Originally published October 20, 2026. References to current conditions or upcoming events reflect the information available on that date.
NEWS AROUND TEXAS
Home distilling case • Fair draws 2.1M • Tyler dam study
October 20th, 2026AD
TEXAS’ DAILY FRONT PAGE — THE STORIES MOVING THE LONE STAR STATE
TODAY’S TOP 5
- Justices take distilling case
- State Fair draws 2.1 million
- Four face tax shelter charges
- Tyler orders dam risk study
- El Paso courthouse evacuated
SUPREME COURT TAKES TEXAS HOME DISTILLING CASE
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Monday, Oct. 19, to consider Congress's power to ban distilling spirits in private homes, The Associated Press reported.
Members of the Texas-based Hobby Distillers Association won a Fifth Circuit ruling that found the ban exceeded Congress's taxing power.
Justices will review that decision. In a separate Ohio case, the Sixth Circuit upheld the ban.
Government attorneys say the restriction helps prevent producers from evading federal excise taxes, AP reported.
The law dates to 1868. Violations carry up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, according to AP.
STATE FAIR OF TEXAS DRAWS AN ESTIMATED 2.1 MILLION
The State Fair of Texas drew an estimated 2.1 million visitors during its 24-day run in Dallas, NBC 5 DFW reported.
That is about 100,000 more visitors than last year, according to figures released by fair leaders. This year's fair marked its 140th anniversary.
The fair's scholarship program awarded more than $1.2 million to more than 100 Texas students, NBC 5 reported.
Sunday, Oct. 18, marked the fair's closing day, according to The Texas Flyover.
FOUR TEXAS RESIDENTS INDICTED IN ALLEGED TAX SHELTER SCHEME
Four Texas residents face federal conspiracy and tax charges in an alleged tax shelter scheme, FOX 4 reported, citing federal officials.
Prosecutors say the scheme hid more than $1.5 billion in income and caused an estimated tax loss exceeding $200 million.
A federal grand jury in Dallas returned the indictment Sept. 22. The U.S. Attorney's Office announced it Friday, Oct. 16.
Prosecutors allege the defendants sold clients sham trusts for fees often exceeding $100,000.
The charges are allegations. All four face up to five years in prison if convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States, FOX 4 reported.
TYLER APPROVES $355,905 DAM RISK STUDY
Tyler City Council approved a $355,905 deal with HDR Engineering for a full risk analysis of the Lake Tyler East Dam, KLTV reported.
The vote came Wednesday, Oct. 14. City crews found sinkholes and signs of possible seepage near the spillway last year.
A February inspection rated the dam fair to poor. KLTV reported that the high-priority issues are not emergencies but are being addressed.
The dam dates to 1967. Lake Tyler supplies around half of the city's raw drinking water.
The study is expected to finish in spring 2027.
FIRE FORCES 200 PEOPLE OUT OF EL PASO COUNTY COURTHOUSE
On Monday morning, Oct. 19, smoke from a fire forced 200 people out of the El Paso County Courthouse downtown, KVIA reported, citing the El Paso Fire Department. No injuries were reported.
Firefighters received reports of smoke on the 13th floor just after 9 a.m., the department said. Battalion Chief Jesus Salmeron said the fire was contained to a transformer.
The courthouse stayed closed the rest of the day, and Monday’s El Paso County Commissioners Court meeting was canceled. Its next meeting is Oct. 26.
Early voters were sent to the El Paso Senior Center at 600 S. Ochoa St., the closest alternative site.
Next: A county spokesperson said the courthouse was expected to reopen Tuesday, KVIA reported Monday.
HOOD COUNTY WEATHER WATCH
Observed 2:15 p.m., Granbury airport (KGDJ): clear, about 79°F, east-northeast wind near 6 mph
Forecast (NWS Fort Worth): sunny this afternoon, high near 80, east-southeast wind around 5 mph
Tonight: clear, low around 53
Wednesday: sunny, high near 80
Wednesday night: mostly clear, low around 57
COMMUNITY PULSE
The State Fair drew an estimated 2.1 million visitors. If you went this year, what was your favorite part?
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