Cedric Ricks, who was found guilty in 2014 of the double murder, is the second inmate the state has executed in 2026.
Ayden Runnels
Ayden Runnels is the afternoon/evening reporter. Previously, they were a breaking news reporter for the Las Vegas Sun. A graduate of the Mayborn School of Journalism at the University of North Texas, Ayden was a Dallas Press Club Foundation reporting fellow at the Tribune in 2023. They were born in the Houston suburb of Clear Lake and speak English and Arabic. They served as editor-in-chief of the North Texas Daily, UNT's student-run newspaper, and have worked on freelance projects for Newsweek.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Brandon Herrera gets Trump endorsement for 23rd Congressional District
Herrera, who won the most votes in the Republican primary for the seat, avoided a runoff when incumbent Rep. Tony Gonzales dropped out of the race amid an affair scandal.
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State Government
Footage shows the run-up to immigration officer’s fatal shooting of Texas man
The clips, from multiple angles, don’t include everything, including key audio. But lawyers for the man’s family argue they refute the Trump administration’s explanation that his killing was self-defense
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Steve Toth wins Republican primary, unseating U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw
Steve Toth, one of the most conservative members of the Texas House, framed his challenge of Dan Crenshaw as a referendum on the ideological future of the Republican Party.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Third victim of downtown Austin shooting dies
The three people killed by the suspected gunman were identified Monday. Thirteen people were injured in the Sunday shooting that the FBI called a “potential act of terrorism.”
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Supreme Court orders Dallas, Williamson counties to separate votes after poll hours extended
Dallas and Williamson counties closed centralized voting centers, which had become a common practice, at the request of local Republicans.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
President Trump endorses Sid Miller and Don Huffines, countering Abbott’s picks
Trump’s last-minute primary endorsements that directly oppose the Texas governor’s selections came hours after he spoke at an event in Corpus Christi on Friday.
Posted in
Immigration
Harris County immigrant legal services program can continue, appeals court rules
A similar lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against Bexar County was rejected by a judge on Feb. 20.
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Health care
Ken Paxton suing California doctor in second lawsuit citing Texas abortion pill law
Paxton’s suit follows another by a Galveston County man against the same doctor. Both cite House Bill 7, passed in September, that allows lawsuits over abortion pill access.
Posted in
Hill Country floods
Dan Patrick seeks to block Camp Mystic’s summer reopening pending inquiry into July 4 flood deaths
The lieutenant governor’s request to delay renewing the camp’s license came hours after parents who lost children in the July 4 flood sued the state for its alleged failure to enforce an evacuation plan requirement.