🗺️ MICROPLEX NEWS 🗺️
Vance rallies in Weatherford • Early voting ends today 👇
📅 October 30th, 2026AD
The top 10 stories everyone around the Hood County Microplex is talking about right now.
📋 TODAY'S TOP 10
1. 🇺🇸 Rally backs Paxton for Senate
2. 🗳️ Hood polls open until 7 p.m.
3. 📈 Johnson in-person vote up 59%
4. 🔥 Recent rain prompts the change
5. 🚓 Chase ended near Cresson
6. ⛽ State average now $3.70
7. 🏐 First title since 2023
8. 🌧️ Sunday warms to 81
9. 🕑 Extra hour at 2 a.m.
10. 🏆 Three national titles
🇺🇸 VANCE RALLIES IN WEATHERFORD
Vice President J.D. Vance spoke to supporters in Weatherford on Thursday afternoon at JRJ Construction, 1140 Ric Williamson Memorial Highway, FOX 4 reported.
He made the case for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton, who faces Democrat James Talarico on Nov. 3.
Organizers said it was the largest crowd ever assembled solely for the vice president. Hundreds more watched a livestream outside.
Weatherford police closed Ric Williamson Highway from Interstate 20 to Greenwood Road from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for the visit.
🗳️ LAST DAY TO VOTE EARLY
Today, Friday, Oct. 30, is the last day of early voting in person, according to the Hood County elections office.
Hood County voters can cast ballots from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Annex 1 meeting room at 1410 West Pearl St. in Granbury.
Anyone who misses today can still vote on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3. Bring an approved photo ID, and check the county elections page for Election Day polling locations before you go.
📈 PARKER TURNOUT HITS 35.7%
Early voting turnout keeps running ahead of the 2022 midterm, according to TexPolls, which compiles daily Texas Secretary of State reports. The latest counts run through Oct. 28, day 10 of 12.
Parker County has 47,801 early votes, or 35.7% of registered voters, with in-person voting up 48%.
Johnson County has 44,099 early votes, or 32.6%, and in-person voting there is up 59%.
Hood County has 16,449 early votes, or 30.4%, with in-person voting up 21%. Statewide, 32.7% of registered voters have voted early.
🔥 PALO PINTO LIFTS BURN BAN
Palo Pinto County commissioners lifted the burn ban on Monday in response to recent showers and more rain expected later this week, County Clerk Amanda Figueroa reported, according to the Weatherford Democrat.
Commissioners also approved a Starlink subscription for the sheriff's office at the same meeting.
The decision came at Monday's Commissioners Court meeting in Palo Pinto. Residents planning outdoor burning should still use caution and follow any local rules.
🚓 BURLESON CHASE ENDS IN 2 DEATHS
A Thursday police chase that began in Burleson ended near an airfield in Cresson with a man and a woman dead in an apparent murder-suicide, CBS News Texas reported.
Police said the two were estranged spouses. The woman was 34, and the man has not yet been identified. No shots were fired by law enforcement.
The investigation is ongoing with the Texas Rangers. HCE will update this story as authorities share more.
⛽ TEXAS GAS DOWN 6 CENTS
Texas drivers are paying a little less at the pump, according to the AAA Texas Weekend Gas Watch.
The statewide average for a gallon of regular unleaded is $3.70. That is six cents less than a week ago, but $1.10 more per gallon than on this day last year.
Texas is now one of 16 states with average gas prices under $4 a gallon. It ranks as the third least expensive state for gasoline, behind North Carolina and Georgia.
🏐 ALVARADO WINS BI-DISTRICT
The Alvarado Indians won their first volleyball bi-district championship since 2023 on Thursday night against Dallas Carter, the Cleburne Times-Review reported.
Alvarado reached that milestone under first-year head coach Vanecia Brown, giving the program a big moment in a new era.
Joshua also won Thursday night, sweeping North Side 3-0 in its bi-district match. That gives Johnson County two winners from the opening round of the volleyball playoffs.
🌧️ HALLOWEEN SHOWERS END EARLY
Showers stay in the forecast for one more day, according to the National Weather Service forecast for Granbury.
Today brings a 40% chance of showers and a high near 74. Tonight has a 50% chance of showers and a low around 59.
Halloween Saturday has a 50% chance of showers before 10 a.m., then a high near 75. Sunday looks partly sunny, with a high near 81.
🕑 CLOCKS FALL BACK SUNDAY
Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, the City of Granbury reminded residents.
Set your clocks back one hour before going to bed Saturday, Oct. 31.
The city's message to residents was simple: enjoy an extra hour this weekend. It is also a handy reminder to check smoke alarm batteries when you change the clocks.
🏆 STEPHENVILLE FFA WINS BIG
Stephenville High School FFA members brought home three national championship titles from the 99th annual FFA National Convention, the Stephenville Empire-Tribune reported.
Along with the titles, the chapter earned numerous other accolades at the national event.
It was a big week for Erath County agriculture programs. Congratulations to the Stephenville chapter and its advisers on a strong showing on the national stage.
THE BOTTOM LINE
🗳️ Early voting ends today. Hood polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Annex 1 in Granbury.
🌧️ Showers may linger into Halloween morning before clearing.
🕑 Set clocks back one hour Saturday night.
🗳️ Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Six counties. One region. Plenty happening.
Hood County Express — Est'd 1/26 🚂
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