The artist was a star performer in country music and went on to become one of the genre's most recognizable and universally adored ambassadors to broader popular culture.

Texas Tech University started its first day of school on Monday, announcing a record-breaking enrollment of over 45,000 students. Our Charley Maranville reports that the number of first-year students has increased by more than 39% since 2024. A federal judge has once again struck down a Texas law aimed at restricting drag performances. The Texas Newsroom’s Lucio Vasquez says U.S. District Judge David Hittner found the law so broad and vague that it violates the First Amendment.