By Jake Schroeder | Photographer

Texas voters turned out in historic numbers Tuesday, delivering victories for State Rep. James Talarico and forcing a runoff between Attorney General Ken Paxton and incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the state’s U.S. Senate contest that claimed national attention. The total early-voting turnout of more than 2.5 million marks the highest ever for a midterm primary election. The results also kicked off the 2026 midterm cycle.

If public libraries disappeared tomorrow, the world would lose more than books and programs. We would lose one of the rare places where people of different backgrounds can exist on an equal platform, outside of financial or societal barriers. We would lose access to free information and a space where communities can flourish.

In 2023, Hallie Bullard’s passion for coffee and longtime dream became a reality when she officially opened Reign Coffee Company. Recently, Reign Coffee began serving coffee from 7 a.m. to noon daily at Slow Rise Slice House, an event they call “Reign on the River.”