Texas

Texas declares state emergency over polar vortex

Published

1 year ago

January 7, 2025

Texas declares state emergency over polar vortex

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of emergency in response to the polar vortex, which is bringing snow, ice and freezing rain across the nation.

According to a Monday statement from the governor’s office, emergency response resources, including transportation crews, the National Guard and medical teams, have been activated.

Governor Abbott urged Texans to stay weather-aware, avoid unnecessary travel and locate nearby warming centers through state-provided resources.

Newsweek has contacted the governor’s office via phone and the Texas Division of Emergency Management via email for comment.

Snow covers the road on Interstate 45 in The Woodlands, Texas, in September 2021. Texas has declared a state emergency over plunging temperatures nationwide.

Brett Coomer/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Why It Matters

The polar vortex has triggered freeze warnings and advisories across Texas, threatening human safety and infrastructure.

The freezing temperatures can cause frostbite and hypothermia as well as damage to crops, vegetation and homes. In the past, the state’s transportation and electricity infrastructure has been severely affected by extreme cold events.

With similar conditions forecast, the state’s proactive measures aim to mitigate risks to residents and critical infrastructure. Texans are bracing for potential power outages and dangerous travel conditions.

What To Know

The National Weather Service has forecast sub-freezing temperatures across central, eastern and northern Texas, with wind chills as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas.

Houston and coastal regions may experience 40 mph wind gusts, while Dallas-Fort Worth faces a possibility of single-digit wind chills.

More than 700 Texas Department of Transportation personnel have pre-treated roads, bridges and overpasses with brine and granular materials to improve safety.

Emergency teams from multiple state agencies, including the Texas National Guard, have been deployed to assist stranded motorists, monitor power outages and support with medical emergencies.

The Texas power grid failed in 2021 as a frigid storm left more than 4 million without power or access to food and water. The storm also killed hundreds.

What People Are Saying

Governor Abbott on X: “Today, I activated state emergency response resources ahead of severe winter weather expected to impact the state this week. As Texas faces snow, ice, and freezing rain, we’re working around-the-clock to ensure Texans have necessary resources.”

Dylan Federico, meteorologist for Fox 4 Dallas-Fort Worth, on X: “Dangerous situation with wind chills already in the teens in North Texas. It will feel like the single digits tomorrow morning. Stay safe!”

National Weather Service advice on cold weather safety: “Extremely cold air comes every winter into at least part of the country and affects millions of people across the United States. The arctic air can be dangerous. Combined with brisk winds, dangerously cold wind chill values can result.”

What Happens Next

Texans should prepare for freezing conditions and potential snowfall throughout the week, with warmer temperatures anticipated by the weekend.

State officials will continue monitoring infrastructure and provide updates to ensure public safety.

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Texas

Pushback grows over Texas governor’s threat to withhold public safety money

Published

12 hours ago

April 17, 2026

Press Room

Pushback grows over Texas governor’s threat to withhold public safety money

AUSTIN, Texas — Criticism is mounting over the threat to withhold public safety grants from Austin and other major Texas cities, with opponents arguing the move is politically motivated as both the governor and attorney general seek office this year.

“Defunding the public safety for political reasons was wrong when the Democrats did it; still wrong when the Republicans do it,” the former executive director of the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, Charley Wilkison, wrote on X.

Criticism is mounting over the threat to withhold public safety grants from Austin and other major Texas cities, with opponents arguing the move is politically motivated as both the governor and attorney general seek office this year. (Photo: CBS Austin)

The statement came hours after Governor Greg Abbott threatened to cut $2.5 million in public safety funding to Austin. The governor expressed opposition to Austin’s decision to update its policy governing how police handle administrative warrants used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in immigration detentions.

“The city has updated its general orders to align with state and federal law and also to protect the Fourth Amendment of Austin residents who should be free from unlawful search and seizure,” said Austin City Councilmember Mike Siegel.

ALSO| Gov. Abbott threatens to withhold $2.5 million from Austin regarding APD ICE policies

KEYE

Houston and Dallas are also facing similar threats from the governor.

“The statement from the governor’s office was really disappointing and frankly it’s wrong on the law and it’s wrong on what’s good for public safety,” Siegel said.

In a statement provided in response to a request for an interview, the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas said, “Law enforcement officers continue to be dragged into political warfare while real public safety issues are ignored.”

The president of the Austin Police Association did not respond to a request for comment regarding the potential impact on officers.

A request for comment to the governor’s office received a previously issued statement from Abbott’s press secretary, which read: “A city’s failure to comply with its contract agreement with the state to assist in the enforcement of immigration laws makes the state less safe. It can have deadly consequences. Cities in Texas are expected to make the streets safer, not more deadly.”

Siegel defended the city council’s position, stating, “I can speak for myself as one of 11 voting members of our city council. We’re not going to sell our values for a couple million dollars in public safety grants.”

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Texas

Rain and storms ahead for North Texas after warm, humid Friday

Published

24 hours ago

April 17, 2026

Press Room

Rain and storms ahead for North Texas after warm, humid Friday

Warm, humid and windy conditions continue for North Texas on Friday as air flow from the south pulls in Gulf moisture. Mostly cloudy skies are in store, with highs in the low 80s and wind gusts up to 35 mph.

Overnight, storms will approach the region from the northwest, most likely arriving in North Texas between 3 and 7 a.m. The system will bring scattered showers and thunderstorms, with the potential for some stronger storms capable of wind gusts up to 60 mph and small hail.

The rain will continue for most of Saturday morning. North Texas will dry out from north to south in the afternoon.

The front also brings a steep drop in temperatures, with highs on Saturday topping out in the low to mid-60s.

Temperatures on Sunday morning will drop into the 40s, but sunshine will return in the afternoon with highs in the 70s.

Next week will start off with highs in the 70s and a chance of rain on Tuesday before temperatures rise into the 80s again.

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Texas

Texans get some of the largest tax returns in the country, study finds

Published

2 days ago

April 16, 2026

Press Room

Texans get some of the largest tax returns in the country, study finds

article

FILE-In this photo illustration, a 1040 Individual Income Tax Return document is seen on a desk on April 15, 2024 in North Haledon, New Jersey. (Photo illustration by Michael Bocchieri/Getty Images)

In a year of record-breaking tax returns, a new study finds that Texas is seeing the second-largest average returns in the nation.

Upgradedpoints.com found that the national average is nearly $3,600, but Texas residents are seeing nearly a thousand more than that this year. They used numbers from the IRS in conducting the study.

Texas-sized tax returns

By the numbers:

In Texas, the average refund was $4,344, slightly below the average in Florida, which leads the nation at $4,433. The state had the second-largest overall filing volume: 13.6 million returns filed and over 9.7 million (71.3%) receiving a refund, the study found.

The Texas county with the highest average return was Shackelford County, located west of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, at $7,375. Most wage brackets saw returns closer to average, with those earning $50-$100K per year averaging $4,249. However, their average appears to have been imbalanced by the $200K+ earners, who saw an average refund of $105,163.

What is the penalty for filing taxes late?

Dig deeper:

The failure to file penalty applies if you didn’t file your tax return by the due date (including extensions).

By the numbers:

The penalty is 5% of your unpaid taxes for each month that a return is late, up to 25% of the total unpaid, for individuals and most business tax returns, according to the IRS.

You’ll know if you owe a penalty because you’ll receive a notice letter from the IRS.

2026 tax brackets

Your tax filing could also look different next year if your tax bracket is adjusted. Keep that in mind if you plan to switch jobs, or earn or lose some income.

Because of inflation adjustments, income thresholds for the two lowest brackets rose by about 4%, while higher brackets increased by roughly 2.3% compared with 2025 levels.

READ MORE: 2026 tax brackets vs. 2025: Here’s what’s changed, other things to know

2026 tax deduction

For tax year 2026, the standard deduction increased to $32,200 for married couples filing jointly. For single taxpayers and married individuals filing separately, the standard deduction rose to $16,100 for tax year 2026, and for heads of households, the standard deduction will be $24,150.