USDA will reopen the Douglas, Ariz. cattle crossing on Aug. 24 under a phased plan tied to Mexico’s screwworm‑control milestones. APHIS says strict inspections will be required.

Texas DPS approved a $4.49M purchase to outfit four Tahoes with Cognyte’s FalcoNet surveillance suite, raising questions about warrants and oversight.

Stafford-based Matrix Metals agreed to pay $1.18M to settle allegations it improperly obtained a Second Draw PPP loan. The deal follows a qui tam complaint and an SDTX investigation with the SBA.

State higher‑ed officials pitched a 60/40 performance funding model that prioritizes degree completion and credit‑hour milestones; campuses could gain or lose millions.

Mayor John Whitmire partnered with the Houston Dynamo and Dash to give away 10,000 free tickets to first-time fans beginning Saturday, aiming to sustain World Cup momentum. Eligible games run through Sept. 26 and tickets will be shared with community groups and youth programs.

Conroe’s city council voted to shelve new reviews of Flock Safety license‑plate cameras, keeping the system in place even as residents demand more transparency. A Texas AG ruling forces the city to release some records.

A Rice University working paper shows wide gaps in municipal pay across Texas; Houston pays the highest per police employee while Austin leads overall personnel spending.

Texas hit a record 14.47M nonfarm jobs in June after adding 43,400 payroll positions, leaving it the top state for monthly gains.

A UH draft would remove roughly 100 courses from the school’s 42‑credit core under Texas’ SB 37, narrowing general‑education options and drawing sharp faculty pushback.

At a Houston town hall, James Talarico pledged $25 million to boost Black voter outreach while facing sharp pushback from local activists and leaders.

A report says F.B.I. field managers were told to stop investigating alleged assaults by immigration agents; DOJ and DHS have publicly denied a change. Local killings in Houston and Maine have sharpened scrutiny.

Pearland's new mayor steps into a leadership shuffle: new police and fire chiefs have been sworn in while council members spar over a regional appointment. The changes test how quickly the city can scale services for growth.

Friendswood ISD projects a balanced FY 2026–27 budget after raises and stipends trimmed an earlier surplus. The district has penciled in a preliminary $1.027 tax rate and will hold a hearing Aug. 24.