The Ledger
Daily digest straight from the source
Thursday, August 27, 2026
The lead · Aug 27
Hale Center Teen Killed in I-27 Crash South of Plainview
A 16-year-old from Hale Center died Wednesday after the Silverado he was driving struck the back of a trailer on Interstate 27 near mile marker 44. Texas DPS says he was not belted. Superintendent Hector O. Dominguez Jr. said counselors will be on every Hale Center ISD campus Thursday.
Sources EverythingLubbock.com · KCBD
More Local
United Way Report: 42% of Lubbock County Households Can't Cover the Basics
The United Way's ALICE report, out Wednesday, finds 42% of area households — more than 62,000 people — earn above the poverty line yet cannot cover necessities. Community Impact Director Jessica Adams says a family of four with two kids in daycare needs about $76,000; the poverty line is $33,000.
Murder Retrial Underway After July Mistrial
A Lubbock County murder retrial opened Wednesday before Judge William Eichman, over a year after a 38-year-old man was killed on Clovis Road in April 2025. Eichman declared a mistrial in July after the defense said it had too little time to review police video. The defendant's name is withheld.
Sources KCBD
Smalls Sliders Plans Three Stores Across Lubbock and Amarillo
Smalls Sliders, a burger chain built around sliders, waffle fries and shakes served from modular shipping-container buildings, signed a deal announced Wednesday for at least three West Texas locations over the next five years. An earlier area expansion fell through last year.
Sources KFYO
Duffy Law Firm, PCWolfforth Steel Guitarist Brady Gandy Debuts at the Grand Ole Opry
Brady Gandy of Wolfforth, an insurance claims adjuster by day, played the Grand Ole Opry last weekend alongside Marty Stuart. He grew up in Bledsoe and took lessons at John Hartin's Levelland music store. Stuart has invited him back to the Ryman in late October.
Sources KCBD
State
Ross Fire Grows to 80,000 Acres in Palo Pinto County
The Ross Fire has burned 80,000 acres in Palo Pinto County and is 12% contained as of Wednesday, the Texas A&M Forest Service says — up over 30,000 overnight. Fire Chief Danny Watkins says crews reached Monday's grass fire in five minutes and hit five-alarm status within the hour.
Sources The Texan
Lawmakers Grill Barbers Hill ISD Over Its $200 Million Foundation
A Texas House oversight panel questioned Barbers Hill ISD's superintendent Wednesday about the district's education foundation, which holds roughly $200 million and takes about $133.7 million a year in tax abatement revenue. He also directs it. Three trustees sit on its board, and a relative's firm manages the assets.
Sources The Texan
Federal Judge Strikes Down Texas Drag Show Law Again
A federal judge in Houston struck down Senate Bill 12, which would bar drag shows with children under 18 present, for the second time. Judge David Hittner, a Reagan appointee, ruled Tuesday that it violates the First Amendment. Sen. Bryan Hughes wrote the 2023 law; Gov. Greg Abbott signed it.
Sources The Texan · The Texas Tribune
Judge Won't Force Texas to Hand Over ICE Officer to Minnesota
A federal judge in Brownsville declined Wednesday to block the release of an ICE officer Minnesota wants extradited over a January 14 shooting, where he faces assault and false-report charges. Minnesota argued he was a flight risk. Gov. Greg Abbott has said he will not act on the extradition request.
Sources PBS NewsHour · The Texas Tribune
U.S. & World
Meta Settles With 47 States for Up to $17 Billion Over Teen Harm
Meta agreed Wednesday to pay up to $17.1 billion to 47 states, Washington, D.C. and three territories to end a landmark trial over claims its platforms were built to addict minors. Texas draws $1 billion of it. Common Sense Media's Jim Steyer called the deal “an enormous momentum shift.”
Sources NPR · PBS NewsHour · The Texas Tribune
Advanced GraphixFDA Approves First Pancreatic Cancer Drug to Target the Disease's Genetic Driver
The FDA approved daraxonrasib, sold as Rasonque by Revolution Medicines, on Wednesday for advanced pancreatic cancer. It is the first drug to attack the KRAS mutation behind more than 90% of cases. Median survival ran 13.2 months against 6.7 on chemotherapy. It costs $39,800 a month.
Sources NPR · Just The News
Judge Lifts the Block on Trump's Mail-In Voting Order
U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani cancelled her own nationwide injunction Wednesday, clearing the Postal Service to work on the executive order restricting mail-in voting. She had blocked it on August 11 as likely exceeding presidential authority. Midterm voting begins in weeks and appeals continue.
Trump's Beef Plan Draws Rancher Backlash and Doubts It Cuts Prices
Trump waived tariffs on 300,000 metric tons of imported ground beef for 90 days on August 21, aiming to push prices 25% below market. Cattlemen's groups object that it undercuts herd rebuilding. NPR reported Wednesday that economists expect little effect at the register.
Sources Fox Business · NPR
Hawley Opens Flock Probe as Texas Cities Cut Surveillance Cameras
Sen. Josh Hawley opened an investigation Wednesday into Flock, whose 120,000 licence-plate cameras across 49 states log about 20 billion vehicle scans a month, saying the company “has assembled an unprecedented national surveillance web.” Pflugerville voted to disconnect all 28 of its cameras; Hood County covered its three.
Sources Fox News