$30 Million Tax Refund Fraud Ring Sentenced

Seven people—six from Texas—have been sentenced for their involvement in a $30 million stolen identity tax refund scheme in which they posed as authorized agents for taxpayers and directed the IRS to send fraudulent refunds to prepaid debit cards.

The perpetrators filed over 370 fraudulent tax returns, using the money to purchase designer clothing, home renovation materials, and used cars at auction. They laundered the proceeds through money orders. 

The ringleader, Abraham Yusuff of Round Rock, was sentenced to 14 years in prison and ordered to pay over $30 million in restitution.

Paxton Sues For Access to Abortion Records

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued the Biden administration over a federal rule that restricts access to the medical records of women who cross state lines for abortions, claiming the rule undermines the state’s law enforcement capabilities.

Finalized in April, the rule is an update to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, which prohibits the release of medical information about patients but provides exceptions for law enforcement investigations.

A group of Republican attorneys general opposed the update when it was proposed last year, saying it interfered with their states’ authority to enforce abortion restrictions.

Texas’ abortion ban exempts women from criminal charges but punishes those assisting with up to life imprisonment.

Texas Civil War Museum to Close, Sell Artifacts

The Texas Civil War Museum in White Settlement, a Fort Worth suburb, will close permanently on Oct. 31 after 18 years in operation, citing a decision by the family owners and board of directors.

The museum, which houses the largest collection of Civil War artifacts west of the Mississippi, announced that its building has been sold, and most artifacts will be transferred to The Horse Soldier Antiques in Gettysburg, PA.

Owned by North Texas oilman Ray Richey and his wife Judy, the 15,500-square-foot museum has faced criticism for “presenting an unbalanced view” of Civil War history.

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➤ Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Travis County on Friday for hiring a company to help register voters, which Paxton says is not within their authority. The CEO of the company hired for the initiative has expressed a desire for people to “vote for progressive candidates.” (See Details)

➤ Two recent polls show a tight race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in Texas. A poll by The Hill and Emerson College shows Trump leading Harris 50% to 46%, while another by the University of Texas shows the former president leading 49% to 45%. (More)

➤ San Antonio: An elementary school’s Grandparents Day had to be canceled when over 400 grandparents RSVP’d for the event, more than the school’s facilities could accommodate. The principal said the event would be rescheduled. (More)

➤ Calallen: An inmate who escaped from the state penitentiary in Huntsville was arrested 275 miles away in Calallen on Sunday. Officials believe 39-year-old Jesus Villareal used a rope to climb down the prison wall before stealing a car at a nearby gas station. (More)

➤ Austin: The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the city $10.5 million to enhance pedestrian safety at high-traffic intersections. (More)

➤ Houston: Thousands of spectators turned out to see an exhibition of Formula 1 race cars at the Red Bull Racing Showrun on Saturday. (Watch Video)

➤ A tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico is likely to become a named storm in the coming days. Forecast models show it could impact the Texas coast and Louisiana. (More)

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➤ The Dallas Cowboys signed quarterback Dak Prescott to the richest deal in NFL history, a four-year $240 million contract with $231 million guaranteed. Prescott led the Cowboys to a 33-17 win over the Cleveland Browns Sunday. (More)

➤ The Houston Texans beat the Indianapolis Colts 29-27 on the road Sunday. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs and running back Joe Mixon, both new additions to the team, each scored twice. (More)

➤ The No. 3 Texas Longhorns turned in a dominant 31-12 win over the defending champion Michigan Wolverines on Saturday. (More)

➤ Texas A&M got its first victory of the season in a 52-10 blowout win over McNeese State on Saturday. The Aggies scored touchdowns on their first five possessions. (More) 

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | NCAAF | MLB | WNBA | NASCAR

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➤ The parent company of Irving-based 7-Eleven has rejected a $38.6 billion offer to be acquired by Canadian convenience store operator Alimentation Couche-Tard, saying the proposal “grossly undervalues” the company and “is not in the best interest” of shareholders. (More)

➤ Callaway Golf announced plans to spin off Dallas-based entertainment venue Topgolf as an independent company in 2025. The move followed declining sales for Topgolf in two consecutive quarters this year. (More)

➤ The former Palais Royal store in Houston’s Greenspoint Mall has become “Greens Mini Mall,” hosting several small retailers. (More)

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➤ Texas A&M topped Texas schools at 28th place in The Wall Street Journal‘s 2025 Best Colleges rankings, followed by Rice University at 29th and UT Austin at 41st. (See Details)

➤ A 71.63-pound smallmouth Buffalo fish caught in Austin’s Lady Bird Lake set a new Texas state record, measuring 44.50 inches long. It was released after being documented. (See Photo)

➤ Wylie Mountains Ranch, a 32,000-acre property near Marfa, featuring its own mountain range and rich ranching history, has been listed for sale at $27 million. (See Photos)

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Do you like to play golf?

1. Yes
2. Only putt-putt
3. Only hitting balls at the driving range
4. Only in a video game
5. No

Saturday’s Results:

Do you make your bed every morning?

1. Yes: 68.7%
2. No: 31.3%

Where in Texas is the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter manufactured?

Show me the answer