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Democratic Senate candidate Talarico brings campaign swing to deep-red Kerrville
The stop puts Talarico, a Texas state representative from Round Rock, in a county with a strong recent history of backing Republicans by wide margins. Trump carried Kerr County with 76.7% of the vote in the 2024 general election, while Ted Cruz won 74.1% in the Senate race and Chip Roy took 76.9% in the 21st Congressional District.
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The Lead’s stories
Kerrville police issue 98 citations, make five arrests in Operation Slowdown
Officers stopped 208 vehicles during the roughly two-week initiative, which was funded by the Texas Department of Transportation and targeted speeding and unsafe driving, the department said.
Aquatic life showing signs of resilience after second major flood, state biologists say
Recovery efforts already underway as TPWD expands assessments across multiple watersheds
Medicare ends temporary Part D subsidy, drug plan premiums could jump in 2027
Nearly a third of Kerr County’s population is 65 or older, and many rely on stand-alone Medicare drug plans about to lose two years of price protection.
Nearly half of Hill Country flood survivors don’t know if insurance covers their damage, needs assessment finds
A regional survey of more than 1,000 households reveals deep uncertainty about insurance coverage, financial strain, and pre-existing housing problems compounding this year’s flood damage
Community Foundation announces $18 million in immediate flood recovery commitments
97% of funding made available through 2025 flood donors who expanded their gift restrictions to cover this year’s disaster; funds split across housing, small business, and household emergency aid
Weak front brings rain chance Saturday, drier air follows
Saturday carries a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4 p.m., under mostly sunny skies with a high near 94.
Kerrville’s bank boom continues: Security Service Federal Credit Union eyes former IHOP site
The move adds SSFCU to a recent wave of banks setting up shop in Kerrville, following Frost Bank, the Bank and Trust and Rio Bank.
An unprecedented sight: Kerr County holds a public hearing on the courthouse lawn
State law required the salary-setting hearing go forward on schedule — even with the courthouse closed
River restoration projects survive second major flood on the Guadalupe
Kerr Together Long-Term Recovery Group’s River Working Group — planted native grasses, sedges and young trees along the river as part of long-term restoration efforts. Officials with the partner organizations said most of that vegetation survived this month’s flood with minimal damage.
Kerr County flood damage exceeds 2025 major-damage totals as courthouse recovery drags on
Emergency Management Coordinator Shorey Harmon told commissioners that the ongoing damage assessment had recorded more than 1,500 damage submissions.
Kerr County’s calendar overflows as Fiddler on the Roof takes the Cailloux Stage
A tally of this week’s public listings, compiled from The Kerr County Lead’s community calendar, turns up roughly 87 distinct happenings between Monday, July 27 and Sunday, August 2.
The Lead Live adds Aug. 24 to Nonprofit Week — register today
Segments are now available for Monday, Aug. 24, running from 9 to 11:20 a.m. Five 20-minute slots are open — and Light on the Hill has already claimed the first one, taking the 9 a.m. spot.
Community Foundation has deployed $80 million in flood relief. The question that won’t go away: why not just give it to the city and county?
The money has gone to 102 different organizations across 161 individual grants, funding everything from home rebuilds to mental health counseling to a $10,000 grant that outfitted Kerrville police officers with dress uniforms.
Kerrville police restore captain rank in round of promotions
James Machetta and Jonathan Cline were promoted to captain and Jason Beard to lieutenant during a ceremony attended by family and friends. The department also swore in Dalton Bandy, a lateral officer joining with prior law enforcement experience.
Symphony of the Hills Fourth of July Performance
The Year: The Flood’s Impact on Kerr County
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
Fiddler on the Roof takes its final bow as movies, music fill the Kerr County calendar
A closing weekend at the Cailloux, throwback movie nights at The Arcadia and a music lineup running from wineries to saloons all week
Playhouse 2000’s “Fiddler on the Roof” opens to standing ovations
Performances continue Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees Aug. 2 and 9 at 2:30 p.m., at the Cailloux Theater, 910 Main St. Tickets are $24 to $28 for adults and $15 for children and students, available at the door or in advance at the Cailloux Box Office, by phone at 830-896-9393, or online at CaillouxPerformingArts.com, where a $2.50-per-ticket convenience fee applies.
Kerr County’s calendar overflows as Fiddler on the Roof takes the Cailloux Stage
A tally of this week’s public listings, compiled from The Kerr County Lead’s community calendar, turns up roughly 87 distinct happenings between Monday, July 27 and Sunday, August 2.
Recent photos by The Kerr County Lead.
Photo galleries
Photo gallery: July 18, 2026 flood recovery
Across Kerr County on July 18, the community came together to help feed residents who were displaced by the July 16, 2026 flood.
Photo gallery: July 17, 2026 flood recovery
The day after the July 16, 2026 flood, Kerrville and Kerr County tried to pick up the pieces following a devastating event that damaged hundreds of homes and businesses.
Photo gallery: July 16, 2026 flood in Kerr County
In the early morning hours of July 16, 2026, another devastating flood tore through Kerr County, leaving one man dead in Kerrville.
Photo gallery: The 2026 Down Home Parade in Center Point
The Center Point community gathered in force on Saturday for the annual Down Home Parade
Photo gallery: The Lead’s Fourth on the River photos since 2022
Since 2022, The Kerr County Lead has covered Fourth on the River from the crowd at Louise Hays Park — the bands, the fireworks, the kids splashing in the Guadalupe, the whole town turning out for the Hill Country’s biggest Independence Day party.
Photo gallery: The 2026 Bluebell Bike Parade
Riders of all ages decorated their bikes before setting off on the charming neighborhood parade route, adding a lighthearted, family-friendly moment to the holiday.
Photo gallery: Symphony of the Hills’ “Stars, Stripes and Spirit” concert
Conductor Dr. Eugene Dowdy said the free concert was meant to honor both the tragedy and the community’s resilience, and before the performance, the public viewed nine original paintings from artist Robert R. “Bobby” Cahill’s “Freedom” series, tracing the history of the American flag since 1776.
Photo gallery: The 2026 Fourth on the River
The free, all-ages celebration featured a full day of live music — including Los Juanos, Jamie Lin Wilson, Junior Brown and William Beckmann, several of whom were booked for last year’s canceled show.
Photo gallery: Faith and Fellowship at Louise Hays Park
The free event offered space for community healing ahead of the flood anniversary, with live music from Southern Oaks Church, Briscoe and Caleb & Kelsey, plus access to trained mental health professionals for those still processing last year’s tragedy.
Photo gallery: Kerrville Pets Alive remembrance
Kerrville Pets Alive hosted a remembrance ceremony to honor pets lost in the July 4, 2025 flood in Kerr County.
Sports
Meet the Edwards siblings, Kerr County’s homeschool track and field powerhouse
Now it’s on to Iowa, where three Edwards kids will take the runway at Drake University with a Junior Olympics medal, and a little Hill Country pride, on the line.
Enchanted Rock opens rugged new Backcountry Area to hikers July 7
The roughly 640-acre expansion, tucked behind the park’s iconic granite dome, has been years in the making as part of the state’s Centennial Parks initiative. Monday’s opening marks the first phase of public access — and it’s not for the casual visitor.
Pat Holmes, AFL All-Star who later called Kerrville home, dies at 85
Durable as well as decorated, he started every game of his first five seasons and never missed a game in seven years with the Oilers, appearing in all 98 and starting 96.
Obituaries
Charles Stork: Nov. 5, 1935-July 30, 2026
Chuck loved working with wood, and used his knowledge of construction to help others. At two different congregations, he started a ministry where groups of volunteers helped people with home repairs at no cost. He did his best to faithfully follow God.
Jason Lee Crombie: Aug. 15, 1954-Aug. 2, 2026
Music was one of Jason’s greatest joys. He especially cherished sharing his love of music with his son and grandchildren, passing along not only songs, but precious memories that will live on in their hearts.
Carla Harten: July 8, 1964-Aug. 2, 2026
Carla built a warm, loving, and faith filled home with her most beloved and devoted husband Timothy Harten.
Kelli Loujean Tuck: June 12, 1963-July 12, 2026
She went on to pioneer “Grandma’s House,” a TV show for deaf children, before creating, directing, and acting as show runner for the fastest growing PBS series, CD Highway. Her show interviewed guests after their performance, juxtaposing legends like Lou Rawls and Pat Benatar with rising artists, affording a generation of young performers their first national stage.
Trucelia “Trish” Butler: June 4, 1947-Aug. 3, 2026
Trish was always attached to her puppy friends. The current puppy is a beagle/corgi mix rescue pup named Izzy, who is already missing her Mom. She stayed close to Trish during her illness.
Community voices
Wayne Uecker: So, God made a small-town Texas business owner
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
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
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.
This has been an extraordinary campaign. Not because of anything Hughes has done, but because of what has been done to her.
The Mission of The Kerr County Lead
Covering community news in the heart of the Hill Country.
Founded in 2021, The Kerr County Lead aims to provide high-quality journalism for Kerrville, Texas and the surrounding communities of the splendid Texas Hill Country. In the coming years, Texas faces exponential growth and the challenges of managing land, resources and water. At the same time, the Hill Country offers a robust quality of life and culture. With this mission, The Lead focuses its work on the stories that matter most to the readers in Kerr County.
