Texas Live

The faces delivering the news across Central Texas are changing unusually fast, as a steady wave of anchors, reporters, sports journalists and meteorologists leaves local television. Recent departures have hit stations from Waco and Temple to Austin: some journalists are moving to larger markets in Washington, Milwaukee and California, while others, including veteran weather personalities, have decided to leave broadcasting altogether. The reshuffle comes as parts of the local TV industry are also dealing with company-wide layoffs, although not every departure is connected to cuts. For Central Texas viewers, switching on the evening news may increasingly come with a small surprise - figuring out who is still behind the desk.

A solar-powered car that can generate more energy than it uses could be especially intriguing for sun-soaked Texas, where both solar power and electric vehicles are already part of the state’s rapidly changing energy landscape. Clemson University students working with BMW have built Luminetta, a 550-kg prototype covered with more than 1,700 photovoltaic cells that harvest electricity while driving or simply sitting in the sun. Modeling suggests that after a typical 20-km commute, its combination of solar generation, extreme weight reduction and regenerative braking could leave enough surplus energy for roughly 50 km of additional range on average. For Texas drivers accustomed to plenty of sunshine and long distances, the idea has obvious appeal: one day, leaving your car in the sun might be part of charging it rather than just making the seats unbearably hot.

A newborn’s severe heart condition has triggered a federal intervention in Texas over whether disability can influence decisions about life-saving care. The US Department of Health and Human Services warned Children’s Medical Center Dallas and UT Southwestern that federal civil-rights law prohibits denying medically appropriate treatment because of a disability, including decisions involving life support, as doctors determine care for baby Gabriel, who was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. The case began after his intended parents allegedly asked surrogate McKenna West to terminate the pregnancy following the diagnosis; she refused, travelled to Texas to give birth, and state Attorney General Ken Paxton later secured a court order aimed at ensuring the baby received necessary care. The dispute has now moved far beyond one Texas hospital room, raising a much larger question about how disability, medical judgment and the law intersect at the very beginning of life.

Across Texas, the rapid spread of automatic license plate cameras is turning a crime-fighting tool into a growing privacy debate. In Cooke County, North Texas, around 16 Flock cameras scan passing plates and can instantly alert police to vehicles linked to crimes or missing-person cases, helping a small sheriff’s department cover roughly 900 square miles. Sheriff Ray Sappington says every search is audited to prevent abuse, but concerns are already visible on the ground - one camera was knocked over, its solar panel smashed and its lens painted over. For Texas law enforcement, the cameras offer extra eyes on the road; for residents, the bigger question is how closely those eyes should be allowed to watch.

A Texas job fair could turn a Friday morning into a fresh career opportunity for people looking for work in Lubbock. Goodwill’s Career Resource Center will host the hiring event on August 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., bringing together local employers including the City of Lubbock, Citibus, UMC Health System and Texas Tech hospitality services, with some prepared to interview candidates on the spot. Job seekers are encouraged to bring a résumé and arrive ready to talk to recruiters about available positions. For Texans hunting for their next paycheck, four hours and a good résumé might be all it takes to open a new door.

Even a small outdoor fire could now come with a $500 penalty in Fannin County as dangerously dry conditions raise fears of fast-moving grass fires. A countywide burn ban covers unincorporated areas and prohibits burning combustible materials, including in burn barrels, under an order issued on August 11 for seven days. Limited exceptions remain for authorised prescribed burns, certain public-safety and utility work, and welding or cutting performed under strict fire-prevention rules. Until conditions improve, the message is simple: what looks like a harmless flame can become a wildfire surprisingly quickly.

The morning commute in North Texas is about to get busier as thousands of children head back to school. With classes beginning August 12 in Bonham schools and at Morning Star Academy, drivers are being urged to leave a little earlier, slow down in school zones and watch carefully for young pedestrians, particularly around Center and Main streets, Highway 121 and FM 898. Officials are also reminding motorists that using a mobile phone while driving in a school zone is illegal. A few extra minutes on the road is a small price to pay for a safer first day back.

Austin’s shared e-bikes are finally rolling again after a fire knocked the service offline for nearly three months. CapMetro has restarted its bike-share network with around 150 electric bikes near downtown and the University of Texas campus, after a May fire caused roughly $159,000 in damage to batteries and charging infrastructure. The blaze has forced the operator to change how bikes are charged and moved around the city, but the fleet is expected to grow to 450–500 e-bikes by the end of the year. For Austin commuters, one of the city’s easiest first-and-last-mile options is back on two wheels.

What began as a trip to a state competition turned into an unexpected flood-relief mission for a youth group from East Texas. Members of Camp County 4-H became stranded in Concan after the Frio River rose rapidly and blocked roads, keeping them there for several days. Instead of simply waiting to leave, the group helped unload and distribute water and emergency meals delivered by helicopter to people affected by the flooding, earning official recognition from the Pittsburg City Council. Sometimes getting stuck in the wrong place can put you exactly where help is needed.

Electric scooters and e-bikes are about to slow down considerably in the heart of the University of Texas campus. Starting August 24, riders will have to dismount and walk their personal electric vehicles through a new pedestrian-friendly zone covering some of the busiest parts of campus, while regular bicycles and non-electric scooters remain exempt. The university says the change is aimed at improving safety and accessibility, alongside new designated parking areas, though some students argue that scooters are essential for getting around quickly in Austin’s intense heat. For thousands heading back to class, part of the daily commute will now have to happen at walking speed.

A network of 120,000 roadside cameras can now help police trace a car’s movements across almost the entire United States - and that reach is triggering a growing privacy backlash. Flock Safety’s license-plate readers are used by around 7,000 law-enforcement agencies and have helped recover stolen vehicles and solve crimes, but reports of officers misusing the system have intensified concerns about surveillance. Several cities have restricted or suspended access, while activists are mapping the cameras and lawmakers are pushing for tighter rules and warrant requirements. The technology promises safer streets, but Americans are increasingly asking how much of their everyday movement should become searchable data.

Across Texas, empty big-box stores are getting a second life - and Houston is becoming a clear example of the shift. Nordstrom Rack, Burlington, HomeGoods, Marshalls and dd’s Discounts are moving into former Bed Bath & Beyond, Big Lots, Saks Off 5th, Joann Fabrics and Office Depot locations across the Houston area. The region’s retail occupancy remained a strong 95.2% at midyear, showing that even as familiar chains disappear, demand for physical shopping space in Texas remains surprisingly resilient. In Houston, one store’s goodbye is increasingly another store’s grand opening.

Teaching a dog new tricks may have less to do with strict discipline than with understanding what makes that particular animal tick. Dog owners and trainers at a competition in Longview, Texas, say consistency, repetition and rewards are key, while different breeds and personalities often require different approaches. Trainers also stress staying calm when mistakes happen and turning practice into something both dog and owner actually enjoy. In the end, the best training tool may simply be the relationship at the other end of the leash.

That cute first-day-of-school photo can reveal far more about a child than parents realize. Texas law enforcement is urging families not to post full names, schools, teachers, house numbers or other identifying details online, warning that they can effectively give strangers a roadmap to a child’s daily routine. Parents are also being told to keep children off high-speed electric motorcycles, review bus-stop safety, avoid headphones near traffic and make sure kids know exactly who is allowed to pick them up. Back-to-school preparation is usually about backpacks and supplies - but a little less information online may be just as important.

A young actress remembered by millions on screen will now help other students pursue their own dreams. The Texas School for the Deaf has created an annual scholarship in memory of 18-year-old Kaylee Hottle, known for the “Godzilla vs. Kong” films, who died in a car crash in July. One or two graduating students can receive up to $2,500 for reflecting the qualities that defined her school life: athletic achievement, involvement in performing arts and strong school spirit. Kaylee’s classmates expected to graduate alongside her - instead, her name will now travel forward with students who follow in her footsteps.

The school run is becoming a growing safety concern in Texas, with crashes involving school buses and vehicles in school zones on the rise. Statewide, 2,358 school-bus crashes in 2025 left seven people dead and 85 seriously injured, while 877 crashes occurred in school zones - 12% more than the previous year. Central Texas counties McLennan and Bell recorded no deaths in these incidents, but local officials say speeding, distracted driving and motorists ignoring school-bus warning lights remain everyday problems. As students head back to class, a few extra seconds of attention behind the wheel could matter far more than arriving a minute earlier.

Snakes dominate a new ranking of America’s most dangerous animals, but Texas has a different creature at the top: the American alligator. World Population Review lists snakes as the leading threat in 14 states and bears in eight, while alligators take the top spot in Texas. The ranking should be treated cautiously, however, because it provides no injury or death statistics and does not clearly explain how each animal was selected. Texas wildlife officials offer a less alarming perspective: most people living near alligators coexist with them without trouble - as long as nobody decides to feed one.

A heavy school backpack can become a real pain in the back - especially for younger students. A North Texas rehabilitation specialist recommends keeping backpacks at about 10% of a child’s body weight and never above 15%, using both shoulder straps and placing heavier items close to the back. Leaning forward, red marks on the shoulders or trouble climbing stairs can all signal that the load is too heavy. As Texas students head back to class, packing lighter may be one of the simplest ways to protect a growing spine.

A Texas community park is getting a brighter and more efficient makeover. Missouri City is spending $800,000 to replace lighting on all 36 sports poles at Community Park with LEDs that use about 60% less energy, covering baseball, soccer and softball fields. Work will continue throughout August, with fields staying mostly open during the upgrades. Even home runs will get a little Texas-style spectacle, with the new system able to trigger celebratory lighting.

Energy drinks are disappearing from another East Texas school district. Diboll ISD has banned them on campus, citing concerns about student health and classroom focus, following a similar move by Gladewater ISD. Some cans contain more than 200 mg of caffeine - twice the recommended daily limit for teenagers - while doctors warn heavy consumption can affect the heart, nervous system and metabolism. That morning “energy boost” may come with more baggage than students realize.