Originally published October 22, 2026 at 2:56 p.m. CDT. Election deadlines, weather, and evolving reports reflect that date.
Voting deadline • Deputy killed • Rural health funding
TEXAS’ DAILY FRONT PAGE — THE STORIES MOVING THE LONE STAR STATE
TODAY’S TOP 5
- Mail-ballot deadline Friday
- Deputy killed near Canton
- $8 million for rural care
- TCEQ takes permit portal offline
- El Paso whole blood program
EARLY VOTING TOPS 700,000
More than 700,000 Texans voted in the first three days of early voting, according to the Secretary of State's Office, as reported by Spectrum News.
Spectrum also reported a voter-registration backlog tied to Department of Public Safety software issues, including about 3,500 delayed applications in Rockwall County.
For Texans voting by mail, applications must be received by Friday, Oct. 23, not merely postmarked. In-person early voting continues through Friday, Oct. 30. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
DEPUTY KILLED, OFFICER WOUNDED NEAR CANTON
A Van Zandt County sheriff's deputy was killed and a Canton police officer wounded Tuesday, Oct. 20, while serving felony warrants south of Canton, KLTV and NBC 5 reported.
The officers were at a home in the 4300 block of State Highway 198. KLTV reported shots were fired from inside the home toward officers outside around 10:22 p.m.
The wounded officer was flown to a Plano hospital in stable condition, NBC 5 reported. NBC 5 also reported that the suspect was found dead inside the home. Texas Rangers are investigating.
$8 MILLION ANNOUNCED FOR RURAL CARE
Federal officials announced $8 million Thursday for 28 rural health care providers across Texas. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services outlined the funding in an Oct. 22 announcement.
Funding comes through the Rural Health Transformation Program and the Rural Texas Strong initiative.
Among the uses identified by CMS are replacing aging medical equipment, recruiting health care staff and addressing chronic disease in the rural communities these health care providers serve.
TCEQ TAKES PERMIT SYSTEM OFFLINE
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality temporarily took its online automatic-authorization permit system offline, Texas Gazette reported, citing The Texas Tribune.
Watchdog groups said data center permits had continued to be approved despite Gov. Abbott's pause, according to the report.
Applications now must be delivered in person or on paper. TCEQ spokesman Ryan Vise said applications must be physically provided to the agency, rather than submitted through the online system that is now offline.
EL PASO ANNOUNCES WHOLE BLOOD PROGRAM
El Paso firefighters will be able to give whole blood transfusions to patients before they reach the hospital. KVIA reported that the El Paso Fire Department announced the regional program Wednesday.
The department is working with University Medical Center and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center on the effort.
Vitalant and the Border Regional Advisory Council are also partners in the new whole blood program, according to KVIA's report.
“That's huge,” El Paso Fire Chief Jonathan Killings said of the program.
HOOD COUNTY WEATHER WATCH
Observed 2:15 p.m., Granbury airport (KGDJ): clear, about 81°F, east-southeast wind near 8 mph
Forecast (NWS Fort Worth): sunny this afternoon, high near 84, east-southeast wind around 5 mph
Tonight: mostly clear, low around 58
Friday: sunny, high near 85, gusts up to 20 mph
Friday night: mostly clear, low around 58
COMMUNITY PULSE
What practical tip would you share with a neighbor heading out to vote early?
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