Houston Public MediaTexas
Texas urban counties prepare for legal fights ahead of Election Day
The state’s largest county saw protracted lawsuits and legislation after the last midterm election.
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Texas Local News
Local headlines from Houston Public Media and Texas Tribune, updated every few minutes. Every story opens on the publisher's own site.
- Houston Public MediaTexas
Health care access, ‘woke ideologies’ and property taxes: A pulse of Fort Bend County voter priorities
Over 271,000 Fort Bend County residents cast a ballot in early voting from Oct. 19 through Oct. 30.
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- Texas TribuneTexas
ICE agent accused of hitting immigrant in Houston with an SUV turns himself in
Houston ICE officer Mario Alberto Morales turned himself in after being indicted on a felony assault charge for striking a man with his SUV.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
Hello Houston – The Commuter Cut (November 2, 2026)
For our busy Houston commuters, we have – The Commuter Cut – a special 40-minute version of our show to listen to during your journey home.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
Galveston City Council member charged with DWI, resisting arrest following Seawall Boulevard crash
Hardcastle was elected as the District 6 city council member in May to represent the western portion of Galveston Island. His term expires in 2028.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
Hello Houston (November 2, 2026)
Today: We discuss the rising cases of misinformation spreading across digital platforms during election cycles, break down the key races in Texas ahead of Election Day, and talk with Houston filmmaker Keyatta Crews. Plus, this week’s “Producer Spotlight.”
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
Indicted ICE Agent surrenders himself in Harris County court
Mario Morales is accused of striking Miguel Parra-Hernandez with his vehicle while on patrol as an ICE agent. A grand jury indicted Morales Friday morning. His lawyer argues the indictment is “political prosecution.”
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
Paxton and Talarico make final election pitches of U.S. Senate campaign to Houston voters
Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democratic state Rep. James Talarico spoke as more than 1.8 million voters cast ballots early across Greater Houston -- close to a quarter of the early voting total for Texas.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
Effective Transparency for Better Decisions
When More Financial Information Isn't Better
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
Paxton vs. Talarico: Five things to watch in Texas’ tight U.S. Senate race
A swing back among Latino voters, Harris County turnout and Republicans skipping the Senate race are among the trends we’ll be tracking as returns come in.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
All 9 people aboard private jet from Austin killed after plane crashes in Florida
The Learjet 60, bound for the Bahamas, crashed in a residential area Sunday afternoon.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
ICE agent indicted (Nov. 2, 2026)
On Monday's show: An ICE agent has been indicted for running over a Houston immigrant in October. We learn about the charges and what newly obtained body camera video and reports on the incident reveal.
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- Texas TribuneTexas
Paxton vs. Talarico: Five things to watch in Texas’ tight U.S. Senate race
A swing back among Latino voters, Harris County turnout and Republicans skipping the Senate race are among the trends we’ll be tracking as returns come in.
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- Texas TribuneTexas
Inside the booth: Faith, economy and immigration inspired these Texans’ votes
Several races in Texas drew national attention. On the eve of the election, Texans share what mattered to them.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
The Engines of Our Ingenuity 1651: Specificity and September 11th
Episode: 1651 Specificity and understanding: Coming to grips with September 11th. Today, six weeks later, we think about specificity.
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- Texas TribuneTexas
In volatile Tarrant County, both political parties are on the prowl for moderate Republicans
The Fort Worth area, no longer solidly red, is a midterm election wild card as Democrats and Republicans jockey for supremacy.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
The Engines of Our Ingenuity 1650: Inherent Stability in 1916
Episode: 1650 Learning about the stability of aeroplanes in 1916. Today, we worry about airplane stability in 1916.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
They spent more than a year inside a NASA hangar in Houston simulating life on Mars. Now, they’re finally out
The four crew members of NASA’s CHAPEA mission had spent 378 days inside a 1,700 square foot facility, living and working in Mars-like conditions. Their families welcomed them back to Earth on Saturday.
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- Texas TribuneTexas
Ken Paxton appears to cancel final rally of his “Come and Take It” tour at the Alamo
Paxton’s campaign initially said he would close his get-out-the-vote push at the landmark. Instead, his campaign schedule lists events in North Texas on the eve of Election Day.
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- Texas TribuneTexas
More than 7.4 million Texans voted early in 2026 election, nearly matching 2018 pace
Thirty-nine percent of voters cast a ballot during the early voting period, just shy of the modern-day record set in 2018.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
Texas A&M to open fully automated metallurgy lab, using AI and robotic workers to develop metal alloys
The laboratory, funded by a $2 million grant, is the first of its kind in western academia — touted as democratizing metallurgy while freeing researchers to pursue bigger-picture questions without worrying about the labor of polishing metal alloys.
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- Texas TribuneTexas
This young Latino mayor went all in for John Cornyn. But Ken Paxton is a sore subject.
Erik Gomez, a rising GOP star in South Texas, has modeled his career after Republicans like Cornyn. He’s wrestling with the idea of voting for Paxton.
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- Texas TribuneTexas
Texas parks department fights to withhold draft agenda amid fears of Boca Chica sale to SpaceX
The Texas Tribune reviewed a copy of a draft Texas Parks and Wildlife agenda that included discussion about ceding control of 1,300 acres in Cameron County, home to Boca Chica Beach and SpaceX’s launch site.
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- Texas TribuneTexas
With U.S. Senate control at stake, Republicans fear the once-unthinkable: a blue Texas
Ken Paxton and James Talarico are neck-and-neck in the country's most expensive U.S. Senate race on record. The outcome's ripple effects will extend years.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
The Engines of Our Ingenuity 1649: Fessenden and Radio Sound
Episode: 1649 Reginald Fessenden endows radio with sound. Today, we add sound to radio.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
Meet the candidates in the race for Fort Bend County judge
The two candidates vying for the county judge seat bring different backgrounds and visions for the county’s future.
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- Texas TribuneTexas
El Paso ISD releases student data to state comptroller, prompting concerns over undocumented students
Texas Comptroller Don Huffines’ office requested the number of El Paso ISD students using a Social Security number and those using alternative identification numbers.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
More than $2 million seized in Galveston-area illegal gambling investigation
Law enforcement targeted alleged illegal gambling operations with electronic eight-liner machines in the City of Galveston, Texas City and La Marque.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
Galveston community mourns the loss of beloved sea lion Sam, known for ‘famous bark’
Sam, who was 12 years old, passed away while under anesthesia for a medical procedure earlier this month.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
Ken Paxton’s political rise, from the Tea Party to Trump’s MAGA movement
Ken Paxton built a loyal conservative following long before Donald Trump entered politics. That support has helped him survive scandals, criminal charges and impeachment. Now he's counting on it to help him win a competitive U.S. Senate race.
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- Texas TribuneTexas
Texas Supreme Court blocks deposition intended to identify group behind transgender mailers
The ruling came 15 minutes before a Wyoming-registered group was scheduled to answer questions in a deposition ordered by a Travis County judge.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
Hello Houston – The Commuter Cut (October 30, 2026)
For our busy Houston commuters, we have – The Commuter Cut – a special 40-minute version of our show to listen to during your journey home.
Local · Read at Houston Public Media ↗
- Houston Public MediaTexas
Hello Houston (October 30, 2026)
Today: We get the latest on the demolition of Houston’s historic Kirby Mansion, talk with the Houston-based paranormal investigation team Ghost Hunting Beauties, and discuss breast cancer awareness. Plus, we share a list of Halloween events for “Last Minute Plans.”
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
ICE says its agent can’t be locally prosecuted for Houston crash. Legal experts disagree
It’s unclear where the ICE agent is or whether he will comply with a warrant for his arrest.
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- Texas TribuneTexas
Rick Perry booted from board of Fermi, the massive planned data center company he co-founded
Fermi, slated to build the largest data center and power generation campus in the U.S., has had a tumultuous first couple years including a turbulent ownership battle between Perry and his co-founder Toby Neugebauer.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
Emails show Trump admin paused part of Big Bend border wall even before a judge’s order blocking construction
Emails shared with Marfa Public Radio show U.S. Customs and Border Protection quietly paused construction on part of the Big Bend border wall a week before a federal judge ordered the work halted. A CBP official wrote that the internal pause stemmed from a lack of access to private land and a…
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
Houston’s historic Kirby Mansion demolished under new ownership
According to Preservation Houston, the new owners did not have a permit to demolish the building despite beginning to do so.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
Tesla’s rocket-shaped Houston service map: The Good, Bad, and Ugly of the week
The Houston Matters panel of non-experts weighs in on stories from the week’s news and decides if they’re good, bad, or ugly.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
Grand jury indicts ICE officer for striking Houston immigrant with vehicle
Representatives from ICE claimed Miguel Parra-Hernandez ran in front of the ICE agent's vehicle and that Harris County prosecutors do not have the jurisdiction to charge the agent. District Attorney Sean Teare said that claim was false.
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- Texas TribuneTexas
Use our updated database to see what state employees in Texas are paid, as of October 2026
The Texas Tribune’s database of state employees’ compensation has been updated to include salaries as of October 1.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
Could Texas Turn Blue? What to Watch in the 2026 Midterms
Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina delve into the latest news in politics
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- Texas TribuneTexas
Texas ICE agent indicted for striking fleeing Houston pedestrian with vehicle
A Harris County grand jury indicted a federal immigration agent caught on video striking a pedestrian during a vehicle pursuit.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
Texas judges on the state’s highest courts are on the midterm ballot. Here’s what to know
Texas' high court judges make rulings that change state law, shape crucial daily legal processes like child custody and, in the case of the Court of Criminal Appeals, decide matters of life and death.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
Democrats ride THC ban backlash in race for lieutenant governor
Vikki Goodwin, the Democrat trying to unseat Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, is drawing support from hemp business owners who've become single-issue voters in the 2026 election.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
Live from Meow Wolf (Oct. 30, 2026)
On Friday's show: We broadcast live from Meow Wolf Houston’s Radio Tave as the interactive museum celebrates its two-year anniversary on Saturday. And we break down The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of the week.
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- Texas TribuneTexas
An Hinojosa win would be a political feat, but she wouldn’t inherit the power Abbott holds
Even if a Democrat were in the Governor’s Mansion, Republicans would likely control the Legislature. Divided government could mean limited political control.
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- Texas TribuneTexas
Suburban Houston voters will be the first in Texas to decide the fate of Flock cameras
Tuesday’s election will determine if League City can keep its 55 cameras operating along city roads.
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- Texas TribuneTexas
Voting rights groups in Texas have cut back on outreach efforts amid threat of criminal penalties
State lawmakers passed strict restrictions in SB1 that criminalize paid workers helping voters with mail ballots.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
The Engines of Our Ingenuity 1648: An American Dirigible
Episode: 1648 Building a dirigible to get to the California gold rush. Today, some thoughts on success, failure, and flying to California.
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- Texas TribuneTexas
Deposition ties national GOP women’s group to texts about transgender youth
A representative with the messaging group that sent the texts testified that they were deployed on behalf of the Republican Women’s Caucus Fund.
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- Texas TribuneTexas
Texas AG’s office labels get-out-the-vote ads discriminatory for focus on Black, Latino and Asian voters
The Harris County ads, which urged social media users to make a plan to vote, must be halted or changed, an agency lawsuit said.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
Republicans in Texas Panhandle seek major change to ballot counting process statewide
The Potter County GOP wants a federal judge to require election administrators all over Texas to hand count every paper ballot cast before finalizing the results.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
The Trump administration touts immigration enforcement push in Texas as Election Day nears
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin highlighted thousands of arrests while criticizing Biden-era policies and Democratic-led jurisdictions during a press conference that at times took on a political tone.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
Texas parks department will open 2 of 8 oyster harvest areas in Galveston Bay
To open a public oyster harvest area, officials must determine whether there are enough legal-sized oysters, which are three inches or greater, in the area.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
Halloween temperatures in Houston have been trending hotter. Here’s what the data shows.
Historic weather data from the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration shows the city’s average fall temperatures have increased by about 4.4 degrees Fahrenheit since 1970.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
Hello Houston – The Commuter Cut (October 29, 2026)
For our busy Houston commuters, we have – The Commuter Cut – a special 40-minute version of our show to listen to during your journey home.
Local · Read at Houston Public Media ↗
- Houston Public MediaTexas
Texas AG’s office sues Harris County Clerk for allegedly running ‘racially discriminatory advertisements’
Paxton, who is currently running as a Republican in the Texas Senate race against Democrat James Talarico, has recused himself from the investigation, according to a statement from his office.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputy charged with sexual assault of a minor
Details regarding the allegations against Cowley were not immediately available given the nature of the charge.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
Hello Houston (October 29, 2026)
Today: We investigate the mysterious transgender advocacy pamphlets and texts that were sent across Texas, discuss a controversial campaign ad in Fort Bend County, and learn about a mobile health unit designed to provide care to women in rural communities.
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- Houston Public MediaTexas
Celebrity costume designer says it’s more fun making things for himself
Houston space suit designer Ted Southern talks about his previous life creating costumes for Broadway and celebrites in New York City.
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