Tarleton Rodeo Athlete Dies in Alpine

Alejandra Franco, a breakaway roper on Tarleton State University’s rodeo team, died Thursday night after she was injured at the Sul Ross State University rodeo in Alpine.

Tarleton head rodeo coach Mark Eakin said the accident involved Franco and her horse. Officials haven’t released details about what happened or the injuries she suffered.

“Ale was more than just a rodeo student-athlete; she was a cherished member of the university and a leader on campus,” Eakin said. Franco, who was from Mexico, had celebrated her birthday a month earlier.

Sul Ross kept the weekend’s events on schedule in Franco’s honor and brought in counselors for athletes. Alumni handed out purple ribbons at the arena gate and asked fans to wear purple.

Council Candidate Arrested after ICE Protest

State troopers arrested Austin City Council candidate Misael Ramos on Saturday morning on a riot charge tied to a Sept. 20 protest over an ICE shooting in North Austin.

Ramos, who is running for East Austin’s District 1 seat, faces a Class B misdemeanor count of riot participation. His campaign says he denies wrongdoing and will fight the charge.

Campaign manager Jeffrey Clemmons said troopers arrested Ramos while he was walking his dog and never showed him a warrant. DPS hasn’t publicly detailed the case against him.

Police said the crowd grew to hundreds and some people threw rocks, bottles, and chunks of concrete. Three officers suffered minor injuries, and troopers arrested several people that night.

The protest followed the shooting of Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, a Venezuelan delivery driver DHS says is an illegal immigrant with a final removal order. His attorney says he entered legally, seeking asylum.

Longhorns Hold Off Vols in Knoxville

No. 1 Texas held off a late comeback bid from No. 14 Tennessee, winning 20-17 at Neyland Stadium with President Trump in attendance.

Trump arrived in style, with Air Force One flying over the stadium before kickoff. Arch Manning’s uncle Peyton, a Vols legend in the 1990s, was also on hand for the programs’ first meeting since the 1969 Cotton Bowl.

The Longhorns sacked the Vols 10 times, with Duncanville native Colin Simmons tying the school’s single-game record with five. That pressure held up late, when Tennessee recovered an onside kick but couldn’t capitalize.

Simmons’ big day came with one hiccup. He drew an unsportsmanlike conduct flag for a vulgar celebration officials described as “simulating using the restroom.”

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➤ San Antonio: At least 10 police officers opened fire Friday night on a man who police say racked a loaded shotgun and pointed it at them in a bar parking lot on Ruiz Street, west of downtown. The man, in his 30s, was in critical condition after surgery. (See Details)

➤ Richardson: Neighbors of Amazon’s drone delivery hub, which opened in December 2025, say it sounds like a beehive and the drones fly nonstop. Amazon says the noise is minimal and short-lived, and it plans to expand drone delivery to suburbs in nearly 500 U.S. cities. (More)

➤ El Paso: Ricardo Mora will step down as president and CEO of the El Paso Chamber of Commerce at the end of the year to expand his own business. Mora has led the chamber since August 2024. (More)

➤ Houston: METRO’s on-demand electric Community Connector shuttle starts charging the standard $1.25 fare Monday after a three-year free pilot. The app-booked service covers the Third Ward, Second Ward, downtown, the Heights, and Near Northside, with free transfers and senior and student discounts. (More)

➤ Amarillo: The Texas Cattle Feeders Association joined Kansas and Oklahoma cattle groups in warning that ICE activity is disrupting workers at feed yards, dairies, and processing plants. The groups said thousands of fed cattle bound for processors have been delayed, costing millions of dollars. (More)

➤ Tatum: The City Council voted 4-1 to remove City Secretary Jacqueline Muckleroy in a no-confidence vote, days after Mayor Michael Henry announced his resignation. Muckleroy says she has filed a whistleblower complaint alleging misconduct by three city officials and wants the Texas Rangers to investigate. (More)

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➤ No. 23 Texas A&M fell 35-6 on the road at No. 10 LSU, which scored 21 third-quarter points. The Aggies have now lost two straight. (More)

➤ Texas Tech linebacker Austin Romaine returned interceptions for touchdowns on consecutive passes, just seven seconds apart, in a 49-14 rout of Sam Houston. He’s the first FBS player to do it since 2013. (Watch Highlights)

➤ Baylor beat Colorado 23-13 for the Bears’ first Big 12 win of the season, TCU fell 21-13 to UCF, Houston routed Georgia Southern 42-28, and No. 22 SMU hosted Missouri State as a 30.5-point favorite. (See Scores)

➤ The Dallas Wings return to the WNBA playoffs today for the first time since 2023, opening a best-of-three first-round series at the No. 2 Golden State Valkyries. (See Details)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NCAAF | MLB | Soccer | NHL | Golf | F1

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➤ Friesenhahn Cave, tucked inside a subdivision 20 minutes north of downtown San Antonio, holds the bones of as many as 30 scimitar-toothed cats, plus mammoths and dire wolves. Family legend says the old landowner kept scientists out for three decades because he hid Prohibition whiskey down there. (Read Story)

➤ Four San Antonio authors launched Inbound Books, a co-op publishing house that gives every title a marketing plan and steers 50% of royalties to writers. Authors who help each other with marketing or artwork earn a share of the profits. (More)

➤ Two robot mowers at Taylor City Cemetery need names, and the city is asking the public for ideas. The autonomous machines handle grounds maintenance so Public Works staff can tackle other projects. (More) 

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes, straight from the heart of the country. 

➤ France’s first papal visit in 18 years brought 700,000 people to a Paris Mass. (Hear More)

➤ Could your belly button hold clues to brain health? A small study found intriguing patterns. (Listen Now)

➤  A recruiter’s iced coffee rule stirred up a surprisingly heated hiring debate. (Podcast Available)

SpaceX Raptor engines rolled down Main Street in McGregor’s Founders Day parade Saturday, sharing the route with cheerleaders and youth football teams. Every engine the company builds is tested in McGregor before it’s cleared to fly.

Would you let a robot mow your lawn?

1. Already do
2. Yes, if the price is right
3. No, I’ll mow it myself
4. I hire someone
5. I don’t have a lawn

Yesterday’s Results:

Would lower prices make you more likely to attend the State Fair?

1. No: 61%
2. Maybe: 23%
3. Definitely: 12%
4. Already going: 3%
5. Went on opening day: 1%

What is the official state snack of Texas?

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