Photo: CBS News
Illinois Legal Victory Temporarily Halts Controversial Military Deployment
A federal judge in Chicago issued a temporary restraining order Thursday blocking the deployment of National Guard troops in Illinois, dealing a significant blow to the Trump administration’s efforts to bolster federal immigration enforcement with military personnel.
The ruling came just days after approximately 500 National Guard troops—200 from Texas and 300 from Illinois—arrived in the Chicago area and were positioned at an Army Reserve station about an hour southwest of the city. The troops were mobilized for an initial period of 60 days under the command of U.S. Northern Command, with the stated purpose of protecting federal immigration officers conducting operations in the region.
The Legal Battle
The deployment has sparked fierce legal challenges from Illinois officials who argue the action is unconstitutional. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul declared after Thursday’s court hearing: “Today, the court confirmed what we all know: There is no credible evidence of a rebellion in the state of Illinois. And no place for the National Guard in the streets of American cities like Chicago.”
The judge’s ruling criticized the Trump administration’s credibility and found that the directives violate the Constitution, stating they would “only add fuel to the fire that the defendants themselves have started.”
The legal fight centers on whether the federal government met the constitutional requirements for federalizing state National Guard troops. Under federal law, the president can call upon the National Guard in cases of invasion, rebellion, or if the federal government cannot execute its laws with regular forces.
Texas Perspective
From Texas, the deployment has exposed sharp partisan divides. Governor Greg Abbott strongly defended his decision to authorize the deployment of Texas Guard troops, framing it as necessary support for federal law enforcement.
“The president has the constitutional responsibility to enforce the laws of the United States, and those laws include the immigration laws,” Abbott told Fox News. “The president has the authority to call up National Guard to assist in enforcing those laws, and that’s exactly what the president is doing and what Texas is doing—we’re assisting the president in that cause.”
Abbott emphasized the Guard’s protective role, stating on social media that “the elite Texas National Guard are on the ground and ready to go” to ensure “that the federal government can safely enforce federal law.”
However, the decision has drawn sharp criticism from Texas Democratic lawmakers. Ten Democratic U.S. representatives from Texas sent a letter to Abbott calling the deployment unlawful and warning it sets a dangerous precedent.
“If any other state deployed their National Guard to Texas without our consent, we would call that an invasion of Texas,” the lawmakers wrote. The letter was signed by Representatives Joaquin Castro, Veronica Escobar, Greg Casar, Jasmine Crockett, and others.
Representative Casar stated, “I honor the service of Texas’ National Guard members, and I condemn Trump and Abbott treating them as political pawns.” The Texas Democrats argued that deploying Guard members as “a domestic police force in another state—especially over that state’s objections—erodes public” trust.
Illinois Rep. Robin Kelly (D) says it’s costing $1.6 million a day to have the Texas Guard in Illinois…where they’re not wanted.
Context: ICE Operations and Violence
The National Guard deployment comes amid an aggressive federal immigration enforcement campaign in Chicago that began about a month ago. Since then, ICE has apprehended more than 1,000 immigrants suspected of being in the country illegally.
The enforcement operations have been marked by controversy and escalating tensions.
Reports indicate federal agents have shot at least two people, killing one; repeatedly tear-gassed protesters and first responders; shot rubber bullets at protesters; detained U.S. citizens, including children; and used chemical weapons. The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois has filed suit alleging ICE has “unleashed a campaign of violence and intimidation against peaceful protesters and journalists.”
Journalists Among Those Detained
Among the concerning incidents, at least one journalist was detained during the immigration enforcement operations, and a TV reporter was fired upon with a chemical weapon. The treatment of press members has added to concerns about the aggressive tactics being employed by federal agents in the Chicago area.
As of Thursday, four people were arrested during protests near concrete barricades around the ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois, highlighting the continuing tensions in the area.
Protests continued Friday night after a judge ordered a fence outside the Broadview ICE Processing Center to come down.
What’s Next
The Trump administration’s Justice Department has filed for a stay of the judge’s ruling blocking the National Guard deployment, signaling the legal battle is far from over. Another court hearing was scheduled, and the temporary restraining order in a similar case in Oregon is set to expire on October 19, with a hearing on October 17 to determine if the block should be extended.
The administration has also discussed invoking the Insurrection Act of 1807 if necessary, which would allow the president to use the military for civilian law enforcement under specific circumstances. However, that law can only be used in limited situations and was last invoked in 1992 during the Los Angeles riots.
For now, the Texas National Guard troops remain positioned in Illinois, their deployment temporarily halted by federal court order as the constitutional questions continue to be litigated.
Pro-Prop Q Campaign Files Ethics Complaint Over Opposition Website
As Austin voters prepare to decide on Proposition Q in November’s tax rate election, the campaign supporting the measure has filed a complaint with the Texas Ethics Commission against an anonymous website opposing the tax increase.
The Complaint
The Love Austin Campaign, a Political Action Committee (PAC) managed by political consultant Joe Cascino, filed the complaint against the creators of a website that encourages Austin residents to vote against Proposition Q. According to the campaign, the anti-Prop Q website fails to include legally required disclosures mandated by Texas election law for political advertisements.
Under Texas law, political advertisements must include certain identifying information about who is paying for and authorizing the content. The Love Austin Campaign alleges that the opposition website is operating without these required disclosures, potentially violating state ethics regulations.
What’s at Stake
Proposition Q asks Austin voters to approve a property tax rate increase that would cost the typical homeowner approximately $201 more per year. The tax hike was triggered after the Austin City Council approved its Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget, which under Texas law requires voter approval for certain tax increases.
Supporters of the measure, including the Love Austin Campaign, argue the additional revenue is necessary to maintain city services and address homelessness. Campaign manager Cascino has framed the proposition as being about community values and combating the homelessness crisis.
Opposition to the measure centers on concerns about affordability in an already expensive city, particularly as residents also face rising utility costs and a recent county tax increase for flood disaster relief.
Campaign Leadership
Joe Cascino, who previously managed Mayor Kirk Watson‘s reelection campaign, is leading the pro-Prop Q effort. The campaign has garnered support from city worker unions, EMS, and the Austin Fire Department, according to Cascino. He has warned that rejection of Proposition Q could lead to the closure of homeless service providers.
What Comes Next
The Texas Ethics Commission will now review the complaint to determine whether the website in question violates state campaign finance disclosure requirements. The outcome of this complaint could have implications for how online political advocacy is regulated in future Texas elections.
Austin voters will decide on Proposition Q during the November 2025 election.
“The City is aware of the new directive and will comply with updated guidelines.” — City of Austin, in a statement
The City of Austin says they will comply with Gov. Abbott’s order to remove “any and all political ideologies” from streets, including Pride crosswalks.
CapMetro has a new Chief of Transit Police.
PODCAST
Austin ISD‘s proposed plan to close a number of underperforming schools has parents, students and teachers sad and uncertain about the future.
Cedar Park police have issued a rabies alert following the discovery of two bats that tested positive for the virus on Wednesday.
Leander Mayor Christine DeLisle will be resigning next week after notifying city officials on Thursday of her departure date, officials said Friday. (Austin American-Statesman)
This week’s Crime Watch from FOX 7 Austin:
The southbound lanes of Loop 360 are back open after being closed last night for emergency utility repairs.
ACL: WEEKEND 2
The second weekend of ACL Music Festival 2025 began Friday with headliners Hozier, Cage the Elephant, Luke Bryan and Role Model.
Music critic Mars Salazar was NOT a fan of last night’s performance by Skrilla. (Austin American-Statesman)
And there’s nothing like a good ACL rumor…
See what Zilker Park looks like before and during ACL Fest. (KUT 90.5)
Is “ACL flu” a real thing?
PODCAST
It’s Weekend 2 of the Austin City Limits Music Festival, and Austin Signal is capping off our first week on the air by broadcasting a special hour from Zilker Park.
We’re talking with local trio Next of Kin, who are playing the festival this year. And KUTX’s Deidre Gott joins with a retrospective on how ACL has changed over the years – and she would know, because she’s never missed a festival.
Plus: What happens to Zilker’s grass after two weekends of packed crowds? KUT’s Luz Moreno-Lozano has the details.
WEATHER
FRIDAY’S HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CAMP MABRY
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
The worst of the impacts from a powerful fall nor’easter are hanging off the coast of the Carolinas for now, but is expected to bring rough surf, coastal flooding, heavy rain and damaging winds to areas like Charleston today.
The Texas Department of Public Safety suspended a state trooper after he was arrested Thursday by the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office. (KXAN-TV)
More than a dozen Texas camp representatives said new safety measures signed into law last month after the deadly July 4 floods that killed at least 135 people, including 27 at Camp Mystic in Kerr County, could put them out of business.
A juvenile detention officer in Dallas was arrested for choking and stepping on a 15-year-old detainee, sending the teen to the hospital with serious injuries. The officer faces a felony assault charge.
As the trial for three former San Antonio police officers gets underway, the prosecution and defense got heated over whether SAPD conducted a thorough investigation or not.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) on Friday asked for the public’s help in obtaining new information related to the 2001 murder of 46-year-old James Charles “Jimmy” Schuessler in Mason County.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt are finding ways onto stages in front of young conservatives galvanized by Charlie Kirk’s killing. (Texas Tribune)
From the Wall Street Journal.
A new report from the Wall Street Journal raises questions about how a prominent Texas Republican got rich as a politician. The report puts the personal finances of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the spotlight, though his supporters are calling it a hit piece. We’ll talk with one of the reporters behind the story.
A football rivalry like few others, only this year the stakes seem especially high for the Texas Longhorns as they take on Oklahoma.
What is the “Selena Effect”? A new exhibit at Texas State’s Wittliff Collections explores what is behind the enduring impact of a Tejano superstar.
Also, the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune and poetry from the Typewriter Rodeo.
(Episode from October 10, 2025)
This episode of Texas County Voice, we feature highlights from the 2025 Legislative Conference session on Cybersecurity. Dallas County Clerk John Warren and Texas Association of Counties Deputy Director of Technology Services Peter Crary talk about the newly formed Texas Cyber Command, plus how counties can use AI to serve their communities.
(Episode from October 10, 2025)
The federal government shutdown is hitting North Texas hard, with over 130,000 federal employees and contractors in the Dallas–Fort Worth area facing missed paychecks.
SPORTS
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: It’s game day in the Big D.
ON THE SCHEDULE
FRIDAY NIGHT SCOREBOARD
- Crockett 27, Navarro 14
- Georgetown 35, Rouse 33
- Pflugerville 56, McCallum 21
- East View 42, Cedar Park 38
- Dripping Springs 28, Bowie 21
- Vandegrift 46, Cedar Ridge 6
- Lake Travis 56, Del Valle 14
- McNeil 45, Vista Ridge 42
- Hutto 33, Round Rock 31
- Stony Point 49, Manor 14
- Leander 49, Killeen Chaparral 6
- Lake Belton 49, Glenn 23
- Anderson 45, Hendrickson 24
- Weiss 50, Hays 8
- Regional Games:
- College Station 73, Cedar Creek 7
- Liberty Hill 65, Elgin 0
- Burnet 35, Marble Falls 14
- Brownwood 42, Lampasas 39
- Fredericksburg 0, SA Davenport 23
- Taylor 63, Northeast 0
- Salado 23, Wimberley 9
- Jarrell 35, Geronimo Navarro 21
- Lago Vista 28, Gonzales 34
- Eastside Memorial 72, Achieve 6
- Caldwell 44, Giddings 14
- Madisonville 52, La Grange 35
- Llano 53, Luling 0
- Lexington 34, Thrall 17
- Blanco 37, Rogers 32
- LR-Academy 55, Rockdale 21
- Mason 18, Danbury 12
- Thorndale 0, Flatonia 32
- San Saba 47, Johnson City 21
- Bartlett 1, Snook 0
- Harper 27, Holland 12
- Ingram Moore 44, Florence 7
- Marble Falls Faith 70, Founders 48
MLB: The Texas Rangers formally introduced new manager Skip Schumaker.
MLS: The U.S. Men’s National Team played Ecuador to a 1-1 draw in a friendly at Q2 Stadium in Austin last night. The United States battled back after Folarin Balogun scored in the second half to equalize the match.
Soccer fans here in Austin have had a new stadium for the past few years.
Q2 Stadium sits on 24-acres in the North Burnet section north of the city. It seats approximately 20,500 fans.
Let’s get a bird’s eye view:
