Reuters reported that the withdrawal, centered on the remaining U.S. presence at an airbase in Erbil, follows an agreement reached in 2024. The Pentagon said the United States and its coalition partners have formally concluded Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq.

American support will not disappear entirely. According to the Pentagon announcement cited by Reuters, the U.S. will continue providing targeted training and intelligence assistance to Iraqi partners. Iraqi forces will now take the lead in maintaining security and containing remaining Islamic State networks.

The departure has also drawn attention to Iran-backed armed groups operating in Iraq. Some Iraqi security officials and analysts have raised concerns that these groups could gain greater influence following the U.S. exit.

Another concern is Islamic State, which still maintains sleeper cells despite losing the territory it once controlled. Iraqi security institutions now face the task of addressing those threats with a reduced American military presence.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday directing the creation of America.gov as a single online entry point for people seeking federal information and services.

The order, titled “Streamlining Access To Government Services Through America.Gov,” establishes a secure, conversational, AI-powered platform intended to serve as a “unified digital front door to the Federal Government.”

Users will be able to sign in, ask questions in plain language, search thousands of federal databases, and — when technically available and authorized — complete eligible federal transactions without navigating multiple agency websites. Trump signed the order at a White House event also featuring AI and tech executives.

“Advances in technology now make possible a fundamentally different relationship between the people and the Federal Government, defined by simplicity, speed, accuracy, security, and respect for the individual,” the executive order states. “The same spirit of American innovation that can accelerate scientific discovery can also help Americans complete essential interactions with the Federal Government. … America.gov will enable the Federal Government to do its own paperwork so that the American people may get on with their lives.”

At an event announcing the site, Trump said, “With America.gov the federal government no longer stands in your way, it only stands at your service. We’re simplifying it. We’re glamorizing it. We’re making it what it should be,” Politico reported.

America.Gov To Connect Federal Services

The executive order directs the General Services Administration (GSA), working with the National Design Studio and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), to establish and operate America.gov. The National Design Studio was created by an August 2025 executive order and is led by Airbnb cofounder Joe Gebbia.

The platform is intended to provide access to public-facing federal services that serve more than 100,000 users over a 12-month period and can be accessed or applied for online. Tax filing services provided by the Internal Revenue Service are excluded, along with services provided by the Department of War and elements of the Intelligence Community. The OMB director may modify the definition of covered services through a memorandum.

America.gov is expected to integrate with Login.gov, which will serve as its authentication system. The website draws from official U.S. government resources and currently functions as a chatbot that answers questions and points users to federal services. Officials said more transactions, including passport applications, are expected to be completed on the platform as agencies integrate with it.

Agencies Given Integration Requirements

Federal agencies must identify which of their services qualify as covered services and integrate those offerings with America.gov in a secure and privacy-preserving manner. Agencies are directed to make existing public application programming interfaces, dashboards, and digital forms accessible through the new platform. They must also complete Login.gov integration and provide the GSA and OMB with ongoing information about service usage and performance.

The OMB director has 90 days from the order’s date to issue implementation guidance to federal agencies. One account of the directive indicates agencies are to integrate public-facing services into the platform on a timeline tied to that guidance.

Existing Service Options To Remain

America.gov is not intended to eliminate existing ways of obtaining federal services. In-person, telephone, mail, and agency-specific online services are to remain available. Agencies will retain custody and control of their records, systems, and statutory responsibilities.

The order calls for personal information to be protected through data minimization, secure authentication, and authorization practices consistent with federal law. Creating a unified access point is not to result in a centralized federal system of records about Americans. Information protected by law must not be disclosed, and the order does not authorize access to an agency’s records about an individual except as permitted by applicable law.

Implementation Will Take Time

The executive order establishes the framework for America.gov but leaves agencies to carry out the integration process. Implementation is subject to applicable law and the availability of federal funding. The GSA and OMB will receive ongoing data on the performance and use of covered services as agencies connect them to the platform.

More federal services are expected to be added over the coming months as agencies begin to integrate with America.gov.

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Gov. Greg Abbott activated additional state emergency response resources on Monday and held a severe weather briefing at the Texas State Emergency Operations Center in Austin, urging residents to monitor forecasts, avoid flooded roads, and follow local officials’ instructions. The Operations Center began round-the-clock operations at 7 a.m. on Tuesday.

According to the National Weather Service, the system began affecting Far West Texas on Tuesday and is expected to spread across much of the state through midweek. The threat of significant flash flooding is forecast to shift into North-Central Texas on Wednesday.

North Texas Outlook and Flood Watch

North Texas will stay hot and grow increasingly unsettled through midweek, with the greatest flooding threat expected from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon.

• Tuesday: Mostly sunny with a high near 93°F. Heat index values could reach 97. South-southeast winds 10–15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Clouds increase overnight; low around 76°F.
• Wednesday: Partly sunny, high near 94°F, heat index up to 102. A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms mainly after 4 p.m., rising to an 80% chance Wednesday night. Overnight low around 75°F; rainfall of one-half to three-quarters of an inch possible.
• Thursday: Most widespread rainfall expected, with a 100% chance of showers and thunderstorms and a high near 84°F. Some storms may produce heavy rain. Thursday night remains wet (90% chance); low around 70°F.
• Friday: An 80% chance of showers and thunderstorms continues; high near 81°F.
• Weekend into Monday: Rain chances gradually decrease — 50% Saturday, 40% Saturday night and Sunday (high near 79°F), then 20% Sunday night and Monday. Monday is expected to be mostly sunny, with a high temperature near 79°F.

The National Weather Service Fort Worth office has issued a Flood Watch from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon for portions of North and Central Texas, primarily along and west of Interstate 35. The watch includes Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Denton, Frisco, McKinney, Plano, Waco, Weatherford, Cleburne, and surrounding communities.

Slow-moving thunderstorms could produce 2 to 5 inches of rain during the watch period, with locally higher amounts possible. Excessive runoff may cause flooding along rivers, creeks, streams, low-lying areas, and flood-prone locations; low-water crossings could become dangerous or impassable.

State Resources Ready

At Abbott’s direction, more than 1,900 state responders and more than 1,500 pieces of equipment are available. Resources include swiftwater rescue teams, high-profile vehicles, helicopters, rescue boats, and emergency medical teams. The Texas National Guard has personnel and high-profile vehicles ready to assist stranded motorists, plus Black Hawk helicopters for potential water rescues.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game wardens, rescue boat crews, and helicopters with hoist capabilities are prepared to help, as is the Department of Public Safety with highway patrol troopers, helicopters, and its Tactical Marine Unit.

Supporting agencies also include the Texas Division of Emergency Management, Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Emergency Medical Task Force, Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Public Utility Commission, Railroad Commission, and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Safety Guidance

Texans are encouraged to assemble emergency supplies, review family communication plans, and monitor local weather conditions. Never drive or walk through floodwaters; even relatively shallow, fast-moving water can sweep away vehicles and people. Residents in flood-prone areas should watch for updated forecasts and be ready to act if Flood Warnings are issued. Drivers should never attempt to cross flooded roads or low-water crossings.

The state is also monitoring increased wildfire danger in East Texas and extreme heat conditions expected in South Texas. Residents can check road conditions at DriveTexas and find severe weather and flood preparedness information through TexasReady and TexasFlood.

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Dallas police are searching for a driver who crashed into a Far North Dallas auto repair shop early Monday morning before fleeing the scene with three people who helped him escape from the vehicle.

The crash happened shortly after 2 a.m. at Wayne Motors in the 17800 block of Dickerson Street, south of Frankford Road.

Car Crashes Into Building

Surveillance video captured the car veering off the roadway, breaking through a raised guardrail and crashing into the side of the repair shop. The vehicle came to rest against the building and caught fire shortly afterward.

Holy crap

Ring camera caught a crazy accident last night by our building in Dallas. This man is very lucky to have survived. pic.twitter.com/qRW8b9aUUD

— Aaron Mehdizadeh (@rentbotsTX) September 29, 2026

Video shows a second vehicle stopping nearby as three people rushed to the wreck. They helped pull the driver from the damaged car moments before flames erupted.

Dallas Fire-Rescue responded to the reported vehicle fire. No injuries were reported.

Police said the driver and the three people who assisted him left before officers arrived.

Business Owner Reacts to Damage

Wayne Motors owner Jason Wright said he first learned about the crash when he checked his phone Monday morning and saw missed calls from police, Fox 4 KDFW reported. Wright later reviewed the surveillance footage and said he was surprised by the force of the collision.

The crash damaged the building’s exterior and guardrail, leaving the facade cracked and charred. Wright said his main concern was that everyone involved appeared to have escaped safely rather than the damage to his business.

Police Search for Driver

The driver has not been identified, and police have not said whether charges will be filed. Investigators are continuing to review surveillance footage and work to determine what led to the crash.

Anyone with information that could help identify the driver is urged to contact the Dallas Police Department.

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A 43-year-old Parker County man was arrested after investigators accused him of using an online messaging platform to communicate sexually with a 15-year-old girl and receiving nude images of the juvenile.

The Parker County Sheriff’s Office said investigators executed an arrest warrant and search warrant on September 23 at a residence in eastern Parker County as part of the investigation.

Investigation Began In Seabrook

According to Parker County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Sgt. Shane Cartwright, the investigation originated in Seabrook, Texas.

Seabrook police were investigating a case involving the same 15-year-old victim on August 14 when investigators learned there could be another person involved who lived in Parker County.

On September 8, Parker County investigators received reports and supporting evidence from the Seabrook Police Department in Harris County. The information identified Jerrod Roper, 43, as a person who had been communicating with the juvenile through Discord.

Investigators said messages sent by Roper contained sexually explicit material. They also determined that Roper had received nude images of the 15-year-old on at least one occasion.

Electronic Devices Seized

Investigators obtained warrants to arrest Roper and search his residence. The warrants were executed at the same time.

Authorities seized multiple electronic devices during the search. The devices will undergo forensic examination as the investigation continues.

According to the sheriff’s office, Roper told investigators following his arrest that he had communicated in a sexually explicit manner with a girl he believed was under 18.

Roper Held On $1 Million Bond

Roper was arrested on charges of Sexual Performance by a Child, a second-degree felony, and Online Solicitation of a Minor, also a second-degree felony.

He was booked into the Parker County Jail without incident.

Judge Craig Towson of the 43rd District Court in Parker County set Roper’s total bond at $1 million.

Parker County Sheriff Russ Authier praised investigators involved in the case and said the department would continue pursuing people accused of targeting children.

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Photos By Rocko

The move backs President Donald J. Trump’s focus on election security. Under the order, U.S. Cyber Command and combat support agencies will use advanced intelligence and cyber tools to spot, disrupt, and stop foreign meddling in U.S. voting systems.

“Free and fair elections are the foundation of our republic,” Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said in an announcement on Monday. “By working in lockstep with federal, state, and local partners, U.S. Cyber Command and our defense intelligence teams will defend the integrity of America’s voting systems, expose foreign malign influence, and ensure our democratic processes remain secure from external manipulation while protecting the fundamental freedoms of the American people.”

“U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency are closely partnered to identify and defend against cyber threats to our nation. The Command and the Agency regularly counter actions by malicious foreign cyber actors including those with the intent to interfere with our democratic process,” said Gen. Joshua M. Rudd, commander, U.S. Cyber Command and director of the National Security Agency/chief, CSS.

The Department of War will apply its resources to guard the reliability of U.S. voting systems from outside disruption while preserving national freedoms. Rudd noted the command’s ongoing work with partners to counter such threats.

“Our Nation’s ability to conduct free and fair elections is a steadfast principal [sic]of our democracy. Assuring and protecting this ability is a no-fail mission and the DoW will do its part in supporting this whole of government effort,” Hegseth stated in the directive.

The full memo is available on the Pentagon website.

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Texas lawmakers will examine whether outside organizations and consultants have gained improper influence over local prosecutors at a Wednesday hearing that will cover case decisions, prosecutorial policies and taxpayer money.

The House Select Committee on Governmental Oversight will meet at 9 a.m. September 30, 2026, in Capitol Extension room E2.026, according to its revised notice. State Rep. Cody Vasut (R-District 25) chairs the committee.

The review will cover access to case information, public spending, procurement and the transparency of outside arrangements. The notice identifies no prosecutors, organizations or witnesses by name.

Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) said September 18, 2026, that prosecutorial accountability would become a priority for the 2027 legislative session, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.

Vasut represents southern and western Brazoria County. He is an attorney and former Angleton City Council member, according to his official biography.

The documented campaign money

Texas Justice & Public Safety PAC supported Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot (D), as The Dallas Express reported on November 13, 2022. Campaign filings document the PAC’s financial ties to George Soros and its assistance to Texas district attorney candidates.

Soros contributed $1 million to Texas Justice & Public Safety PAC on October 13, 2022, according to the committee’s amended filing with the Texas Ethics Commission.

Creuzot’s own disclosure, preserved in an archived copy of a Dallas County filing, lists two nonmonetary contributions from the PAC totaling $408,219.15: $57,870.97 on October 12, 2022, for direct mail and $350,348.18 on October 28, 2022, for direct mail, digital advertising, production and polling.

Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales (D) separately reported a $323,100 nonmonetary contribution from the same PAC on October 25, 2022, for television advertising. His October 31, 2022, report lists the contribution on Schedule A2.

These are specific transactions from the 2022 election cycle, not complete campaign totals. They document Soros’ donation to the PAC and the PAC’s in-kind campaign assistance. They do not establish that Soros directed either prosecutor’s official decisions.

Soros defended his support for prosecutors who favor criminal justice reform in a July 31, 2022, essay republished on his website.

“I have done it transparently, and I have no intention of stopping,” he wrote.

Creuzot reversed his theft policy

Creuzot rescinded his policy against prosecuting certain low-level thefts on November 21, 2022, after winning reelection, as reported by The Dallas Express.

The policy covered Class B misdemeanor thefts of necessities such as food, diapers and baby formula, excluding theft for economic gain, according to his announcement. It did not exempt every theft under $750.

“I want the people of Dallas County and our partner police agencies to know that I have heard their concerns,” Creuzot wrote.

Creuzot said he had promised during the campaign to revisit the policy. He disputed claims that it affected crime, saying his analysis found no positive or negative effect. He said prosecutors would instead exercise discretion and use intervention programs and community resources.

Outside consulting inside public offices

A separate record documents an outside consulting arrangement with the office of Travis County District Attorney José Garza (D).

A January 10, 2022, agreement describes a one-year engagement for Wren Collective to provide policy and communications support. A Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund report posted with congressional hearing materials reproduces the signed document.

The agreement requires Wren to protect office information and follow the office’s ethical and professional responsibility rules. It does not identify a payment amount or establish that Wren controlled a prosecution.

Bexar County officials have defended their work with Wren. Then-First Assistant District Attorney Christian Henricksen said the group helped with policy research but did not influence individual prosecutorial decisions in interviews published by the San Antonio Express-News on February 9, 2024. Wren founder Jessica Brand said her services were pro bono and denied receiving Soros-linked funding.

Those statements predate the upcoming hearing. Campaign contributions, consulting agreements and evidence that an outsider determined a case outcome are distinct matters. The committee’s charge calls for examining the relationships and deciding whether additional safeguards are needed.

Shared policy positions

Fair and Just Prosecution’s work with Texas prosecutors drew attention in an August 25, 2024, report by The Dallas Express.

Creuzot, Gonzales and Garza appear among the signatories to a joint statement dated June 24, 2022, and updated May 9, 2023, pledging to refrain from prosecuting people who seek, provide or support abortions. The signers argued that prosecuting such cases would divert resources from serious crimes.

The statement preserved consideration of prosecutions involving forced abortions, negligence or intent to harm the pregnant woman.

Fair and Just Prosecution says it supports prosecutorial independence through research, meetings, site visits and collaboration. The shared statement documents a policy position; it does not establish that the organization directed an individual prosecution.

How to follow the hearing

The committee will also consider local government spending on outside service providers and the possible addition of neighboring New Mexico counties to Texas.

Registration for public testimony closes at noon. Texas residents may submit comments electronically until adjournment. The House will carry a live broadcast.

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Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced that the Texas General Land Office will purchase beach wheelchairs and mobility mats in 2026 to help local governments along the coast improve access for visitors with disabilities.

The purchases will be made through the GLO’s Coastal Management Program, which contacted eligible local governments to gauge their needs, the agency announced on Tuesday.

“As Land Commissioner and a Texan who spent more than a decade living on the coast, it’s an honor to ensure people of all abilities have access to our beautiful beaches,” Buckingham said. “A big thank you to the GLO’s Coastal Management Program (CMP). With their help, I am proud to be able to purchase mobility mats and beach wheelchairs for communities in need so that our coastline remains welcoming and enjoyable for all.”

The GLO said the new equipment will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and is intended to help communities meet recently amended requirements in the Texas Administrative Code.

Recipients of the mobility equipment include the Galveston Park Board of Trustees, which will receive three beach wheelchairs, and the City of Galveston, which will receive one. The City of South Padre Island will receive two beach wheelchairs and four 50-foot mobility mats, while Cameron County Parks and Recreation will receive two 50-foot mobility mats.

The Coastal Management Program is also distributing signage to help protect dunes and dune vegetation and to guide beachgoers to designated parking areas and access points. According to the GLO, the signs are designed to improve safety and help preserve the coastal dune system.

Communities set to receive signage include Matagorda County, Brazoria County, the Galveston Park Board of Trustees, the City of Galveston, the City of Corpus Christi, Cameron County Parks and Recreation, and the Village of Surfside Beach.

The Texas Beach Accessibility Guide is available here.

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