Texas General Land Office Purchasing Mobility Mats and Beach Wheelchairs to Help Make Texas Beaches Accessible For All

(AUSTIN, TX) – Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (“BCBSTX”), its parent company, Health Care Service Corporation (“HCSC”), and their related business entities. This investigation is based on BCBSTX’s procedures for denying and delaying urgent and medically necessary care and its potentially burdensome prior authorization requirements.   Reports received by the OAG indicate that BCBSTX may have denied or delayed coverage for procedures deemed medically necessary or urgent. One case reported to the OAG involved a newborn baby in need of urgent medical treatment. Although the procedure was allegedly covered under the applicable health plan, administrative denials and potentially improper utilization review procedures delayed approval of a transfer to a facility capable of providing the care the newborn needed.   In many cases, BCBSTX allegedly delayed granting approval for medically urgent treatment. These delays may have postponed medically necessary treatment and potentially caused consumer harm. Such delays can worsen a patient’s condition, increase the risk of complications, allow disease progression, cause disability or death, and increase administrative costs.   “Blue Cross Blue Shield has a responsibility to put patients before profits and ensure that Texans receive the care they need,” said Attorney General Paxton. “When a newborn baby or any other Texan urgently needs medical treatment, an insurance company’s priority should be helping provide that care to the best of its ability—not searching for ways to delay or deny it. I will wage a relentless legal battle against any insurance company that fails to protect health and safety of Texans.”   The investigation will focus on representations made by BCBSTX regarding its approval and denial of medically necessary claims. Attorney General Paxton will determine whether claims are denied without adequate review or whether the company engages in any other unlawful practices. As part of the investigation, Attorney General Paxton has issued a Civil Investigative Demand (“CID”) to obtain information and determine whether BCBSTX, HCSC, or related entities violated Texas law, including the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (“DTPA”). Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.

(AUSTIN, TX) – Governor Greg Abbott today issued a statewide disaster proclamation to allow expanded use of dyed diesel on Texas roads. The proclamation also raises the allowable weight for fuel, agricultural, and timber loads, and suspends Texas Low Emission Diesel (TxLED) rules to the extent the EPA authorizes. The Governor also requested that the EPA waive federal ultra-low sulfur diesel requirements.  “Texas agriculture and freight run on diesel,” said Governor Abbott. “Record prices put both industries at risk and raise costs for every Texas family. Farmers and truckers can now use dyed diesel on Texas roads, and fuel, crop, and timber loads can move at a higher weight. These steps cut costs on the farm, on the road, and at the store.” Dyed diesel is off-road fuel marked red, typically used in agricultural operations, and sold without a motor-fuels tax. Because it is untaxed, state law ordinarily bars its use on public roadways. The Governor’s proclamation suspends state restrictions and associated penalties so operators can use such fuel on Texas roads. It does not waive the underlying fuel tax. The proclamation also suspends state oversize and overweight permitting requirements for vehicles loaded with fuel, agricultural, or timber products and allows those loads at a gross weight of up to 95,000 pounds. Governor Abbott asked EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin for a temporary Clean Air Act waiver of federal ultra-low sulfur diesel rules and the TxLED rules that apply in 110 Texas counties. Those standards limit which diesel can be sold, and a waiver would allow more fuel to reach Texas pumps. Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.

College Station Police arrested a man Friday for his part in an April robbery. 20-year-old Desmond Derrail Williams, of Kingwood, was the getaway driver in a “jugging,” which is where a person is followed and robbed after withdrawing cash from a bank. The victim withdrew money from the Bank of America branch in the 100 block of University just before 3:00pm on April 3, 2026. He was then followed to a business in the 900 block of Harvey Road, where he was knocked to the ground and robbed. Investigators were able to track the vehicle’s movements before and after the robbery through surveillance video, traffic-camera footage, and ALPR cameras. They say the suspects followed the exact path as the victim. Desmond Williams was charged with Robbery and is free on $50,000 bond. 19-year-old Kaiden Maki Dawson, of Houston, is believed to be the one who assaulted the victim. He was arrested on July 25, 2026 and charged with Robbery. He is free on $50,000 bond. 41-year-old Jonathan Earl Williams, of Houston, was arrested on September 18, 2026 and charged with Robbery. He is free on $75,000 bond. Cellphone records also helped tie the group together. Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.