A screwworm outbreak would threaten the state’s cattle industry and potentially increase already high beef prices nationwide.
Alex Nguyen
Alex Nguyen is a general assignment reporter with a focus on criminal justice. Before joining the newsroom in 2025, she was a breaking news reporter at The Dallas Morning News. She previously was a reporting fellow for the Tribune and a reporting intern at Bloomberg News. A graduate of Columbia University’s Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism, Alex was raised mostly in Vancouver, Canada, and she has reported for various regional and national outlets there. She speaks Vietnamese and conversational Spanish and will be based in Austin.
Posted in
Courts
Paxton sues Denton to block gender-neutral changing rooms at Pride pool party
Two LGBTQ+ groups called the lawsuit “frivolous,” saying plans for the event at a public pool had already changed to comply with a new Texas law.
Posted in
Immigration
ICE sued over “inhumane” conditions at Camp East Montana in West Texas
The El Paso tent camp has seen at least three detainee deaths, a measles outbreak and nearly 50 detention standards violations in less than a year of operation.
Posted in
Courts
Federal court allows Texas immigration law to take effect, continuing legal seesaw
A U.S. judge on Thursday granted a preliminary injunction against critical sections of Senate Bill 4, but a provision allowing police to arrest people suspected of illegal entry did activate.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Paxton-backed Thomas Smith defeats Alison Fox in GOP runoff for Texas’ highest criminal court
The all-Republican Court of Criminal Appeals has undergone extensive turnover since AG Ken Paxton began targeting incumbent judges.
Posted in
State Government
Camp Mystic chief health officer’s nursing license temporarily suspended
The agency said Mary Liz Eastland failed to develop adequate emergency plans before a flood killed 25 campers and two counselors last year.
Posted in
Environment
Corpus Christi moves toward mandatory 25% cut in water use if emergency is declared
Final approval of the curtailment plan is expected at a future City Council meeting. Experts predict that, without significant rainfall, a water emergency could arrive by September.
Posted in
Immigration
AG Ken Paxton demands Dallas County sheriff enter formal partnership with ICE
Sheriff Marian Brown said her office, which already cooperates with federal immigration authorities, has until Dec. 1 to act.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Abbott’s public safety wish list includes statewide prosecutor, more bail restrictions
Some items on Abbott’s agenda would require amending the Texas Constitution, meaning they would need supermajority support in the Legislature.
Posted in
Immigration
Excessive heat suspected as cause of death after six bodies found in rail car near Laredo
Officials said one victim found in a Union Pacific car was from Mexico and another was from Honduras. Five men and a woman are among the dead.
