Texas News

Fort Bend eyes new monument, Black cowboy museum to honor African American legacy

Fort Bend County officials and community leaders in Kendleton, Texas, have unveiled a new monument honoring African American history and announced plans for a Black cowboy museum and additional memorials. The initiative aims to document the contributions of African Americans, including formerly enslaved people and Black cowboys, through exhibits, artifacts, oral histories and educational partnerships. County leaders plan to use public and private funding, collaborate with historians and schools, and develop heritage tourism sites that connect monuments, museums and historic parks across Fort Bend County.

Read more

Texas GOP faces legal opposition in bid to close state’s open primary system

The Republican Party of Texas is pursuing a federal lawsuit to close the state’s open primary system, arguing that crossover voting by Democrats and independents violates its First Amendment freedom of association. Disability advocates and voting access groups oppose a move to party registration, warning it could discourage participation by voters with disabilities through added administrative barriers.

Read more

Texas employers logged 27,188 major layoffs in 2025, led by a few large corporate cuts

Texas companies reported 27,188 layoffs in 2025 through WARN filings, a slight drop from 2024 but still driven by major cuts at Tyson Foods, FedEx, Chewy, TTEC and Southwest Airlines, along with smaller reductions across logistics, manufacturing and services. The data show how a handful of large events and dozens of moderate layoffs reshaped workforces statewide even as the broader Texas economy continued to add jobs.

Read more

Harris County’s Black and Hispanic families face highest food insecurity, study shows

A new Harris County study finds that Black and Hispanic families experience the highest rates of food insecurity, with neighborhoods like Gulfton facing limited access to full-service grocery stores. Community organizations, volunteers and local partners respond with regular food distribution events that provide fresh produce and pantry items to residents who struggle to afford or reach adequate food. The report highlights income, neighborhood resources and transportation as key factors and recommends data-driven strategies to expand food access and reduce disparities across the county.

Read more

Texas A&M claims first-ever national volleyball championship with sweep of Kentucky

Texas A&M wins its first national volleyball championship with a 3–0 sweep of top-ranked Kentucky, completing a rare run through the national tournament that included victories over three No. 1 seeds. The Aggies secure the historic title at a neutral-site arena, add a new milestone to the university’s athletics record and halt Kentucky’s postseason streak in a nationally televised match.

Read more

ICE deportations ramp up, Texas prosecutors losing key witnesses

Texas prosecutors in Harris, El Paso and other counties report that increased ICE deportations and immigration enforcement actions have caused them to lose key witnesses in criminal cases, including murder prosecutions. District attorneys say witnesses have been detained, deported or become too afraid to appear in court, leading to weakened cases and, in some instances, reduced charges or dismissals. Local officials report ongoing efforts to coordinate with federal authorities, reassure immigrant communities and adapt prosecution strategies as they track the impact of immigration enforcement on criminal trials.

Read more

Dr. Angela Wilson appointed vice president of research at Texas A&M

Texas A&M University has appointed Dr. Angela Wilson as vice president for research to direct the institution’s research strategy, interdisciplinary initiatives, and external funding efforts. She will oversee grant administration, compliance, and commercialization support while working with faculty and administrators to expand collaborative projects and increase research expenditures across the university.

Read more

License plate readers removed in several Central Texas cities

Several Central Texas cities have removed automated license plate readers after years of using the technology to aid police investigations. Local officials ended contracts, deactivated devices, and took down equipment following reviews of costs, performance, and policy priorities. Police departments reported that the systems had helped locate suspects and vehicles in past cases, while investigators in other jurisdictions, including in the Brown University shooting case, continue to use license plate reader data. Central Texas agencies now rely on other investigative tools and traditional policing methods and say any future use of license plate readers would require new public discussions and approvals.

Read more

Texas Governor Greg Abbott throws support behind Marty Lancton for Harris County Judge

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott endorsed Houston firefighters union president Marty Lancton for Harris County judge and announced a pledge of about $25 million to support Republican candidates in Harris County. The governor’s backing links Lancton’s campaign to a broader GOP effort to gain county-level offices in the state’s most populous county. Local party organizations, election officials, and candidates are preparing for a competitive election cycle as the new funding targets key races on the November ballot.

Read more