- Manor welcomes its first H-E-B store — Residents of Manor celebrated the opening of a 101,000-square-foot H-E-B store at Highway 290 and FM 973, complete with a 14-pump gas station. The grocer announced plans to employ around 335 local workers and donated $5,000 each to four community organizations.
- Water drilling plans paused in East Texas — A proposal to pump billions of gallons of water from the Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer was put on hold after a conservation district reached a settlement with a poultry farm and asked for further studies. The settlement requires the company to reapply for permits and delays additional approval until hydrologic research is completed.
- Unplug Texas Day declared statewide — The legislature designated October 21 as “Unplug Texas Day,” encouraging residents to set aside screens and engage in devices-free activities with family and friends. The initiative is backed by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission with tips for parents and families.
- Texas AG investigates Discord on child safety grounds — The state Attorney General’s office launched an investigation into the Discord platform, requesting data on extremist content and material shared with minors under the Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment Act. The probe follows use of the platform by individuals connected to recent high-profile violence.
