Mississippi mayor argues against lowering flag for Dolly Parton after her death
Mayor Ken Adams argued half-staff flags should be kept for military heroes, presidents and fallen first responders, not celebrities.
Westlake News
Government
Colorado city leader dies after collapsing on 14,000-foot mountain hike
Englewood Mayor Pro Tem Joe Anderson, 45, died Friday after collapsing while hiking Colorado’s Quandary Peak, a 14,271-foot mountain in Summit County.
White House teleprompter operator who placed bets on Trump’s speeches ordered to pay $172K
The White House teleprompter operator who placed online bets on President Trump’s speeches has been ordered to pay a total of $172,000, a federal agency said Friday. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) said in a news release that Gabriel Perez must pay out his profits...
Texas regulators approve two massive West Texas transmission lines amid outcry from landowners
Following hours of testimony on Friday, the Public Utility Commission of Texas has approved two transmission lines to ship electricity to the oil-and gas-producing west....
Gov. Abbott blocks state agencies from spending money on Flock cameras
The order came as The Texas Tribune was preparing to publish an investigation detailing how a state agency has devoted at least $30 million to building the state’s Flock surveillance network....
Trump vows to spend 'a lot of time in Texas' helping Paxton Senate bid
President Donald Trump says he'll spend "a lot of time in Texas" helping Republican Ken Paxton's Senate campaign, while launching a barrage of social media attacks against Democratic nominee James Talarico just 67 days before Election Day....
Austin City Council votes to regulate data centers
Austin City Council unanimously approved a resolution to start creating regulations for data centers.
Pflugerville says hundreds of unauthorized agencies accessed its Flock system
Following a vote to suspend the use of Flock cameras in the city, Pflugerville said over 400 agencies had accessed its Flock system, while only 83 had authorization....
New polling shows Texas Republicans leading in several key statewide races
New polling shows Republicans leading in several key statewide races with just a few weeks to go before voters head to the polls for the midterm elections....
Pot bellied pigs allowed in Buda residential neighborhoods
Residents in Buda are now allowed to have a new type of pet thanks to a new ordinance.
Judge dismisses teacher union lawsuit over TEA commissioner's letter following Kirk assassination
A federal judge on Aug. 21 dismissed a lawsuit against Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath over his letter and how it was connected to state investigations into teachers' social media posts after the assassination of Charlie Kirk....
Talarico leads Paxton as Texas voters rank affordability top concern, poll finds
A new Texas poll finds Democrat James Talarico leading Republican Ken Paxton in the 2026 U.S. Senate race. The survey also found affordability and cost of living are voters’ top concerns....
Flock cameras: Liberty Hill weighs future with automated license plate readers
There wasn't an empty seat inside the Liberty Hill Council chambers and the turnout was due in great part to an item on the city council's agenda: Flock cameras....
Travis County looking for election workers, hosting job fairs ahead of midterms
With the potential for historic turnout for a midterm election, more people are needed to help make the voting process run smoothly in Travis County this November, according to the The Travis County Clerk's office....
New resources available for a growing number of veteran-owned businesses in Texas
Veteran-owned businesses are booming in Texas, according to the Texas Veterans Commission.
Texas education board exploring 3-year college degree programs
Gov. Greg Abbott is directing the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to form a working group to develop a statewide framework for three-year bachelor's degrees....
Texas education board looks into 3-year college degree options
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has begun working toward three-year bachelor’s degree options following a letter sent by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott....
Darline Graham wins South Carolina GOP senate nomination
Darline Graham has won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in South Carolina, defeating Rep. Ralph Norman after a close runoff election to determine the GOP nominee for the seat vacated after the passing of her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham....
Trial delayed again for Florida teen accused of killing stepsister on Carnival cruise
The federal murder trial for Timothy Hudson, accused of killing his stepsister aboard a Carnival cruise ship, has been delayed for a second time to now take place on Nov. 2....
Flock cameras in Texas: Pflugerville City Council rejects new agreement
The City of Pflugerville has turned off and is covering the Flock license plate reader cameras in the city, pending a potential contract renewal.
Hays County commissioners approve voter petition for possible hospital district
Hays County is one step closer to a possible countywide hospital district after commissioners approved a voter petition Tuesday, but tabled other items related to creating the district....
Texas appeals court denies bid to block Galveston County’s new voting map
A Texas appeals court denied a request to block Galveston County from using voting maps drawn after the March primary elections for its November elections....
Rep. Al Green files articles of impeachment against Trump again
Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) introduced articles of impeachment against President Trump on Monday, reviving his push to remove the president from office as Democrats debate how aggressively to confront Trump ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Green’s resolution is aimed at impeachin...
James Talarico leads Ken Paxton in new US Senate poll
The senate race was the only statewide contest where the poll showed a Democrat in the lead. The poll found 21% of voters had no opinion in the races for Texas Attorney General....
San Marcos CISD works to improve ratings as board considers interim superintendent
The San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District is working to improve performance at several campuses after the Texas Education Agency released its 2026 school accountability ratings....
Servicemember aboard USS Lincoln decries father’s ICE detention
A sailor onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln on Saturday said his father was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Dallas murder-for-hire trial begins in I-35 shooting of rapper MO3
Jury selection began Monday in Dallas for Kewon White, the alleged gunman charged with capital murder in the 2020 I-35 shooting of rapper MO3 as part of an alleged murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by rival rapper Yella Beezy....
What's with the 6th Street billboard calling out Alamo Drafthouse?
In mid-July, a billboard reading "MAKE DRAFTHOUSE GREAT AGAIN BAN SMARTPHONE ORDERING" went up on West Sixth Street near Winflo Drive.
Leander City Council vote cuts lagoon from controversial billion-dollar development
Leander City Council voted to shut down a major part of a controversial and long-proposed development called the Leander Springs project.
Former Texas Lottery Commission, director face new indictments in Travis County
The Travis County District Attorney's Office has announced new indictments against the former Texas Lottery Commission and its former executive director for abuse of official capacity....
Watch: Man dressed as Darth Vader speaks on Flock cameras at San Diego council meeting
A man dressed as "Star Wars" villain Darth Vader spoke up at a California city council meeting on the decision to acquire Flock cameras.
Blue Origin eyes $674M Hutto facility that could bring 2,000 jobs
Williamson County commissioners approved an agreement aimed at bringing Blue Origin to Hutto. Officials said the proposed $674 million aerospace facility could create up to 2,000 jobs and become the city's largest employer....
Trump keeps embracing data centers even as they become toxic in midterm races
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump, speaking alongside cryptocurrency leaders at the White House this week, made a statement that Republican and Democratic candidates alike wouldn't touch with a 10-foot pole. “If I were the mayor of a town or the governor of a state, and I ...
Do council candidates live where they say they do? Austin doesn't check, but we do
KXAN looked through city elections documents, voting and appraisal district records and in some cases asked candidates for proof of residency through official mail, leasing agreements, IDs or utility bills. Here's what we found....
Fight over Big Bend border barriers comes to Austin
A show of force came to Austin Wednesday as Texans from across the state urged the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission to help keep border barriers out of Big B...
Harris, El Paso counties challenge federal election conditions on security grants
The lawsuit argues the Trump administration cannot withhold funding to force election changes it calls unconstitutional and unrelated to terrorism.
Opponents urge Texas officials to halt border wall plans near Big Bend parks
Environmental advocates, business owners, local leaders and West and Central Texans gathered before the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Wednesday, urging state leaders to oppose border wall construction near some of Texas' most treasured public lands....
Abbott announces special election to replace former state Sen. Brian Birdwell
Gov. Greg Abbott has set a special election to finish out former state Sen. Brian Birdwell's term after he resigned the seat to a take a position as an assistant U.S. secretary of defense....
Dearborn protest: Jake Lang's anti-Islam message draws Nazis sympathizers, large demonstration
Demonstrators with two very different messages clashed outside the Dearborn City Council meeting Tuesday night as anti-Islam activist activist Jake Lang came to town....
DHS accused of withholding anti-terrorism funds unless cities, counties change election rules
A group of cities and counties alleges the Trump administration is threatening to withhold anti-terrorism funding unless they adopt strict election rules....
Leander ISD asks voters to approve tax rate election amid growing budget gaps
School districts across Central Texas are looking for ways to bridge growing budget gaps. Now, some are turning to voters.
Chaos breaks out in Dearborn as anti-Islam protest draws Nazis sympathizers, large demonstration
Far-right, anti-Islam activist Jake Lang is expected to make comments at the Dearborn City Council meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Henry Ford Centennial Library....
Leander ISD voters to consider a 3-cent tax rate increase on November ballot
Leander ISD voters will have the opportunity to consider raising the district's Maintenance & Operations tax rate by 3-cents on the November ballot.
No quorum keeps Hays County healthcare district off November ballot
A proposed Hays County healthcare district will not appear on the November ballot after commissioners failed to reach a quorum during a special meeting Monday....
Georgetown ISD calls for tax rate election to fund $8.4M in teacher raises
The Georgetown ISD Board has unanimously approved a resolution for a property tax rate increase. The measure could lead to a combined 6-cent tax increase....
Final Frontier Rescue Project gives shelter dogs a second chance
Final Frontier Rescue Project pulls at-risk or overlooked dogs from shelters, placing them in foster homes or boarding programs until they can find their forever home....
2 US regions lead ranking of 2025 population growth: See full list
A new look at recent population changes in the United States shows a definite pattern in where people choose to live. All five states that top the leaderboard for population growth sit either in the South or the Rocky Mountains....
CBP halts all construction activity at Big Bend National Park
All construction activity at Big Bend National Park has been paused, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott announced Monday.
Big Bend National Park border wall construction paused
Construction activity tied to a border security project in Big Bend National Park has been paused as U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott heads to the region for an on-the-ground review....
Mayor Watson optimistic about Austin ISD's future despite potential state intervention
As Austin Independent School District students return to class Tuesday, uncertainty remains over whether the state could step in and take over the district. But Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said recent academic gains should weigh heavily in any decision....
Lampasas ISD making improvements on schools following bond approval
The bond package, approved by voters in May, includes construction of a new middle school, safety and security improvements at multiple campuses and the replacement of about 35 school buses....
Caldwell County could reduce polling locations ahead of November election
The Caldwell County Elections Board has discussed reducing the county’s polling locations from 16 to as few as 12, a potential 25% reduction.
Williamson County opens 2026 election sticker design contests
On Friday, Williamson County Elections announced the launch of its 2026 “I Voted” and “Future Voter” sticker design contests.
Paddleboarder dies on Colorado reservoir, second death in 9 days
A paddleboarder drowned in a Colorado reservoir Friday. marking the second paddleboarding death there in nine days.
ID requirements for mail-in voting in Texas reinstated by federal appeals court
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated multiple provisions of a 2021 legally contested Texas election integrity law that, among other things, created an ID requirement for mail-in ballots and applications. A lower court blocked those changes in March....
Landowners continue to put pressure on PUC to reject 765kw transmission plans
Texas landowners and lawmakers testified against proposed 765-kilovolt transmission lines in the Permian Basin Reliability Plan during a recent Public Utilities Commission meeting....
CBP says Big Bend work is limited as legal challenges grow
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney S. Scott released a statement he said was “correcting the record” on projects happening in Big Bend National Park....
Kennedy Center board OKs new way of adding Trump’s name to building
The Kennedy Center board voted Thursday to add President Trump’s name to the performing arts building months after a judge blocked an effort to rename the center after him....
What we know about the Air Force One ruse
President Trump departed the NATO summit in Turkey last month aboard an alternate aircraft at the behest of the Secret Service amid what intelligence officials said was a credible assassination threat from Iran....
UT Austin proposes first major core curriculum overhaul in more than 20 years
UT President Jim Davis unveiled the proposal Thursday during a University of Texas System Board of Regents meeting. Under the plan, the university’s current 42-credit-hour core curriculum would be reduced to 36 hours and reorganized into three broad pillars: Arts and Humanities, ...