State Headlines
Prosecutor tells jury that teen’s killing at a Texas track meet was murder, not self-defense
Posted/updated on: June 5, 2026 at 3:47 pmMCKINNEY (AP) — Prosecutors told jurors Thursday that a Texas teenager competing at a high school track meet provoked a 17-year-old athlete from a rival team before fatally stabbing him in the stadium's bleachers as other students looked on. An attorney for Karmelo Anthony said his client did not instigate the fight with Austin Metcalf, telling the jury at the start of a packed murder trial near Dallas that it was instead an act of self-defense. Anthony pleaded not guilty over last year's stabbing, which stunned an affluent suburb where the pair attended school. The death last year quickly drew wide attention, in part because of social media posts that amplified the case in racial terms. Anthony, now 19, is Black, while the Metcalf was ... Read More
Some of the most dedicated World Cup fans skipping this year’s tournament, citing costs and politics
Posted/updated on: June 5, 2026 at 3:47 pmSoccer fans will soon crisscross continents to see their beloved national teams compete on the sport's grandest stage, the World Cup. They'll pack bars and fan zones, singing chants and debating who is going to win it all. This time, however, it's different for some superfans, who say organizers have made this summer’s World Cup the least welcoming one they have experienced. Ticket prices, expensive cross-country travel and concerns about entering the U.S. have prompted some of them to stay home. London-based IT worker Mike Wilson has been to four World Cups over the past 20 years. This summer, he'll be staying in Europe and watching part of the tournament from a Portuguese beach. Argentine doctor Emiliano Becerra likes to follow his team through every ... Read More
Cornyn praises DHS for opening Cornyn-created state border security reimbursement fund
Posted/updated on: June 5, 2026 at 3:47 pmWASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn released the following statement after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officially opened the Cornyn-created State Border Security Reinforcement Fund for applications from eligible states. The fund was authorized through a provision led by Sen. Cornyn as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, according to the senator's office. The law, also known as the Working Families Tax Act, included $13.5 billion in funding to reimburse states like Texas for "stepping up during the Biden administration to try and secure the border. "For four years, President Biden's disastrous open-border policies wreaked havoc on our nation, and no state did more to fill in the gaps to protect and defend the southern border than Texas," said Sen. Cornyn. "I'm ... Read More
Ken Paxton announces probe into energy drinks “to protect children from dangerous levels of caffeine”
Posted/updated on: June 5, 2026 at 3:47 pmAUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into Celsius Holdings, Inc. ("Celsius") based on the company's representations and practices regarding its energy drinks marketed to teens and children. Celsius owns Alani Nutrition, LLC ("Alani"), which sells the popular energy drink commonly known as Alani Nu. Alani Nu is a popular, low calorie, caffeine energy drink marketed toward young adults. Each 12-oz can contains 200 mg of caffeine. This is a level medical professionals consider dangerous for children and adolescents. Despite this, the brand employs colorful packaging, playful design elements, and youth-oriented branding strategies that appeal directly to younger consumers, raising serious questions about whether the company is deliberately marketing a potentially harmful product to an at-risk population. The National Institutes of Health strongly ... Read More
What to know about the New World screwworm fly and its reappearance in the US
Posted/updated on: June 5, 2026 at 3:47 pmSAN ANTONIO (AP) - The New World screwworm fly is threatening the $113 billion U.S. cattle industry for the first time in more than a half century, with an infestation from its flesh-eating larvae confirmed in south Texas. The infestation was discovered in a single 3-week-old calf in La Pryor, Texas, about 100 miles (161 kilometers) southwest of San Antonio and 50 miles (80 kilometers) from the U.S.-Mexico border. Federal and state officials had been working to keep the parasite from reaching Texas, home to $17 billion worth of the nation’s cattle, making it the industry’s No. 1 state. The deadly flies were detected in Mexico in late 2024 after years of being contained in Panama. The fly was an annual warm-weather scourge of cattle ... Read More
Abbott announces energy grant that will strengthen the Northeast Texas power grid
Posted/updated on: June 5, 2026 at 3:47 pmEAST TEXAS (KETK)– Gov. Greg Abbott announced an energy grant on Wednesday that will strengthen electric reliability in Northeast Texas. The funds from the grant will go toward a project to upgrade 700 miles of power equipment and are expected to impact more than 192,000 Texas consumers. Upgrades will include replacing aging copper wire with stronger aluminum and replacing existing utility poles. “Reliable electricity powers every part of Texans’ daily lives,” Abbott said. “As our state grows, we will ensure families, businesses and communities have the reliable, affordable power they need. Through these investments to upgrade power line infrastructure, Texas will remain the energy capital of the world.” The project is expected to be completed by early 2031. ... Read More
Additional child-sex charges against church volunteer
Posted/updated on: June 5, 2026 at 3:47 pmUPDATE: Additional child-sex charges have been filed against Doyle Hodge II, a church volunteer of Polk County who was arrested after allegations of ongoing sexual abuse surfaced last week. Hodge has now been charged with criminal solicitation of a minor and continuous sexual abuse of a child, according to the sheriff’s office. A warrant is being issued for indecency with a child by sexual conduct and his bond has totaled $325,000. POLK COUNTY, Texas (KETK) — After receiving multiple allegations of ongoing sexual abuse, Polk County officials have arrested a volunteer of several local churches last week. Mugshot of Doyle Hodge II, courtesy of Polk County Sheriff’s Office According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, they received reports on May 27 from adults and minors ... Read More
Police searching for man accused of deadly conduct in Polk County
Posted/updated on: June 5, 2026 at 3:47 pmPOLK COUNTY (KETK) — Authorities are actively searching for a man wanted on a deadly conduct charge in the Onalaska area, police announced Thursday morning. The Onalaska Police Department is looking for 35?year?old Bryant Todd Arnold, who is accused of firing shots near occupied homes in the Canyon Park area. Officers launched an investigation on April 18 after receiving reports that two suspects were driving through the neighborhood and shooting near residences. “The safety of our citizens remains our highest priority. Reckless and dangerous behavior that threatens our neighborhoods will not be tolerated,” the police department said. “We are grateful for the continued support and partnership of our residents, whose vigilance and cooperation play a vital role in keeping Onalaska safe.” Anyone with information about ... Read More
Panola County fugitive arrested by US Marshals in Nacogdoches County
Posted/updated on: June 5, 2026 at 3:47 pmUPDATE: Charles Seth Alexander, 38 of Timpson, was captured by the US Marshals Joint East Texas Fugitive Taskforce in Nacogdoches County on Friday. Alexander was a wanted fugitive out of Panola County and was the subject of a manhunt on Wednesday before he left the area. PANOLA COUNTY (KETK) — Law enforcement agencies are urging residents to avoid the area south of Lake Murvaul as a fugitive search intensifies on Wednesday afternoon. According to the Panola County Sheriff’s Office, multiple agencies are actively searching in the vicinity of County Road 198 and County Road 176. Deputies are being assisted by tracking dogs, horses and drones as they work through heavily wooded terrain. Officials are asking the public to stay clear of the search zone, lock ... Read More
American Airlines temporarily suspends some of its summer routes due to steep jet fuel costs
Posted/updated on: June 5, 2026 at 3:47 pmNEW YORK (AP) — American Airlines is temporarily suspending some of its routes this summer, as steep jet fuel costs continue to strain carriers’ budgets amid the war with Iran. In a statement, American said it had adjusted service for “select routes” in August and September — and that impacted travelers would be offered alternative arrangements or refunds. The Texas-based airline cited elevated fuel costs, and maintained that these changes were in line with wider industry trends. American also said that it was not cutting any of its routes indefinitely and that it was proud to “offer an industry-leading network with more flights than any other U.S. airline.” Still, the summer suspensions could cause more headaches for travelers already facing fewer flights options and higher ... Read More
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