Texas
Recent measles outbreak in Texas highlights urgent need for vaccination in Colorado
With the ongoing Measles outbreak in Texas, doctors are warning people of the importance of vaccinating their children.
Dr. Joshua Williams, a pediatrician at Denver Health, says that while Denver’s vaccination rates perform well compared to the state average, measles vaccination rates are below the 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks.
“Denver’s doing pretty well. We’re still below what we like to see, especially for measles vaccinations — 95% is where we want to be to prevent outbreaks of measles in our communities and in our schools,” Williams said, “but overall, compared to how the rest of the state looks, we’re doing pretty well.”
Schools like Stedman Elementary have a 93% vaccination rate which is stellar in comparison to other schools in the city. Williams emphasized the importance of community efforts in maintaining high vaccination rates.
According to data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, schools like Ashley Elementary, McMeen, and Denver Green School are below the 95% threshold.
“People are kind of unaware if their child even has a vaccination card and when they might have gotten it in their home country. So sometimes there’s some reconciliation work that has to happen on the back end,” Williams said.
Symptoms of the virus include fever, dry cough, and runny nose. Measles signs and symptoms appear around 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus.
“A single infected person can rapidly lead to a community outbreak, especially in a setting where most people are under-vaccinated,” Williams said.
He adds that concerns about under-vaccination in low-income and immigrant communities are likely due to challenges like access, lack of knowledge, and record-keeping. In other parts of the state, like Elbert County, the percentage rate of those vaccinated against measles (76.3%) is far below 95%.
Williams says it’s concerning and there might be a bit of skepticism in some areas regarding vaccines. He reassured parents about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, urging them to consult trusted healthcare providers with any questions. He also stressed that vaccination benefits the individual and the entire community, preventing outbreaks.
Texas
How to get tickets for #7 Texas A&M vs. #10 Miami in College Playoff 1st round
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The 10th-ranked Miami Hurricanes hit the road for College Station for a Saturday afternoon matchup against the No. 7 Texas A&M Aggies in the first round of the College Football Playoff. The game is scheduled for noon ET (11 a.m. CT) with tickets still available to watch live.
How to get Texas A&M vs. Miami tickets for the best prices: Tickets for the Texas A&M vs. Miami playoff game are available on secondary markets Vivid Seats, StubHub, SeatGeek and Viagogo.
The lowest prices are as follows (as of Dec. 15):
- Vivid Seats starting at $375
- StubHub starting at $388
- SeatGeek starting at $315
- Viagogo starting at $345
The Aggies own the homefield advantage and are listed as 3.5-point betting favorites to play their way into the second round. Texas A&M won its first 11 straight games of the 2025 season before falling to rival No. 16 Texas (27-17) in its regular-season finale. The Aggies were battle-tested in going 7-1 in a Southeastern Conference that put five teams into the College Football Playoff field. They also join Miami as teams to beat Notre Dame this season, winning a 41-40 shootout back in Week 3.
#10 Miami (10-2) at #7 Texas A&M (11-1)
College Football Playoff 1st round
- When: Saturday, Dec. 20 at noon ET (11 a.m. CT)
- Where: Kyle Field, College Station, Texas
- Tickets: Vivid Seats | StubHub | SeatGeek | Viagogo
- TV channel: ABC/ESPN
- Streaming on: FuboTV (free trial) | DirecTV (free trial) | SlingTV (low intro rate)
The Hurricanes’ 27-24 win over then-No. 6 Notre Dame was the best line entry on the team’s résumé as the third-place finisher in the messy Atlantic Coast Conference. Miami rattled off four straight wins to close the season and showed the kind of explosive scoring offense required to stack up with Texas A&M, scoring 34-plus points in each of those four wins. The Canes closed the season with a 38-7 blowout win over then-No. 23 Pitt to strengthen their CFP case.
Texas
14-year-old suspect in deadly North Texas shooting taken into custody in Dallas, police say
The 14-year-old wanted in the deadly shooting of a man in Collin County over the weekend is in custody, police said.
Lavon police said Monday night that the teenage boy was taken into custody in Dallas without incident.
Police say the shooting happened Saturday night, just before 9 p.m. on Wellington Drive in Lavon, when an argument broke out between the 14-year-old suspect and a 24-year-old acquaintance.
Police say that the altercation turned deadly. The teen shot and killed the 24-year-old before fleeing the scene.
“A murder is a very rare thing in our city, so it’s shocking,” said J. Michael Jones, the Lavon Chief of Police. “And it’s even more shocking that this suspect is a 14-year-old.”
Community ISD confirmed the suspect is a student at Community Trails Middle School, where district leaders took extra precautions in case he is still in town.
Earlier Monday, Jones urged the suspect and anyone helping him to turn him in, saying, “I will find you. I will investigate you, and I will put you in jail.”
Lavon police thanked the community and several law enforcement agencies for their help with the investigation, including the Collin County District Attorney’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Louisiana State Police, the Collin County Sheriff’s Office, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, the Community Independent School District Police Department, the Lavon Fire Department, and many others.
Texas
Texas’ Michael Taaffe Declares for NFL Draft With Emotional Message
The Texas Longhorns are officially saying goodbye to one of the faces of their team.
After starting his college career as a walk-on, Texas safety Michael Taaffe has declared for the 2026 NFL Draft as his time on the Forty Acres comes to an end. An Austin native, Taaffe has been integral in bringing the Longhorns back to national relevance over the past few years.
Taaffe, who is already one of multiple Texas players to opt-out of the team’s bowl game against Michigan, posted a long message to social media to thank the university and fans for everything.
Michael Taaffe Sends Message to Texas Fans
Taaffe has become a fan favorite during his time in Austin, and made it clear that the Forty Acres will forever be his home.
“For as long as I can remember l’ve bled burnt orange and white,” Taaffe wrote. “I have given my absolute all to the University of Texas and I am grateful for every part of my journey so far. The highs and lows all played a part in shaping the story y’all have helped me write!”
Forever a Texas Longhorn. 🤘 pic.twitter.com/5nLcFkfDsA
— Michael Taaffe (@MichaelTaaffe4) December 15, 2025
“To Longhorn nation, from the moment I stepped on campus y’all have given me the support system any player would die for,” he continued. “I did everything I could to make this University better than I found it and give y’all something to be proud of every Saturday in the fall. My memories are not my memories without yall cheering on the burnt orange every weekend.”
“I’d like to thank the University of Texas and everyone apart of this journey with me. Though it’s tough to say, but all things must come to an end. With that being said, I am officially declaring for the NFL Draft. I’ll forever be a Texas Longhorn. Hook’ em!”
Michael Taaffe’s Career Stats
Taaffe played in 53 games while making 36 starts at Texas. In that span, he’s posted 222 total tackles (119 solo), three sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, 21 pass breakups and seven interceptions.
This season, he missed two games in SEC play after undergoing thumb surgery but still put together an overall productive year, finishing with 70 total tackles (38 solo), one sack, one pass breakup and two interceptions.
He ended the year with a game-sealing interception in Texas’ 27-17 win over then-No. 3 Texas A&M in the regular-season finale. This marked his second pick against the Aggies in as many seasons.
Taaffe and the Longhorns went 6-0 against their three rivals (Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Arkansas) since joining the SEC in 2024.
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