UnderWalker — Central TX News

Headline	Significance	Date ▾
After hiccup, supervisors approve 2027 budget Lauderdale County supervisors approve the 2027 budget after a tied vote, setting the millage rate to avoid tax increases. ■ Government · Houston, TX · meridianstar.com	●●○○○	Sep 9, 11:45 AM
America's air monitors are disappearing. So is your power to expose polluters. Article discusses disappearance of air monitors and reduced ability to expose pollution sources in the U.S. ■ Government · Texas · wvxu.org	●●●○○	Sep 9, 11:45 AM
Commissioners Approve Purchase of Two Vehicles for the County County commissioners approved purchasing two vehicles for county operations. ■ Government · Texas · brownwoodnews.com	●●○○○	Sep 9, 9:30 AM
★ Trump is holding a two-day GOP midterm convention rally in Dallas at the American Airlines Center to energize voters ahead of Nov. 3. ■ Government · Texas · ↻ Running story · 800 stories · 5 weeks · latest Sep 9 ·	●●●●○	Sep 9, 9:00 AM
★ Harris County commissioners approved a 7.6% property tax rate increase to address a more-than-$180 million budget deficit for the upcoming fiscal year. ■ Government · Harris County, TX ·	●●●●○	Sep 9, 8:45 AM
Council approves tax rate, budget and distribution of tourism funds Jasper City Council approved a higher 2026-2027 property tax rate and budget, and allocated $99,500 in hotel occupancy tax funds. ■ Government · Texas · kjas.com	●●●○○	Sep 9, 7:45 AM
Ted Cruz swears off the Supreme Court: 'I don't want to be a judge' U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz says he would not accept a potential Supreme Court nomination, emphasizing he does not want to be a judge. ■ Government · Texas · yahoo.com	●●○○○	Sep 9, 7:30 AM
★ Elon Musk’s America PAC spent over $1.6 million to support Texas AG Ken Paxton in his U.S. Senate race. ■ Government · Grimes County, Texas · ↻ Running story · 520 stories · 5 weeks · latest Sep 9 ·	●●●●○	Sep 9, 6:30 AM
★ Trump administration efforts to drive migrant numbers toward zero have pushed smugglers to reroute migrants through border tunnels and drainage systems. ■ Government · Texas ·	●●●●○	Sep 9, 6:15 AM
Texas transparency advocates say public information requests are met with heavy redactions and evidence-deletion practices despite legal requirements. ■ Government · Texas ·	●●●○○	Sep 9, 6:00 AM
Texas voters report receiving frequent political fundraising texts requesting donations for upcoming elections. ■ Government · Texans ·	●●○○○	Sep 9, 4:30 AM
New statewide license simplifies process for Texas food trucks Texas’ new DSHS mobile food truck license under House Bill 2844 replaces city-by-city licensing and affects vendors in Seguin. ■ Government · City Of Seguin, Texas · seguintoday.com	●●●○○	Sep 9, 4:00 AM
About Face? Texas Comptroller Signals Willingness To Walk Back Data Processing Tax Positions Texas Comptroller signals potential willingness to change prior data processing tax positions, affecting state tax policy and compliance. ■ Government · Texas · mondaq.com	●●●○○	Sep 9, 3:30 AM
Highland Village City Update – September 2026 - Cross Timbers Gazette \| Southern Denton County \| Flower Mound Highland Village reminds families about micro-mobility safety and outlines upcoming September budget hearings and an October Village Fest. ■ Government · Texas · crosstimbersgazette.com	●●○○○	Sep 9, 2:30 AM
Fannin County Commissioners Court votes to dip into reserves to balance 2026-2027 budget Fannin County Commissioners Court voted 3-2 to use about $800,000 from reserves to balance the 2026-2027 budget. ■ Government · Texas · ntxe-news.com	●●●○○	Sep 9, 1:00 AM
Bangs City Council approves 5% hotel occupancy tax, cancels Nov. 3 special election Bangs City Council approved a 5% hotel occupancy tax and canceled a Nov. 3 special election for vacant seats. ■ Government · Texas · brownwoodnews.com	●●●○○	Sep 9, 12:45 AM
Harker Heights City Council kept its property tax rate at 53 cents per $100 valuation after extended discussion about budget impacts and staffing needs. ■ Government · Central Texas ·	●●●○○	Sep 9, 12:30 AM
Diboll adopts $7.7 million budget, raises tax rate Diboll approved a $7.7 million budget and increased the property tax rate to 65.9181 cents per $100 evaluation. ■ Government · Diboll, TX · lufkindailynews.com	●●●○○	Sep 9, 12:00 AM
Guest commentary: Voter registration, correction deadline fast approaching A guest commentary warns Texas voters to register or fix “suspense” voter status by Oct. 5 ahead of the Nov. 3 election. ■ Government · Houston, TX · galvnews.com	●●○○○	Sep 8, 10:30 PM
Gov. Greg Abbott unveiled a plan in Lubbock to cut Texas property taxes by 50% and address affordability issues including education and health care. ■ Government · Texans · ↻ Running story · 52 stories · 5 weeks · latest Sep 8 ·	●●●●○	Sep 8, 10:30 PM
Corpus Christi mayor returns to city hall after 30-day suspension Corpus Christi Mayor Paulette Guajardo returned to City Hall after a 30-day suspension, with water security and desalination priorities and an upcoming Sept. 15 reconvening. ■ Government · Texas · kristv.com	●●●○○	Sep 8, 9:45 PM
Family questions courthouse ties ahead of civil trial involving Montgomery County commissioner A Montgomery County mother sued over an incident involving Precinct 4 Commissioner Matt Gray, alleging courthouse ties could affect fairness of her civil trial. ■ Government · Montgomery County, TX · click2houston.com	●●●○○	Sep 8, 9:15 PM
Willis shut off its Flock camera system until further notice while city leaders review the technology and consider next steps. ■ Government · Willis, TX ·	●●●○○	Sep 8, 9:15 PM
Central Health to vote on proposed property tax increase for Travis County Central Health will vote on a proposed Travis County property tax increase to fund mental health services and facilities. ■ Government · Travis County, TX · fox7austin.com	●●●●○	Sep 8, 8:30 PM
Sen. Cruz Applauds House Passage of Legislation to Improve Federal Court Access for Texans U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz praised the House passage of the Local Access to Courts Act to expand federal court access for Texans in College Station. ■ Government · Texas · texasgopvote.com	●●●○○	Sep 8, 8:15 PM
Some Montgomery County Commissioners question funding for Montgomery Whitewater Montgomery County commissioners questioned ongoing funding for Montgomery Whitewater as the board prepares next week’s $183 million budget vote. ■ Government · Montgomery County, TX · waka.com	●●○○○	Sep 8, 8:15 PM
Temple Police release name of officer who resigned after investigation began into misuse of Flock cameras Temple police identified Robert Clayton as the officer who resigned after internal findings of potentially unauthorized Flock Safety ALPR searches, with Texas Rangers investigating. ■ Government · Temple, TX · kdhnews.com	●●●●○	Sep 8, 7:45 PM
New Texas law sets limits on volunteer firefighter pay A new Texas law caps volunteer firefighter pay reimbursement at up to 20% of full-time firefighter pay. ■ Government · Texas · kten.com	●●●○○	Sep 8, 7:45 PM
DOJ races to Supreme Court to revive shaky voter database amid wave of pro-GOP rulings The U.S. Department of Justice is appealing to the Supreme Court to revive a voter database after pro-GOP ruling changes. ■ Government · Travis County, Texas · rawstory.com	●●●●○	Sep 8, 6:15 PM
Former Texas City police captain selected as city's next chief A former Texas City police captain was selected as the city’s next police chief. ■ Government · Texas City, TX · galvnews.com	●●●○○	Sep 8, 5:30 PM
Hitchcock creates reinvestment zone to prepare for future development Hitchcock created a reinvestment zone to prepare for future development. ■ Government · Hitchcock, TX · galvnews.com	●●○○○	Sep 8, 5:30 PM
Stockdale Marshal's Office launches internship Stockdale launched a marshal’s office internship for criminology and criminal justice seniors, including training, ride-alongs, and mock court sessions. ■ Government · Stockdale, TX · wilsoncountynews.com	●●○○○	Sep 8, 5:15 PM
ICE discussion heats up China Grove China Grove City Council debated an MOA with ICE under the 287(g) program after concerns about local immigration enforcement and detentions. ■ Government · China Grove, TX · wilsoncountynews.com	●●●○○	Sep 8, 5:15 PM
Montgomery County commissioners approved a $546 million 2026-2027 budget with pay raises and an increased property tax rate. ■ Government · Montgomery County, TX ·	●●●○○	Sep 8, 5:00 PM
Killeen’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will host a public emergency readiness town hall on Sept. 24. ■ Government · Killeen, TX ·	●●○○○	Sep 8, 4:45 PM
Houston’s moratorium on water shutoffs ended, and the city will resume disconnections for overdue accounts. ■ Government · Houston, TX ·	●●●●○	Sep 8, 4:15 PM
TSA’s Gateside by TSA PreCheck program allows eligible non-ticketed visitors to pass screening to meet loved ones at gates. ■ Government · Houston, TX ·	●●○○○	Sep 8, 4:15 PM
A San Antonio report examines whether Bexar County’s new annual emissions inspection requirement starting Nov. 1 will improve air quality. ■ Government · Texas ·	●●●○○	Sep 8, 3:45 PM
Texas Comptroller Don Huffines requests funding that could more than double the school voucher program to $4.4 billion, including a waitlist of more than 100,000 students. ■ Government · Texas ·	●●●●○	Sep 8, 3:15 PM
City Council gives final approval to .7175 tax rate for 2026-27 fiscal year Brownwood City Council approved a 2026-27 property tax rate of $.71750 per $100 valuation and updated multiple utility and fee ordinances. ■ Government · Texas Department Of Public Safety, Texas · brownwoodnews.com	●●○○○	Sep 8, 3:00 PM
Attorneys drop out of Houston lawyer Nguyen's case for second time this year Attorneys withdrew for a second time from Houston lawyer Chi-Hung David Nguyen’s case amid profit-payment disputes and a pending motion. ■ Government · Houston, TX · yahoo.com	●●●○○	Sep 8, 2:45 PM
Muslim religious practices are treated as political threats in Texas Texas officials and lawmakers increasingly cite Muslim religious practices as political threats, including actions targeting Eid events and religious washing facilities. ■ Government · Houston, Texas · dallasobserver.com	●●●●○	Sep 8, 2:15 PM
A Tarrant County judge froze Westlake’s Circle T data center development agreement vote until Sept. 8. ■ Government · Texas ·	●●●●○	Sep 8, 11:00 AM
Texas state leaders aim to crack down on alleged birth tourism, as Trump's executive order hits legal barrier Texas leaders plan to crack down on alleged birth tourism as barriers arise from a new Trump executive order. ■ Government · Sugar Land, Texas · houstonpublicmedia.org	●●●●○	Sep 8, 7:30 AM
Latinos viewed as key swing vote in midterms Analysts say Latino voters will be pivotal to 2026 midterm outcomes because control of Congress may hinge on narrow margins. ■ Government · Texas · heraldbulletin.com	●●○○○	Sep 8, 7:00 AM
Second Baptist Houston members try one last legal maneuver Second Baptist Houston members filed further motions seeking partial summary judgment regarding disputed church leadership and incorporation-by-laws authority. ■ Government · Houston, TX · baptistnews.com	●●●●○	Sep 8, 2:00 AM
A federal ban on intoxicating hemp products set for late 2025 reshapes total-THC rules and drives Texas-focused litigation over enforcement. ■ Government · Travis County, Texas ·	●●●●○	Sep 8, 1:00 AM
Federal Rule Ends Annual Duck Season Rulemaking and Moves Migratory Bird Limits into a Memorandum The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ended annual Federal Register rulemaking for migratory bird hunting seasons and moved limits to a memorandum. ■ Government · Texas · natureworldnews.com	●●●○○	Sep 7, 8:45 PM
Big 12 files paperwork to drop lawsuit against Paxton, Texas Tech The Big 12 filed paperwork in federal court to dismiss its lawsuit against Ken Paxton, Texas Tech, and related officials. ■ Government · Texas · fox34.com	●●●●○	Sep 7, 7:00 PM
3,500-home community for 'active adults' approved for Galveston Bay tract Galveston Bay tract was approved for a 3,500-home community for active adults. ■ Government · Houston, TX · houston.culturemap.com	●●●○○	Sep 7, 6:30 PM
Galveston County political groups urge voters to verify registration after precinct boundary changes and delayed voter cards may affect thousands before the Nov. election. ■ Government · Galveston County, TX ·	●●●○○	Sep 7, 6:00 PM
What's old is new again? Revisiting 1976 survey on Harris County concerns A Harris County review of a 1976 Houston Chronicle survey finds concerns like pollution, noise, overcrowding, and public safety persist today. ■ Government · Harris County, TX · abc13.com	●●○○○	Sep 7, 4:45 PM
Kendall County Judge Frieda J. Pressler passes away at 72-years-old Kendall County Justice of the Peace Frieda J. Pressler died at age 72, according to the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office. ■ Government · Texas · news4sanantonio.com	●●○○○	Sep 7, 3:45 PM
GOP convention forces Dallas citizens to carry ID downtown Security checkpoints around Victory Park and the American Airlines Center in Dallas require people to show ID or documentation during the GOP midterm convention through Friday. ■ Government · Texas · yahoo.com	●●●○○	Sep 7, 3:15 PM
Texas Senate Scrutinizes Data Center Water Usage The Texas Senate is scrutinizing data center water usage amid concerns about water demand and impacts. ■ Government · Texas · mondaq.com	●●●○○	Sep 7, 2:15 PM
Former Killeen mayor Riakos “Rock” Adams discusses council workload, governance reform challenges, and controversies in a new podcast episode. ■ Government · Killeen, TX ·	●●●○○	Sep 7, 2:00 PM
One Austin resident asked why pools close so early. The city answered. Austin explains that most seasonal public pools close mid-August due to staffing and maintenance limits, including lifeguard availability after school starts. ■ Government · Austin, TX · yahoo.com	●●○○○	Sep 7, 2:00 PM
Bexar County SNAP recipients get more time to request replacement benefits after storms, outages Texas HHSC extended the deadline for Bexar County SNAP recipients to request storm-related replacement benefits until Sept. 17, 2026. ■ Government · Texans · ksat.com	●●●○○	Sep 7, 1:30 PM
Who stands between Texas and a fascist Railroad Commission? A commentary questions who will prevent authoritarian influence within Texas’s Railroad Commission. ■ Government · Houston, Texas · sacurrent.com	●●○○○	Sep 7, 1:00 PM
Brazos Valley officials debate Flock automated license plate reader cameras, weighing policing benefits against concerns about privacy and data retention. ■ Government · Brenham, TX ·	●●●○○	Sep 7, 12:00 PM
Texas Rep. Brendan Gill urged action on “birth tourism,” alleging U.S. businesses facilitate immigration fraud to sell U.S. citizenship. ■ Government · Texas ·	●●●○○	Sep 7, 11:30 AM
Factbox-US House races to watch in the 2026 midterm elections Reuters lists competitive U.S. House races in several states ahead of the November 3, 2026 midterm election outcomes. ■ Government · Texas · taylorvilledailynews.com	●●○○○	Sep 7, 8:45 AM
Texas Cities Keep Dropping Flock Cameras As Statewide Privacy Backlash Grows At least 23 Texas local governments have ended or reduced Flock Safety flock-camera contracts amid a growing statewide privacy backlash and a state spending freeze. ■ Government · Burnet County, Texas · klif.com	●●●○○	Sep 7, 7:30 AM
Lawmakers added $1 to Texans' car insurance policies. The money paid for thousands of Flock cameras. An analysis found Texas’s $1 auto insurance fee used to fight catalytic converter theft helped fund thousands of Flock cameras, though Abbott paused state funding. ■ Government · Harris County, Texas · texarkanagazette.com	●●●○○	Sep 7, 5:15 AM
Texas Department of Public Safety will continue using its existing Flock roadside surveillance network while limiting ALPR data access to agencies with agreements. ■ Government · Houston, Texas ·	●●●●○	Sep 6, 11:30 PM
Trump's first major midterm money move: A $10M Texas Senate ad blitz MAGA Inc. is reported to be spending $10 million on TV and digital ads in the Texas Senate race, according to an FEC filing. ■ Government · Texas · columbian.com	●●○○○	Sep 6, 9:30 PM
Texas repair law expands access to electronics parts and tools Texas’ right-to-repair law taking effect September 1, 2026 expands access for independent shops to certain electronics parts, tools, and repair information. ■ Government · Texans · marketbusinessnews.com	●●○○○	Sep 6, 4:45 PM
Barry Wernick Targets Tax Increase, Pledges Forensic Audit In Bid To Flip Dallas County Seat Barry Wernick launched a Dallas County commissioner bid focused on a potential tax increase, election administration concerns, and a forensic audit. ■ Government · Central Texas · wbap.com	●●●○○	Sep 6, 2:00 PM
Federal Data Ties 193 H-1B Positions To TxDOT Through Private Employers An audit found private employers listed TxDOT work sites in 193 H-1B certified applications, raising questions about state hiring restrictions. ■ Government · Liberty Hill, Texas · wbap.com	●●●○○	Sep 6, 2:00 PM
In 1999, a Taylor, Texas Bland family deeded about 88 acres for parkland for $10; by 2025 that same ground had been sold for $10 million to a data-center developer despite the parkland deed A Taylor, Texas family’s 1999 $10 parkland deed for about 88 acres was followed by a 2025 roughly $10 million sale to a data-center developer amid dispute over deed language. ■ Government · Taylor, TX · scienceblog.com	●●●○○	Sep 6, 12:00 PM
Born here but deported. A Texas man's harrowing ordeal. A Texas-born man says he was detained and deported to Mexico after a traffic stop, spending nearly four days through detention facilities. ■ Government · Texas Department Of Public Safety, Texas · yahoo.com	●●●●○	Sep 6, 11:15 AM
"Do you think it would be beneficial for Killeen City Council members to take part in a team-building exercise?" \| Opinion An opinion piece asks whether Killeen City Council members should participate in a team-building exercise. ■ Government · Killeen, TX · kdhnews.com	●○○○○	Sep 6, 7:30 AM
Can a security guard detain or arrest you in Texas? What the law says Texas law allows private security guards to detain or arrest only in narrow situations, such as observing theft, until police arrive. ■ Government · Texas · yahoo.com	●●○○○	Sep 6, 6:30 AM
When Federal Programs and Workers are Cut, Main Street Bears the Cost Federal program and workforce cuts are disrupting Texas public services, including stalled storm drainage projects in Harris County and increased strains on VA care. ■ Government · Harris County, Texas · kpvi.com	●●○○○	Sep 6, 5:00 AM
Copperas Cove council walks back tax rate increase, set to trim budget after last-minute proposal Copperas Cove City Council kept the 2026-27 property tax rate at 68.6419 cents and adjusted the $77.2 million budget after a late proposal. ■ Government · Copperas Cove, TX · kdhnews.com	●●●○○	Sep 6, 2:30 AM
How they voted, Sept. 6, 2026 The House passed multiple bills this week, including measures affecting court locations and federal prison staff safety. ■ Government · Texas · santafenewmexican.com	●●○○○	Sep 5, 10:00 PM
This Week in Texas: Harris County Judge Candidates, Voter 'Suspense' List An episode discusses candidates for Harris County Judge and explains Texas’s voter suspense list and its meaning. ■ Government · Harris County, TX · abc13.com	●●○○○	Sep 5, 8:15 PM
Paxton brings Senate campaign to Bryan Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton brought his U.S. Senate campaign to Bryan and outlined tax and healthcare-focused proposals while attacking James Talarico. ■ Government · Bryan, TX · theeagle.com	●●○○○	Sep 5, 7:45 PM
DPS stepping up enforcement for Labor Day Texas DPS will increase enforcement during Labor Day weekend with Operation CARE targeting speeding, intoxication, and Move Over violations. ■ Government · Texas Department Of Public Safety, Texas · kilgorenewsherald.com	●●○○○	Sep 5, 6:15 PM
A homeowner got $1 after Texas City demolished his home. Now a jury will reconsider that. A federal appeals court ordered a jury to reconsider compensation for Michael Ramirez after Texas City demolished his fire-damaged home. ■ Government · Texas City, TX · yahoo.com	●●●○○	Sep 5, 3:00 PM
Dallas County homeowners may be missing homestead exemptions Research says tens of thousands of Dallas County homeowners may be missing the homestead exemption and losing hundreds of millions in benefits. ■ Government · Pleasant Grove, Texas · nbcdfw.com	●●○○○	Sep 5, 2:45 PM
Governor Abbott Reminds Insurers Of Price Optimization Ban Under Texas Law Texas Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Department of Insurance to enforce a ban on insurers using “price optimization” in homeowners’ insurance pricing. ■ Government · Texas · kilgorenewsherald.com	●●●○○	Sep 5, 2:00 PM
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas and Members Award $754K to Texas Community Organizations Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas awarded $754,250 to 24 Texas community organizations through its 30th-anniversary Partnership Grant Program. ■ Government · Woodforest, Texas · gilmermirror.com	●●○○○	Sep 5, 12:00 PM
50,000 Troops, No End Date: What the Pentagon's Iran Extension Means for Texas Military Families The Pentagon is extending troop and warship deployments against Iran through 2027, affecting Texas military families amid rising costs. ■ Government · Houston, Texas · latintimes.com	●●●○○	Sep 5, 10:15 AM
DOJ Says States Must Report Undocumented Immigrants or Lose Welfare Funds: What It Means for Mixed-Status Families A Sept. 1 DOJ legal opinion requires Texas state agencies to report undocumented residents to keep federal welfare and housing aid. ■ Government · Houston, Texas · latintimes.com	●●●●○	Sep 5, 10:15 AM
★ Musk has started spending money to help Ken Paxton. Will it help change the course of the Texas Senate race? Elon Musk’s America PAC began spending to support Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Senate race against James Talarico. ■ Government · Houston, Texas · us.cnn.com	●●●○○	Sep 5, 9:45 AM