UnderWalker — Central TX News

Headline	Significance	Date ▴
Texarkana College reports breaking its enrollment record set in 2009. ■ Education · Texas ·	●●○○○	Sep 8, 5:30 PM
Teal Season in Texas Commences Sept. 19 Texas blue-winged teal hunting season begins Sept. 19 with a shortened early season after survey estimates show lower breeding populations. ■ Other · Texas · kogt.com	●●○○○	Sep 8, 5:45 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
Dallas' Faustina Academy leads anti-screen backlash Faustina Academy near Dallas banned student social media and tablets/laptops to limit screen time effects on young children. ■ Education · Texas · deseret.com	●●●○○	Sep 8, 6:15 PM
Alpha School highlights a troubling trend in Texas education An opinion piece argues Texas voucher eligibility and AI-based curricula at Alpha School could undermine student performance and public education. ■ Education · Texas · paisano-online.com	●●●○○	Sep 8, 6:30 PM
Fruits of UT Health merger have not grown A commentary says UT San Antonio’s UT Health merger improved funding and some facilities but campus infrastructure and benefits lag behind enrollment growth. ■ Education · Texas · paisano-online.com	●●○○○	Sep 8, 6:30 PM
Lubbock-area forecasts call for potentially record-setting heat Wednesday, a brief cool-down with limited storms Thursday, then renewed late-week heat. ▲ Weather · Texas ·	●●●○○	Sep 8, 6:45 PM
Battle over large Gillespie County solar farm heading back to court A legal dispute over the size and impacts of a large solar farm in Gillespie County is headed back to court. ■ Infrastructure · Hill County, Texas · tpr.org	●●●○○	Sep 8, 7:00 PM
Weak cold front, sea breeze showers are San Antonio's only heat relief A weak cold front and sea-breeze showers are expected to provide heat relief in San Antonio. ▲ Weather · Texas · tpr.org	●●○○○	Sep 8, 7:00 PM
William D. Fitch Parkway rehab project enters final phase College Station will shift traffic on the final section of William D. Fitch Parkway rehab from Williams Creek Drive to Rock Prairie Road, targeting mid-December completion. ■ Infrastructure · Williams Creek, Texas · kbtx.com	●●●○○	Sep 8, 7:00 PM
El Paso educator arrested, accused of sexually assaulting 14-year-old he met on dating ap An El Paso educator was arrested and accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy met on a dating app. ◆ Crime · Texas · kfoxtv.com	●●●●●	Sep 8, 7:45 PM
Sherman growth generating new jobs A heat advisory for parts of North and Central Texas warns of heat index values up to 107 until Wednesday evening. ▲ Weather · Texas · kten.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
El Paso bartender wanted on DWI charges arrested at the bar where she works El Paso constables arrested bartender Barbara Munoz Rodriguez on DWI charges after locating her at her workplace. ◆ Crime · Texas · kfoxtv.com	●●●○○	Sep 8, 7:45 PM
A Tyler man bitten by a copperhead was sent to the ICU and received anti-venom after noticing fang marks on his foot. ■ Health · Texas ·	●●●○○	Sep 8, 8:00 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
Texas Tech System Chancellor Brandon Creighton announced a $25 million investment in Nvidia’s AI platform and urged AI regulation during his “State of the System.” ■ Education · Texas ·	●●●○○	Sep 8, 8:45 PM
Red River Cultural District demands help amid venue closures Austin’s Red River Cultural District urged the city to help preserve live-music venues after multiple closures threatened the area’s cultural identity. ● Community · Central Texas · kut.org	●●●○○	Sep 8, 9:15 PM
Storms and 'chispas' become more likely for the second half of the week Forecasters say rain and brief storms are more likely across Corpus Christi starting Wednesday as tropical moisture moves in, alongside major heat risk. ▲ Weather · Texas · kristv.com	●●●○○	Sep 8, 9:45 PM
Victoria County commissioners approve airport, construction projects Victoria County commissioners approved airport and construction projects, including airport equipment purchases, road work, grants, and public health facility service agreements. ■ Infrastructure · Texas · victoriaadvocate.com	●●●●○	Sep 8, 9:45 PM
Kennedy visits Alice, Texas, to announce $225M Head Start boost HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited Alice to announce a $225 million expansion of the Head Start program focused on nutrition and facility upgrades. ● Community · Texas · kristv.com	●●●●○	Sep 8, 9:45 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
Del Mar College launches campuswide AI strategy Del Mar College launched a workshop to develop an AI strategy, including responsible use guidance, data security safeguards, and plans for AI-enhanced programs by 2027. ■ Education · Texas · kristv.com	●●●○○	Sep 8, 9:45 PM
Local farm fights to save fall season as Texas heat devastates pumpkin crop Western Belle Farm in West says extreme heat and drought devastated its pumpkin crop and jeopardized fall festival traditions, including a Sept. 26 reopening. ■ Business · Texas · kxxv.com	●●○○○	Sep 8, 9:45 PM
TxDOT hosts SH 361 safety conversation on the island TxDOT will hold a community open house on Sept. 21 to gather input on safety improvements along the SH 361 corridor in Corpus Christi. ■ Infrastructure · United Methodist Church, Texas · kristv.com	●●●○○	Sep 8, 9:45 PM
Coahoma ISD trustees approve independent investigation into district finances Coahoma ISD trustees voted to hire the Underwood Law Firm to conduct an independent review of district finances and personnel records. ■ Education · Texas · firstalert7.com	●●●●○	Sep 8, 10:00 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
The Texas Education Agency said it did not use AI to score nine STAAR responses that increased Central Middle School’s rating from D to C. ■ Education · Texas ·	●●●○○	Sep 8, 10:30 PM
LPD investigating after pursuit ends in crash at 47th & U Lubbock police investigated a pursuit crash at 47th and U where the fleeing driver caused another vehicle to be hit and suffered moderate injuries. ◆ Crime · Texas · fox34.com	●●●●○	Sep 8, 11:30 PM
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
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
TxDOT names Stephen Kasberg as Brownwood District Engineer TxDOT appointed Stephen Kasberg as Brownwood District Engineer effective September 1, 2026. ■ Infrastructure · Gatesville, Texas · brownwoodnews.com	●●●○○	Sep 9, 12:45 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
25 years later: A veteran and first responders remember 9/11 First responders and others involved in or connected to 9/11 recall their experiences and memories in reporting tied to local Dallas memorial events. ● Community · Texas · theshorthorn.com	●●○○○	Sep 9, 1:00 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
Fannin County man sentenced to federal prison for buying and selling firearms Raymundo Duran Baza, of Bonham, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for conspiring to sell firearms without a license. ◆ Crime · Texas · ntxe-news.com	●●●○○	Sep 9, 1:00 AM
Oyster season to open Oct. 1 after strong reef survey results Oyster season in Pass Christian is set to open Oct. 1 as fishermen support keeping harvest limits the same after encouraging reef surveys. ■ Business · Texas · wlox.com	●●○○○	Sep 9, 2:00 AM
Two officers rescue unconscious teen from stolen car after high-speed chase Officers rescued an 18-year-old from a burning stolen car after a high-speed chase near US-77 and Texas 44 in South Texas. ◆ Crime · Texas · kristv.com	●●●●○	Sep 9, 2:15 AM
Waterloo Pool closure discussed at city council meeting Denison City Council discussed the ongoing closure of Waterloo Pool due to structural repairs with a pool committee meeting next week. ● Community · Texas · kxii.com	●●○○○	Sep 9, 2:15 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
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
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
Texas voters report receiving frequent political fundraising texts requesting donations for upcoming elections. ■ Government · Texans ·	●●○○○	Sep 9, 4:30 AM
Eye on Education: Tough decisions shape school leaders An education commentary describes why school principals’ daily decisions can rapidly escalate into serious legal or safety crises. ■ Education · Texas · dailyrepublic.com	●●○○○	Sep 9, 5:00 AM
Overturned 18-wheeler blocking west and eastbound lanes of I-10 at Dalrymple Drive An overturned 18-wheeler blocked both lanes of I-10 in Baton Rouge between South Acadian Thruway and Terrace Avenue and near City Park. ■ Infrastructure · Central Texas · wbrz.com	●●●●○	Sep 9, 5:45 AM
A $427M Texas highway could impact homes, endangered wildlife Cameron County’s proposed Outer Parkway would connect I-69E to the coast, drawing criticism over potential impacts to homes and endangered wildlife. ■ Infrastructure · Texas · yahoo.com	●●●●○	Sep 9, 6:00 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
★ 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
Baylor Crew forms bonds through commitment, competition Baylor Crew athletes describe early-morning training, competition, and mentorship bonds within the club. ■ Education · Texas · baylorlariat.com	●●○○○	Sep 9, 6:30 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
'Nothing can go wrong' when students engage with history, librarian says Carroll Library’s Texas Collection at Baylor highlights Texas history exhibits tied to the nation’s founding for students through October. ■ Education · Baylor University, Texas · baylorlariat.com	●○○○○	Sep 9, 6:30 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
25 years after 9/11 attacks locals share stories Local residents in the North Augusta area share personal 9/11 stories reflecting military service, volunteer work, and family loss. ● Community · Fort Hood, Texas · postandcourier.com	●●○○○	Sep 9, 7:30 AM
Longview firefighters shored up two homes after a car crash ran off the road and struck both structures, with no injuries reported. ▲ Fire · Texas ·	●●●○○	Sep 9, 7:45 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
Texas conference to train new fruit growers in orchard management Texas A&M AgriLife Extension will host a conference in October 2026 to train new fruit growers in orchard and vineyard management. ■ Education · Texas · freshplaza.com	●○○○○	Sep 9, 8:00 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
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
Water District Hires Three New Lake Patrolmen A water district hired three new lake patrolmen to support lake safety and enforcement. ■ Infrastructure · Texas · brownwoodnews.com	●●○○○	Sep 9, 9:30 AM
JBIC launches investigation into US$2.6bn backing for Texas LNG project JBIC launched an investigation into US$2.6 billion backing for a Texas LNG project. ■ Business · Brazoria, Texas · gtreview.com	●●●○○	Sep 9, 9:30 AM
'I helped Mommy': 3-year-old honored for 911 call that helped save parent who had seizure – 107.3 The Eagle A 3-year-old was honored for making a 911 call that helped save a parent during a seizure. ● Community · Texas · 1073theeagle.com	●●●○○	Sep 9, 9:45 AM
Forecast discussion suggests 2026 could break Atlantic hurricane history, indicating potentially higher storm activity. ▲ Weather · Texas ·	●●●○○	Sep 9, 9:45 AM
Scammers are calling people and claiming police are coming to their homes while demanding money. ◆ Crime · Texas ·	●●●○○	Sep 9, 10:15 AM
Heroes on the Water and Texas State University launched a pilot research program on therapeutic kayak fishing benefits. ● Community · Texas ·	●●○○○	Sep 9, 10:30 AM
★ Texas Board of Education approved social studies curriculum language linking “radical Islam” to the Sept. 11 attacks and requiring study of early Islam. ■ Education · Texas ·	●●●●○	Sep 9, 11:00 AM
Dallas childcare providers say Texas’s expanded public pre-K is reducing enrollments and challenging longtime centers under district partnerships. ■ Education · League City, Texas ·	●●●○○	Sep 9, 11:00 AM
South Korea Bets $22.3 Billion on Texas Gas Plant to Fuel AI Surge South Korea agreed to invest $22.3 billion in a phased Encinal natural-gas power plant to meet rising electricity demand from Texas AI data centers. ■ Infrastructure · Texas · webpronews.com	●●●●○	Sep 9, 11:30 AM
Texas recorded its hottest temperature ever twice, setting new highs for the state and drawing attention to extreme heat. ▲ Weather · Texas ·	●●●○○	Sep 9, 11:30 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
Texas leads U.S. electricity generation growth in the first half of the year driven largely by rapid utility-scale solar expansion. ■ Infrastructure · Texas ·	●●●○○	Sep 9, 11:45 AM
Texas A&M System regents are considering banning scooters and e-bikes if crash incidents involving micromobility devices continue rising. ■ Education · Prairie View, Texas ·	●●●○○	Sep 9, 12:00 PM
TSTC and AMR partner to train next-generation paramedics TSTC and American Medical Response launched a 42-week paramedic program to train AMR EMTs faster in Texas. ■ Education · Texas · theeagle.com	●●●○○	Sep 9, 12:15 PM
NOAA and Texas A&M are running the TexAQS study across Texas to identify present-day air pollution sources including emerging chemical pollutants. ▲ Weather · University Of Houston, Texas ·	●●●○○	Sep 9, 12:15 PM
States Increasingly Pulling Rug Out From Under Big Tech With Tax Break Reversals Multiple states are pausing or ending data-center tax breaks as AI-driven demand raises costs and concerns over electricity and water impacts. ■ Business · Texas · dailycaller.com	●●●○○	Sep 9, 12:30 PM
Rita Gonzalez McMullen pleaded guilty to intoxication assault in a Loop 11 crash that severely injured an adult and a teenager, and was sentenced to concurrent prison terms. ◆ Crime · Texas ·	●●●●○	Sep 9, 12:45 PM
★ How Trump's New Census Plan Could Impact Congress and Electoral Votes Trump’s new census proposal would exclude many noncitizens from apportionment counts and remove race and sexual-orientation questions from future forms. ■ Government · Texas · newsweek.com	●●●●○	Sep 9, 1:00 PM
Sand Branch near Dallas has no clean drinking water After a grassfire in Sand Branch, residents face ongoing challenges including lack of safe drinking water and limited infrastructure in Seagoville. ■ Infrastructure · Sand Branch, Texas · dallasobserver.com	●●●●○	Sep 9, 1:15 PM
Texas prison officials requested $298 million to add thousands of air-conditioned beds as a federal judge considers whether prison heat is unconstitutional. ■ Government · Texas ·	●●●●●	Sep 9, 1:45 PM
MeatFest brings barbecue competition to Kingsland Hooper’s in Kingsland hosts its first MeatFest barbecue competition Oct. 16-18 with up to 25 teams and $5,000 top prize. ● Community · Texas · dailytrib.com	●●○○○	Sep 9, 2:00 PM
REMSA Health Appoints Jeremy Thomasson as Care Flight Operations Manager REMSA Health appointed Jeremy Thomasson as Care Flight operations manager overseeing operations for the region’s nonprofit air ambulance provider. ■ Health · Texas · nevadabusiness.com	●○○○○	Sep 9, 2:00 PM
Tulia police responding to incident at 10th Street and Donley Avenue Texas Rangers and Swisher County deputies investigated shots fired near NW 10th Street and North Donley Avenue in Tulia. ◆ Crime · Texas · fox34.com	●●●○○	Sep 9, 2:15 PM
Pershing Elementary School jumps from F to B in Texas Education Agency ratings Pershing Elementary School in San Antonio raised its TEA rating from F to B, earning an 89% score and aiming to grow enrollment. ■ Education · Texas · ksat.com	●●●○○	Sep 9, 2:15 PM
Fort Hood soldier Leroy Stroud Jr. died on post as his father questioned whether medics were called before the Aug. 14 death discovery. ◆ Crime · Fort Hood, Texas ·	●●●●○	Sep 9, 2:30 PM
CSISD officials address 'Cat in the Hat' social media trend, after nationwide concern Bryan-College Station ISD increased police presence after “Cat in the Hat” AI threat videos raised school safety concerns. ■ Education · Texas · kbtx.com	●●●○○	Sep 9, 2:30 PM
Two members of multi-state Walmart theft ring arrested in East Texas Smith County arrested two people tied to an alleged multi-state Walmart organized retail theft scheme involving cash-return receipts. ◆ Crime · Texas · ktre.com	●●●○○	Sep 9, 2:45 PM
Trial for Palm City dog trainer Nikki Camerlengo delayed until at least 2027 A Florida judge delayed Nikki Camerlengo’s dog cruelty trial until at least 2027 due to a key witness’s medical disability. ◆ Crime · Texas · wflx.com	●●○○○	Sep 9, 2:45 PM
KPD schedules annual walk to support awareness of domestic violence Killeen Police will host its sixth Domestic Violence Awareness Walk Oct. 3 at Lions Club Park with resources and partner organizations. ● Community · Central Texas · kdhnews.com	●●○○○	Sep 9, 3:15 PM
South Asian diaspora raises alarm over immigration detention Advocates asked the U.S. Supreme Court in Genalo v. Black to limit prolonged mandatory immigration detention without bond hearings. ■ Government · Texas · americanbazaaronline.com	●●●●○	Sep 9, 3:45 PM
Texas Investigators Capture Two of Texas' Most Wanted Texas DPS arrested two Texas 10 Most Wanted sex offenders, Abelardo Garza in Brownsville and Elliott Thomas Reed in Benbrook. ◆ Crime · Texas Department Of Public Safety, Texas · sanangelolive.com	●●●○○	Sep 9, 3:45 PM
Wichita Falls EMS launched prehospital whole blood capability through a regional program to treat critically injured patients with life-threatening blood loss. ■ Health · Texas ·	●●●●○	Sep 9, 3:45 PM
University of North Texas to Open College of AI, Analytics University of North Texas will open a College of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Analytics after a $20 million gift from Vikas and Anuradha Sinha. ■ Education · Texas · govtech.com	●●●○○	Sep 9, 4:00 PM
USDA outlines animal health plan for Mexican cattle imports USDA outlined a three-stage protocol for heightened protections against New World screwworm in Mexico live cattle imports entering Texas at Douglas, Arizona. ■ Infrastructure · Texas · wlj.net	●●●○○	Sep 9, 4:15 PM
Death investigation underway after a body was found in the surf on North Beach Corpus Christi police and the Nueces County medical examiner are investigating after a body was found in the surf on North Beach near Hayes Street. ◆ Crime · Texas · kristv.com	●●●○○	Sep 9, 4:15 PM
Texas environmental regulators approved an emergency order suspending reservoir pass-through water releases for 120 days due to drought in the Coastal Bend. ■ Infrastructure · Texas ·	●●●●○	Sep 9, 4:15 PM
Chip Roy sounds alarm on Islamic takeover in Texas: 'You can't win a war you refuse to acknowledge' Rep. Chip Roy urged acknowledging an Islamic takeover threat in Texas in a Blaze Media interview. ■ Government · Texas · theblaze.com	●○○○○	Sep 9, 4:30 PM
NOAA reports the U.S. had its hottest summer on record, with widespread heat and drought and expectations for more extreme conditions. ▲ Weather · Texas ·	●●●●●	Sep 9, 4:45 PM
The U.S. Department of the Interior expanded hunting and fishing access across the National Wildlife Refuge System in 32 states, including Balcones Canyonlands in Central Texas. ● Community · Texas ·	●●○○○	Sep 9, 5:00 PM
William Rockwell Evans faces felony charges in Texas after prescribing an illegal abortion pill following a Texas medical board license revocation. ◆ Crime · Texas ·	●●●●○	Sep 9, 5:00 PM
Power restored to most customers in Potter County after outage Xcel Energy restored power to most customers in Potter County after an outage affecting about 1,051 customers. ■ Infrastructure · Texas · newschannel10.com	●●○○○	Sep 9, 5:00 PM
Jasper, Kirbyville Awarded $7 Million in GLO Disaster Recovery Funding Jasper and Kirbyville received a combined $7 million in Texas GLO disaster recovery funding for major citywide sewer improvement projects. ■ Infrastructure · Texas · kjas.com	●●●○○	Sep 9, 5:00 PM