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- MRT 5/26-27/26 (free): Paxton Easily Beats Cornyn in Runoff // Middleton Beats Roy // French Wins RRC Runoff // Goodwin Wins Dem Lt. Gov. Nomination
MRT 5/26-27/26 (free): Paxton Easily Beats Cornyn in Runoff // Middleton Beats Roy // French Wins RRC Runoff // Goodwin Wins Dem Lt. Gov. Nomination
Here's What You Need to Know in Texas Today.
Matt Mackowiak
May 27, 2026
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TUESDAY 5/26/2026 - WEDNESDAY 5/27/2026
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TOP NEWS
“Texas factory output growth slows to a moderate pace, outlooks stable” via Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas – For this month’s survey, Texas business executives were asked supplemental questions on artificial intelligence (AI). Results below include responses from participants of the Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey and the Texas Service Sector Outlook Survey.
Texas manufacturing output growth decelerated in May, according to business executives responding to the Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey. The production index, a key measure of state manufacturing conditions, fell 10 points to 9.4, a reading suggestive of an average pace of output expansion.
Other measures of manufacturing activity also remained positive but showed signs of slower growth this month. The capacity utilization index plunged 15 points to 5.2, the new orders index dipped four points to 6.4, and the shipments index fell eight points to 7.4.
Perceptions of broader business conditions were stable in May. The general business activity index edged up three points to 0.4, with the near-zero reading indicating no change in activity from April. Similarly, the company outlook index came in at 0.3, down from 3.0, with the near-zero May reading signaling no change in outlooks. The outlook uncertainty index was little changed at 19.2, remaining above the series average of 16.9. (Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas)
“AI takes on big oil’s dirty water problem in the Permian Basin” via San Antonio Express-News‘s Carlos Nogueras Ramos – Underneath the Permian Basin, the state’s largest oil field, lies an ocean of toxic, unusable wastewater that bursts out of rock formations when oil companies extract fossil fuels from the ground. For years, companies have struggled with how to dispose of it.
Now, many are turning to an ubiquitous, albeit controversial, technology to solve the problem — artificial intelligence.
In the race to keep up with skyrocketing demand for crude, oil and gas companies are increasingly turning to AI to gain an edge over their competition. (SAEN)
“Fort Worth receives international acclaim for film and TV production boom” via Fort Worth Star-Telegram‘s Brayden Garcia – Film and television production has exploded in Fort Worth over the past few years, and the rest of the world is starting to notice.
Since 2015, when the Fort Worth Film Commission was established, the film industry has driven $1 billion in economic impact and created over 50,000 jobs in Cowtown. Several major productions have filmed in the city, including “Landman,” “Lioness” and “Dutton Ranch.”
Fort Worth, and the Fort Worth Film Commission, were honored last week with the Emerging Location Award at the Global Production Awards in Cannes, France.
“In just 10 years, the Fort Worth Film Commission has grown from a new office to attracting top film and TV projects, like Taylor Sheridan’s ‘Landman,’ which was the third most-watched original series of 2025,” film commissioner Taylor Hardy said in a statement. “We have worked diligently to strengthen Fort Worth’s film economy and international image; this recognition solidifies our position as a premier production destination.” (FWST)
“Texas court weighs Infowars net worth as Alex Jones seeks delay” via Austin American-Statesman‘s Paul Flahive – Alex Jones testifies in August 2022 at the Travis County Courthouse. He and the company he founded are back in state District Court in Austin this week in an attempt to hold off collection of defamation judgments he’s owed since late 2021.
Attorneys for the parent company of Infowars and the conspiracy-peddling media platform’s founder Alex Jones are back in state court fighting collection efforts in the case stemming from his lies that the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a government hoax.
Jones, who was found liable for defamation after refusing to produce financial documents and comply with other court orders, owes nearly $1.5 billion to the families of the victims of the 2012 mass shooting, whom he called crisis actors in a staged shooting.
A hearing Tuesday to determine the net worth of Austin-based Infowars parent company Free Speech Systems LLC marked the latest legal wrangling in the state court case. The company’s value will be used to determine how much Jones should be ordered to pay in a bond to continue an appeal and effectively hold off efforts for his victims to begin collecting on a $50 million judgment in the Texas case. (AAS)
2026
“Ken Paxton defeats John Cornyn for U.S. Senate GOP nomination” via The Texas Tribune‘s Gabby Birenbaum, Kayla Guo and Alejandra Martinez – Ken Paxton won the Republican primary runoff for U.S. Senate Tuesday, ending over three decades of Senator John Cornyn’s electoral dominance in what amounts to a watershed moment for GOP politics in Texas. The Associated Press called the race for Paxton shortly after 8 p.m., about an hour after most polls closed in Texas.
Paxton’s win, coming on the heels of an eleventh-hour endorsement from President Donald Trump, will reverberate nationally. The result is a triumph for Paxton and his wing of the GOP, which prioritizes politicians’ zeal for destroying the left over traditional values like statesmanship and dealmaking. And it’s a massive blow to the Republican old guard in Texas and the political establishment in Washington, who were firmly behind Cornyn amid concerns about Paxton’s electability in November.
The outcome sets up a general election matchup between Paxton and Austin state Rep. James Talarico. Democrats have made no secret of their preference for Paxton, who they believe can be beaten due to the baggage he carries from a line of political and personal scandals. Paxton has run and won three times statewide, but Talarico will be by far his best-funded and most prominent opponent, and the first he will face running atop the ticket.
The attorney general received Trump’s backing a week before election day, providing him with a significant boost after both candidates spent a year lobbying for it. Paxton’s victory further demonstrates Trump’s iron grip on his party and the consequences Republicans can face for even mild criticism of a president who demands loyalty. And it sends a chilling message to the Republican establishment, which has now lost one of its most powerful senators and best fundraisers. (TX TRIB)
““The last of the gentlemen Republicans”: John Cornyn’s four-decade political career ends with a MAGA uprising” via The Texas Tribune‘s Kayla Guo – The beginning of the end for John Cornyn came in 2022, when he was doing the thing he was once praised for: whipping votes to pass difficult, bipartisan legislation.
That year, moved by the Uvalde school shooting, Texas’ senior senator convinced 14 Senate Republicans to buck the National Rifle Association and join him in passing the most significant gun safety bill in a generation.
“This was fundamentally important to the country at a time when things are so polarized and people are so intolerant of others that have different points of view,” he said after it passed. “I thought it was important to demonstrate the Senate could work.”
It was legacy defining, but not in the way he had hoped. Later that year, he was booed at the Texas GOP convention for an agonizing 45 seconds straight before he even began his remarks. When he launched into his speech, packed full of red meat, the jeers did not stop. (TX TRIB)
“Mayes Middleton wins the Republican primary runoff for Texas attorney general” via Fort Worth Star-Telegram‘s Harrison Mantas – State Sen. Mayes Middleton defeated U.S. Rep. Chip Roy in the Republican Party primary runoff for Texas attorney general, according to the Associated Press.
He will now face Democratic State Sen. Nathan Johnson in the Nov. 3 General election to determine who will succeed incumbent Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is projected to win his runoff against four-term incumbent U.S. Senate incumbent John Cornyn for the Republican nomination.
This is the first election since 2015 without an incumbent running to be Texas’s highest ranking prosecutor.
Chip Roy acknowledged the results in a post on X. “Just a little while ago, I called and congratulated @mayes_middleton for his victory in our race for the Republican nominee for Attorney General. I will have a full statement tomorrow. Onward,” Roy posted. (FWST)
“Bo French defeats Railroad Commissioner Jim Wright in GOP primary runoff” via Texas Tribune’s Carlos Nogeuras Ramos – Bo French defeated Railroad Commissioner Jim Wright in the primary runoff Tuesday night, prevailing in a campaign where French prioritized issues like fighting DEI and Sharia Law over traditional regulatory issues.
French will face Democratic state Rep. Jon Rosenthal in the November general election. A Democrat has not held a seat on the railroad commission in decades.
“I am deeply grateful for the support of TX Republicans across our state. Our campaign focused on defending oil and gas, and putting America First—and that’s exactly what I will continue fighting for as we turn our attention to radical Democrat Jon Rosenthal,” French said in a social media post.
The race for the typically under-the-radar office emerged on Tuesday as one of the closest contests of the night, with French leading with early voters but Wright narrowing the gap as the Election Day vote trickled in.
If he wins in November, he will join the three-commissioner panel presiding over the railroad commission, a century-old regulatory institution tasked with overseeing the state’s oil and gas industry, an immense enterprise that produced nearly half of all U.S. oil last year.
A former Tarrant County GOP chairman, French espouses some of the most extreme views among Texas Republican officials, even as the party has pivoted further to the right in recent years. Earlier this year, French called on his party to more openly embrace Islamophobia and said the U.S. should deport 100 million people, nearly a third of the country’s population and a number that suggests he wants to deport U.S. citizens. (Texas Tribune)
“Goodwin defeated Marcos Vélez and in November will face Lt. Gov.” via Texas Tribune’s Alejandro Serrano – State Rep. Vikki Goodwin of Austin won a runoff election to be the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, beating a Houston labor leader and first-time candidate who had indirectly received support from the party’s top campaign partner and racked up a variety of endorsements.
Dan Patrick, the popular GOP leader who is sitting on more than $30 million in his campaign coffers and won his own primary in March by the widest margin since he became the state’s second-highest executive 11 years ago.
“Tonight, Texans chose a politics rooted in decency, dignity, and the belief that our state belongs to all of us,” Goodwin said. “Now, we keep going, for public schools, affordable housing, accessible healthcare, clean water, and a Texas that is kinder, safer, and more hopeful.”
Goodwin and Vélez advanced to the runoff after neither secured more than 50% of the vote during the March primary.
On the campaign trail, Goodwin pitched herself to voters as a public schools advocate who will also fight for affordability, healthcare access and water infrastructure. Vélez, meanwhile, cast himself as a blue collar union leader who has a finger on the pulse of a working class that wants a lieutenant governor focused on affordability.
Goodwin will face an uphill battle to unseat Patrick, a close ally of President Donald Trump who has steadily pushed the Texas Senate, which he presides over, ever to the right. Most of the job’s authorities are derived from the rules passed by senators at the beginning of each legislative session. (Texas Tribune)
“Colin Allred tops Julie Johnson in redistricting-driven runoff battle of Dallas Democrats” via Texas Tribune’s Olivia Borgula – Former Rep. Colin Allred defeated his successor in Congress, Rep. Julie Johnson, in the Democratic runoff to represent Texas’ Dallas-centered congressional district, according to the Associated Press.
The Democrats were forced into an unusual race between predecessor and successor after Republicans redrew Texas’ district map to boost GOP chances to maintain congressional control.
The 32nd District, which Johnson currently represents and Allred previously represented, is now solidly Republican, pushing Johnson into the left-leaning 33rd District that Kamala Harris would have won by more than 30 points — had its boundaries existed in 2024.
District 33 contains about a third of the residents from the candidates’ former congressional district and is currently represented by Rep. Marc Veasey, who decided not to seek reelection.
Allred, a civil rights lawyer and former professional football player, first served in Congress from 2019 to 2025 after unseating 11-term Republican Pete Sessions. He left his seat to run for Senate against Ted Cruz and lost decisively in the 2024 midterms. (Texas Tribune)
“Tom Sell, Jon Bonck win open GOP primary runoffs for solidly red congressional seats” via Texas Tribune’s Ayden Runnels – Republicans Tom Sell and Jon Bonck won their primary runoffs Tuesday for a pair of open congressional seats in Texas’ South Plains and the Houston area, respectively, making them the heavy favorites to join the U.S. House next year representing the deep red districts.
Republican voters in Texas’ 19th Congressional District, which represents a wedge of West Texas from Lubbock to Abilene, elected Sell as the Republican nominee. Sell, a businessman with deep familial ties to Lubbock, was endorsed by several U.S. House GOP leaders, including House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer.
President Donald Trump won by a 52-point margin in the 19th Congressional District during the 2024 presidential election, his widest in the state. Sell’s opponent in the runoff, Abraham Enriquez, made his support for Trump a key element of his unsuccessful bid for the seat.
Trump did not endorse either candidate in the district, but Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick both threw their support behind Enriquez, with Patrick describing Enriquez as “the true America First conservative in this race.”
The seat opened up after Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Lubbock, who served in the district since 2017 and chairs the U.S. House Budget Committee, announced in November that he would retire. Trump had endorsed Arrington in his 2020 and 2024 reelection campaigns. (Texas Tribune)
“Rep. Al Green defeated by freshman Rep. Christian Menefee in a generational primary runoff contest” via AP – In a generational contest between sitting congressmen, freshman Rep. Christian Menefee defeated veteran Rep. Al Green in a Democratic primary runoff for a Houston-area district created last year by an unusual Republican-led redistricting effort.
Green, known for his protests during President Donald Trump’s speeches, has served in Congress since 2005. He became a standard-bearer of progressive legislation on racial justice, often drawing the ire of Republicans.
“I am so honored to have served for these many years, more than twenty. And I’m honored to have done some things that I’m very proud of,” Green told his supporters during an election night event.
“You probably see me smiling and it’s because it’s because this is not the end,” he added as the audience cheered. “This is the beginning of a new chapter.” (AP)
“Luz Elena Chapa wins tight runoff for Bexar County DA” via San Antonio Express-News‘s Saul Pink and Megan Rodriguez – Luz Elena Chapa, a former appellate court justice who campaigned on bringing an outside perspective to Bexar County’s top prosecutor job, won the Democratic nomination for Bexar County district attorney Tuesday night.
She narrowly beat Jane Davis, a career prosecutor who currently runs the office’s juvenile division and argued that Chapa was far too inexperienced for the job. Chapa carried 51% of the vote. She led by nearly 1,000 votes late Tuesday night with 86% of precincts reporting their totals.
“I look forward to carrying the Democratic Party banner in November and being Bexar County’s next District Attorney,” Chapa said in a statement Tuesday night.
A representative for Davis’ campaign said she’s still processing the results and did not immediately comment on the outcome. (SAEN)
STATE GOVERNMENT
“Texas could require hunters to report mountain lion kills under new state rules” via San Antonio Express-News‘s Liz Teitz – Texas wildlife regulators are weighing new rules that would require anyone who kills a mountain lion to report it to the state within 24 hours.
State regulators will decide this week whether to approve new rules for mountain lion harvesting, aimed at learning more about the species’ population in Texas.
Mountain lions, also known as cougars and pumas, are considered “nongame” animals in Texas, meaning there are no limits on when they can be hunted or trapped on private property.
Texas Parks and Wildlife commissioners are scheduled to vote Thursday on new rules that wouldn’t change that, but would require anyone who kills a mountain lion to report it to the state. (SAEN)
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
“Bexar County officials give go-ahead to tax break for H-E-B expansion” via San Antonio Express-News‘s Madison Iszler – H-E-B wants to expand its manufacturing and distribution facilities off of South Foster Road on San Antonio’s East Side.
Bexar County Commissioners Court unanimously gave the go-ahead Tuesday to county staff to negotiate a $15 million tax break for H-E-B’s proposed $700 million expansion of its distribution operations on San Antonio’s East Side.
The San Antonio company wants to add a bakery, refrigerated warehouse and building for returned goods to its cluster of facilities along South Foster Road and south of East Houston Street. H-E-B is making its largest-ever investment in its manufacturing and supply chain operations as the company opens more stores and makes more of its own products.
“This is a project of magnitude we have not had in our supply chain before,” Ben Scott, group vice president of real estate at H-E-B, told commissioners. (SAEN)
“North Texas cities take transit into their own hands with new rideshare programs” via KERA‘s Pablo Arauz Peña – Several North Texas cities are turning to rideshare programs to supplement – or replace – public transit. The programs work like other rideshare services like Uber or Lyft but are city-funded. Earlier this month, Plano, Addison, Highland Park and Frisco launched their programs in partnership with microtransit company Via.
Moniah Dailey, communications specialist with the city of Plano, said her city’s new pilot program for seniors 65 and older is performing better than expected just a few weeks after launch. “We are kind of ahead of where I think we were going to be,” Dailey told KERA.
Since it began on May 4, the new service, called Plano Rides, has completed more than 1,500 rides. The new app linked to the service has been downloaded more than 1,300 times. “For this service and it being like a niche demographic, yeah, that’s pretty successful,” Dailey said.
Currently, the Plano Rides service is free until June 4. After that, it’ll be $3 per ride, which is the average cost for the service in other North Texas cities. (KERA)
BUSINESS NEWS
“SpaceX wins major Space Force contract ahead of planned IPO” via San Antonio Express-News‘s Brandon Lingle – A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is seen lifting off from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in late 2023. The rocket was carrying 23 Starlink satellites. SpaceX on Tuesday received a $2.29 billion contract from the Space Force to build a military satellite network for communications and the “Golden Dome” missile defense system.
SpaceX has landed a $2.29 billion deal with the U.S. Space Force to build a satellite network for military communications and President Donald Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile defense project.
The contract, which appears to be the largest military satellite contract to date for Elon Musk’s space firm, comes weeks before the Starbase-based company is set to go public in what could be the largest-ever initial public offering.
The work will likely go to SpaceX subsidiary Starlink, which provides satellite internet service around the world and is the company’s biggest moneymaker. Starlink already operates Starshield, a secure network for the U.S. government and military. (SAEN)
“First look: Demolition starts for AT&T’s new billion-dollar Plano campus” via Dallas Morning News‘s Nick Wooten – One of North Texas’ most high-profile development projects has reached an important initial milestone.
Crews began demolishing the driveway and north parking garage at 5400 Legacy Drive last week, making way for the new billion-dollar-plus headquarters that AT&T plans to build in Plano. By Friday, excavators were picking through concrete rubble.
AT&T and project developer KDC have offered few details about the project and its timeline, but Plano Deputy City Manager Doug McDonald said larger buildings will come down in the near future.
Full demolition could take five to six months, he said. The property was once the headquarters of Electronic Data Systems headquarters, H. Ross Perot Sr.’s information technology company that was founded in the 1960s. (DMN)
“Inside the yearslong Texas Disposal Systems courtroom fight that split a family” via Austin American-Statesman‘s Paul Flahive – The Central Texas trash company the two brothers founded 50 years ago has grown into one of the nation’s largest independently owned waste management companies. It now reaps tens of millions of dollars in profit — but has torn their family apart.
Allegations of self-dealing, greed, stolen confidential business records and a behind-the-scenes sale attempt permeate more than 500 court filings in a court saga that has spanned four years.
This month, a jury found that one of the brothers and the companies they owned deserve a $116 million payout.
“I think the jury felt sad for both brothers, but their verdict was very clear that they believed that Bobby Gregory didn’t do right by the companies that the brothers owned together,” said attorney Casey Dobson, who represents Jimmy Gregory. (AAS)
“Defense startup to relocate HQ to Cedar Park, hire 135 new workers” via Austin American-Statesman‘s Karoline Leonard – Aeon Industrial Inc., an Austin-based defense startup, plans to double its workforce as it moves its headquarters to Cedar Park.
Aeon Industrial plans to build a 48,000-square-foot facility on a vacant lot in Cedar Park next door to Firefly Aerospace Inc.’s new headquarters, according to Cedar Park city documents.
“We’re making this move because demand has outpaced our current production capacity,” CEO and Founder Naweed Tahmas said.
Cedar Park City Council will vote on an economic development agreement this week to support Aeon Industrial’s new headquarters and manufacturing facility, which will represent a total investment of $8.5 million and the creation of at least 135 new jobs. (AAS)
QUICK LINKS
FWST: “Ken Paxton’s triumph is bad news for Texas, America and conservatism | Opinion” FWST
AAS: “Texas is a top state for influencers. Here’s how Austin factors in” AAS
FWST: “Texas encourages employers to help with childcare needs. Here’s why.” FWST
ABJ: “Scott Beck defends his bank from charter change criticism by Federal Reserve governor” ABJ
The Advocate: “Texas company to build data center near Alexandria that will employ 200” The Advocate
Fort Worth Report: “Associated Bank to expand North Texas presence, adding Brandon White as market leader” Fort Worth Report
TX TRIB: “Incumbent Rep. Hubert Vo defeated in Democratic runoff” TX TRIB
AAS: “Travis County voting results: Morales holds early lead over Ledesma-Woody for Commissioners Court” AAS
COMMUNITY IMPACT: “ROUNDUP: See Greater Houston-area Texas House runoff election results” COMMUNITY IMPACT
DMN: “Calm, not chaos, as Dallas County voters cast ballots in runoff with countywide system” DMN
FWST: “Fort Worth receives international acclaim for film and TV production boom” FWST
FWST: “Suspect in killing of boy, 16, behind Fort Worth Aldi pleads guilty to murder” FWST
EXTRA POINTS
Recent Texas sports scores:
Friday 5/22
> NBA: Oklahoma City 123, San Antonio 108 (OKC 2-1)
> MLB: LA Angels 9, Texas 6
> MLB: Houston 4, Chicago Cubs 2
> WNBA: Atlanta 86, Dallas 69
Saturday 5/23
> MLB: LA Angels 5, Texas 2
> MLB: Houston 3, Chicago Cubs 0
> MLS: Houston 1, LA Galaxy 1
> MLS: Dallas 2, Colorado 1
> MLS: St. Louis 3, Austin 0
Sunday 5/24
> NBA: San Antonio 103, Oklahoma City 82 (tied 2-2)
> MLB: LA Angels 2, Texas 1
> MLB: Houston 8, Chicago Cubs 5
> WNBA: Dallas 91, New York 76
Monday 5/25
> NBA: Oklahoma City 122, San Antonio 113 (tied 1-1)
> MLB: Houston 9, Texas 0
> MLB: Minnesota 4, Houston 1
Tuesday 5/26
> NBA: Oklahoma City 127, San Antonio 114 (OKC leads 3-2)
> MLB: Texas 10, Houston 7
Tonight’s Texas sports schedule:
> 7:05pm: MLB: Houston at Texas
Tomorrow’s Texas sports schedule:
> 7pm: WNBA: Las Vegas at Dallas
> 7:05pm: MLB: Houston at Texas
> 7:30pm: NBA: Oklahoma City at San Antonio (NBC) (OKC leads 3-2)
TEXAS SPORTS HEADLINES / LINKS