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09

Austin County SRT Executes Successful Narcotics Operation in Columbus, Texas

On June 24th, the Austin County Regional Special Response Team executed an operation in Columbus, Texas, resulting in the arrest of Eric Belmonte for narcotics-related charges. A search of Belmonte's residence led to the seizure of…

04

Wheat Harvest Struggling Across The State

By the time wheat harvest marched northward across Texas, conditions that initially led Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agronomists to predict a good wheat season had deteriorated in some areas, resulting in

Tuesday, Jun 25

20

South Texas Needs Rain. Tropical Storm Alberto Didn’t Deliver Enough.

McALLEN — South Texas was prepared for a deluge. City officials distributed sandbags and planned road closures. Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster before Tropical Storm Alberto, which was projected

Live Demonstrations Highlight Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course

Whether it’s learning about virtual fencing or equipment to treat unwanted brush or proper cattle handling techniques, the 70th annual Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course on Aug. 5-7 in Bryan-College Station

06

Ronny Jackson, Wesley Hunt Face Campaign Ethics Probes Over Private Club Membership

WASHINGTON — U.S. Reps. Ronny Jackson, R-Amarillo, and Wesley Hunt, R-Houston, are under investigation for using campaign funds for private club memberships in a potential violation of campaign finance rules,

Texas State Released From Contract To Host Debate, As Biden And Trump Sidestep Tradition

Any lingering hope that Texas would host a presidential debate this cycle was dashed Monday after the Commission on Presidential Debates released Texas State University from its contract. The San

Saturday, Jun 22

05

U.S. Supreme Court Blocks The State’s Rio Grande Water Deal With New Mexico

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a water management deal between Texas and New Mexico, asserting federal oversight due to implications for an international water treaty with Mexico. The decision highlights ongoing disputes over the Rio…

Friday, Jun 21

07

Chocolate Prices Set to Surge Amid Cocoa Supply Crisis [VIDEO]

Chocolate prices are set to rise sharply as cocoa costs soar past $11,000 per ton due to Federal Reserve policies, speculative trading, and adverse weather in West Africa. Despite previous hedging efforts, companies like Nestlé will…

Sealy City Council Discusses Resolution to Address Audit Deficiencies and Enhance Financial Management [VIDEO]

Sealy's latest city council meeting focused on addressing audit findings for the fiscal year ending 2023, where despite receiving an unmodified opinion indicating overall financial accuracy, nine deficiencies were identified needing…

06

Sealy Faces Police Shortage: Chief of Police Addresses City Council [VIDEO]

The Sealy City Council recently addressed a critical shortage within the police department, highlighted by Chief Jay Reeves' report on significant officer losses due to recruitment challenges and financial constraints. Despite efforts to…

01

Sealy EDC Presents Strategic Plan Updates at City Council Meeting [VIDEO]

Sealy Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Director Bill Atkins presented comprehensive updates to the Sealy City Council, highlighting major projects including downtown parking expansions and Cryan Memorial Park improvements. The EDC's…

Thursday, Jun 20

00

Texas To Begin Construction This Year On Seven New Psychiatric Hospital Projects

Texas is embarking on a $1.5 billion initiative to expand and modernize its psychiatric hospital system, aiming to address the growing mental health crisis. The plan includes constructing seven new facilities, including major projects in…

Texas A&M’s Agricultural And Food Policy Center Key In Farm Bill Development

The Agricultural and Food Policy Center (AFPC) at Texas A&M University plays a pivotal role in shaping U.S. agricultural policy through its unbiased research and analysis, assisting legislative decision-makers in developing each new farm…

19

Texas Electricity Demand Could Nearly Double In Six Years, Grid Operator Predicts

Texas is facing a substantial increase in electricity demand driven by new laws allowing early grid connection counts and rising requests from data centers, hydrogen facilities, and electrifying industries. This surge, projected to nearly…

Ted Cruz Leads Colin Allred By Double Digits In Latest UT Poll

According to a recent University of Texas poll, incumbent Ted Cruz holds an 11-point lead over Democratic challenger Colin Allred in Texas' U.S. Senate race, with Cruz favored by 45% of respondents compared to Allred's 34%. The survey also…

Wednesday, Jun 19

00

Keep Your Family Safe From Ticks

As warmer weather increases tick activity in Texas, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service urges outdoor enthusiasts to be vigilant. With 11 tick species in the state, including those that can transmit diseases like Lyme and Alpha-gal…

04

Heat Makes For Sweet Watermelons, Very Good Yields

Texas watermelon growers are experiencing a strong season with excellent yields and high-quality fruit, benefiting from favorable weather conditions in both the Rio Grande Valley and Winter Garden regions. Despite some price fluctuations,…

03

How To Store Tomatoes

Joe Masabni, an expert from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, advises on maximizing the flavor and longevity of tomatoes: pick them at the breaker stage for optimal ripening, store them on the counter with space for air circulation, and avoid…

Tuesday, Jun 18

09

AUSTIN COUNTY JAIL REPORT: MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2024, TO SUNDAY, JUNE 16, 2024

During the week from Monday, June 10, 2024, to Sunday, June 16, 2024, the Austin County Jail saw a number of individuals being booked following their arrests. This report aims to provide an overview of the incidents that occurred within…

Saturday, Jun 15

07

Disaster Resource Center Opens in Bellville for Austin County Residents [VIDEO]

In response to severe storms and flooding in Austin County from April 26, 2024, a Disaster Resource Center (DRC) will open in Bellville at the Bellville Police Department Training Center on 162 N Chesley St. Operating daily from 7 a.m. to…

Friday, Jun 14

00

Supreme Court Overturns Federal Bump Stock Ban, Siding With Austin Gun Dealer

An Austin gun shop owner succeeded Friday on a years-long quest to overturn a federal ban on bump stocks, winning a 6-3 victory from the U.S. Supreme Court. Bump stocks

Wanted Fugitive Apprehended in New Ulm in Early Morning Operation

In the early hours of Friday, June 14, 2024, Clarence Cloud, a 31-year-old fugitive wanted for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, was apprehended in New Ulm, Texas. The arrest was carried out by the US Marshals Service Gulf Coast…

Texas Students’ STAAR Scores Decline In Math And Science

State testing data released Friday shows students’ math and science scores slipped as they struggle to catch up after the pandemic. Texas elementary students who took the State of Texas

19

Sealy City Council Discusses Cost of Living Increase Amid Budget Concerns [VIDEO]

On June 4, 2024, the Sealy City Council convened to discuss implementing a 3% cost of living increase (COLA) for city employees, amidst concerns over financial sustainability and the urgent need to address a shortage of police officers.…

Austin County Considers Gradual Increase in Homestead Exemption Amid Rising Property Values [VIDEO]

During a recent Commissioners Court meeting on June 10, 2024, Austin County officials discussed a proposal to gradually adjust the homestead exemption in response to rising property values, which have increased by over 20% in the past year…

Wednesday, Jun 12

20

Multi-County Narcotics Raid in Brookshire Leads to Arrests and Drug Seizure

The Westside Narcotics Task Force, comprising multiple law enforcement agencies, conducted a successful operation resulting in the apprehension of Marcus Grant and Latoya Johnson, seizing a cache of illicit substances from a motel. Marcus…

07

AUSTIN COUNTY JAIL REPORT: MONDAY, JUNE 3, 2024, TO SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2024

During the week from Monday, June 3, 2024, to Sunday, June 9, 2024, the Austin County Jail saw a number of individuals being booked following their arrests. This report aims to provide an overview of the incidents that occurred within…

03

Abbott Appoints First Judges To New Appeals Court For Cases Involving State Government, Businesses

Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday appointed three conservative justices to the new 15th Court of Appeals, which lawmakers created last year to oversee appeals involving the state, challenges to the constitutionality of

02

Protect Pets During The Dog Days Of Summer

With the sweltering dog days of summer fast approaching, Texas A&M AgriLife experts encourage Texans to incorporate precautions to protect pets from heat stress. “Much of the advice we give pet owners

Texas Agriculture A Tale Of Rainfall Haves And Have-Nots

When it comes to rainfall and the subsequent soil moisture that fuels agricultural production, the state is made up of haves and have-nots, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts. Larry