Round Rock Park Killing Called Random

Williamson County deputies have charged a 26-year-old man with murder in the stabbing death of an Austin engineer on a Round Rock park bench.

Andrew James Wimsatt, 62, had just visited his mother at a nearby nursing home when he was attacked shortly before 11 a.m. on Sept. 7. A witness found his body at Chandler Creek Park.

A homeowners association camera captured the attack. Detectives canvassed a nearby McDonald’s, traced a red SUV to a family home less than a mile away, and arrested Benedict Chinedu Ogbodiegwu.

The sheriff’s office says the two men did not know each other. Ogbodiegwu faces murder and theft charges and is held on $1 million bond.

His Williamson County record dates to 2017, and he was released from the county jail in June. The Texas Rangers are assisting.

Texas Tax Revenue Beats Forecast

Texas closed fiscal 2026 with tax collections $1.6 billion above what state forecasters had projected.

Comptroller Don Huffines said All Funds tax collections came in 1.9% ahead of forecast and $4.03 billion above fiscal 2025. That, he said, leaves the state “in an improved fiscal condition” entering the second year of the two-year budget cycle.

Huffines was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott and sworn in Aug. 1. He has spent his first weeks in office pressing for property tax relief, arguing lawmakers should steer higher sales tax collections into cutting property tax bills.

Sales tax is the state’s largest single revenue source. August collections alone totaled $4.62 billion, up 7.1% from a year earlier.

Longhorns Rally to Shock Buckeyes

Texas rallied from a 23-3 fourth-quarter deficit to take down top-ranked Ohio State 24-23 after Hollywood Smothers’ 1-yard touchdown run with 25 seconds left.

Ohio State led the Longhorns by 20 points before three Texas touchdown drives of 91, 72, and 73 yards.

The visiting Buckeyes had a chance to take a two-possession lead with under five minutes remaining, but missed a 45-yard field goal.

Texas improves to 2-0 on the season heading into next week’s game against UTSA.

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➤ Trinidad: The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement ordered the police department disbanded, finding it failed to meet minimum standards and could not show it provided public benefit. The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office takes over. (See Details)

➤ Houston: Pappasitos Cantina serves its last meal today at Richmond and Hillcroft, closing the location that started the Tex-Mex chain 43 years ago. Brothers Harris, Chris, and Greg Pappas opened it in 1983, and it grew to more than 20 restaurants. (More)

➤ Dallas: McKenna West, the Alaska surrogate who fled to Texas rather than have an abortion, asked the U.S. Supreme Court to block a California order recognizing the biological parents as the child’s legal parents. The couple says West broke the surrogacy contract. (More)

➤ Crystal Beach: Texas Parks and Wildlife detected a moderate red tide bloom on the Bolivar Peninsula, with fish kills and breathing problems reported Sept. 7 through 11. Officials say swimmers should stay out of discolored water and leave if coughing starts. (See Details)

➤ El Paso: Two people were killed in a shooting at Tom Lea Upper Park just before 4 a.m. Saturday. Police say a group had gathered in the 900 block of East Rim when a vehicle pulled up and at least two people opened fire, then drove off. (More)

➤ Amarillo: The city lifted Stage 1 of its drought plan Friday after its water reservoir climbed back above 80% capacity, up from about 52% in August. Officials credited voluntary conservation, plus help from the Canadian River authority and Lubbock, and asked residents to keep saving. (See Details)

➤ Statewide: Sen. Ted Cruz said he would support President Trump’s proposed $5,000 dividend for adults only if it’s structured as a tax refund going to people who work and pay taxes. Trump gave no funding details when he floated the idea in Dallas. (More)

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➤ No. 10 Texas A&M turned a four-point lead into a rout with two defensive touchdowns in the fourth quarter, beating Arizona State 48-20 on Saturday at Kyle Field. (More)

➤ No. 13 Texas Tech scored two late touchdowns to push ahead of Oregon State and avoid the upset with a 35-24 victory. (More)

➤ UTSA beat Texas State 31-26 for the 100th win in program history, while SMU, Houston, TCU, and Baylor faced FCS opponents. (See Scores)

➤ Texas’ NFL teams open their seasons today, with the Houston Texans hosting the Buffalo Bills and the Dallas Cowboys visiting the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football. (See Schedule)

➤ Friday’s high school football game between Lake Travis and Cibolo Steele was declared tied 28-28 with 4:43 remaining in the third quarter after lightning, worsening weather, and a partial stadium power outage halted Friday’s game. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NCAAF | US Open | MLB | Soccer | FIBA Basketball

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➤ Two climate-controlled buildings will replace the two most central tents at the Marburger Farm Antique Show when it opens Oct. 27, the first new permanent shopping space there in nearly 30 years. The 43-acre grounds were remade into a town square last spring. (Read Story)

➤ Alveus Sanctuary, an Austin-area wildlife sanctuary, has grown from 10 acres to 40 since 2021, teaching conservation through round-the-clock animal livestreams rather than public tours. Founder Maya Higa is now building a research institute to breed endangered species for release. (Read Story)

➤ Horaney’s Feed Store in Longview has sold feed, seed, and garden supplies for more than 80 years, since Harry Horaney moved the business downtown from Gladewater in 1940. Betty Horaney and her son Al run it now, with a fourth generation helping. (Read Story)

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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. 

➤ America’s colleges receive a brutal free speech report card. (Hear More)

➤ While other retailers chase AI, one legendary retailer chooses models, cameras, and catalogs over tech shortcuts. (Listen Now)

➤  This tiny workout creates a surprisingly mighty molecular response. (Podcast Available)

Eight gharial hatchlings emerged at the Fort Worth Zoo in June, the fourth straight year it has bred the critically endangered crocodile. No other North American zoo has done it twice. The foot-long babies are behind the scenes for now.

What’s your go-to Tex-Mex order?

1. Fajitas
2. Enchiladas
3. Breakfast tacos
4. Just the queso
5. Other

Yesterday’s Results:

Would you try a brisket-stuffed, deep-fried Twinkie?

1. Not a chance: 45%
2. Absolutely: 29%
3. Maybe one bite: 24%
4. I already regret it: 2%

What is the highest natural point in Texas?

Show me the answer