A quiet Sunday morning in Northwest Austin turned into chaos and devastation after a powerful house explosion shook the Double Spur Loop neighborhood just before noon on April 13. According to the Austin Fire Department, the two-story home was completely leveled by the blast, and the effects of the explosion were felt and seen miles away. Initial emergency calls came in around 11:30 a.m., with witnesses reporting a massive boom and visible smoke plumes. Emergency crews arr

In a tragic discovery over the weekend, the Lewisville Fire Department’s dive team recovered a body from Copperas Branch Lake, located just west of I-35E. According to the Lewisville Police Department, the recovery occurred shortly after 11 a.m. on Sunday. The deceased individual is believed to be the driver involved in a single-vehicle crash that happened early Saturday morning. The incident unfolded around 3:30 a.m. Saturday near the 2900 block of the northbound lanes of I

A wave of student visa revocations at universities across the U.S. has left hundreds of international students in limbo, with Texas institutions such as the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), University of North Texas (UNT), Texas A&M, and UT Austin among those affected. School officials are scrambling to support affected students while seeking clarity from federal authorities regarding the reasoning behind these abrupt visa terminations. Although the exact cause of the revoca

Faced with the challenge of limited future water sources and rapid population growth, the city of Austin is ramping up its efforts in water reuse, conservation, and underground storage as part of an ambitious long-term strategy to meet demand for decades to come. At a recent infrastructure summit hosted by the Austin Chamber of Commerce, water planners and city leaders outlined Austin's evolving strategy, which centers on extending the lifespan of its current water resources through smart

A recently released study by the Texas Department of Health Services has revealed that around 330,000 people residing in East Harris County, Texas, are living within a cancer cluster spanning 250 square miles along the San Jacinto River. The report was shared in a community meeting held Tuesday evening in Highlands, drawing emotional reactions and urgent calls for action from residents. The study was initiated at the request of the Texas Health and Environment Alliance (THEA), a nonprofit adv

The University of Texas at Austin has announced the immediate termination of its Flags program, a cornerstone of its graduation requirements for the past two decades. The university will replace it with a skills-based educational model designed to better align with workforce demands, student flexibility, and public scrutiny around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The Flags program required undergraduates to complete coursework in cultural diversity, global cultures, ethics,

Efforts to halt the long-discussed Houston-to-Dallas high-speed rail project have returned to the Texas state legislature, reigniting a decade-long battle over one of the most ambitious transportation proposals in the state’s history. The Texas Central Railway project, which aims to connect Houston and Dallas in under 90 minutes using Japan’s Shinkansen bullet train technology, is once again under scrutiny in Austin, where lawmakers are advancing bills aimed at limiting or complet

In 2025, residents of North Texas are witnessing a noticeable increase in gas prices, with the average price for a gallon of regular gas now at $3.04. This marks a significant jump from the previous week's price of $2.81. While many have been speculating about the reasons behind this rise, particularly in relation to ongoing economic discussions and the threat of tariffs, experts are weighing in to clarify the situation. Currently, Texas gas prices are still below the natio

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Harris County Public Health (HCPH) has announced the investigation of the first confirmed measles case in unincorporated Harris County in 2025. The case involves a child under the age of 18, and while their identity remains confidential, it is known that the child resides in Northwest Harris County and has no recent travel history. This marks a significant health concern for the community, as measles had not been reported in the area since 2019. The

A tragic incident unfolded at Memorial High School in Frisco, Texas, as 16-year-old student Austin Metcalf was fatally stabbed during a school track and field event. The Frisco Police Department has identified 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony as the suspect in this shocking act of violence, which occurred on the morning of Wednesday at approximately 10:00 a.m. on the 6900 block of Stadium Lane. According to authorities, an argument between the two teenagers quickly escalated into violence, culmina

South Texas has faced a severe and historic weather event this week, as officials report record-breaking rainfall that caused significant flooding in multiple cities, including Harlingen, Alamo, and Weslaco. Harlingen, which received over 21 inches of rain, experienced the heaviest downpour on Thursday. This intense weather event prompted emergency rescues of more than 200 residents, with hundreds more still waiting for assistance. The storm’s impact was felt across the region, with aut

Governor Greg Abbott has ordered all Texas state employees to return to the office full-time, marking a significant shift away from the remote work arrangements many have relied on since the pandemic. While Abbott has not set a strict statewide deadline, individual agencies are implementing their own return-to-office timelines, with some requiring employees to be back at their desks by March 31, 2025. This move has sparked mixed reactions among state employ

A police shooting took place in Frisco on Thursday evening as officers attempted to serve felony arrest warrants. The incident occurred just after 6 p.m. in the 5400 block of Travis Drive, drawing a significant law enforcement presence to the area. While no officers were injured in the exchange, authorities have not disclosed the extent of injuries or whether anyone was struck by gunfire. The Texas Rangers are leading an investigation into the circumstances surr

A powerful line of severe storms swept through North Texas early Tuesday morning, bringing hurricane-force winds, heavy rain, and multiple tornadoes. The storms caused widespread power outages, structural damage, and traffic disruptions across the region. Cities including Dallas, Irving, Carrollton, Haltom City, and Cedar Hill were hit hard, with some areas experiencing wind gusts exceeding 70 miles per hour.The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-1 tornado in Irving, with wind speeds re

  The Texas legislative session is heating up with several high-profile issues, including the future of the Texas Lottery Commission, school choice policies, budget reforms, and controversial bills on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The discussions have sparked debate over gambling laws, education funding, and government spending. The Texas Lottery Under Scrutiny

Texas is experiencing a growing measles outbreak, with 146 confirmed cases since late January. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) released an update on Friday, confirming a sharp rise in infections, with 22 new cases added since the last report on Tuesday. The outbreak has largely affected unvaccinated individuals, including an infant in Austin who contracted the virus while traveling overseas. Additionally, a school-aged child from Lubboc

Apple has announced a major expansion of its U.S.-based manufacturing with the construction of a new artificial intelligence (AI) server factory in Houston, Texas. This initiative is part of the company’s broader $500 billion investment strategy, aimed at strengthening its AI capabilities, increasing job creation, and reducing reliance on international supply chains. The upcoming 250,000-square-foot facility will be dedicated to producing servers specificall

The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents is expected to make a pivotal decision regarding the next chancellor to lead its vast network of 11 universities and eight state agencies. The board, which is meeting in Houston, could vote on a sole finalist for the position, initiating a mandatory 21-day waiting period before finalizing the appointment. According to sources familiar with the search process, the board has identified five candidates for c

Houston Independent School District (HISD) has come under scrutiny after failing to report truancy prevention measures to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for four consecutive school years. This revelation has raised concerns about the district's efforts to address student absences and its compliance with state regulations. Truancy Prevention Measures and Compliance Issues

San Antonio residents are being alerted to a possible exposure to measles that occurred earlier this month. Local health officials are urging the public to remain vigilant, review their vaccination status, and monitor for symptoms. The Metropolitan Health District has provided a timeline of potential exposure locations to help residents assess their risk. On February 15, 2025, an individual who later tested positi