State News

A driver struck and killed at least eight people and injured six others Sunday morning as they waited for a bus in Brownsville. Police said the crash happened at about 8:30 am at a bus stop near a shelter for migrants. It’s unclear what led to the crash, but investigators …

State Rep. Bryan Slaton, who represents Hopkins, Hunt, and VanZandt counties, declined Thursday to discuss his attendance at a closed-door hearing of a House investigative panel looking into allegations of having an inappropriate relationship with a staffer. He did not answer questions from reporters as he left the room where …

Walmart Pharmacies across the country are hosting Wellness Days from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow. There will be free health screenings for things like glucose, cholesterol, body mass index and blood pressure, as well as affordable immunizations like flu, COVID-19, shingles, tetanus, measles and others.

SMITHVILLE, Texas: If you’re looking for Colton Curles, there’s a good chance you’ll find him outside, wherever there’s work. “I don’t do well sitting still,” said Curles, Texas A&M Forest Service Task Force Coordinator for the agency’s Central Branch. Curles, who oversees 11 full-time and four seasonal employees of the Lost …

The Texas Senate preliminarily passed a bill banning tenure offers to new state college and university professors. Current professors would keep their tenure appointments. The measure must clear one procedural vote before being sent to the Texas House. Professors across the state, who say the tenure system has allowed them …

The Texas Senate passed a bill prohibiting public universities from keeping or creating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs or initiatives. The measure would also ban diversity statements on faculty applications and prohibit mandatory DEI training for university employees and students. The bill must pass the House and go to …

COLLEGE STATION, Texas: The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded Texas A&M Forest Service $21.75 million for projects expanding and conserving forests in the state’s urban areas. The funding, part of the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, will help Texas expand its urban forest canopy, improve air and water quality, reduce …

A bomb threat at the Texas State Capitol in downtown Austin forced an evacuation of the building Sunday afternoon at about 4:30. THe Austin PD posted on Twitter that, in an abundance of caution, DPS personnel evacuated the State Capitol and grounds. They gave the all-clear at approximately 7:23 pm. …

The DPS seized over 3.1 million lethal doses of fentanyl, or about 14 pounds, during a single traffic stop in Hidalgo County. A Highway Patrol Trooper stopped a black Cadillac SUV for a traffic violation in Mission and discovered five tape-wrapped bundles containing a white powdery substance that tested positive …

The Texas House has okayed a bill to fund community colleges based on their performance. Community colleges would receive state funds based on the number of graduates who earn certificates or degrees and the number of students who transfer to four-year universities. Schools are primarily funded based on how many …