A DEFINING ISSUE
2026 ELECTION
The Waco
Government
Trump calls for NBC’s Kristen Welker to face ‘rebuke or punishment’ from the FCC
Treating the Federal Communications Commission like his own personal enforcer, President Donald Trump said on social media Sunday that NBCs Kristen Welker would be reported to the FCC for rebuke or punishment over a TV segment he didnt like. In a separate post, Trump complained i...
Republicans fret as Talarico bombards airwaves and Paxton awaits Trump team’s cash
Senate GOP leaders gave President Donald Trump a clear warning before the Texas primary election in May as he weighed endorsing Ken Paxton over longtime incumbent John Cornyn: If the state attorney general won, Trumps political operation would have to bankroll the expensive gener...
College football's 25 most powerful people: From Trump to ESPN to judges
In today's college sports landscape, power no longer resides solely on the sidelines or in the commissioner's office. It sits in television boardrooms, law firms, courtrooms and donor suites....
Thousands rally for fair elections
WASHINGTON
Corpus drought
The city of Corpus Christi declared the loosening of drought restrictions Thursday, in line with predictions made during a city council meeting earlier in the week....
Sober-living complex in North Waco up for zoning vote Tuesday
“This kind of housing is needed and it isn’t fair for us as Christians to say 'Put it in someone else’s neighborhood,'” said one neighbor who initially opposed the plan....
Congress faces a packed schedule as soon as lawmakers return from recess
Congress returns to Washington Monday for the first time in a month with a busy and condensed agenda as lawmakers make their final push to pass bills before the midterm elections. On the top of the agenda is a short-term government funding bill to avert a pre-election government ...
Grants come to area Texas veterans service organizations
Austin, Tx (FOX 44) - Over $2 million will be coming to area veterans service organizations in grants announced Friday. The money to the local groups is part over an overall $8.3 million announced by Governor Gregg Abbott as part of the Texas Veterans Commission Grants Across Tex...
Trump appeals latest ruling blocking his mail voting order from taking effect
The Trump administration is appealing a judges ruling that blocked limitations on mail voting before the midterm elections, the latest twist in a court fight unfolding days before the first states begin sending out mail ballots. The notice of appeal filed Friday comes after a fed...
Corporate political donations shatter record at $646M
Companies donated a record $646 million to U.S. political campaigns in the 18 months through June, 40% more than the total spent during the entire 2024 presidential election cycle....
Judge blocks rule implementing Trump plan to restrict mail-in voting
BOSTON — A federal judge on Thursday blocked the U.S. Postal Service from implementing core parts of a new rule it adopted at President Donald Trump's direction that would tighten mail-in voting requirements ahead of the November congressional elections....
Abbott 92, Lucas Christian 56
Abbott flirted with triple digits not only on the thermometer but the scoreboard, rocketing past Lucas Christian, 92-56, in six-man action Thursday night. #txhsfb...
Temple budget includes 10% cuts, rate increases for water, wastewater
Residents in Temple, Texas, are raising questions about a rising tax rate as the city finalizes its budget amid economic pressures hitting wallets across the board. Gasoline prices, food costs, and everyday expenses have climbed, leaving many working residents feeling the strain....
Texas A&M names interim provost, executive vice president
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas (FOX 44) - The Texas A&M University System's Board of Regents has unanimously approved the appointment of interim provost and executive vice president. The university announced Thursday that Dr. Jerry R. Strawser will be appointed effective Tuesday, S...
Killeen Temporarily Keeping Homeless Shelter Open, Pursuing Permanent Options
KILLEEN, Texas (FOX 44) — A week before it was set to close due to funding issues, Killeen's City Council approved temporary funding for the Friends in Crisis Homeless Shelter. A special called meeting was held on August 25th, in which City Council approved monthly funding of $29...
Republican nominee for Maine governor says he wants ICE agents at polling places in the state
Maine's Republican nominee for governor recently told a crowd of supporters that he would ask a top Department of Homeland Security official to send U.S. Marshals and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to polling places in the state for this fall's midterm elections, acco...
ABC is correct to fight against the FCC’s bullying | New York Daily News
Good going by ABC for suing the Federal Communications Commission and Chair Brendan Carr over his effort to require eight local ABC-owned broadcast stations (including New York, L.A. and Chicago) to submit to license renewals years ahead of schedule, announced…...
President Trump heads to Texas to boost Ken Paxton ahead of midterm elections
President Donald Trump will attend a Republican fundraiser for Texas Senate candidate Ken Paxton, with donors paying thousands for a seat at the table. Trump is heading to Texas to throw his support and money behind his hand-picked Republican Senate candidate, Attorney General Ke...
Voter enthusiasm gap steering midterms
We're near the end of the 2026 primary election season and the state of American democracy is looking — sigh of relief — better than expected.
Academy ISD passes balanced budget, lowers tax rate
LITTLE RIVER-ACADEMY, Texas (FOX 44) - The Academy Independent School District's Board of Trustees has approved a balanced operating budget for the 2026–2027 school year, along with a lower tax rate. The district says this newly-adopted budget includes an approximately one percen...
Tim Cowlishaw: Behind Rhett Lashlee and Kevin Jennings, once lost SMU football program is finding its way
DALLAS — The billboard along North Central Expressway, touting “K7NG OF DALLAS’’ — a Heisman Trophy campaign that involves a slightly tortured spelling of Kevin Jennings along with his jersey number — will be up soon enough. Whatever finger injury…...
‘There’s nothing like it’: Baylor Line voted No. 1 college walk-out tradition
By Hannah Webb | News Editor The Baylor Line’s claim to fame has always been that it is a “tradition like no other.” College football fans gave Baylor another reason to make that claim, as the Line was named the best walk-out tradition in college football. The tradition, which be...
Parasites in produce: The costly cuts of the FDA
By The Editorial Board A lot has happened since we left campus last spring: America turned 250 years old, Europeans discovered Buc-ee’s during the FIFA World Cup and the largest known outbreak of Cyclospora ever was recorded in the U.S., leading to over 15,000 confirmed cases fro...
Killeen homeless shelter gets reprieve, council approves funding
Killeen, Tx (FOX 44) - Killeen's only homeless shelter will be able to stay open the rest of the year after council members approved short term funding though December 31. On a 7-0 vote in a special meeting Tuesday, the Killeen city council approved $29,000 a month for the Friend...
Bosque County Judge appoints Pct. 4 commissioner
After the passing of Ronny Liardon, a longtime Bosque County Commissioner, Gary Liardon, Ronnys brother, has stepped up to represent the citizens of precinct four. Gary Liardon will run as a write-in candidate for the upcoming election Election Day is November 3rd The first thing...
Democratic states file new lawsuit seeking to block Trump’s order limiting mail voting in midterms
Democratic-controlled states on Wednesday filed another lawsuit challenging President Donald Trumps executive order seeking to limit mail voting in this year's midterm elections. The action, filed by about two dozen states against the U.S. Postal Service, marked a new phase in th...
Super Centex Podcast: Week 1 bangers, breakout stars, unranked and underrated teams, All-Name Team selections
LISTEN: Who will be some breakout stars of 2026? Which Week 1 games are absolute bangers? Plus unranked/underrated teams, the All-Name Team & more on the Super Centex Podcast. #txhsfb...
USPS proposes holiday shipping price hikes for 2026 peak season
The U.S. Postal Service filed notice Tuesday with the Postal Regulatory Commission for temporary package price increases during the 2026 holiday peak season. The temporary increases are intended to offset higher handling and operational costs during peak shipping demand. The rate...
KISD cuts spending, rolls back tax rate
Killeen, Tx (FOX 44) - The KISD board has adopted a general fund budget some $17.6 million dollars less than last year, meaning a lower tax rate and smaller deficit. In their Tuesday night meeting, the KISD Board of Trustees adopted a General Fund near $502.9 million and reduced ...
Poll: Voters favor Dems on cost of living
Voters have signaled that cost of living will be the most important factor for how they vote in the November midterm elections.
McLennan County approves 4-cent tax rate hike and new budget
Commissioners continued making budget cuts Tuesday morning, ultimately trimming an initial proposal for a 6-cent tax rate hike to 4 cents.
Waco takes next step toward reshaping downtown development
By Joana Karoshi | Staff Writer The Waco Plan Commission held a public hearing Tuesday evening to conduct the final review of the downtown form-based code, a proposed zoning framework intended to guide future development in downtown Waco. The commission unanimously approved the r...
Woodway OKs 2.8-cent tax rate bump, $13.6M general fund
Woodway's proposed budget will cover 2% staff raises across the board and redirect revenue to a long-term street fund the city used to balance the general fund last year....
Sen. Darline Graham wins GOP primary runoff to replace her late brother in US Senate
U.S. Sen. Darline Graham won the Republican nomination to replace her late brother Lindsey Graham on South Carolinas general election ballot. Darline Graham defeated U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman in Tuesdays special Republican primary runoff, two weeks after they were the top two finish...
McLennan County approves property tax rate increase
McLennan County commissioners approved a 4-cent property tax rate increase, bringing the rate to about 37.48 cents per $100 of property value. WATCH HERE: McLennan County approves property tax rate increase The hike passed with a 3-2 vote. Commissioners expressed sympathy for nei...
VIDEO: Who made the 2026 preseason Super Centex Football Team?
VIDEO: Who made the 2026 preseason Super Centex Football Team? Check out the selections here. #txhsfb
What's next after Supreme Court clears path for Trump mail-in ballot order ahead of midterms?
The Supreme Court handed President Donald Trump a legal victory on mail-in voting, lifting a key hurdle to his executive order just 70 days before the midterm elections a decision that is already drawing sharp reactions from both parties. In a 6-3 ruling, the court said the state...
Iranian state media video appears to threaten Barron Trump's life
The U.S. Secret Service has confirmed it is aware that Iranian state media has aired a video that appears to threaten the life of Barron Trump, President Donald Trump's youngest son. In July, President Trump left Air Force One via a catering truck and boarded a separate military ...
Crypto, AI and betting firms fuel record elections spending
U.S. companies spent an unprecedented $517 million on U.S. House and Senate races in the 15 months through the end of the first quarter of 2026.
Poll: Americans want stronger rules for AI in schools
As millions of students head back to the classroom, new research shows a growing majority of U.S. voters are concerned about the impact of artificial intelligence technologies on learning and want policymakers in Washington to act to establish better safeguards. The research , le...
Elections still on hold
WAR IN UKRAINE| Q&A
Everyone is for affordability, but no candidate will deliver
Remember "affordability" mania?The time was 2025. A young, charismatic democratic socialist candidate for New York City mayor named Zohran Mamdani became a viral sensation. His secret? "Affordability."...
Justices lift hurdle to mail ballot restrictions
The Supreme Court lifted a judicial decision Monday blocking President Donald Trump's administration from implementing his executive order to restrict the use of mail-in ballots ahead of the November midterm elections that will decide control of Congress — though another…...
Supreme Court sides with Trump administration on mail voting restrictions ahead of midterms
WASHINGTON (AP) The Supreme Court opened a path Monday for possible implementation of President Donald Trump's executive order restricting mail-in voting, though it remains unclear how much can be put in place before the fast-approaching midterm elections. The decision leaves roo...
Father of sailor aboard USS Abraham Lincoln taken into immigration detention
The immigrant father of a U.S. sailor on board the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier was taken into federal immigration detention, the sailor said in a Facebook post....
Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries meets with Jared Kushner ahead of midterms
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and President Donald Trump's son-in-law and outside adviser Jared Kushner met privately recently in New York, a signal that the White House is seeking ways to work with Democrats if they wrest majority control from Republicans in the midter...
Killeen homeless shelter faces closure as council debates funding solutions
A Killeen city council member has apologized after comments about homeless veterans sparked public backlash, as the Friends in Crisis shelter faces closure. The Killeen Friends in Crisis homeless shelter could close as soon as Sept. 1 without new funding from the city. Last week,...
Paxton, Talarico tap contrary versions of religion
ELECTION 2026
Baylor, we’re back: Meet The Lariat’s Editorial Board
By The Editorial Board Welcome back to campus, Bears. We are so glad you are here. Whether today is your first day at Baylor or you’ve done this a few times, we hope your first day of classes goes well. To begin the year, we want to explain who is behind the editorials you see ev...