From investment fraud to sophisticated schemes involving hard-to-trace digital currency, Texans lost more than $1 billion to crypto scams in 2025.
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.
To report a tip, contact Ayden on Signal at @aydenrunnels.17
Posted in
State Government
Crypto kiosks were used to scam $56 million from Texans last year. Lawmakers are calling for regulation.
Fraudsters are increasingly using the ATM-like machines for fast access to money that’s difficult to trace.
Posted in
Immigration
Border wall through Big Bend state park in “planning stages” as updated map includes 2-mile barrier
An online map published by U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows plans for a wall near Big Bend Ranch State Park’s westernmost sections closest to the U.S.-Mexico border.
Posted in
Politics
Texas cities forced to remove rainbow crosswalks are installing colorful alternatives
Cities and advocates are channeling support for LGBTQ+ residents into murals, lighting and rainbow-decorated sidewalks and stairs.
Posted in
Immigration
Congressional panel demands Travis County DA’s records on immigration prosecution
Three GOP judiciary committee members, including Texas Rep. Chip Roy, accused District Attorney José Garza of maintaining policies that “undermined the rule of law.”
Posted in
Immigration
Judge blocks Biden-era immigration rule hours after Texas AG and Stephen Miller’s group sued DOJ
On Monday, Ken Paxton’s office asked the judge to block the rule, a request the federal agency then agreed with. The suit echoes a similar move in 2025 that killed a 24-year-old state tuition law.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
U.S. Supreme Court denies Texas death row inmate’s intellectual disability claim
Attorneys and experts for both the state and for death row inmate Victor Saldaño agree that he should be allowed to present evidence of his disability to a state criminal appeals court.
Posted in
Higher Education
UT fires public radio station leader who challenged university statements about festival security
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.
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.
Posted in
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.
