TxDOT began Phase 2 of the I-45 expansion in Galveston County with a July 31 southbound traffic shift and connector closure.

UTMB in Galveston offered an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute course for adults 50+ on artificial intelligence and its risks and benefits.

A Galveston editorial weighs potential traffic, mobility, and economic impacts of building a fifth cruise terminal.

Texas City ISD approved a $1.54 million compensation plan for 2026-27 with a 2% pay increase for employees and higher health insurance contributions.

Montgomery County Animal Shelter in Kentucky is at capacity, with 60 dogs and room for 42, urging adopters and foster homes to help.

Former Magnolia ISD elementary teacher Jason Maldonado was charged with improper educator-student relationship after allegations of inappropriate touching and photography.

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.

Austin ISD proposed immediately closing Paredes Middle School after its fourth consecutive F grade, with students reassigned to other campuses.

A third mosquito trap in Hays County tested positive for West Nile virus, with no human cases reported so far in 2026.

Residents near Union Pacific tracks in southeast Houston complained about overgrown vegetation damaging fences until the railroad sent crews to clear it.

Houston’s 16th annual Mayor’s Back 2 School & Health Fair at the George R. Brown Convention Center will provide free supplies and health screenings.

A Sweeny man died in a single-vehicle rollover crash on FM 2004.

Shorty’s Pizza Shack in Waco is expanding next door to open 12th and Bagel, a new bagel and espresso shop planned for 2027.

A memorial in downtown Marlin honors 435 freed people who traveled from South Carolina to Falls County in 1867.

Joseph Scaramucci is running an annual back-to-school drive in the Waco area to provide new clothes and shoes for about 20 kids.

Gusty winds across Galveston County have created hazardous conditions for residents and travelers.

Houston leaders held a recap touting the 2026 World Cup’s attendance and claimed economic and infrastructure benefits for the city.

Prison Break Tattoos owners said a brick shattered their Washington Avenue front door during an aggressive confrontation, and police are investigating.

A Copperas Cove nursing student recounts how a Fort Hood spouse’s family experiences led her back to pursuing a registered nurse degree.

Belton ISD approved a 1.5% staff pay raise and presented technology use plans after hail-damage repair allocations.

Meta opened a $1.2 billion AI-optimized data center in Temple and announced local school funding and community partnership plans.

Police reported assaults, thefts, drug paraphernalia possession, and other incidents across Killeen, Copperas Cove, Harker Heights, and Lampasas.

Temple police, fire, and EMS conducted active-threat training at Vista Community Church and Crossroads Sports Complex, with public notice delayed until after a Telegram inquiry.

Malfunctioning railroad crossing signals in east Houston have repeatedly activated without trains, prompting safety concerns for drivers and pedestrians.

Houston police arrested Phillip Cerf, accused of four aggravated sexual assaults spanning from 1997 to 2016.

A regional study in the San Antonio-New Braunfels area considers future commuter bus routes to reduce I-35 congestion, without approved funding.

A Crawfordsville mother faces felony charges after her 11-month-old tested positive for meth and was hospitalized for seizures.

Data Center Action Coalition sued Guadalupe County and commissioners over approval of CloudBurst and Palomino Alpha data center agreements under open-meetings, conflict-of-interest, and tax-code claims.

After a heat index over 110 degrees, TEEX canceled a planned Public Firefighting Demonstration in College Station and the city escalated its heat emergency plan.

Austin City Council is set to approve an independent firm’s citywide efficiency audit on July 30 amid a November ballot push for charter-based audits.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire proclaimed July 21, 2026 as Muhammad Saeed Sheikh Day honoring his humanitarian service.

Rodney McCarty, former City of Hudson administrator in Angelina County, was indicted for alleged abuse of official capacity.

The City of Lakeway adopted Euna Budget to speed major budget updates and improve access to budget-to-actual information for departments.

A Harris County Judge candidate is facing ethics complaints over alleged campaign finance reporting issues and questionable payments.

Austin’s Human Resources Director Joya Hayes plans to retire July 29, with Rebecca Kennedy continuing as interim director.

A new biography is set to share Waco artist Kermit Oliver’s story and legacy through conversations with author Susie Kalil.

A Burleson County farmer is growing and rotating sunflower crops for seed production, with harvest expected around August 1.

Houston hit 100 degrees Wednesday as Bertha moves inland Thursday, with a Tropical Storm Watch for nearby coastal areas and gusty winds possible.

Williamson County opened a new $90 million administration building and extended Wilco Way by 2,500 feet in Georgetown.

Williamson County commissioners appointed Catherine Totty as county tax assessor-collector after Larry Gaddes resigned.

A 19-year-old Waco man faces felony charges for allegedly choking and kidnapping his girlfriend during a violent confrontation Tuesday.

Williamson County, Illinois property tax payments are due by February 28, 2025, with USPS postmarks accepted as proof.

A man in his 70s was found dead after a trailer home fire in Brazoria County, with the cause under investigation.

Austin’s Let’s Fund Good festival will hold 12 $10 events from Friday through Aug. 30 to raise money for local nonprofits.

Austin City Council will vote Thursday on creating a TIRZ to allow Amazon’s Dog’s Head development along the Colorado River in Southeast Austin.

Harris County investigators arrested Alyzae M. Davila in a fatal April shooting on Kuykendahl Road that killed 20-year-old Julianna Elizabeth Cardenas.

Backslash at Cornell Tech announced its 2026–27 artist cohort for exhibitions and public presentations on AI and related technologies.

A letter to the editor reports success of the 28th Back 2 School rally and announces plans for a 2027 rally.

Kenlea Conner of Waco won the Dr Pepper Museum’s annual giveaway for a one-year supply of Dr Pepper.

TxDOT plans major I-35 nighttime and weekend closures near Fort Sam Houston and Loop 410, with detours for drivers.

Montgomery County homeowners face higher 2026 property tax bills after the council eliminated the $692 Income Tax Offset Credit.

A Waco jeweler and an alleged accomplice were indicted on federal charges for buying stolen jewelry from store robbers.

Burnet CISD and Marble Falls ISD reapproved armed handgun-certified guardians to meet Texas school security requirements under HB 3.

Trial testimony is scheduled for Oct. 29 for Shane James, accused of killing six people in the 2023 Austin and San Antonio shooting spree.

Travis County DA filed a motion to revoke juror payouts of nearly $27,000 each tied to a dropped evidence tampering case.

Diode Ventures withdrew a proposed Henderson County data center near Cedar Creek Lake after residents and officials said it did not meet standards.

Leander ISD trustees approved Rutledge Elementary principal Jessica Schock as an area superintendent with expanded leadership duties.

A family-friendly Houston restaurant opened with a supervised playground for children while caregivers dine.