Texas

The state is the first in U.S. to reach the grim benchmark as the nation faces a widespread surge in infections.

A spike in cases recently led El Paso's county judge to impose a shelter-in-place order closing many nonessential businesses. The Texas attorney general has sued to block that order.

The mark set Friday by Texas, with its 38 electoral votes, also comes on the last day of early voting in the state. Texas, once a reliably red state, is seen as a "toss-up" heading into Election Day.

The judge's order calls for the closure of hair salons, gyms and restaurant dine-in services. The Texas attorney general says the judge has "no authority" to impose the shutdown.

The privately built border wall in Texas teeters on the banks of the Rio Grande with serious erosion problems. The contractor was awarded more than $2 billion in official wall contracts.

The court says Gov. Greg Abbott's rule is a refinement of an expansion of voting options, not a restriction or burden on voter rights. Voting rights groups have spoken out against limiting the sites.

Former Wolfe City police officer Shaun Lucas is accused of murdering Jonathan Price on Oct 3. Price reportedly extended his hand to Lucas for a handshake shortly before he was shot dead.

Texas state officials announced the arrest of Wolfe City police officer Shaun Lucas for shooting and killing Jonathan Price. Officials said the officer's actions "were not objectionably reasonable."

Evacuations and storm damage could both potentially increase COVID-19 numbers in Texas.

Gov. Greg Abbott said Thursday the impact of Hurricane Laura "could've been much worse," noting that storm surge was much less severe than projected.

Heavy winds knocked down trees and some homes lost power. But many residents around Port Arthur are breathing a sigh of relief after the storm passed without causing major damage to the area.

As of 12 p.m. ET Thursday, 578,911 customers were without power in Louisiana, and in Texas, 139,307 people were in the dark, according to the tracking site poweroutage.us.