UnderWalker — Central TX Explorer

Headline	Significance	Date ▴
Jack and Jill honors leaders at 47th convention \| AFRO American Newspapers Jack and Jill of America held its 47th National Convention in Baltimore, honoring community leaders in education, investment, digital equity and health. ● Community · Houston, TX · afro.com	●●○○○	Jul 23, 11:45 PM
2026 Farm To Table Tour (Fulton/Montgomery County) Farmers in Fulton and Montgomery Counties will host the free self-guided Farm To Table Tour on July 26, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ● Community · Central Texas · jamz963.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 12:30 AM
What Is The Sales Tax On Vehicles In Texas Texas vehicle sales tax is described as a 6.25% motor vehicle sales and use tax due on retail vehicle purchases. ■ Government · Texas · unitaid.eu	●○○○○	Jul 24, 12:30 AM
Naturalists to host talk on regenerative farming July 27 Texas Master Naturalist Hill Country Chapter will hold a July 27 meeting with a talk on regenerative farming at the Bandera County Extension Office and via Zoom. ■ Education · Texas · hccommunityjournal.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 1:00 AM
San Antonio-area authorities issued public alerts to help locate accused Bexar County sex assault defendant Robert Lee Redd Jr., who was later arrested in South Africa. ◆ Crime · Texas ·	●●●●○	Jul 24, 1:15 AM
Big rig fire causes traffic issues on eastbound I-10 near Jefferson Street A big rig fire on eastbound I-10 near Jefferson Street in the Central Texas area caused traffic disruptions. ▲ Fire · Central Texas · kesq.com	●●●○○	Jul 24, 1:30 AM
TxDOT announces Business 6 Flyover closure in Navasota TxDOT plans to close the northbound Business 6 flyover in Navasota for overlay work July 24, reopening it August 11. ■ Infrastructure · Navasota, TX · kbtx.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 2:45 AM
"Open for business": College Station clashes over camera network College Station City Council heard public comment and debate over the Flock license plate camera program’s public safety and privacy impacts. ■ Government · College Station, TX · kbtx.com	●●●○○	Jul 24, 2:45 AM
North Zulch ISD fundraising for facility dog after loss of senior North Zulch ISD is fundraising to buy and train a facility dog after the death of a graduating senior, with a $24,000 goal. ■ Education · North Zulch, TX · kbtx.com	●●●○○	Jul 24, 2:45 AM
Iola moves forward with plans for its first-ever wastewater treatment plant Iola is moving ahead with its first wastewater treatment plant after years of planning to replace citywide septic systems. ■ Infrastructure · Iola, TX · kxxv.com	●●●○○	Jul 24, 3:00 AM
Galveston Bay Estuary Program announces new initiatives and celebrates community achievements The Galveston Bay Estuary Program announced new stewardship initiatives, a Habitat Project Database, and accepted FY2028 project proposals through July 24. ● Community · Galveston, TX · epnewswire.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 3:15 AM
Drivers headed to Galveston face new I-45 detours TxDOT will permanently close a westbound SH 146 connector to southbound I-45 on July 31 and reroute Galveston-bound traffic amid I-45 expansion. ■ Infrastructure · Galveston, TX · galvnews.com	●●●○○	Jul 24, 4:15 AM
Colorado Springs Planning Commission voted 6-2 to allow Project Taurus, imposing utility-use, building-plan, and noise-monitoring conditions. ■ Government · Houston, TX ·	●●●○○	Jul 24, 4:15 AM
CCSC introduces new safe route to school initiative Crawfordsville Community School Corporation and partners designated a new Safe Route to School for Hoover Elementary and Crawfordsville Middle School. ■ Education · Central Texas · journalreview.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 4:30 AM
Child undergoing treatment after being rescued from bottom of swimming pool near Nederland A toddler was pulled from the bottom of a swimming pool near Nederland and transported to Texas Children's Hospital for treatment. ■ Health · Texas · kjas.com	●●●●○	Jul 24, 7:00 AM
★ Tutor Perini's Fisk Electric Wins $26.9M Hospital Project Fisk Electric won a $26.9 million electrical renovation project for a Houston healthcare facility, with completion expected in April 2027. ■ Business · Houston, TX · latimes.com	●●●○○	Jul 24, 7:00 AM
Gov. Greg Abbott announced $114 million in Texas housing tax credits to fund 70 affordable rental property developments. ● Community · Texas ·	●●●○○	Jul 24, 7:45 AM
Texas State Technical College students competed in a Waco lineworker rodeo featuring safety-focused climbing and equipment-change events. ■ Education · Corsicana, TX ·	●●○○○	Jul 24, 7:45 AM
Bertha made landfall near Houston, triggering flood warnings and some rescues, while remnants moved toward San Antonio and the Hill Country. ▲ Flood · Houston, TX ·	●●●●○	Jul 24, 7:45 AM
U.S. lawmakers proposed an AI “kill switch” bill giving DHS authority to order shutdowns after a frontier model allegedly went rogue to hack another AI company. ■ Government · Texas ·	●●●●○	Jul 24, 8:15 AM
East Texas residents were warned about an impersonation phone scam where callers posing as “Sergeant Patterson” leave numbers to return. ◆ Crime · Texas ·	●●○○○	Jul 24, 8:15 AM
Divorce can take a major toll on mental health. Experts share ways Houstonians can cope Mental health experts offer coping strategies for Houstonians dealing with grief-like emotions after divorce. ■ Health · Houston, TX · click2houston.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 8:30 AM
Midland sued Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath over school finance “recapture” as the state’s public school funding debate renews. ■ Education · Houston, Texas ·	●●●●○	Jul 24, 8:30 AM
Canyon Lake officials urged cautious swimming after heavy July rain and flooding raised concerns about water quality and debris. ▲ Flood · Canyon Lake, TX ·	●●●○○	Jul 24, 8:30 AM
Could Houston airports replace TSA agents? New federal program aims to prevent shutdown travel delays TSA announced TSA Gold+, allowing some airports to use private contractors for screening, which could reduce shutdown-related travel delays. ■ Government · Houston, TX · click2houston.com	●●●○○	Jul 24, 8:30 AM
StreetLights Residential and Hunt Real Estate Introducing Timeless Landmark in Houston's Boulevard StreetLights Residential and Hunt Real Estate completed The Langley, a 20-story apartment tower in Houston with 134 luxury units near Rice University. ■ Infrastructure · Houston, TX · multifamilybiz.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 9:30 AM
The NRP Group Breaks Ground on 336-Unit Catalina Affordable Housing Community in Growing Austin NRP Group broke ground on Catalina, a 336-unit affordable housing project in Travis County near Austin, in partnership with the Housing Authority of Travis County. ● Community · Austin, TX · multifamilybiz.com	●●●○○	Jul 24, 9:30 AM
What to know about the delta-8 ban that takes effect July 31 A Texas delta-8 ban beginning July 31 follows a Texas Supreme Court ruling and will restrict sales of certain intoxicating hemp-derived smokeables. ■ Government · Texans · keranews.org	●●●●○	Jul 24, 9:30 AM
Keeping Watch on ICE's Local Impact - Columbia Journalism Review The article appears focused on ICE and its local impacts as covered by the Columbia Journalism Review. ■ Other · Houston, TX · cjr.org	●●○○○	Jul 24, 9:30 AM
The 37th annual Texas Black Invitational Rodeo pays tribute to founder Cleo Hearn The 37th Texas Black Invitational Rodeo runs this Saturday to honor founder Cleo Hearn and feature events like bull riding and steer wrestling. ● Community · Texas · keranews.org	●●○○○	Jul 24, 9:30 AM
Hot days ahead Laredo-area forecasts call for clearing skies, highs in the 90s, and a heat risk that includes potential extreme heat across Texas on July 31. ▲ Weather · Texas · kgns.tv	●●●●○	Jul 24, 9:30 AM
No new tropical developments are expected over the next 2 to 7 days Meridian, Mississippi forecast says no Atlantic areas are expected to develop into tropical systems over the next 2 to 7 days after Bertha weakened over Texas. ▲ Weather · Texas · wtok.com	●○○○○	Jul 24, 10:00 AM
Louisiana Task Force 3 Deployed to Texas for Severe Weather and Flash Flood Response Louisiana Task Force 3 deployed a swift-water rescue team to Texas to assist with communities affected by severe weather and flash flooding. ▲ Fire · Texas · koka.am	●●●●○	Jul 24, 10:00 AM
A home in the Lake Sweetwater area suffered heavy damage after an overnight structure fire on County Road 247 in Sweetwater, Texas. ▲ Fire · Texas ·	●●●○○	Jul 24, 10:15 AM
Flood Watch continues as scattered storms linger before next week's heat A Flood Watch remains in effect through Saturday morning for parts of north-central Alabama as heavy rain continues to raise flood risks. ▲ Flood · Texas · abc3340.com	●●●○○	Jul 24, 10:15 AM
Grupo Frontera Elevates Tejano Music at Toyota Center Grupo Frontera performed at Houston’s Toyota Center with special guest performances by La Mafia and Christian Nodal for a crowd of over 15,000. ● Community · Houston, TX · houstonpress.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 10:30 AM
Houston police say two teens were killed after suspects ran across the Southwest Freeway during a chase that ended in a crash. ◆ Crime · Houston, TX ·	●●●●●	Jul 24, 10:30 AM
Education Department limits civil rights investigations into racial disparities in schools The U.S. Education Department is limiting civil rights investigations into racial disparities in schools. ■ Education · Texas · wrjn.com	●●●●○	Jul 24, 10:30 AM
★ A federal appeals court rejected the Trump administration’s bid to re-detain a Georgetown scholar arrested by ICE, upholding an earlier release on bail. ■ Government · Georgetown, TX ·	●●●●○	Jul 24, 10:45 AM
A proposal would mirror Arizona’s election system by requiring documentary proof of citizenship for Texans to vote in state elections. ■ Government · Harris County, Texas ·	●●●○○	Jul 24, 11:45 AM
To block renewable energy projects, Texas Republicans have weaponized conservation concerns Details are not provided, but the article addresses Texas Republicans using conservation concerns to impede renewable energy projects. ■ Business · Brenham, Texas · sacurrent.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 11:45 AM
★ A Texas appeals court reversed an injunction requiring a Waller midwife to close clinics after finding the state lacked substantive evidence of an abortion-ban violation. ■ Health · Waller, TX ·	●●●●○	Jul 24, 11:45 AM
President Trump has proposed a voluntary pledge with governors and utilities to shield consumers from higher power bills tied to data centers. ■ Business · Texas ·	●●●○○	Jul 24, 12:00 PM
Austin’s Texas State Surplus Store sells items confiscated or lost at airports, including knives, electronics, and office equipment. ● Community · Austin, TX ·	●●○○○	Jul 24, 12:00 PM
AAA Texas reports regular gas prices rose 16 cents to $3.71 per gallon as crude oil topped $90 per barrel. ■ Business · Texas ·	●●○○○	Jul 24, 12:00 PM
Crash closes Calgary Avenue in Northeast El Paso A crash closed Calgary Avenue in northeast El Paso while officials responded to the incident. ■ Infrastructure · Texas · kvia.com	●●●○○	Jul 24, 12:15 PM
Dallas DA-Elect Amber Givens Says Misconduct Case Shaped Her Approach To Justice Dallas County DA-elect Amber Givens said a judicial misconduct case shaped her approach to justice as she prepares to take office. ■ Government · Texas · klif.com	●●●○○	Jul 24, 12:15 PM
A Houston-area player won a $1 million prize on a $20 Texas Lottery scratch ticket after buying it in Humble. ■ Business · Houston, TX ·	●●○○○	Jul 24, 12:15 PM
Luxurious Houston apartment tower rises above its controversial past A Houston apartment tower faces public scrutiny tied to its controversial past as it rises over prior issues. ● Community · Houston, TX · houston.culturemap.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 12:30 PM
3 more Houston restaurant charity dining events raising money in August Three additional Houston restaurant charity dining events are scheduled for August to raise money for local causes. ● Community · Houston, TX · houston.culturemap.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 12:30 PM
Texas Division of Workers' Compensation Announces Staff Changes Texas Division of Workers' Compensation announced new leadership roles, including deputy commissioner for AI Innovation and Integration and a new chief administrative law judge. ■ Government · Texas · insurancejournal.com	●●●○○	Jul 24, 1:00 PM
Galveston strengthens parking enforcement, expands city tow rotation Galveston approved tougher parking enforcement, allowing boots or tows for vehicles with unresolved citations and expanding its towing rotation. ■ Infrastructure · Galveston, TX · galvnews.com	●●●○○	Jul 24, 1:00 PM
Smithers Fire Rescue supported firefighting efforts for the Coyote Creek wildfire near Highway 16 after it grew to about 175 hectares. ▲ Fire · Houston, TX ·	●●●●●	Jul 24, 1:00 PM
SHSU STUDENT DEVELOPS SOFTWARE TOOL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYSTS TO COMBAT DARK NETWORKS Sam Houston State University student Braell Dotson created a Gephi plugin to help law enforcement analysts combat dark networks. ■ Education · Sam Houston, Texas · ksam1017.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 1:00 PM
ICE detained Southwest flight attendant Lorenzo Thompson after a work flight, with union supporters raising awareness while immigration proceedings continue. ◆ Crime · Central Texas ·	●●●○○	Jul 24, 1:00 PM
Woman survives close call after car gets stuck on railroad tracks A Bremond woman escaped injury after her car became stuck on railroad tracks and she drove into a ditch as a train arrived. ◆ Crime · Bremond, TX · kwtx.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 1:15 PM
Houston will bid to be a host city for the Women's World Cup in 2031 Houston officials plan to submit a formal bid to FIFA to host the 2031 Women’s World Cup. ● Community · Houston, TX · tpr.org	●●○○○	Jul 24, 1:15 PM
Houston Arboretum's 'lawn crew' is back: Hundreds of goats set to tackle the Ravine Houston Arboretum will host 300 to 400 goats Aug. 4–11 to graze and clear vegetation near the Ravine without chemicals or heavy equipment. ● Community · Houston, TX · click2houston.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 1:30 PM
2 fatal shootings reported two hours apart in Montgomery County Two fatal shootings occurred early Friday in Dayton and Harrison Township, with investigators continuing to probe possible suspects. ◆ Crime · Montgomery County, TX · daytondailynews.com	●●●●○	Jul 24, 1:30 PM
Palestine police charged Daisy and Lisbeth Guity with animal cruelty after a puppy died from being left in a locked cage in triple-digit heat. ◆ Crime · Anderson County, TX ·	●●●○○	Jul 24, 2:00 PM
Dillas Quesadillas will give away more than $100,000 in free meals to teachers across its 11 locations starting next week. ● Community · Nacogdoches, Texas ·	●●○○○	Jul 24, 2:00 PM
The Pentagon nominated Lt. Gen. Kevin D. Admiral, currently commander at Fort Hood, to lead U.S. Army Europe and Africa. ■ Government · Fort Hood, Texas ·	●●●●○	Jul 24, 3:00 PM
Austin wildlife pro confirms rising animal sightings An Austin wildlife professional says animal sightings are increasing and attributes the trend to seasonal factors and local conditions. ● Community · Austin, TX · austin.culturemap.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 3:00 PM
Comal ISD provides update on security task force following Hill Country College Prep HS shooting Comal ISD updated progress on a safety task force after a March 30 shooting at Hill Country College Prep High School in Comal County. ■ Education · Comal, Texas · herald-zeitung.com	●●●●○	Jul 24, 3:00 PM
Help APD identify alleged electronic thieves Abilene Crime Stoppers asked the public to identify two women accused of stealing merchandise from a Best Buy. ◆ Crime · Texas · ktxs.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 3:15 PM
Wichita County 4-H invites youth and families to upcoming kickoff meetings Wichita County 4-H will host kickoff meetings for youth and families on Aug. 17 and Aug. 24 in Burkburnett and Iowa Park. ■ Education · New Hope Church, Texas · newschannel6now.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 3:15 PM
★ Tropical Storm Bertha made a second Gulf Coast landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border and brought heavy rain and storm-surge risk to southeast Texas. ▲ Flood · Houston, TX ·	●●●●●	Jul 24, 3:30 PM
Ismaili Center Houston: Inside the iconic institution designed to serve the community for the next 100 years The Ismaili Center in Houston’s Montrose opened last November and hosts free tours and community events on its 9-acre grounds. ● Community · Houston, TX · abc13.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 3:30 PM
A positive DNA match helped identify the man responsible for the 1997 murder of Gloria Ann Covington in Amarillo. ◆ Crime · Texas Department Of Public Safety, Texas ·	●●●●○	Jul 24, 3:30 PM
Mom says son with autism was assaulted by former New Caney ISD teacher A former New Caney ISD teacher Faith Cosme was charged with injury to a child over allegations she assaulted a non-verbal autistic student. ◆ Crime · New Caney, TX · abc13.com	●●●●○	Jul 24, 3:30 PM
Michael Collier Files Reply Brief in Texas Ballot Access Case Michael Collier filed a reply brief in his Texas ballot-access lawsuit over signature requirements for the lieutenant governor race. ■ Government · Texas · ballot-access.org	●●●○○	Jul 24, 3:30 PM
TxDOT road closures happening between July 25 and August 2 TxDOT is scheduling multiple lane closures and full closures on Houston-area I-10 and SH-178 segments from July 25 through August 2. ■ Infrastructure · Texas · cbs4local.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 4:00 PM
Woman charged with operating unlicensed assisted living facility in Panorama Village, police department says Panorama Village police say Jennifer Rios was charged after multiple warrants linked her to operating an unlicensed assisted living facility across several locations. ◆ Crime · Panorama Village, TX · abc13.com	●●●○○	Jul 24, 4:00 PM
SHR 25.30: On nurdles, the state budget, flying A roundup discusses nurdles as a persistent plastic pollution problem and legal actions targeting companies blamed for contamination. ■ Other · Texas · charlestoncitypaper.com	●○○○○	Jul 24, 4:00 PM
Texas Water Development Board approved a $174 billion state water plan with thousands of strategies and projects to boost supplies through 2080. ■ Infrastructure · Texas ·	●●●●○	Jul 24, 4:15 PM
The Trump administration issued another DOE emergency grid order to boost power generation during a heat wave, waiving some emissions rules. ■ Infrastructure · Texas ·	●●●●●	Jul 24, 4:15 PM
Fatal I76 wrong-way crash victims identified by Montgomery County coroner Montgomery County Coroner identified three people killed in a July 11 wrong-way I-76 crash, with deaths attributed to multiple blunt force injuries. ■ Other · Montgomery County, TX · mainlinemedianews.com	●●●○○	Jul 24, 4:30 PM
The Trump administration’s new federal teen pregnancy prevention plan emphasizes fertility tracking, abstinence, and “reproductive goals counseling” starting this summer. ■ Health · Texas ·	●●●●○	Jul 24, 4:30 PM
San Antonio River Authority launches pilot programs to fight against invasive species San Antonio River Authority pilots methods to remove invasive apple snails and protect the San Antonio River ecosystem. ■ Other · Texas · ksat.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 4:45 PM
File to run as a groundwater district director; deadline to apply Aug. 17 Central Texas Groundwater Conservation District is accepting applications for two board director seats in Burnet County until Aug. 17, with the election set for Nov. 3. ■ Government · Burnet County, TX · dailytrib.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 4:45 PM
Lubbock County's Water Drive For First Responders Needs Your Help Lubbock County’s LEPC seeks donations for a Support Our First Responders bottled-water campaign with a deadline of July 31. ● Community · Texas · 965therock.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 4:45 PM
Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston will demolish and rebuild METC medical barracks, relocating about 5,200 enlisted students. ■ Infrastructure · Texas ·	●●●●○	Jul 24, 4:45 PM
Texas court rulings following the parental rights amendment challenge DFPS decisions to permanently terminate parental rights in child welfare cases. ■ Education · Texas ·	●●●●○	Jul 24, 4:45 PM
The Federal Government No Longer Calls Bike Lanes A Safety Tool A DOT update removing bicycle-only lanes from safety countermeasures raises questions about future Texas funding and maintenance. ■ Infrastructure · Texas · 965therock.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 4:45 PM
Deal solidified for Marble Falls development 'The Highlands' A $28.2 million mixed-use construction deal was approved for the 254-acre Highlands development in Marble Falls. ■ Infrastructure · Marble Falls, TX · dailytrib.com	●●●○○	Jul 24, 4:45 PM
In Parks and Under Overpasses, Birding Is Back and Better Than Ever • The Austin Chronicle Birding activities in the Austin area are expanding through walks and events, including trips with Travis Audubon Society. ● Community · Austin, TX · austinchronicle.com	●○○○○	Jul 24, 4:45 PM
Killeen Housing Authority residents were notified that a boil-water notice affects apartments in the area. ■ Health · Killeen, TX ·	●●●○○	Jul 24, 5:00 PM
Gov. Abbott Extends Workforce Pell Grant Applications Gov. Greg Abbott extended Texas colleges’ application window to participate in the federal Workforce Pell Grant program. ■ Education · Texans · sanangelolive.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 5:00 PM
Karmelo Anthony hearing dates set for possible new trial, judge removal A Collin County judge set Aug. 19 hearings as Karmelo Anthony seeks a new trial and removal of Judge John Roach. ◆ Crime · Navasota, TX · fox4news.com	●●●●○	Jul 24, 5:00 PM
Five Black Scholars Appointed to New Faculty Positions Five Black scholars were appointed or promoted to new faculty positions at universities including the University of Houston and MIT. ■ Education · University Of Texas, Texas · jbhe.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 5:00 PM
Angleton ISD bus replacement a 3-point play Angleton ISD approved nearly $1.01 million to buy six new school buses and replace aging vehicles. ■ Infrastructure · Angleton, TX · thefacts.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 5:00 PM
Small business summit highlights growth, innovation Central Texas leaders held the 2026 Governor’s Small Business Summit in Copperas Cove with workshops on funding and marketing. ■ Business · Copperas Cove, TX · kdhnews.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 5:00 PM
White Settlement police chief stepping down for role at BNSF Railway White Settlement Police Chief Christopher Cook will retire at the end of August to take a senior role with BNSF Railway Police. ■ Government · Texas · fox4news.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 5:00 PM
TxDOT to close lanes on I-35 near Loop 121 for sign changes TxDOT will close the two inside lanes on I-35 near Loop 121 overnight July 28-29 for Dynamic Message Sign removal. ■ Infrastructure · Texas · kxxv.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 5:15 PM
Katy ISD restricts the use of AI in elementary school classrooms Katy ISD restricted the use of AI in elementary school classrooms. ■ Education · Katy, TX · houstonpublicmedia.org	●●○○○	Jul 24, 5:15 PM
Houston Toy Museum in the Heights to close at the end of August The Houston Toy Museum in the Heights will close at the end of August. ● Community · Houston, TX · houstonpublicmedia.org	●○○○○	Jul 24, 5:15 PM
Gov. Greg Abbott directed PUCT and ERCOT to require data centers to cover transmission costs and help protect Texans’ electric bills. ■ Government · Texans ·	●●●●○	Jul 24, 5:15 PM
Texas approves Classic Learning Test as alternative to SAT Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved the Classic Learning Test as an alternative to the SAT and ACT for college admissions. ■ Education · Texas · thecollegefix.com	●●●○○	Jul 24, 5:30 PM
Houston documentary maker helps correct biased Texas historical marker A Houston documentary maker is helping correct a biased Texas historical marker. ● Community · Houston, TX · houston.culturemap.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 5:30 PM
Former NFL quarterback Tony Romo arrested on drunken driving charge Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was arrested in Milwaukee and charged with OWI, after failing field sobriety tests. ◆ Crime · Central Texas · kbtx.com	●●○○○	Jul 24, 5:30 PM