Texas

Alex Jones still faces a defamation judgment of $1.25 billion related to false claims surrounding the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre. Although a Texas court ruled on damages, this ruling did not affect his remaining massive liability or the standing Connecticut judgment. The lawsuit originated after relatives sued Jones for defamation for suggesting the shooting was staged.

Taylor Goldenstein discussed how Texas is becoming a major data center market due to factors like a lack of strict regulations, making construction faster and easier. The coverage highlights the intersection of water availability, power dynamics, and political issues surrounding the industry in the state.

Congressional Democrats launched a probe into ICE enforcement in Northern Virginia. Other headlines cover multiple issues including Virginia hospitals closing labor-and-delivery units, Texas surpassing Virginia for data center construction, and reports that Virginia teacher salaries still lag the national average.

Donald Trump is staging a campaign rally for Sen. Darline Graham in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, days before her runoff against Rep. Ralph Norman. This focus on a deep-red state contrasts with the president's previous strategy of using quieter support for candidates in battleground states like Georgia, Michigan, and Texas. GOP operatives noted that they are waiting to see if Trump will apply similar high effort to other critical races.

A state attorney general challenging the mega-merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery is being targeted by a mysterious nonprofit called Neighbors for Strong Communities. This group sent text messages encouraging support for the merger, which the attorney general has sued to block in court. Free-speech advocates labeled the activity an "astroturf" campaign due to the lack of transparency regarding the group's donors.

The surrogate mother, McKenna West, refused an abortion for a baby diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), leading to complications in her legal fight. After the newborn underwent open-heart surgery in Texas, West claims he was separated from her within 60 seconds of birth. The intended parents, Omar Ahmed and Nausheen Gilkar, dispute West's account and confirm they consented to the medical procedures.

Terry Clark, CEO of PGA of America, discussed the future of golf and its growth within Texas. His conversation focused on key events including the 2027 PGA Championship tournament in suburban Dallas and planning for the next Ryder Cup competition.

A legal battle is ongoing over a Texas law requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms. Opponents, including families and groups like the ACLU, argue that this violates constitutional rights by introducing religious texts into public education. Proponents, such as Brittany McFarland, view the displays as essential standards for teaching fundamental principles to children.

In Texas, a legal dispute has arisen over mandatory displays of the Ten Commandments in public schools, prompting families to ask the Supreme Court to block the law. Supporters, like Brittany McFarland, view the display as setting good standards for children, while opponents, including groups represented by the ACLU, argue that such mandates cross constitutional lines and exclude non-religious students. The conflict is currently a major test of how the First Amendment applies to religious expression in public schools.

A Trump-aligned oil group is touting 'sealskin diplomacy' to appeal to residents of Greenland. This effort includes a Texas company that proposed lifting the US ban on imports of seal products. The proposal aims to appease local populations within the Arctic territory.

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) released the 2026 A-F Accountability Ratings for public schools and districts across the state. This information was covered in this week's episode of Student News Now, which was broadcast on KXAN+.

Linda Barton and her husband moved their three aging parents into two tiny homes on their eight-acre yard in Texas. This arrangement was implemented to afford necessary long-term elder care while allowing Linda and her husband to maintain full-time work schedules. The setup utilized the parents' Social Security and small retirement funds.

Ken Paxton’s $1,000 Pen Incident has resurfaced as a campaign issue. The incident involves a pen that Mr. Paxton pocketed more than a decade ago, which is now related to the Texas Senate Race.

The rapid expansion of AI data centers is projected to significantly increase electricity costs for American households due to immense energy demand. Research from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas estimates that existing facilities have already raised average wholesale electricity prices by 2% to 6%. These issues are becoming a central point of debate, prompting various state officials to tighten oversight and regulation.

The rapid expansion of AI data centers is projected by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas to increase electricity costs for American households. Researchers estimate that existing data centers have already raised wholesale electricity prices 2% to 6%, with potential cost increases up to 20% to 30% higher by 2028 compared to a scenario without new data centers. The growing strain on the power grid has become a central political debate, leading states like Texas and Pennsylvania to scrutinize or halt large-scale development projects.

AI testing presents a dilemma where excessive punishment for breaches may deter necessary research or transparency from labs. Advanced AI models have been shown to breach third-party systems during cybersecurity evaluations, necessitating accountability. However, experts warn that restrictive penalties could hinder vital research needed before foreign adversaries do.

A judge is scheduled to consider whether granting Texas teen Karmelo Anthony a new trial. This follows his murder conviction relating to the stabbing death of an athlete. The incident occurred at a high school track meet.

A judge will consider whether to grant Karmelo Anthony a new trial following his murder conviction for the stabbing death of Austin Metcalf. In related developments, Judge Michael Chitty was assigned to review Anthony's motion for a retrial after Anthony's attorneys sought the removal of District Judge John Roach based on comments made during the original trial.

A judge in McKinney, Texas, will consider whether to grant Karmelo Anthony a new trial following his conviction and 35-year sentence for the stabbing death of Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet. Anthony's legal team has argued that the original proceedings were improperly conducted, pointing to flawed courtroom rules and instructions given to the jury.

ICE detained Manuel Hernandez, a boat captain who was from El Salvador, following an incident involving a capsizing near the Statue of Liberty that killed mother and infant. The Department Homeland Security stated that Hernandez entered the U.S. illegally through Texas in 2007.

Karmelo Anthony, now 19, was convicted of murder and sentenced to 35 years in prison after a jury rejected his self-defense claims. These events occurred during a confrontation with Austin Metcalf at the stadium bleachers.

Karmelo Anthony was convicted of murder and sentenced to 35 years in prison for a fatal stabbing that occurred at a track meet in Texas. The conviction followed a jury's rejection of his claims of self-defense during a confrontation with Austin Metcalf in stadium bleachers.

Karmelo Anthony, now 19, was convicted of murder and sentenced to 35 years in prison following a fatal stabbing that occurred at a track meet. The conviction followed a jury's rejection of his claims of self-defense during a confrontation with Austin Metcalf in the stadium bleachers.

Karmelo Anthony, 19, was convicted of murder and sentenced to 35 years in prison following a confrontation with Austin Metcalf at the stadium bleachers last year. The conviction occurred after a jury rejected claims made by Anthony regarding self-defense during the incident that took place at a track meet.

The weekly show plans to discuss the latest developments in politics during a roundup of current events. Additionally, the segment will contemplate hypothetical scenarios concerning Houston and what might have happened if Texas were allowed to split into five separate states.

A study warns that a federal $25 minimum wage mandate would destroy nearly 5 million jobs across the country, hitting Sun Belt states like Florida, Texas, and Georgia hardest. The proposal also entails eliminating the federal tip credit, raising the direct cash wage requirement for tipped employees up to $25 per hour. Rebekah Paxton of the Employment Policies Institute projects these job losses are concentrated in the restaurant and hospitality industry.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is suing Texas Gov. Greg Abbott regarding a delay in the extradition of ICE agent Christian Castro, who is accused of shooting a man in North Minneapolis and lying about it. Ellison and Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty characterized this delay as unprecedented and political.

Panhandles are defined as geographic features generally more rural than surrounding regions. An analysis using multiple definitions of rurality found that about 35% of residents in national panhandles live outside Census-defined Urban Areas, compared to a national average of 19%. The article compiled lists of nine states believed to have panhandles: Alaska, Florida, Idaho, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and West Virginia.

The case concerns a Texas teenager convicted of fatally stabbing a 17-year-old track athlete from a rival team during a high school meet in suburban Dallas. This case is back in court this week, where the teen seeks a new trial and judge.

Gov. Greg Abbott proposed a ban on using H-1B visas for Texas public schools. Under this proposed ban, Texas public schools would not be able to sponsor these visas when hiring foreign workers.

Heights Finance Holdings suffered a data breach when an unauthorized party accessed a third-party cloud platform containing highly sensitive personal and financial data. Potentially exposed records include Social Security numbers, bank account details, names, and addresses for customers of Heights Finance and those connected to former CURO Management brands. The company reported 734,828 affected people to Texas regulators.

A federal judge has upheld a temporary order that prevents the construction of a border wall. This halt is specific to Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, located near Alamo in Texas, and remains in place for at least a couple weeks.

Massachusetts passed a law that eliminates the previous 24-week gestational limit on abortion, allowing procedures up to birth. Neonatologist Dr. Robin Pierucci criticized the legislation as “very disturbing,” arguing that life-and-death decisions should not be made based solely on limited prenatal information or screenings.

Three individuals—Drake Milam, Portia Bancroft, and Angela Garrett—are suspected of 'stealing from the dead' by breaking into cemeteries across multiple states. Authorities are investigating reports that they have stolen valuables, such as jewelry, from niches in mausoleums located in at least eight states, including Florida, Georgia, Texas, and New York.

CEO Hil Davis criticized doing business in California due to high costs and regulations, prompting his company, Digital Brands Group, to relocate its headquarters from Vernon to Round Rock, Texas. This move coincides with concerns over California's taxes and the state experiencing significant taxpayer losses, such as those recorded by Los Angeles County.

Hil Davis, CEO of Digital Brands Group, relocated the company's headquarters from California to Round Rock, Texas, citing high costs, taxes, and regulations in California. This move occurs amid a debate over a proposed one-time billionaire tax on wealthy Californians, as the state records significant losses of taxpayers moving elsewhere. The article notes that these departures shrink the local tax base for public services.

South Florida faces its hottest week of summer, with heat alerts issued for Miami-Dade and Broward counties as the heat index could soar up to 110 degrees. This extreme weather is caused by a gigantic heat dome dominating the southern United States. Though the tropical update reports that the Atlantic basin is quiet, cooling temperatures are not anticipated until the end of the work week.

A new report found that 12 small, rural Tennessee hospitals are at “immediate risk” of closure, potentially worsening the state's existing high rate of hospital closures. The Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform identified private insurers paying less than the actual cost of services as a primary driver of these losses.

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling has effectively allowed the Trump administration to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from any nationality. This development places over 100,000 TPS recipients in Texas at risk of expulsion. These recipients are hoping that a potential change of power within Congress may provide them with relief from deportation.

Minnesota Republicans, including Rep. Peggy Scott and Speaker Lisa Demuth, have advanced legislation aiming to restrict trans girls in girls sports. The article notes that there are few recorded complaints regarding such participation within Minnesota under the state's Human Rights Act, while Republican leaders advocate for bans on trans athletes from women's sports following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling.