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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A Houston shelter dog named Naco, who spent eight years in care as one of the facility’s longest residents, entered a permanent home after a local family completed his adoption in December 2024. Shelter staff documented his long stay, health status, and repeated promotion through adoption campaigns before his placement. The case highlights challenges for long-term shelter dogs and ongoing efforts by Houston animal welfare groups to find homes for adult and senior animals.
Texas has filed a civil lawsuit against Xcel Energy over the 2024 Smokehouse Creek fire in the Panhandle, which killed three people, destroyed more than 15,000 head of cattle, and burned over one million acres. The complaint alleges that poorly maintained electric equipment caused or contributed to the largest wildfire in Texas history and seeks monetary damages, reimbursement of firefighting costs, and court-ordered safety measures. The case, filed by the Texas Attorney General’s Office, cites extensive property, agricultural, and environmental losses and remains pending as the court sets a schedule for responses and evidence.
A new study reports that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality faces a backlog of more than 1,000 environmental complaint investigations after years of budget cuts reduced staffing and resources. Researchers say the delays affect air, water and waste cases statewide and link longer resolution times to legislative funding reductions, hiring constraints and limited monitoring capacity. The report details how TCEQ now prioritizes high-risk complaints, outlines internal adjustments to manage workloads and recommends that state officials increase funding, add investigative staff and improve public reporting on complaint status and timelines.
Texas Department of Public Safety officials urge gun owners to secure firearms during holiday travel and family gatherings, citing increased movement, visitors and children in homes and vehicles. The advisory outlines safe storage practices, including unloading weapons, using locks or safes, separating ammunition and checking homes before guests arrive. The agency also highlights vehicle and air travel guidelines, the risk of theft from cars and the importance of talking with children and other adults about firearm access and storage responsibilities.
Texas public universities are using artificial intelligence tools to review and rewrite course descriptions, syllabi, and academic materials that reference race and gender in response to new state rules on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Internal records show administrators directing faculty to run course documents through AI platforms, generate alternative language, and standardize revisions under tight deadlines while legal and compliance offices oversee the process. Faculty communications and governance documents detail questions about academic freedom, instructional precision, and the long-term impact of AI mediated changes on curricula, enrollment, and campus policy across multiple disciplines.