// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did 2026 in Texas say? "I'm a big deal, y'all.
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The following is a list of events of the year 2026 in the U.S. state of Texas.
Incumbents
[edit]State government
[edit]- Governor: Greg Abbott (R)
- Lieutenant Governor: Dan Patrick (R)
- Attorney General: Ken Paxton (R)
- Comptroller: Kelly Hancock (acting) (R)
- Land Commissioner: Dawn Buckingham (R)
- Agriculture Commissioner: Sid Miller (R)
- Railroad Commissioners: Christi Craddick (R), Wayne Christian (R), and Jim Wright (R)
Events
[edit]January
[edit]- January 3 – Cuban national Geraldo Lunas Campos dies while being restrained by immigration agents at Camp East Montana in El Paso. His death is ruled a homicide. A witness to his death says Lunas Campos repeatedly said "I can't breathe" in Spanish while he was restrained.[1]
- January 21 – Former Uvalde CISD Police officer Adrian Gonzales is acquitted of child abandonment and endangerment for his part in the response to the Robb Elementary School shooting that killed 19 in 2022. Gonzales was accused of abandoning his training and not confronting the gunman before he entered the school.[2]
- January 24–27 – January 2026 North American winter storm: 6 people die across Texas due to snowstorms, including three young brothers who fall through an ice pond in Bonham.[3]
- January 28 – Charles Victor Thompson is executed at the Huntsville Unit state prison for the murder of his former girlfriend and her new boyfriend in 1998. He is the first person to be executed in the U.S. in 2026.[4]
- January 31
- In an upset, Democrat Taylor Rehmet wins a special election in the Texas Senate District 9 special election, beating Leigh Wambsganss with 57.2% of the vote. The district had favored President Trump by 17 points in the 2024 presidential election.[5]
- 2025–26 Texas's 18th congressional district special election: Former Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee wins the special election run-off for the seat held by Sylvester Turner, who died in March 2025. Menefee beat former Houston City Councilmember Amanda Edwards.[6]
February
[edit]- February 10–11 – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) abruptly closes the airspace above El Paso International Airport. Though the restrictions are initially announced to last until February 20, they are lifted the morning of February 11. It is later announced that the shutdown occurred after Customs and Border Protection (CBP) used an anti-drone laser to shoot down what turned out to be party balloons.[7][8]
- February 21 – 25-year-old Joshua Orta dies in a car crash in San Antonio. Orta witnessed the ICE killing of his friend, American citizen Ruben Ray Martinez, on South Padre Island in March 2025. ICE's involvement in Martinez's killing had been disclosed to the public a week prior to Orta's death.[9]
- February 26 – A Department of Defense anti-drone laser system shoots down a CBP drone near Fort Hancock.[10]
- February 28 – Four people are killed and two are injured in a shooting in Edinburg. The Hidalgo County Sheriff says the shooting is connected to a road rage incident and dispute between neighbors.[11]
March
[edit]- March 1 – A gunman kills three people and injures 15 outside a bar in Downtown Austin before being killed by police.[12]
- March 3
- Camp East Montana is closed to visitors due to a measles outbreak.[13]
- Primary Elections for various races in Texas are held.[14]
- U.S. Senate Election in Texas: State Representative James Talarico wins the Democratic primary, beating incumbent U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett.[15]
- U.S. House Election, Texas District 2: State Representative Steve Toth wins the Republican primary, beating incumbent U.S. Representative Dan Crenshaw.[16]
- March 5 – U.S. House Election, Texas District 23: Incumbent U.S. Representative Tony Gonzales drops out of his re-election campaign, following his admission that he had an affair with an aide who committed suicide by self-immolation. Brandon Herrera, a YouTuber and gun manufacturer, presumptively becomes the Republican nominee.[17]
- March 5–17 – The 2026 World Baseball Classic is held at several locations, including Daikin Park in Houston.[18]
- March 23
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are deployed to 14 airports nationwide, including William P. Hobby Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport.[19]
- A large explosion occurs at a Valero Energy oil refinery in Port Arthur. No injuries are reported.[20]
- March 25–28 – The 2026 Conservative Political Action Conference is held at the Gaylord Texan Resort Hotel & Convention Center in Grapevine.[21]
- March 27 – ESPN reports that the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA will be sold to the Fertitta family and relocated to Houston, where the Fertitta-owned Houston Rockets play.[22]
- March 30 – A high school student shoots a teacher in Bulverde before killing himself.[23]
April
[edit]- April 1 – The Texas Department of Criminal Justice implements a policy prohibiting prisoners from receiving donated hardcover books after many were found containing synthetic drugs.[24]
- April 13 – Representative Tony Gonzales says he will resign from Congress on Tuesday after admitting to having an affair with a staff member.[25]
- April 21 – An appeals court rules in favor of Texas Senate Bill 10, which requires public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms.[26]
- April 22 – The city of Houston amends an ordinance that limited police cooperation with ICE, following a threat by Governor Abbott to revoke funding.[27]
- April 24 – A judge rules in favor of a 2023 state law that allows state police to arrest people suspected of being in the country illegally.[28]
- April 25 – Two people are killed by tornados in north Texas, one in Runaway Bay and another near Springtown.[29]
- April 27 – The Supreme Court rules 6–3 in favor of the state of Texas's redistricted House map that was designed to favor Republicans.[30]
- April 30 – A plane carrying members of an Amarillo pickleball club crashes in Wimberley, killing five people.[31]
May
[edit]- May 2 – Two people are killed and ten injured in a shooting at an apartment party in Amarillo.[32]
- May 10 – Six people are found dead in a train boxcar in Laredo. A seventh person is found dead in San Antonio the next day, and their death is believed to be connected. Officials say the victims may have been smuggled into the United States from Mexico, and that they likely died of hyperthermia.[33][34]
- May 15 – Texas Children's Hospital in Houston reach a settlement with Attorney General Paxton to open the country's first detransition clinic following a lawsuit over its staff providing gender-affirming care to minors.[35]
- May 16–17 – Four people are injured in a series of shootings in South Austin. During the shooting spree, two firehouses are shot at, and four cars are stolen. Three teenagers are arrested.[36]
- May 18 – The Texas A&M Aggies beat the Auburn Tigers to win the NCAA Division I women's tennis tournament.[37]
- May 21 – Texas' first case of West Nile virus in 2026 is reported in Harris County.[38]
- May 28 – A fire destroys a two-story apartment building in Dallas. Three people are killed and five are injured.[39]
June
[edit]- June 1 – Artist Robert Wyland files a lawsuit against FIFA and others over the removal of his Whaling Wall mural in Dallas. The mural was painted over in May and replaced with art promoting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Wyland's lawsuit accuses the World Cup organizers of violating a 1990 law that requires artists to be notified before painting over their murals.[40]
- June 3 – The USDA confirms the presence of New World screwworm in Zavala County.[41]
- June 4 – In college softball, the Texas Longhorns defeats the Texas Tech Red Raiders 4–1 in Game 2 of the Women's College World Series finals to win the 2026 NCAA Division I softball tournament, their back-to-back title.
- June 6 – The Sheraton Arlington Hotel in Arlington is being imploded ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to make way for the new $500 million Loews resort, known as The Americana.[42]
- June 9 – Karmelo Anthony, who stabbed Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet in Frisco in 2025, is convicted of murder.[43]
- June 11–July 19 – The United States hosts the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with a number of matches being held in AT&T Stadium in Arlington and NRG Stadium in Houston.[44]
- June 12 – A man fires at bystanders and barricades himself in an abandoned veterinary clinic in Midland. One person is killed and ten are injured. Following a standoff, police kill the man, who was already being sought for shooting a police officer days earlier.[45]
- June 13 – James Harden is arrested in Harris County and charged with misdemeanor unlawful carrying of weapons.[46]
- June 18 – In United States v. Hemani, the Supreme Court rules that a law banning users of controlled substances from possessing firearms is partly illegal. The case centered on Ali Hemani, who was charged for possessing firearms as a casual marijuana user.[47]
- June 23 – Eight people convicted in connection to the shooting of a police officer near an ICE facility in Alvarado are sentenced, ranging from 30 to 100 years in prison. Benjamin Song, who was convicted of shooting the officer, is sentenced to 100 years in prison.[48]
- June 24 – Camp Mystic, which was severely damaged in the July 2025 Central Texas floods that killed 28 people from the camp, files for bankruptcy.[49]
- June 26 – The Texas State Board of Education approves a proposal that would require public school students to read Bible verses.[50]
- June 28 – ICE agents detain a nun while she is walking to a church for Mass in McAllen. She is later released.[51]
July
[edit]- July 1 – Universal Kids Resort opens in Frisco, Texas.
- July 7 – ICE agents fatally shoot Mexican national Lorenzo Salgado Araujo during a traffic stop in Houston, saying he attempted to ram agents.[52]
- July 9 – The Tormenta Rampaging Run Dive roller coaster opens at Six Flags Over Texas, making it the tallest Dive Coaster and the first to exceed 300 feet as a height.[53]
- July 15 – Floods strikes parts of Texas, including Uvalde and Kerrville. Two people are killed, one in Kerr County and another in Uvalde.[54]
Scheduled events
[edit]- September 30 – The Neiman Marcus flagship store in Downtown Dallas is set to close permanently.[55]
Deaths
[edit]- August – Kay Granger, 83, U.S. Representative for TX-12 (1997–2025).[56]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Abbott, Jeff; Martinez, Aaron (January 15, 2026). "Report: Cuban immigrant's death at Camp East Montana likely 'homicide'". El Paso Times. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
- ↑ Gonzalez, Valerie; Vertuno, Jim (January 21, 2026). "Jury acquits ex-officer of charges he failed his duty to confront gunman in Texas school shooting". The Associated Press. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
- ↑ Cortez, Julio; Stengle, Jamie (January 27, 2026). "3 young brothers in Texas die after falling through icy pond during winter storm". The Associated Press. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
- ↑ "Texas man convicted of 2 fatal shootings becomes the 1st person executed in the US this year". ABC 7. January 28, 2026. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
- ↑ Mueller, Julia (February 1, 2026). "Democrats flip Texas state Senate seat in shock upset". The Hill. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
- ↑ English, Molly (February 1, 2026). "Democrat Christian Menefee wins special US House runoff in Texas, shrinking GOP majority even further". CNN. Retrieved February 1, 2026.
- ↑ Lubold, Gordon; Kube, Courtney; De Luce, Dan; Gains, Mosheh (February 12, 2026). "CBP shot down party balloons with anti-drone tech before FAA closed El Paso airspace, sources say". NBC News. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
- ↑ Ray, Siladitya (February 11, 2026). "FAA Suddenly Reopens El Paso Airspace After 'Cartel Drone Incursion,' Transportation Secretary Says". Forbes. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
- ↑ Biesecker, Michael; Bedayn, Jesse (February 23, 2026). "Witness who saw friend fatally shot by immigration agent in Texas last year dies in car accident". The Associated Press. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
- ↑ Gains, Mosheh; Helsel, Phil (February 27, 2026). "U.S. military reportedly used a laser to shoot down Customs and Border Protection drone, sparking new air closure". NBC News. The Associated Press. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
- ↑ Garcia, Claudia (March 1, 2026). "Neighbor dispute leads to deadly shooting in rural Edinburg". KRGV. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
- ↑ Cobler, Nicole (March 1, 2026). "3 dead, 14 injured in Austin mass shooting". Axios. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
- ↑ "A large immigration detention camp in Texas is closed to visitors amid measles outbreak". The Associated Press. March 3, 2026. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
- ↑ "Texas Senate Primary Results 2026". NBC News. March 3, 2026. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
- ↑ Crampton, Liz (March 4, 2026). "Talarico defeats Crockett in Texas Senate Democratic primary". Politico. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
- ↑ John, Arit; English, Molly (March 4, 2026). "Texas Rep. Steve Toth will defeat GOP Rep. Dan Crenshaw in primary upset". CNN. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
- ↑ Coronell Uribe, Raquel (March 5, 2026). "Rep. Tony Gonzales drops re-election bid amid ethics probe into his affair with a staffer". NBC News.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Reineking, Jim (March 5, 2026). "World Baseball Classic 2026 host stadiums and cities for every game". USA Today. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
- ↑ Skores, Alexandra (March 23, 2026). "Live updates: ICE agents deployed to airports as TSA wait times grow". CNN. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
- ↑ "Large oil refinery explosion near Texas coast forces residents to shelter in place". NBC News. The Associated Press. March 24, 2026. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
- ↑ Hazard, Charlotte (March 10, 2026). "CPAC announces 2026 speakers including Nick Shirley, Ken Paxton, Ted Cruz". KTUL. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
- ↑ Philippou, Alexa (March 27, 2026). "Sources: Sun sold to Fertitta family, will relocate to Houston". ESPN. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
- ↑ Shen, Angela (March 30, 2026). "Bulverde school shooting: Teacher shot by student, student dead". FOX 7 Austin. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
- ↑ Carter, Zahiyah (May 28, 2026). "Texas' newest prison book ban curbs hardback, used texts". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
- ↑ "Tony Gonzales says he will resign from House". POLITICO. April 13, 2026. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
- ↑ Stengle, Jamie (April 21, 2026). "Texas can require public schools to display Ten Commandments in classrooms, court rules". The Associated Press. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
- ↑ Lozano, Juan A. (April 22, 2026). "Houston changes ordinance limiting cooperation with ICE after pressure from governor". The Associated Press. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
- ↑ Serrano, Alejandro (April 27, 2026). "Texas police can arrest people suspected of entering country illegally, federal court rules". The Associated Press. The Texas Tribune. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
- ↑ "Tornadoes in northern Texas leave at least 2 dead and destroy multiple homes". NBC News. The Associated Press. April 27, 2026. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
- ↑ "US supreme court reinstates Texas electoral map favoring Republicans". The Guardian. Reuters. April 27, 2026. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
- ↑ Vertuno, Jim; White, Ed (May 1, 2026). "Plane carrying pickleball players crashes in Texas Hill Country, killing all 5 on board". The Associated Press. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
- ↑ Cuevas, Eduardo (May 2, 2026). "2 dead, multiple injured in Texas apartment mass shooting, police say". USA Today. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
- ↑ Randewich, Noel (May 10, 2026). "Six people found dead in boxcar in Laredo, Texas, police say". Reuters. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ↑ Kottke, Joe; Ebert, Francie (May 11, 2026). "6 people found dead in train boxcar and 1 found dead near railroad tracks in Texas". NBC News. Retrieved May 12, 2026.
- ↑ Yurcaba, Jo (May 16, 2026). "Texas Children's will create 'detransition clinic' to settle DOJ and state investigation". NBC News. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Teenagers arrested in random shootings across Austin that left 4 injured". The Associated Press. May 17, 2026. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Texas A&M defeats Auburn, wins 2nd NCAA women's tennis title". ESPN. The Associated Press. May 18, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ "First West Nile Virus Case Of 2026 Confirmed In Texas". News/Talk 95.1 & 790 KFYO. May 21, 2026. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
- ↑ Stengle, Jamie; LaFleur, Kendria (May 28, 2026). "Crews in Dallas search for missing after some killed in massive apartment fire, officials say". The Associated Press. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
- ↑ Bynum, Russ (June 2, 2026). "Artist suing FIFA over destruction of Dallas whale mural before World Cup". The Associated Press. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
- ↑ "USDA Confirms New World Screwworm in Texas". aphis.usda.gov. June 3, 2026.
- ↑ Marks, Madi (June 5, 2026). "Arlington Sheraton implosion: 40-year-old hotel demolition makes way for new $500M Loews resort". KDFW. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
- ↑ "Karmelo Anthony: Jury convicts Texas teen of murder in fatal stabbing of 17-year-old athlete from rival team at a high school track meet". CNN. The Associated Press. June 9, 2026. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
- ↑ "Stadiums". FIFA. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
- ↑ Collins, Jeffrey; Seewer, John (June 12, 2026). "Suspect in Midland, Texas, shooting had fired at a police officer days earlier, officials say". The Associated Press. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
- ↑ Alsharif, Mirna; Lambert, Madison (June 13, 2026). "NBA star James Harden arrested in Texas on weapons charge". NBC News. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
- ↑ Hurley, Lawrence (June 18, 2026). "Supreme Court rules government can't restrict gun rights for casual drug use". NBC News. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
- ↑ Stengle, Jamie; Marcelo, Philip (June 23, 2026). "8 convicted in Texas immigration center shooting and protest are sentenced to decades in prison". The Associated Press. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
- ↑ "Camp Mystic, where 28 died in catastrophic Texas floods, files for bankruptcy". NBC News. June 24, 2026. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
- ↑ Wolfe, Elizabeth (June 26, 2026). "Texas State Board of Education votes to require millions of students to study Bible stories". CNN. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
- ↑ Gonzalez, Valerie (June 29, 2026). "ICE releases a Texas nun intercepted walking to church dressed in her habit". The Associated Press. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
- ↑ Brook, Jack; Golden, Hallie (July 7, 2026). "Immigration agent fatally shot a man in Houston during an enforcement operation, authorities say". The Associated Press. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
- ↑ https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts-culture/six-flags-new-tormenta-rampaging-run-is-open-so-obviously-we-had-to-ride-it-40694211/
- ↑ Bedayn, Jesse; Stengle, Jamie (July 16, 2026). "At least 1 person has died as Texas flooding forces evacuations and rescues, governor says". The Associated Press. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
- ↑ Howland, Daphne (June 3, 2026). "Downtown Dallas Neiman Marcus to close for good, after all". Retrieved June 3, 2026.
- ↑ Jenkins, S.E. (August 2, 2026). "Former Texas Congresswoman, Fort Worth's first female mayor, Kay Granger dies". CBS News Texas. Retrieved August 2, 2026.
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