The Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office has announced that 11-year-old Avianna Freeman has been found alive and safe. Officials shared the update Monday, thanking the public for assisting in the search efforts and for submitting tips. Previously Reported: LUBBOCK COUNTY, TX  — The Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office is actively searching for 11-year-old Avianna Freeman, who was reported missing Sunday evening from the 3900 block of North County Road 1700, outside Shallowater, Texas.

Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to increase public safety and homeland security operations across Texas in response to escalating cartel violence in Mexico. State officials say the surge is aimed at preventing potential spillover criminal activity into Texas as violence intensifies south of the border. “Mexican drug cartels pose a significant threat to public safety and national security,” Abbott said in a statement Monday. “By in

Child care providers across East Texas may soon have access to new tools aimed at strengthening their operations and long-term sustainability. The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has announced the launch of its Child Care Business Support initiative, a statewide effort designed to help licensed and registered child care programs better manage the business side of their operations while continuing to serve working families. TWC officials say the initiative is intended to stre

Autumn Marie Ledlow A missing Houston teenager may now be in the East Texas area, according to a new public update. Autumn Marie Ledlow, 16, has been listed as a missing child by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) since October 14, 2024. She was last seen in Houston, Texas. Authorities now believe she may be located between Marshall and Longview, Texas, prompting renewed efforts to share her information across East Texas communities. The Texas Depart

Texas Railroad Commission Candidate Hawk Dunlap talks about Carbon Capture Damagers, Oil Contamination in Water, the role of the Texas Railroad Commission and Why He is the Man to bring Change. Long time Oil & Gas man Hawk Dunlap is running for Texas Railroad Commissioner. Dunlap talks about changes needed at the Railroad Commissioner and the concerns about production water and carbon capture issues for Texans. Part 1 Part 2 Find Hawk Dunlap HERE: https://www.hawk4texas.com/

Beginning April 1, 2026, Texans who receive SNAP food benefits will no longer be able to use their Lone Star Cards to purchase candy or sweetened drinks at grocery stores and other retailers across the state. The change is part of a broader effort by Texas lawmakers and state health officials to encourage healthier food choices among SNAP recipients, while also aligning the state with new federal policy shifts around nutrition and public assistance. What’s Changing for SNAP R

Governor Greg Abbott has expanded Texas’ winter storm disaster declaration, adding 85 additional counties to ensure affected communities can quickly access state emergency resources as severe winter weather continues across the state. The amended declaration brings the total number of counties under disaster status to 219, reflecting widespread impacts from freezing temperatures, snow, and icy conditions. “Communities across the state have been impacted by this weekend’s wint

Information as of 2:00 PM, January 25, 2026. As Winter Storm Fern moves through the region, thousands of East Texas residents are without power, with some counties reporting outage percentages exceeding 50 percent early Sunday. According to outage tracking data, more than 91,000 customers across Texas were without electricity as of Sunday morning, with East Texas among the hardest-hit areas. Counties Reporting the Highest Outages Several East Texas counties are experiencing s

Mexican National Fugitives Transferred to U.S. Custody on January 21, 2026. Photo Courtesy of Department of Justice. Federal authorities took custody Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, of 37 Mexican nationals accused of serious federal crimes, including narcoterrorism, large-scale drug trafficking, firearms offenses, and human smuggling, following a coordinated transfer from Mexico to the United States — with multiple cases tied directly to Texas federal courts. According to the U.S.

Several East Texas hospitals are classified as rural facilities under state and federal guidelines, making them eligible to apply for future healthcare funding. Several hospitals serving Jasper, Newton, Tyler, Polk, Sabine, Angelina, and San Augustine counties are officially classified as rural hospitals under Texas law, making them eligible to apply for upcoming healthcare grants tied to a historic $1.4 billion federal investment announced by Governor Greg Abbott. The fundin

Camila Mendoza Olmos, 19. BEXAR COUNTY, Texas — The search for 19-year-old Camila Mendoza Olmos has taken a tragic turn. On Tuesday evening, December 30, 2025, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that a body matching Olmos’ description was discovered in a field near her home. While official identification is still pending, authorities say the circumstances are consistent with her disappearance. Sheriff Javier Salazar stated that preliminary findings indicate the death

As 2026 begins, a wave of new state and federal laws is set to take effect, bringing changes that will touch nearly every corner of daily life in East Texas. From business taxes and employment to schools, law enforcement, and emerging technology, these measures carry real-world consequences for residents, employers, and local governments. Here’s a breakdown of the most significant laws taking effect in the coming weeks — and what they mean locally. Federal “Big Beautiful Bill

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched a sweeping statewide review of nearly 1,000 Texas cities — an effort to determine whether local governments are following long-standing financial audit requirements and whether any municipalities have unlawfully raised taxes above the state-mandated no-new-revenue rate. The initiative stems from SB 1851, a new Texas law that prohibits cities from increasing taxes if they fail to meet state transparency and audit standards. Paxton

Rep. Jasmine Crockett speaks at a campaign event after officially filing to run for the U.S. Senate on December 8, 2025. (Texas Tribune) TEXAS — U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) officially filed to run for the U.S. Senate on December 8, 2025, entering the Democratic primary just hours before the deadline and shortly after former Rep. Colin Allred exited the race to focus on keeping his House seat. Crockett currently represents Texas’ 30th Congressional District, first elect

RUSK, Texas — Authorities are searching for a 57-year-old man after his vehicle was found abandoned near the Neches River over the weekend. The Rusk Police Department  said James David Blount was last seen Tuesday. His vehicle was discovered Saturday along Highway 84 West at the Neches River , which marks the boundary between Cherokee and Anderson counties. Blount is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall with brown hair and blue eyes. Police have not released details on what he w

BEAUMONT, Texas - A multi-agency undercover operation led by the Texas Department of Public Safety resulted in 11 arrests. The operation, conducted Nov. 18–20, targeted individuals seeking to pay for sexual services and aimed to curb demand that fuels trafficking networks. DPS Special Agents posted ads on a website known for human trafficking and solicitation. The operation as made the recovery of two human-trafficking victims during a two-day prostitution sting at a Beaumont

STATEWIDE - Gov. Greg Abbott announced Tuesday that he has designated the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations as foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations under Texas law. The move, announced in a statement posted to Abbott’s official Facebook page, bars the groups from purchasing or acquiring land in Texas and grants the state new enforcement power. Texas Governor - Greg Abbott Abbott said the designation authorizes the Texas Att

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a lawsuit against Roblox Corporation, accusing the multi-billion-dollar online gaming platform of allowing sexual exploitation, grooming, and inappropriate content to reach minors — including children in Texas. Roblox, widely marketed as a safe and creative online space where users build and play games, has more than 70 million daily users, many of them under the age of 13. According to the lawsuit filed in state court, Paxton asser

Texas State Representative Brian Harrison Texas State Representative Brian Harrison is calling on the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to immediately stop allowing individuals without legal immigration status to register vehicles in the state — a move he says is necessary to protect public safety and enforce existing law. In a formal letter dated November 3, 2025, addressed to Texas DMV Board Chair Charles Bacarisse, Harrison said his office received reports indicatin

TEXAS  — Texans who dream of a law enforcement career outdoors will soon have the opportunity to apply for one of the most respected positions in state service. The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) will begin accepting applications on December 1, 2025, for the 69th Texas Game Warden Cadet Class. Texas Game Wardens are commissioned peace officers. They enforce state and federal laws while protecting natural resources, public lands, waterways, and wildlife. Wardens are