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Blue dragons are washing up in Texas. Here’s why you shouldn’t pick one up
animals | HARDGATE | LIFESTYLE | local | Local news | locals | outdoors | STATE | TEXAS | Texas beaches | Texas coast | WATERWhite Rock Lake Trail remains closed after large sinkhole opened along path
Community | DALLAS | DFW | DFW-hardgate | LIFESTYLE | Local news | outdoors | sinkhole | traffic | White Rock | White Rock Lake Trail | White Rock SpillwayKacey Musgraves returns to her Texas roots on ‘Middle of Nowhere’
arts | celebrities | Celebrity | central texas | Community | CULTURE | DALLAS | East Texas | ENTERTAINMENT | FORT WORTH | HARDGATE | LIFESTYLE | Local news | MEXICAN CULTURE | music | NATIONAL NEWS | North Texas | south texas | STATE | TEXASRudy’s Bar-B-Q starts Tyler renovations following January fire
Fort Worth ISD keeps kids fed over spring break with free hot lunches

Report: Texans lose billions to online scammers
| March 12, 2026
central texas | Community | consumer fraud | CULTURE | East Texas | ECONOMY | elderly | Local news | North Texas | online scammers | rural | social media | south texas | STATE | TECHNOLOGY | texans | TEXAS | TEXAS ECONOMY | TEXAS LEGISLATURE
Texas is one of the worst states in the nation for consumer fraud, according to a report from the Consumer Federation of America.

7 times labor unions shaped history in Texas
by Joey Held
| March 11, 2026
american history | austin | CIVIC ENGAGEMENT | CIVIL RIGHTS | Community | CULTURE | employment | EQUALITY | equity | FARMING | FORT WORTH | galveston | HARDGATE | LABOR | LIFESTYLE | protests | San Antonio | STATE | TEXAS | TEXAS HISTORY | WORK
From garnering better wages for pecan shellers to the first hotel strike in Texas, these labor unions have made a difference for their workers.

Houston, Fort Bend, and Aldine districts announce sweeping school closures
| March 11, 2026
Enrollment drops and budget pressures are driving widespread campus closures across Houston ISD, Fort Bend ISD and Aldine ISD. Three major Houston-area school districts are moving forward with significant school closures, citing declining enrollment, aging facilities, and financial pressures. The decisions have drawn strong reactions from educators, parents, and students, who say the changes will […]

Texas court blocks Ken Paxton challenge to Harris County immigration fund
| March 11, 2026
A Texas court blocked Attorney General Ken Paxton’s attempt to stop Harris County’s immigrant legal aid funding because the money was already spent. Now the fight heads to the Texas Supreme Court, where the stakes get even higher.

This new Houston Rodeo food stall is Beyoncé-approved
| March 11, 2026
The Houston Rodeo's newest food stall is Beyonce's mom.

Paddles up, Texas! The Veolia Texas Open Pickleball tournament has arrived in McKinney
by Sam Cohen
| March 11, 2026
Alex Valentine | Community | CULTURE | DALLAS | DFW | DFW-hardgate | LIFESTYLE | McKinney | North Texas | pickleball | SPORTS | The Veolia Texas Open Pickleball tournament
The Veolia Texas Open Pickleball tournament is underway in McKinney and runs until March 15. Here’s what you need to know.

I got to experience 3 classic game shows without leaving Texas, thanks to GameOn! HTX
by Joey Held
| March 11, 2026
Community | CULTURE | ENTERTAINMENT | fun | game on! htx | game shows | HARDGATE | HOUSTON LEAD STORY | HTX | HTX-hardgate | LIFESTYLE | play | TEXAS | THINGS TO DO
GameOn! HTX gives you a full game show experience right in the Lone Star State, making it the perfect activity for parties, big groups, and work events.

8 kid-friendly DFW destinations to visit on spring break
by Sydni Ellis
| March 11, 2026
CULTURE | DALLAS | Dallas Arboretum | dallas zoo | DFW | DFW Lead Story | DFW-hardgate | FAMILY | family friendly | FORT WORTH | Fort Worth Zoo | grapevine | Great Wolf Lodge | kids | Legoland Discover Center | LIFESTYLE | Netflix House Dallas | Peppa Pig World of Play | Perot Museum
Have a picnic, visit wildlife, and check out more cool (and educational!) spring break experiences in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Texas oil companies stand to profit from Iran war disruptions while consumers face higher gas prices
| March 11, 2026
Affordability | central texas | Community | crude oil | CULTURE | Donald Trump | East Texas | ECONOMY | iran conflict | Local news | local politics | NATIONAL NEWS | national politics | North Texas | south texas | STATE | TEXAS | trump | Trump administration
Texas’ status as the nation’s largest oil producer will partially insulate its residents from some gas price hikes, but it’s not immune to disruptions, experts say.

Texas is again where the buffalo roam
| March 11, 2026
“Land Back” movement | american history | ancestors | animals | black freedom | black liberation | Black Liberation-Indigenous Sovereignty Collective | buffalo | central texas | CIVIL RIGHTS | Community | conservation | CULTURE | East Texas | EQUALITY | historic preservation | History | indigenous | indigenous tribes | LIFESTYLE | Lipan Apache | North Texas | outdoors | San Antonio | south texas | STATE | TEXAS | TEXAS HISTORY | TEXAS POLITICS | Texas Tribal Buffalo Project | wildlife
Today, bison (commonly called “buffalo”) are once again thriving and providing for Indigenous people.

Uber puts safety first with nationwide Women Preferences rollout
by Sam Cohen
| March 10, 2026
central texas | Community | East Texas | EQUALITY | HARDGATE | LIFESTYLE | Local news | local politics | NATIONAL NEWS | North Texas | SAFETY | south texas | STATE | TEXAS | TEXAS POLITICS | TRANSPORTATION | TRAVEL | Uber | women drivers | women-only
Uber recently launched a nationwide “Women’s Preferences” feature for riders and drivers to increase safety. Here’s what you need to know.

76% of Texas voucher applicants are already enrolled in private schools or home-schooled
| March 10, 2026
Texas’ new $1 billion voucher program allots about $10,000 per student to be used on private school tuition. It’s paid for by taxpayer dollars.

Texans will head back to the polls for these runoff elections in May
| March 10, 2026
In Texas, a candidate must receive more than 50% of the vote to win an election, otherwise the top two vote-getters face a rematch in a runoff election, which will be held on May 26.

Texas hemp businesses fear an uptick in police raids after more than 15 in the last two years
| March 10, 2026
Allen | cannabis | central texas | CULTURE | DALLAS | DEA | East Texas | EQUALITY | equity | government | governor greg abbott | greg abbott | HEALTH | hemp | hemp-derived THC products | houston businesses | justice | lawmakers | laws | LIFESTYLE | local business | local government | Local news | local politics | marijuana | North Texas | police | SMALL BUSINESS | south texas | STATE | TEXAS | TEXAS ECONOMY | TEXAS LEGISLATURE | TEXAS POLITICS | weed
Attorneys for hemp businesses say the raids have hurt their revenue and reputation, while police said they’re necessary to root out products with illegal levels of THC.

Why did gas prices go up? Will gas prices go down? What to know
by USA Today Network via Reuters Connect
| March 10, 2026
Affordability | crude oil | CULTURE | DFW | Donald Trump | EQUALITY | gas | gas prices | government | HTX | iran conflict | LIFESTYLE | Local news | money | NATIONAL NEWS | national politics | natural gas | STATE | Strait of Hormuz | TEXAS | TRANSPORTATION | TRAVEL | trump | Trump administration
Gas prices appear to be soaring across the country — and in Texas — as the conflict in Iran continues.
Political Videos

Jasmine Crockett: ‘We are slipping further into a full on dictatorship’

How much will a Texas private school voucher cover?

Hutchins Mayor, residents condemn proposed ICE facility

Houston father demands answers about son killed by off-duty ICE agent

Texas American Federation of Teachers seeks injunction against social media investigations

‘Dangerous’ 287(g) agreements repurpose state officers as ICE agents

Houston Rep. Sylvia Garcia introduces bill targeting ICE overreach

Christian Menefee clinches Texas CD‑18 seat in runoff election

‘Caring is not weakness’: Hundreds protest ICE in Dallas

Houston schools approves magnet and Career Technical Education changes
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LOCAL STORIES

Rudy’s Bar-B-Q starts Tyler renovations following January fire
by Sam Cohen
| March 12, 2026
Community | DFW | DFW-hardgate | fire damage | food & drink | food and drink | LIFESTYLE | renovations | Rudy’s Bar-B-Q | Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q | tyler
Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q suffered extensive fire damage to its Tyler location. Now, though, renovations are set to begin.

Fort Worth ISD keeps kids fed over spring break with free hot lunches
by Sam Cohen
| March 12, 2026
Community | DFW | DFW-hardgate | food & drink | food and drink | food banks | food insecurity | FORT WORTH | fort worth isd | Fort Worth's Independent School District | free school lunches | LIFESTYLE | Spring Break | Summer Food Program
Fort Worth’s Independent School District is offering free hot lunches during Spring Break. Here’s what you need to know.

The Yellow Rose of Texas: Myth vs. reality
by Joey Held
| March 12, 2026
american history | Black history | CULTURE | Democrats | FAMILY | folk song | HARDGATE | History | LIFESTYLE | local | lore | music | myth | roots | STATE | TEXAS | TEXAS HISTORY | The Yellow Rose of Texas
You’ve likely heard “The Yellow Rose of Texas” in some form or fashion. Learn more about the classic folk song, including what’s fact and what’s fiction.

Report: Texans lose billions to online scammers
| March 12, 2026
central texas | Community | consumer fraud | CULTURE | East Texas | ECONOMY | elderly | Local news | North Texas | online scammers | rural | social media | south texas | STATE | TECHNOLOGY | texans | TEXAS | TEXAS ECONOMY | TEXAS LEGISLATURE
Texas is one of the worst states in the nation for consumer fraud, according to a report from the Consumer Federation of America.

7 times labor unions shaped history in Texas
by Joey Held
| March 11, 2026
american history | austin | CIVIC ENGAGEMENT | CIVIL RIGHTS | Community | CULTURE | employment | EQUALITY | equity | FARMING | FORT WORTH | galveston | HARDGATE | LABOR | LIFESTYLE | protests | San Antonio | STATE | TEXAS | TEXAS HISTORY | WORK
From garnering better wages for pecan shellers to the first hotel strike in Texas, these labor unions have made a difference for their workers.

Texas oil companies stand to profit from Iran war disruptions while consumers face higher gas prices
| March 11, 2026
Affordability | central texas | Community | crude oil | CULTURE | Donald Trump | East Texas | ECONOMY | iran conflict | Local news | local politics | NATIONAL NEWS | national politics | North Texas | south texas | STATE | TEXAS | trump | Trump administration
Texas’ status as the nation’s largest oil producer will partially insulate its residents from some gas price hikes, but it’s not immune to disruptions, experts say.

Texas is again where the buffalo roam
| March 11, 2026
“Land Back” movement | american history | ancestors | animals | black freedom | black liberation | Black Liberation-Indigenous Sovereignty Collective | buffalo | central texas | CIVIL RIGHTS | Community | conservation | CULTURE | East Texas | EQUALITY | historic preservation | History | indigenous | indigenous tribes | LIFESTYLE | Lipan Apache | North Texas | outdoors | San Antonio | south texas | STATE | TEXAS | TEXAS HISTORY | TEXAS POLITICS | Texas Tribal Buffalo Project | wildlife
Today, bison (commonly called “buffalo”) are once again thriving and providing for Indigenous people.






































