Judge orders Abbott to let Hinojosa inspect communications with Musk
A Travis County judge issued a temporary restraining order directing Gov. Greg Abbott to stop blocking Democratic gubernatorial candidate and state Rep. Gina Hinojosa from inspecting his communications with Elon Musk. Hinojosa sued after Abbott refused her request under the Texas Public Information Act; her filing says his office had gathered 1,374 pages in response to an earlier request, but nearly all were redacted. The lawsuit cites more than $54 million in state grants to SpaceX, $1.7 billion in school tax breaks for Musk’s Terafab project and at least $500,000 in direct contributions from Musk to Abbott. Hinojosa says she is seeking access for legislative purposes, not to make confidential records public; a hearing on a temporary injunction is set.
Harris County early voting surges, with most voters returning from 2022
Harris County’s early-vote pace is on track to surpass the 2022 midterm, though Rice University political scientist Mark Jones says about four in five early voters also cast ballots in that election. Jones said Democratic-leaning voters turned out at a higher rate than Republican-leaning voters in the first week, leaving the final week and Election Day as opportunities for Republicans to narrow the gap. More than 19 million Texans are registered to vote statewide, while Harris County recorded more than 104,000 ballots on the first day of early voting, a midterm record. Jones estimates roughly one in seven votes cast statewide will come from Harris County, making its turnout consequential in the Senate contest between Ken Paxton and James Talarico.
El Paso early voting puts county midterm record within reach
More than 95,000 El Paso County residents voted in the first seven days of early voting, about 18% of registered voters and 78% ahead of the same point in 2022, according to an El Paso Matters analysis. The pace is also above the county’s 2018 midterm benchmark, when Beto O’Rourke challenged Ted Cruz. Nearly one-third of this year’s early voters did not vote in El Paso in 2022, and more than 11,000 voters ages 18 to 29 had already cast ballots—exceeding that group’s total across all 12 early-voting days in 2022. The Senate race is the most prominent contest on the ballot, alongside statewide and local races.
Hinojosa and Abbott make public schools a central issue in governor’s race
Democrat Gina Hinojosa has made public education a major focus of her campaign against Gov. Greg Abbott, arguing that school takeovers and the state’s voucher policy are driving voter frustration. Abbott has emphasized property tax cuts in the campaign’s final weeks, presenting them as a response to household costs. The contest is taking place amid unusually high early-voting activity in several Texas counties and a closely watched Senate race that could affect control of Congress. The candidates’ competing priorities put school policy and tax relief at the center of the final stretch before Nov. 3.
Balcones Heights residents press city to reconsider ICE partnership
Residents and advocates urged Balcones Heights officials to reconsider the city’s participation in the federal 287(g) program, which allows trained local officers to perform certain immigration-enforcement duties under ICE oversight. The council discussed the issue Monday but did not reach a final decision. State Sen. José Menéndez and community members argued that the arrangement could undermine residents’ trust in police and deter people from reporting crimes or visiting local businesses; Menéndez said he may reconsider his lease at a city-owned property if the city continues participating. DHS says eligible agencies can receive reimbursement for some personnel costs and equipment, a financial incentive advocates also urged council members to weigh.
Texas Democrats target Collin County as a potential Senate-race breakthrough
Democrats are hoping to flip Collin County, a longtime Republican stronghold that has become more competitive as the county has grown and shifted politically. The outcome could matter in the statewide Senate race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico, as Democrats seek gains beyond their traditional urban bases. The race has drawn national attention because control of the U.S. Senate could hinge on Texas. Early-voting patterns across the state show strong participation, but turnout figures do not establish how voters are choosing candidates.
Fifth Circuit upholds detention without bond hearings for some immigrants
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 10-7 that immigrants who entered the country unlawfully are not entitled to bond hearings while detained during deportation proceedings, even if they have long-standing U.S. ties and no criminal history. The case involved three men arrested by Texas state troopers during traffic stops between November 2025 and February 2026; each had lived in the country for at least 14 years, worked and had U.S.-citizen children. Federal judges had previously ordered their release after finding detention without bond hearings violated due process. A dissenting judge warned the decision creates an “impenetrable wall” between the Constitution and long-term residents; the ruling applies across Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi.
Federal government considers a border wall route through South Texas wildlife refuge
The federal government may pursue a border-wall route through the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge after its original construction plan stalled in court in July. The refuge lies in South Texas, where border infrastructure proposals have drawn scrutiny because of potential effects on habitat and public lands. The prospect of a new route signals that federal officials are considering alternatives to the blocked plan. The dispute places border-enforcement priorities in tension with the protection of a major wildlife refuge.
Houston job losses spread across major industries in September
Houston-area employers cut 7,300 jobs in September, the second-largest decline for that month since 1990, according to Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast. Seasonally adjusted employment fell by 14,600, even though September typically brings job gains; private employers shed 19,400 positions, including 7,300 in leisure and hospitality and 3,900 in professional and business services. Government added 12,100 jobs, largely from school-year staffing, but that increase was smaller than usual. The region was still up 33,600 jobs, or 1%, over the year, and unemployment stood at 4.6%; economists said upcoming reports will help determine whether the broad losses signal a trend.
CPS Energy delays San Antonio rate increase until next year
San Antonio’s municipally owned utility, CPS Energy, has pushed its planned rate increases to next year, citing favorable financial circumstances that include a $115 million federal incentive. The delay gives customers temporary relief from higher bills but does not cancel the planned increases. The utility’s decision comes as energy costs and affordability remain prominent concerns for households and businesses. CPS Energy has not abandoned the rate adjustments; the move shifts their timing.
Houston opens 90 affordable apartments in mixed-income development
Houston officials opened Boulevard 61, a 100-unit apartment development at 6101 Richmond Avenue that includes 90 homes designated as affordable. The city contributed $2.5 million through the federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program. Mayor John Whitmire and housing officials joined the developer and community partners for the opening, describing the project as part of the city’s effort to expand access to housing. The development combines affordable units with market-rate apartments in a mixed-income community.
Houston drafts limits on new gas stations near homes
Houston is developing an ordinance to restrict where new gas stations can be built, following neighborhood concerns about safety, crime and proximity to residential areas. The proposal would address locations near homes and apartments, though the city is still drafting the rules. The initiative reflects a broader effort to manage land-use conflicts as residential development expands across the city. Any restrictions would apply to future siting rather than existing stations.
Harris County expands ankle-monitor response to round-the-clock coverage
Harris County has allocated $1.4 million to expand pretrial electronic monitoring and move responses to tampering alerts toward 24-hour coverage. Under the revised process, a device alert prompts the monitoring vendor to notify the presiding judge and attempt a video check with the defendant; if there is no response, the vendor contacts the Sheriff’s Office. Officials said the previous system could leave a device cut or tampered with over a weekend without a response until the next business day. The county says it needs 15 additional pretrial officers for full coverage; three have been hired and 12 remain to be recruited and trained.
Hays CISD approves attendance-boundary changes amid growth
Hays Consolidated Independent School District’s board unanimously approved attendance-boundary changes affecting four schools as the district works to address overcrowding. The changes are intended to redistribute students as the Central Texas district continues to grow. The board approved the plan Monday night, though the report did not detail how many students will be reassigned or the specific campuses affected. The decision reflects the pressure rapid population growth is placing on school capacity and planning.
Austin ISD discloses staff-data breach in employee-records system
Austin ISD told staff that a software system used to manage employee records and documentation suffered a data breach in August. The district disclosed the incident in a letter to employees. The system held staff employment information, but the report did not specify the number of affected employees or what information was accessed. The breach highlights the exposure of school-district personnel data through third-party administrative software.
Hutto growth prompts effort to put alcohol-sales rules to voters
Supporters in Hutto are seeking signatures to place a proposal on the May 2027 ballot that would expand alcohol-sales regulations across the city’s current boundaries. The effort is tied to the city’s rapid growth and would require organizers to gather enough signatures before voters could decide. If it qualifies, the measure would let residents determine whether the rules should extend throughout the expanded municipal area. The proposal has not yet been placed on the ballot.