KUT’s Debbie Hiott believes University of Texas officials terminated her because she publicly pushed back against administration claims that the station’s security plans for an inaugural festival were insufficient.
Ayden Runnels
Ayden Runnels is the afternoon/evening reporter. Previously, they were a breaking news reporter for the Las Vegas Sun. A graduate of the Mayborn School of Journalism at the University of North Texas, Ayden was a Dallas Press Club Foundation reporting fellow at the Tribune in 2023. They were born in the Houston suburb of Clear Lake and speak English and Arabic. They served as editor-in-chief of the North Texas Daily, UNT's student-run newspaper, and have worked on freelance projects for Newsweek.
Posted in
Politics
Texas Tech QB who placed bets will not play amid Big 12 lawsuit, legal threat from Paxton
A Lubbock judge blocked the NCAA from banning quarterback Brendan Sorsby despite an acknowledged gambling addiction.
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State Government
Texas stopped funding gambling addiction programs years ago. A surprising donor is helping fill the void.
A $100,000 donation from Las Vegas Sands will help a nonprofit address treatment needs in Texas, where a state law set up a “compulsive gambling program” that is no longer funded.
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Courts
Texas death row inmate asks Supreme Court to allow appeal challenging hypnotized witness
Charles Flores wants to use Texas’ “junk science” law to appeal his conviction, saying it was improperly based on testimony from a neighbor who was hypnotized by police.
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Screwworm in Texas
First U.S. screwworm case confirmed in South Texas
Officials tested a sample from La Pryor in Zavala County at a lab in lowa, confirming the infestation, Secretary Brooke Rollins said.
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Data Centers in Texas
Sid Miller to join Democratic nominee for agriculture commissioner at data center forum
The Republican said he agreed to speak at the event prior to Clayton Tucker’s involvement because it was “the right thing to do.” Both are critics of data center construction in Texas.
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State Government
Texas lifts commercial drivers license ban for temporary agricultural workers
The policy change was announced hours after the Department of Public Safety removed the Spanish language option for commercial driver’s license tests to align with federal guidance.
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Hill Country floods
Camp Mystic chief health officer barred from direct patient care by Texas nursing board
Mary Liz Eastland failed to develop proper emergency plans or properly respond to the flood that killed 25 campers and two counselors last year, the order states.
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2026 Texas Elections
Tom Sell, Jon Bonck win open GOP primary runoffs for solidly red congressional seats
With their Republican nominations in hand, the two are favored to win their GOP-leaning seats in November to replace outgoing Reps. Jodey Arrington and Wesley Hunt.
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Immigration
$1.7 billion contract awarded “for border wall in Big Bend” amid public confusion over construction plans
A Customs and Border Protection statement said the funding would not be used for “a 30-foot-high barrier” in the region’s parks, echoing a previous commitment from a top CBP official.
