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November 1, 2026

Kerr County’s early vote is in, Texas set a fast pace, and the betting markets have picked their favorites. Here’s where things stand heading into Election Day, and where to vote.

FEMA approves individual assistance for Kerr County flood survivors after state appeal

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October 30, 2026

Without federal individual aid, local groups have carried much of the load. As of early September, the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country had delivered emergency financial aid to 731 households, and 38 disaster case managers were serving about 1,400 households.

Trump promises more FEMA aid for Hill Country flood victims, says details coming Monday

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October 28, 2026

He did not say how much money would be released, which programs it would come through or which counties would qualify.

Kerr County early vote passes March primary turnout

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October 27, 2026

Among Texas’ 100 largest counties, only Llano County (39.70%) had higher early turnout than Kerr County through Monday.

Kerr County’s first week of early voting, and what it may mean for Nov. 3

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October 26, 2026

Through Sunday, 12,495 Kerr County voters had cast ballots, according to the Kerr County Elections Office: 11,463 in person and 1,032 by mail. That’s about 31.4% of the county’s registered voters, nearly one in three.

One week in, more than 1 in 4 Kerr County voters have cast ballots

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October 24, 2026

Through Friday, 11,258 Kerr County voters had cast ballots, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s office: 10,307 in person and 951 by mail. That’s 28.31% of the county’s 39,762 registered voters.

Community Foundation awards $677K as flood strain hits local nonprofits

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October 23, 2026

The grants support work in health care, youth development, education, transportation, the arts and other community needs.

Families appeal dismissal of lawsuit against airport board over deadly 2021 drag race

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October 23, 2026

A Ford Mustang driven by Michael Gonzales lost control and veered into spectators past the finish line, an area left unprotected by barriers. Santiago Martinez and 6-year-old Daniel Trujillo-Jones were killed at the scene. Cedillo died at a hospital days later.

Water Street Festival, Hunt carnival lead a packed Saturday of fall festivals

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October 23, 2026

The second Water Street Festival takes over downtown Kerrville from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Hunt School Fall Carnival starts at 5 p.m. In between and around them are a mountain bike festival, two farmers markets, three more fall festivals and a dip contest.

What’s happening at Big Bend, and what it could mean for your next trip

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October 23, 2026

The administration plans to spend roughly $7.5 billion in the region as part of the $46 billion border wall package Congress approved last year.

More than 1 in 5 Kerr County voters cast ballots in first four days of early voting

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October 23, 2026

Through Thursday, 8,591 Kerr County voters had voted early in person, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s office.

Kelly tells GOP he can’t act on Walther before votes are counted; court hires outside lawyers

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October 22, 2026

Commissioners’ Court then voted 4-1 to hire outside counsel. Pct. 2 Commissioner Rich Paces cast the lone no vote.

As early voting gets underway in Texas, the race for U.S. Senate looks unlike anything else on the ballot.

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October 21, 2026

Every one of those leads falls within its poll’s margin of error. But the consistency is notable in a state where Democrats haven’t won a statewide race since 1994.

Kerr County early voting opens 42% ahead of 2022 pace

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October 20, 2026

That’s 750 more than the 1,772 who voted in person on the first day of early voting in the 2022 midterm, an increase of 42%.

Paces mailer touts ‘no donor list,’ but a nonprofit that doesn’t disclose donors paid for it

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October 19, 2026

The mailer, a copy of which was obtained by The Lead, carries the disclosure “Paid Pol. Ad. LIA Network.” LIA Network, which also goes by We the People – Liberty in Action, is a Kerrville-based nonprofit. As a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization rather than a political action committee, it does not have to tell voters who its donors are.

The Lead’s Special Report

The monster in the canyon: What the storm actually was — and what was never asked

Nine months after the flood, federal meteorologists tell the full story. In 15 hours of legislative testimony this week, none of it came up.

At 12:56 a.m. on July 4, 2025, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Austin sent a message through its professional communications platform: “Some cell mergers about to take place in central Kerr County. This will be an area to watch for potential flash flooding.”

Eighteen minutes later, a flash flood warning went out to cell phones across the Hunt area — the ninth such warning issued for the Guadalupe River corridor since 2020. The previous eight had all expired without a mass casualty event.

By 4:03 a.m., NWS had upgraded that warning to a Flash Flood Emergency — the most urgent alert the agency can issue. Kerr County Emergency Management Coordinator Dub Thomas was home sick that night. Whether anyone else in Kerr County’s emergency structure was actively monitoring professional NWS channels during those critical hours remains unknown. Read more: https://kerrcountylead.com/the-monster-in-the-canyon-what-the-storm-actually-was-and-what-was-never-asked/

The Lead’s Special Sections

Arts and Culture

Flamenco, a strongman contest and a walk for Kaydin fill Kerr County’s week

By Louis Amestoy

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November 1, 2026

A flamenco dancer, a field of strongman competitors at Stonehenge II and a community walk at Antler Stadium are among the offerings on a crowded Kerr County calendar this week.

Riverside Nature Center fills its fall calendar with archaeology, stargazing and free trees

By Louis Amestoy

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October 23, 2026

Riverside Nature Center has a busy stretch of programs ahead for families, birders and anyone curious about the Hill Country outdoors.

Ingram Tom Moore boosters plan Boots and Barbecue as Warriors chase a playoff run

By Louis Amestoy

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October 23, 2026

The club’s Boots and Barbecue fundraiser runs from 5 to 10 p.m. that Saturday at Crider’s, and booster members expect it to land after the Warriors’ first playoff game.

Photo galleries

Photo gallery: Rambunctious Rock Horror shadow cast returns to Arcadia Live

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November 1, 2026

The rambunctious cast performs the show while the movie plays in the background, creating a wild scene.

Photo gallery: The 2026 Kerrville Mountain Bike Festival

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October 25, 2026

The Kerrville Mountain Bike Festival draws hundreds for a week of extreme riding.

Photo gallery: The 2026 Water Street Festival

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October 25, 2026

By the time the festival closed, thousands had visited the vendors, the stores and the art.

Photo gallery: Hunt School Fall Festival

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October 25, 2026

Hundreds turned out on Oct. 24 to test their nerves in the Haunted Hallway at the Hunt School’s annual fall festival.

Photo gallery: 2026 Tivy High School Homecoming Parade

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October 22, 2026

The 2026 Tivy High School Homecoming Parade delights thousands along Water Street parade route.

Photo gallery: Baubles and Beads highlights the fight against breast cancer

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October 18, 2026

Baubles and Beads raises awareness about the fight against breast cancer, and it’s one of Kerr County’s most meaningful events.

Photo gallery: KPUB’s 2026 Public Power Week Bucket Truck Rides

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October 11, 2026

Drawn by the bucket trucks, which lift KPUB workers more than 20 feet into the air, visitors enjoyed complimentary hot dogs and drinks.

Photo gallery: Symphony of the Hills makes 2026-2027 season debut

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October 8, 2026

Guest vocalists Brandon Morales and Bronwyn White drew standing ovations Thursday night as the Symphony of the Hills opened its 2026-27 season at the Cailloux Theater.

Photo gallery: Blessing of the Animals

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October 4, 2026

This is the second year that the two churches have joined together to host the event, which drew more than 50 dogs, cats, a pair of mini horses and a snake for blessings.

Photo gallery: Kerr Arts and Cultural Center celebrates twin shows

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October 4, 2026

The artist group known as the Magnificent Seven debuted its final show together at the Kerr Arts and Cultural Center on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.

Sports

Schreiner drops regular-season finale to Mary Hardin-Baylor

Schreiner University Women’s Soccer

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October 31, 2026

The Mountaineers ended the regular season at 12-11 overall and 4-6 in the American Southwest Conference

Schreiner wins 1-0 at East Texas Baptist, survives missed penalty kick

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October 31, 2026

Abby De Hoyos scored in the ninth minute off an assist from Ainsley Boff.

East Texas Baptist blanks Schreiner 4-0, Mountaineers drop third straight

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October 31, 2026

The shutout loss is Schreiner’s third in a row and completes the season series after the teams played to a 1-1 tie at Mountaineer Soccer Field earlier this season.

Schreiner men win first ASC cross country title on home course

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October 31, 2026

The Mountaineers didn’t have the individual winner. They won on depth instead, putting five runners in the top 15 of the 8-kilometer race. Schreiner scored 51 points to hold off McMurry (59), East Texas Baptist (70), Hardin-Simmons (71) and Mary Hardin-Baylor (95).

Mary Hardin-Baylor routs Schreiner 66-7

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October 31, 2026

The Crusaders (7-1, 3-0 ASC) led 42-0 after one quarter and 59-0 at halftime. Schreiner (3-5, 0-3) has lost four straight, and the 66 points were the most it has allowed this season.

Schreiner University Sports Pages

Obituaries

Jeffrey Daniel Bradberry: Aug. 3, 1970-Oct. 27, 2026

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November 3, 2026

Jeff was the lead singer and storyteller, he played the washboard and had a larger than life personality. The band was beloved in the Austin music scene and traveled throughout Texas and around the United States for the next two decades.

Paul Pitts: Feb. 27, 1937-Nov. 2, 2026

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November 3, 2026

Paul was involved in many community service activities, and spent many mornings at his coffee club at the Hunt Store. He and Carol were long time members of Hunt United Methodist Church.

Wayne Douglas Smith: April 14, 1933-Oct. 25, 2026

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November 2, 2026

Wayne became interested in aircraft at an early age. He began flying a single-engine plane when he was eleven, and soloed at 13. Wayne loved to fly, and amassed a tremendous amount of hours in his youth.

Robert “Bob” Banks: March 3, 1940-Oct. 31, 2026

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November 2, 2026

Bob loved ravioli, steak Dianne, lobster, Fifth Ave. and Mounds candy bars, and Haagen-Dazs coffee ice cream. He could devour deviled eggs, linguini and clam sauce, and key lime pie. He hated chicken cacciatore.

William M. “Bill” Morgan: Nov. 15, 1945-Oct. 30, 2026

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November 2, 2026

Some of his happiest days were spent hunting with his son, and he treasured every moment with his grandson. Even in retirement he kept moving, showing up for weekly and sometimes daily workouts at the Kroc Center in Kerrville.

Community voices

Wayne Uecker: So, God made a small-town Texas business owner

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July 12, 2026

In this Paul Harvey-inspired piece, Kerrville resident Wayne Uecker praises the small business owners of Kerr County.

Editorial: A year later, the hardest comment to hear

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June 27, 2026

So when “nobody told us” gets said out loud, a year on, it lands as a heavy sigh for everyone who has spent that year telling. The nonprofits that stood up relief funds within the week. The case managers. The volunteers.

Commentary: How a trip to Ingram helped bond, unite the San Antonio Spurs to greatness

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June 2, 2026

That trip was initiated by Spurs ownership and management, but it was executed by head coach Mitch Johnson, who made trips to Kerr County in the days immediately after the flood. Johnson saw the devastation firsthand through his volunteer efforts; he connected with the community, especially Ingram Tom Moore football coach and athletic director Tate DeMasco.

They came for Brenda Hughes. Here’s what they used — and what the truth is.