David Cook for Texas

08/30/2026

The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

08/29/2026

🚧 I-35 TRAFFIC ALERT 🚧

Drivers traveling through Waco this weekend should plan ahead. Beginning Saturday, August 29, at 7 p.m., TxDOT will close all I-35 mainlanes between New Road and 17th Street to remove the westbound South Valley Mills Drive bridge.

The closure is expected to remain in place until Sunday, August 30, at 10 a.m. New Road and 12th Street will remain open for East/West crossings and turnaround movements.

As you travel, please allow for extra time, follow posted detours, and slow down for construction workers.

08/27/2026

08/26/2026

Congratulations to Mansfield ISD's Frontier STEM Academy for Ranking No. 3 in Texas and No. 33 Nationwide! With a 100% Graduation Rate and a 95.7 College Readiness score, Frontier continues setting a high standard for Student Success.

08/26/2026

In less than 12 hours, Fort Worth Fire Department crews responded to two major fires—rescuing injured firefighters from a burning home and battling a three-alarm apartment fire.

Their Courage, Professionalism, and Dedication represent the very best of public service. Join me in praying for the swift recovery of those injured and affected.

08/25/2026

Thank you to the brave firefighters from ArlingtonTx Fire and Eastland Fire Department who are helping battle the Ross Fire in Palo Pinto and Jack counties. I’m grateful for their service and praying for their safety and for every family in the fire’s path.

For official updates and resources, please visit:
• https://www.co.palo-pinto.tx.us
• https://www.jackcounty.texas.gov/emergency-management
• https://tdem.texas.gov/disasters/august-wildfires-26-0001

08/25/2026

Thank you to the brave firefighters and first responders battling the Rio Escondido Fire in Hamilton County. I’m praying for their safety and for every family in the fire’s path. If you live in Hamilton County or the surrounding area, please follow the guidance of local officials.

You can find up to date notices and contact information here:
- https://www.hamiltoncountytx.gov
- https://tdem.texas.gov/disasters/august-wildfires-26-0001

08/23/2026

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.”

Deuteronomy 6:5

08/21/2026

Yesterday, I joined Rep. Shelby Slawson and many of my House colleagues in calling on the PUC to Deny the pending 765-kV transmission line CCN applications.

Today, PUC Commissioners will consider Oncor’s proposed Dinosaur–Longshore line despite failures to properly notify affected Landowners.

Texas needs a reliable grid, but not at the expense of Private Property Rights and Due Process. HB 5066 was never intended to authorize 765-kV lines under an accelerated 180-day timeline.

08/20/2026

Last session, Sen. Joan Huffman and I worked with CLEAT to pass HB 1902, which makes “jugging” a felony offense.

Jugging is a heinous crime, where bad actors lie in wait outside banking institutions/high end shopping centers to stalk victims (often elderly individuals) to a secondary location, and violently rob them.

Thank you to the law enforcement officers who work to keep our communities safer everyday.

🚨 JUGGING INVESTIGATION LEADS TO FOUR ARRESTS IN TEXAS

The Austin County Sheriff’s Office says an investigation into suspected “jugging” crimes led to four arrests and uncovered connections to other theft cases across Texas.

Investigators say they were monitoring a vehicle linked to a Houston-area crew suspected of jugging and catalytic converter thefts. Authorities followed the group to the New Braunfels area before the vehicle was stopped on I-10 near the Colorado/Austin County line.

According to the sheriff’s office, investigators determined the suspects were connected to an open Best Buy theft investigation in Pflugerville and had allegedly just left a smash-and-grab theft at a New Braunfels Best Buy involving nearly $8,000 in merchandise.

Three suspects, Jayden Devon Actkins, Fredrick Cortez Graham and Christopher Michael Gordon, were arrested on organized crime charges. A fourth suspect, a juvenile, was also taken into custody.

Additional theft charges are pending, and authorities say the investigation remains ongoing.

⚠️ Jugging is when criminals watch or follow someone leaving a bank or business and then steal cash or valuables from the person or their vehicle.