local
Texas’ big health priorities — dementia research, food labeling and ivermectin — have hit roadblocks
By Terri Langford, The Texas Tribune at KXXV (ABC 25) News
· June 23, 2026
· 9 min read
Last year, Texas became the first state to require warning labels on thousands of food and beverages containing common 44 dyes or additives, cleared the way for ivermectin to be sold without a prescription and approved a $3 billion fund for dementia research. All three were headline-making in the...
Key takeaway The $3 billion has already been set aside, according to the state comptrollers office and will remain unspent until the legal case is decided.
Why this matters in The Waco
The roadblocks facing Texas' health priorities have significant implications for Waco residents, particularly those affected by dementia. The Dementia Prevention Research Institute, which was approved by voters last fall, has the potential to bring much-needed research and resources to the area. With the $3 billion fund set aside, Waco could potentially become a hub for dementia research, creating jobs and stimulating local economic growth. However, the ongoing lawsuit has put these plans on hold, leaving families and caregivers in limbo. Meanwhile, the delay in implementing warning labels on certain food products and the sale of ivermectin without a prescription may also have local consequences, such as limiting access to information about food ingredients and potentially impacting public health. As the legal case unfolds, Waco residents will be watching closely to see how these health priorities will ultimately be implemented and what impact they will have on the community.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 9 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Last year, Texas became the first state to require warning labels on thousands of food and beverages containing common 44 dyes or additives, cleared the way for ivermectin to be sold without a prescription and approved a $3 billion fund for dementia research. All three were headline-making in the...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Terri Langford, The Texas Tribune at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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