet County Elections Administrator Stephanie Cooper reported small errors in March primary ballots that did not change the outcome. ■ Government · Burnet County, TX · dailytrib.com	●●●○○	Sep 9, 11:45 PM
SpaceX sues to block release of Terafab records SpaceX sued Grimes County and Texas AG Ken Paxton to block release of public records tied to the Terafab project. ■ Government · Travis County, TX · kbtx.com	●●●●○	Sep 10, 12:15 AM
Army tenant survey returns mixed results for Fort Hood Fort Hood Army housing’s Tenant Satisfaction Survey found mixed results, with Cavalry Family Housing scoring 78.5 and planning action based on resident feedback. ■ Government · Central Texas · forthoodsentinel.com	●●○○○	Sep 10, 12:30 AM
Texas Democrats Have a Nominee in Every Legislative District for the First Time Since 1976 Texas Democrats secured nominees in every state legislative district for the first time since 1976, contrasting with missing nominees in 23 races in 2024. ■ Government · Texas · ballot-access.org	●●●○○	Sep 10, 1:15 AM
The Trump administration proposed census rules to exclude undocumented immigrants and stop asking about race and ethnicity starting with the 2030 count. ■ Government · Texas ·	●●●●○	Sep 10, 6:45 AM
GOP Facing More Senate Uncertainty As Polls Show Numerous Red State Toss Ups Republicans face tight Senate races as polling shows additional red-state tossups, including mentions of Texas, Iowa, and Alaska. ■ Government · Texas · woai.iheart.com	●●○○○	Sep 10, 7:00 AM
Texas behind 1/3 of damages in Voting Rights Act suits Federal courts in Texas have awarded about a third of nationwide Voting Rights Act damages over the past decade, driven largely by two major redistricting cases. ■ Government · Texas · legalnewsline.com	●●●○○	Sep 10, 8:45 AM
Senate Bill 785 took effect Sept. 1, limiting cities’ ability to ban new HUD-code manufactured homes and requiring approval by right in qualifying districts. ■ Government · City Of Pearland, Texas ·	●●●○○	Sep 10, 9:45 AM
Republicans fill American Airlines Center on first night of the convention Republicans gathered at Dallas’ American Airlines Center for the first night of the 2026 GOP midterm convention. ■ Government · Texas · theblaze.com	●●●○○	Sep 10, 11:00 AM
Tarrant commissioner: Data center debate 'transcends partisan sides' Tarrant County Commissioner Matt Krause said data center regulation should include state guardrails while leaving discretion to cities amid local concerns. ■ Government · Texas · keranews.org	●●●○○	Sep 10, 11:15 AM
Arlington resolution on reduced polling sites in Tarrant will go to vote in late September Arlington City Council will vote late September on a resolution opposing Tarrant County’s reduction of Election Day and early voting sites. ■ Government · Texas · keranews.org	●●●○○	Sep 10, 11:15 AM
Water experts warn a Colorado River Compact dispute could go to the U.S. Supreme Court if Lee’s Ferry flows fall below a threshold by October. ■ Government · Texas ·	●●●●○	Sep 10, 11:45 AM
★ Dallas Democrats attacked President Trump’s $5,000 “Trump dividend” pledge during a Republican midterm convention ahead of Trump and Vance closing remarks. ■ Government · Texans ·	●●●●○	Sep 10, 1:30 PM
Yelp Must Face Texas Suit Over 'Crisis Pregnancy Center' Warnings Texas Supreme Court declined to hear Yelp’s appeal, letting Attorney General Ken Paxton’s lawsuit over crisis pregnancy center warning labels proceed. ■ Government · Bastrop, TX · mediapost.com	●●●●○	Sep 10, 3:30 PM
Texas legislature to hold hearings on annexing New Mexico counties - New Mexico Political Report Texas Governmental Oversight Committee will hold late-September hearings on potentially annexing New Mexico’s Lea, Roosevelt, and Eddy Counties. ■ Government · Texas · nmpoliticalreport.com	●●●○○	Sep 10, 3:45 PM
Houston Fire Department names longtime fire leaders as new executive chief, fire marshal Houston Fire Department appointed Marion Spann as Executive Chief of Organizational Support and Byron Robinson as the next Fire Marshal. ■ Government · Houston, TX · click2houston.com	●●●○○	Sep 10, 4:30 PM
Texas chose a 'soft approach' with data center survey. It was so soft it flopped. Texas regulators found more than 70% of data centers failed to respond to surveys on water and power use, with limited penalties for noncompliance. ■ Government · Texans · sacurrent.com	●●●○○	Sep 10, 5:30 PM
White House Touts Local First Approach to Securing Water The White House’s Project Watershed 250 will use a Texas cybersecurity pilot for rural water utilities to expand nationally after a 60-day rollout. ■ Government · Texas · govinfosecurity.com	●●●○○	Sep 10, 5:30 PM
Russellville native nominated to federal judgeship in Texas Courtney Coker, a Russellville native, was nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as a federal judge in Northern Texas. ■ Government · Texas · franklinfavorite.com	●●●○○	Sep 10, 7:00 PM
Details and statement released on Fmr. Wichita Falls City Manager Jeff Jenkins' investigation Wichita Falls released investigation documents and a statement related to former City Manager Jeff Jenkins’ resignation and conduct concerns involving a “Jane Doe.” ■ Government · Texas · newschannel6now.com	●●●●○	Sep 10, 7:15 PM
Killeen City Council scheduled a meeting to discuss how to regulate data centers following the governor’s halt and state audits of permits. ■ Government · Killeen, TX ·	●●●○○	Sep 10, 7:30 PM
Harris County has paid Flock Safety about $1.3 million since 2023, and Hidalgo is calling for a special session to address oversight concerns. ■ Government · Harris County, TX ·	●●●●○	Sep 10, 7:45 PM
San Antonio City Council approved up to $638,370 for a Diversion Center pilot launching in January 2027 to steer people into treatment. ■ Government · Texas ·	●●●○○	Sep 10, 8:45 PM
100+ texts: Former GOP leader told election official how to vote during contentious public hearing Public records report nearly 200 texts from a former GOP official giving voting instructions during a contentious county early-voting hearing. ■ Government · Creedmoor, TX · wral.com	●●●○○	Sep 10, 9:00 PM
Rockport will consider at its Sept. 22 city council meeting whether to modify or end its Flock license-plate reader camera contract. ■ Government · Texas ·	●●●○○	Sep 10, 9:15 PM
County Hoping Feds Will Pay For Jail Orange County plans to apply for a DOJ grant next year to build a new jail, contingent on cooperating with immigration authorities like ICE. ■ Government · Texas · kogt.com	●●●○○	Sep 10, 9:45 PM
AB Quintanilla III Officially Files Lawsuit Against Sister Suzette over Selena Estate Profits \| Tejano 1600 A.B. Quintanilla III files suit in Nueces County over alleged unpaid Selena estate profits and missing financial accounting. ■ Government · Texas · tejano1600.iheart.com	●●●●○	Sep 10, 11:30 PM
An Alaska surrogate seeks U.S. Supreme Court intervention to pause a Texas custody fight involving a critically ill newborn. ■ Government · Texas ·	●●●●●	Sep 10, 11:30 PM
Threat of Data Center Construction Looms Over Dog's Head • The Austin Chronicle Critics say a loophole in Austin’s Dog’s Head development agreement could allow data centers despite efforts to ban them citywide. ■ Government · Austin, TX · austinchronicle.com	●●●○○	Sep 11, 12:45 AM
India’s Manohar Lal will attend a G20 Energy Ministerial meeting in Houston Sept. 14-16 on energy security and affordability. ■ Government · Houston, TX ·	●●○○○	Sep 11, 3:00 AM
New report quantifies the state of Black life in Austin Austin Justice Coalition and Measure released a report criticizing Austin’s lack of investment in Black communities and documenting ongoing hardships. ■ Government · Austin, TX · austinmonitor.com	●●●○○	Sep 11, 3:30 AM
Federal program and workforce cuts are described as harming local services, including Texas storm drainage project freezes in Harris County. ■ Government · Harris County, TX ·	●●●○○	Sep 11, 4:30 AM
Unhinged Donald Trump Lunges at Female Reporter Rachel Scott Over Embarrassing Question Trump, while departing Dallas, shouted at ABC reporter Rachel Scott after she asked about his proposed $5,000 election incentive. ■ Government · Texas · thedailybeast.com	●●●○○	Sep 11, 7:15 AM
Justice Dept. Sues 4 More States Over Preferential Treatment For Illegal Immigrants The U.S. Department of Justice sued Hawaii, Washington, Arkansas, Utah, and D.C. to block state in-state tuition and aid for illegal immigrants. ■ Government · Texas · rttnews.com	●●●●○	Sep 11, 7:45 AM
A 2026 state report urges greater transparency in Texas foster care spending and contractor costs for children placed temporarily. ■ Government · Texas ·	●●●●○	Sep 11, 8:45 AM
Fort Bend County commissioners temporarily paused a dispute over Interim Judge Daniel Wong’s legal authority while passing a 40.7-cent tax rate. ■ Government · Fort Bend County, TX ·	●●●○○	Sep 11, 8:45 AM
Former legislator seeks Tarrant County judge's removal for 'official misconduct' Former Rep. Lon Burnam seeks removal of Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare for alleged official misconduct involving expelling speakers. ■ Government · Texas · keranews.org	●●●●○	Sep 11, 11:15 AM
Trump says vote or 'go to hell.' Here's what Houston voters are saying Houston-area voters discuss barriers to voting after Trump’s midterm campaign urging to vote or face consequences. ■ Government · Houston, TX · yahoo.com	●●○○○	Sep 11, 11:15 AM
Garbage Trucks Become The Latest Form Of Public Surveillance Dallas has deployed AI-equipped garbage trucks that generate “blight scores” used to target residents for potential fines. ■ Government · Texas · autospies.com	●●●○○	Sep 11, 11:30 AM
★ Fox News highlighted Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s prior legal troubles during an interview ahead of the Senate race against James Talarico. ■ Government · Texas ·	●●●●○	Sep 11, 11:45 AM
Could Texas Turn Blue? The GOP Faces a New Test A new political test for Texas Republicans could hinge on whether Democrats can win statewide momentum in the upcoming Senate races. ■ Government · Houston, Texas · houstonpublicmedia.org	●●○○○	Sep 11, 11:45 AM
Baylor University and Boston University move toward a formal settlement resolving a federal trademark dispute over an interlocking “BU” logo. ■ Government · Baylor University, Texas ·	●●●○○	Sep 11, 12:00 PM
Meet the mechanical engineer running to regulate the Texas oil and gas industry A mechanical engineer running to regulate Texas’s oil and gas industry discusses proposed oversight changes. ■ Government · Houston, Texas · sacurrent.com	●●○○○	Sep 11, 12:45 PM
A quarter of all July immigration arrests happened in Texas as state stepped up cooperation with ICE Texas accounted for about a quarter of July immigration arrests as the state increased cooperation with ICE. ■ Government · Texas Department Of Public Safety, Texas · sacurrent.com	●●●○○	Sep 11, 12:45 PM
Top Texas Republicans target Islam in GOP midterm convention speeches Texas Republicans used GOP convention speeches to denounce Islam and support banning Sharia law, amid ongoing state actions targeting Muslim groups. ■ Government · Texas · tpr.org	●●●○○	Sep 11, 1:15 PM
Are The Allegations Against University of Houston Professor True? A story questions whether allegations against a University of Houston professor are true. ■ Government · Houston, TX · attackofthefanboy.com	●●○○○	Sep 11, 2:00 PM
SpaceX sued Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Grimes County to block public release of records tied to the Terafab tax-abatement deal. ■ Government · Travis County, Texas ·	●●●●○	Sep 11, 2:15 PM
Democrats rally with endorsement party in Harker Heights Bell County Texas Democratic Women held an endorsement party in Harker Heights for multiple candidates ahead of the Nov. 3 election. ■ Government · Harker Heights, TX · kdhnews.com	●●○○○	Sep 11, 2:30 PM
Texas Republican Party Tells Court That its Lawsuit to Obtain a Closed Primary for Itself is Now Stronger than Earlier The Texas Republican Party told federal court its lawsuit seeking a closed primary is now stronger after passing a resolution supporting a closed primary. ■ Government · Texas · ballot-access.org	●●●○○	Sep 11, 3:15 PM
★ A GOP-linked super PAC and Trump’s super PAC have begun airing $32 million and $10 million boosts for Texas AG Ken Paxton’s Senate bid against James Talarico. ■ Government · Texas ·	●●●●○	Sep 11, 3:30 PM
McLennan County judge Virgil Bain set to retire; attorneys lining up to replace him Judge Virgil Bain will retire from McLennan County’s associate criminal court, with four attorneys seeking his successor. ■ Government · Mclennan County, TX · kwtx.com	●●○○○	Sep 11, 4:00 PM
Attorney Pooja Sethi Running For Texas House From 47th District Pooja Sethi, a Democrat and Austin-based attorney, is running for Texas House District 47 against Republican Jennifer Mushtaler. ■ Government · Travis County, Texas · newsindiatimes.com	●●○○○	Sep 11, 4:15 PM
Texas has nation's 'second worst parkers,' according to study of parking violations data A study using U.S. DOT parking-violation data ranks Texas second-highest for annual parking tickets and fines nationwide. ■ Government · Texas · sacurrent.com	●○○○○	Sep 11, 5:00 PM
Illinois Legislative Inspector General Michael McCuskey resigns effective late September amid scrutiny over investigation handling. ■ Government · Texas ·	●●●○○	Sep 11, 5:15 PM
Russia is expected to attend a G20 Energy Abundance meeting in Houston next week alongside U.S. officials. ■ Government · Houston, TX ·	●●●○○	Sep 11, 5:45 PM
Galveston City Council approves 2027 property tax rate Galveston City Council approved a no-new-revenue 2027 property tax rate of about $0.416 per $100 valuation. ■ Government · Galveston, TX · galvnews.com	●●●○○	Sep 11, 6:15 PM
ICE arrest near City College; Impact of 9/11 on military, border operations, Islamophobia A KPBS discussion covers a San Diego ICE arrest near City College, sparking protests and raising concerns about immigration policy and Islamophobia. ■ Government · Texas · kpbs.org	●●○○○	Sep 11, 6:45 PM
Inside the Letter Pressuring DGA Chair to Bet Big on Texas's Latina Gina Hinojosa to Beat Governor Greg Abbott Latino leaders urge DGA chair Andy Beshear to commit $10 million to Gina Hinojosa’s Texas governor campaign against Greg Abbott. ■ Government · University Of Texas, Texas · latintimes.com	●●●●○	Sep 11, 6:45 PM
Gov. Abbott awards fallen Odessa DPS Trooper with Star of Texas Award Gov. Greg Abbott posthumously awarded the Star of Texas Award to fallen Odessa DPS Trooper Kevin Ramirez Vasquez. ■ Government · Texas · firstalert7.com	●●○○○	Sep 11, 6:45 PM
Gov. Greg Abbott vows to ban Sharia Law in Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says Texas will fully ban Sharia law, framing it as a key issue for the 2026 elections. ■ Government · Texas · americanbazaaronline.com	●●●○○	Sep 11, 7:30 PM
ICE arrests reached record highs this summer as tactics shifted ICE reported record immigration-related arrests this summer, including more than 10,000 arrests in Texas, after shifting tactics to street and local-jail operations. ■ Government · Houston, TX · nbcconnecticut.com	●●●○○	Sep 11, 7:30 PM
The U.S. House plans to vote next week on bipartisan legislation to prevent data center electricity costs from driving higher household power bills. ■ Government · Texas ·	●●●○○	Sep 11, 7:30 PM
Killeen council to approve progressively lower Art Commission funds Killeen City Council will consider lower hotel-occupancy-tax art commission grants totaling about $75,000 at its Tuesday meeting. ■ Government · Killeen, TX · kdhnews.com	●●○○○	Sep 11, 7:30 PM
How to register to vote in Texas: Deadlines, IDs, requirements Texas voter registration guidance explains eligibility, accepted IDs, and deadlines ahead of the Nov. 3 election. ■ Government · Houston, Texas · click2houston.com	●●○○○	Sep 11, 7:45 PM
Texas DPS will launch a new online platform for License to Carry applications, renewals, and instructor course management on Oct. 1, 2026. ■ Government · Texas State Capitol, Texas ·	●●●○○	Sep 11, 8:00 PM
Republicans just opened the floodgates on spending for Ken Paxton GOP-aligned super PACs have spent tens of millions to boost Texas AG Ken Paxton’s Senate bid against Democrat James Talarico. ■ Government · Texas · freerepublic.com	●●●○○	Sep 11, 8:00 PM
Big push for both parties begins for November midterm elections Texas political campaigning ramps up after GOP and Democratic statements ahead of the November midterm election. ■ Government · Rice University, Texas · fox7austin.com	●●○○○	Sep 11, 8:15 PM
ERCOT to survey more than 400 data centers as part of Gov. Abbott's audit ERCOT will survey more than 400 data centers as part of Gov. Abbott’s audit. ■ Government · Houston, Texas · houstonpublicmedia.org	●●●○○	Sep 11, 8:30 PM
College Station tapped as future home of federal courthouse College Station was designated a future authorized location for a federal courthouse after Congress passed the Local Access to Courts Act. ■ Government · College Station, TX · kxxv.com	●●●○○	Sep 11, 8:45 PM
SNAP recipients in several Texas counties have until Sept. 21 to apply for replacement benefits for food lost during Tropical Storm Edouard. ■ Government · Houston, Texas ·	●●●○○	Sep 11, 9:00 PM
A Musk-backed PAC added $2.4 million to the fight involving Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton as GOP spending topped $12 million. ■ Government · Texas ·	●●●○○	Sep 11, 9:15 PM
The Department of Homeland Security proposed eliminating the up-to-60-day grace period for certain employment-based visa holders, potentially affecting workers employed by Texas government contractors. ■ Government · Texas ·	●●●○○	Sep 11, 10:15 PM
Residents raise concerns over Galveston County Health District takeover Galveston County commissioners are set to vote on an interlocal agreement to take administrative control of the Health District, prompting resident concerns about jobs and transparency. ■ Government · Galveston, TX · galvnews.com	●●●○○	Sep 11, 11:15 PM
A Texas House Homeland Security committee hearing examined an alleged foreign financial pipeline within Texas banking and charity networks. ■ Government · Texas State Capitol, Texas ·	●●●○○	Sep 11, 11:15 PM
Facing a deficit, Dickinson OKs budget with many cuts Dickinson City Council approved a revised 2026-27 budget with staff cuts, reduced police cost-of-living raises, reserved animal services funds, and a steady property tax rate. ■ Government · Dickinson, TX · galvnews.com	●●●○○	Sep 11, 11:15 PM
Texas Supreme Court barred Galveston County from using newly redrawn precinct boundaries for the November general election, requiring use of March maps. ■ Government · Galveston, TX ·	●●●●○	Sep 12, 12:30 AM
Government Meetings: For the week of Sept. 14, 2026 Llano-area governments list upcoming Sept. 14-18 meetings including county, city, groundwater district, and utility cooperative sessions. ■ Government · Marble Falls, Texas · dailytrib.com	●●○○○	Sep 12, 1:00 AM
Llano taps police chief as interim city manager Mayor Laura Almond appointed Police Chief John Bauer as interim city manager as Llano searches for a permanent replacement. ■ Government · Texas · dailytrib.com	●●●○○	Sep 12, 1:00 AM
County leaders clash over leaked real estate purchase talks Kerrville-area county leaders dispute leaked executive-session talks about a potential county purchase of the former Kerrville Police Department building. ■ Government · Texas · hccommunityjournal.com	●●●○○	Sep 12, 1:45 AM
A Texas judge ruled TikTok breached state consumer protection laws regarding how it filters content for minors and its Restricted Mode safeguards. ■ Government · Texas ·	●●●●○	Sep 12, 2:00 AM
ASHBY: Steps being put in place to protect veterans Ashby highlights steps to protect veterans, citing a Senate hearing and Gov. Abbott’s $3.3 million East Texas grant program. ■ Government · Groveton, TX · lufkindailynews.com	●●●○○	Sep 12, 5:30 AM
★ 'Theatrical' litigation: Republican AGs fight for Trump voting rules that their election officials say they can't implement Republican attorneys general are urging courts to approve Trump-backed mail voting changes, but election officials say compliance timelines and USPS rules are unworkable. ■ Government · Texas · cnn.com	●●●●○	Sep 12, 5:45 AM
President Trump signed the Hershel "Woody" Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act authorizing a permanent National Mall monument. ■ Government · Texas ·	●●●○○	Sep 12, 6:15 AM