State News
Thursday, May 7, 2026 · Austin
Texas Executes James Broadnax in Huntsville After Supreme Court Snubs Final Plea
James Broadnax, convicted in the brutal 2008 Garland studio slayings of two music producers, received lethal injection Thursday evening, hours after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his appeal over a cousin's confession. The 37-year-old became Texas' third execution of 2026, marking the 599th death penalty case since 1982. Witnesses described his final moments as he addressed victims' families from the gurney.
Spirit Airlines Shuts Down After Failed $500M Federal Bailout
Spirit Airlines, the Florida-based budget carrier with major operations serving Texas, ceased all operations Saturday after failing to secure a $500 million federal bailout from the Trump administration. The airline, which filed for bankruptcy twice since 2024, blamed surging jet fuel costs tied to the Iran war for making its financial situation untenable. Thousands of passengers across Texas are now scrambling to rebook flights on competing carriers.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Tesla Super-Sizes Austin Gigafactory with 50% Expansion
Tesla has kicked off construction to balloon its Austin Gigafactory by more than 50%, adding over 5 million square feet by year's end. The move promises a manufacturing boom in Travis County, cementing Central Texas as a powerhouse for electric vehicles. With Cybertrucks and Model Ys already rolling out, this expansion eyes thousands more jobs along the Colorado River.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Trump Says U.S. and Iran Will Sign Agreement on June 14
President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the United States and Iran plan to sign an agreement on June 14. The deal is expected to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and include provisions governing Iran's nuclear weapons program.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Southern Lebanon village counts 14 dead from Israeli airstrike
An airstrike in a southern Lebanese village killed 14 people last month. The strike marks one incident in an ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah that has claimed more than 3,700 lives.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Surveillance Program Set to Lapse as Congress Leaves Town Without Extension
A major U.S. intelligence program that enables surveillance of foreigners abroad through collection of domestic communications will terminate at the end of Friday unless Congress acts. Lawmakers departed Washington without scheduling a vote on extending the authority.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
U.S. and Iran near deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz, officials say
President Donald Trump and Iranian officials say a memorandum of understanding to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could be finalized within days. Pakistan has served as a key mediator in the talks.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
U.S. and Iran near deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz, officials say
President Donald Trump and Iranian officials say a memorandum of understanding to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could be finalized within days. Pakistan has served as a key mediator in the talks.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
U.S. and Iran Report Progress Toward Deal to End Four-Month-Old Conflict
U.S. and Iranian officials say they are moving closer to a deal that would end a conflict now in its fourth month. Specifics about when an agreement might take effect or how it would work remain unclear.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Israel launches air strikes on Lebanon as Iran signals progress toward US deal
Israel carried out air strikes against targets in Lebanon, according to Lebanese state media. Iran's foreign minister said negotiators were nearing a deal with the United States.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Justice Department Clears Warner Bros. Merger with Paramount
The U.S. Justice Department approved Warner Bros.' acquisition of Paramount, removing a final regulatory hurdle for the $111 billion merger. The deal combines two studios that together control HBO, CNN, and other major media properties.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Police Launch Investigation Into Officer's Use of AI to Generate Evidence
A police department has launched a criminal investigation into an officer accused of using artificial intelligence to create evidence. The department removed the officer from frontline duties.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
SpaceX begins trading on NASDAQ following record initial public offering
SpaceX shares started trading on the NASDAQ following the company's initial public offering. The listing made founder Elon Musk the world's first trillionaire and transformed numerous current and former employees into multi-millionaires.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
How extreme heat damages the human body
Human bodies employ natural cooling mechanisms, but these systems fail under sustained high heat and humidity. Understanding the physiological effects of extreme temperatures can help people recognize danger signs and take protective steps.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Trump Administration Orders Census Bureau to Eliminate Statistical Privacy Methods
The Trump administration has directed the Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis to stop using statistical noise—techniques that obscure individual data to protect privacy—when publishing survey results. Officials say the methods introduce inaccuracies; critics warn the change could limit available public data.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
FDA Approves First Over-the-Counter Glucose Monitor for Young Children
The FDA cleared Dexcom Inc.'s Stelo Glucose Biosensor System for over-the-counter use, expanding access to continuous glucose monitoring technology for children and adults not requiring insulin treatment.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Pakistan says U.S. and Iran reach agreement on peace deal text
Pakistan's prime minister announced that the United States and Iran have agreed on final text for a peace deal. Iran's foreign minister said the two countries have moved closer to resolution than at any previous point in negotiations.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
U.S. and Israeli strikes degrade Iran's military; administration claims strategic goals met
Joint U.S. and Israeli military strikes have significantly weakened Iran's armed forces and resulted in deaths of senior commanders. The Trump administration said Friday it has met its stated objectives, though details on specific goals have not been disclosed.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
CDC Activates Emergency Operations Center to Combat New World Screwworm
The CDC has activated its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate response efforts after the New World screwworm was detected in Florida. The parasitic fly larvae had not been found in the continental United States since 1966.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Trump Cancels Iran Strikes, Says Diplomatic Resolution Possible
President Trump announced he has canceled planned military strikes against Iran, stating that diplomatic negotiations could resolve current tensions. The decision represents a shift in his approach to the ongoing conflict.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Iran and Pakistan Say Deal With US Is Nearing Completion
Iran and Pakistan have stated that negotiations to end fighting with the United States have reached their closest point yet, mirroring comments made by President Donald Trump this week.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
New Reports Outline Strategies to Prevent Postpartum Hemorrhage Deaths
A new set of reports identifies preventable causes and treatment options for postpartum hemorrhage, the leading cause of maternal death globally. Researchers say implementing existing interventions could save thousands of lives each year.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Trump Names Jay Clayton as Intelligence Director Nominee
President Donald Trump nominated Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, to lead the intelligence community. Clayton served in Trump's first administration and represents a more traditional choice for the position.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
SpaceX Sets IPO Price at $135 per Share, Valuing Company at $1.77 Trillion
SpaceX priced its initial public offering at $135 per share, reaching a valuation of $1.77 trillion. The offering marks the largest IPO in history.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Trump Cancels Iran Strikes, Says Deal Nearing Completion
President Donald Trump called off planned military strikes on Iran, announcing that negotiations over ending the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz would soon reach a final agreement.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Trump Cancels Iran Strikes, Says Deal Nearing Completion
President Donald Trump called off planned military strikes on Iran, announcing that negotiations over ending the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz would soon reach a final agreement.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
U.S. and Iran move toward interim agreement on nuclear dispute
The United States and Iran have progressed toward an interim nuclear agreement, with U.S. officials preparing for a signing ceremony. The deal would reportedly lift oil sanctions and reopen shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, pending Iranian approval.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Abuse Survivors Burdened by Criminal Records Amid Ongoing System Failures
A researcher who authored a report on child grooming cases says the criminal justice system continues to fail survivors who were prosecuted as minors while being abused. Many carry criminal records that limit employment and housing prospects.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Trump Sets Sights on Iran Nuclear Deal as Weekend Approaches
President Donald Trump has indicated this weekend could mark a turning point in his administration's efforts to reach a nuclear agreement with Iran. The president has long sought to broker a deal aimed at de-escalating regional conflict.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Coons Discusses Trump's Intelligence Director Nominee
Democratic Senator Chris Coons of Delaware discussed President Trump's nominee to head the nation's intelligence agencies in an interview with NPR. The conversation touched on the nominee's qualifications and potential role overseeing the intelligence community.
Thursday, May 7, 2026