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 devastating early morning fire ripped through a four-story apartment building on Monticello Avenue in Jersey City, leaving more than 30 residents displaced and prompting an ongoing arson investigation. The fire, which erupted just before 6 a.m. on Wednesday, is believed to have started in the building’s basement, quickly sending heavy smoke through every floor and forcing residents, including children and pets, to flee using fire escapes. The cause of the blaze remains

The City of Dallas has officially named Justin Ball as the next Chief of Dallas Fire-Rescue (DFR), making him the 18th person to hold the position in the department’s long-standing history. Ball, who has been serving as interim chief since June 2024, was selected from a competitive pool of 32 candidates and is set to formally take over as chief on April 23, 2025. A native of northeast England, Chief Ball brings with him nearly three decades of experience within the Dallas Fire-Rescue De

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

Mark Shankar, the youngest son of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, was injured in a fire accident that occurred at his school in Singapore. According to preliminary reports, the incident led to burn injuries on his hands and legs and smoke inhalation, necessitating immediate medical attention. Mark is currently being treated at a local hospital in Singapore, and his condition is being closely monitored. News of the accident prompted Pawan Kalyan to make urgent changes to his

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

The White House has dismissed multiple administration officials following a meeting between President Donald Trump and far-right activist Laura Loomer. Among those ousted were at least three National Security Council (NSC) staffers, according to sources familiar with the matter. The decision came after Loomer reportedly provided Trump with a list of officials she deemed disloyal, urging their removal. Loomer, a controversial figure known for her extreme views, has gained influence

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

President Donald Trump is scheduled to convene a pivotal meeting at the White House on Wednesday to deliberate the future of TikTok's operations in the United States. This gathering comes as the deadline approaches for the Chinese-owned app to divest its U.S. operations or face a potential ban. Vice President JD Vance, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz are among the key

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — A massive explosion rocked the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday morning after a gas pipeline operated by Malaysia’s state energy company, Petronas, caught fire. The incident occurred near residential areas in Selangor state and has led to the evacuation of nearby homes as emergency services continue their efforts to control the blaze. According to fire officials, at least 33 people sustained injuries, with six requiring hospitalisation. No fatalities h

Washington: As anticipation builds over US President Donald Trump's so-called "Liberation Day" tariff announcement, the White House has confirmed there will be no exemptions in the new wave of reciprocal tariffs. Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt made it clear that these tariffs are aimed at putting an end to what the administration calls decades of "unfair trade practices" against American exporters. President Trump has

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

Heathrow Airport in London, one of the busiest airports in the world, has been closed till midnight following a massive power outage caused by a fire at an electrical substation in the western part of the city. The power failure has left over 16,000 homes without electricity, causing significant disruption for residents and travelers alike. The fire broke out at the North Hyde substation located in Hayes in London’s Hillingdon borough. Emergency services, including 10 fire engines and a

The first-ever White House crypto summit left some investors disappointed as Bitcoin prices dipped. While the event marked a shift in U.S. policy toward digital assets, the lack of strong commitments led to uncertainty. Crypto Industry Hopes for Stronger Support The White House hosted its first-ever cryptocurrency summit, bringing together top executive