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.
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
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.
Posted in
State Government
Texas Sen. Brian Birdwell gets U.S. Senate green light for Pentagon post
The longtime state legislator, who announced in June he wasn’t seeking reelection, will serve as an assistant secretary of defense.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas executes 600th inmate since death penalty was reinstated in 1976
Edward Busby was executed by lethal injection Thursday, reinforcing Texas’ position as the nation’s leader in capital punishment.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas can execute death row inmate Edward Busby, U.S. Supreme Court says
Busby’s execution, set for Thursday evening, had been halted by a federal appeals court less than a week ago.
Posted in
Health care
What to know about the federal rule that Texans have used to mail in abortion pills
In 2023, the Food and Drug Administration started allowing mifepristone to be delivered by mail. The federal courts are deciding whether to pull that permission.
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Criminal Justice
Former Texas lottery director reindicted for abuse of office by grand jury
Gary Grief, former executive director of the now-dissolved Texas Lottery Commission, is alleged to have used his position to defraud the state during a 2023 Lotto Texas drawing.
Posted in
Courts
Former Texas lottery director was indicted by grand jury before case got dismissed
The indictment accused Gary Grief of misusing his position to defraud the state in a highly scrutinized $95 million 2023 Lotto Texas drawing.
Posted in
Environment
Big Bend border wall plans canceled for national park after backlash, Border Patrol commissioner says
Texans across the political spectrum opposed wall construction in the national park. Now the agency’s plans include roadways and digital surveillance to monitor the rugged region.
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Criminal Justice
Federal appeals court temporarily halts execution of Texas death row inmate Edward Busby
Thursday’s execution was blocked by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals “pending further order” from the court.
