Government
County, city, and state government coverage including commissioners court, city council, elections, and policy decisions.
Top stories
After 20 years, Gainesville is rewriting its airport master plan — here's what's at stake
Gainesville Municipal Airport hasn't had a fresh master plan since 2005. A new $660,000 study, mostly TxDOT-funded, is now studying whether the WWII-era field …
May 11
Unofficial May 2 results: Lewis, Hill, Scruggs lead council races; Clegg leads GISD
Voters in three Gainesville City Council wards and one Gainesville ISD school board seat decided contested races Saturday. Results remain unofficial until canv…
May 5
Gainesville voters choose council members in three races Saturday
Polls open at 7 a.m. Saturday at the Gainesville Civic Center for contested races in Ward 1, Ward 3, and Ward 5. Ward 6 and the municipal judgeship are unconte…
May 1
Cooke County Court at Law judge retiring after 24 years on the bench
Judge John Morris, who has presided over Cooke County Court at Law for nearly a quarter century, will retire May 31. Andrea Townsend will serve as interim judg…
Apr 22
Army Corps searching former Camp Howze for WWII munitions
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is actively searching 3,735 acres of the former Camp Howze for undetonated WWII munitions.
Apr 17
Gonzalez sworn in as Ward 5 interim; council approves parks plan
Angel Gonzalez was sworn in as Ward 5's interim council member Tuesday. The council also approved the Parks and Trails Master Plan.
Apr 8
Gainesville charter review commission weighs November elections
A proposed shift from May to November municipal elections split the Gainesville Charter Review Commission in a tied vote at its second meeting Wednesday.
Apr 1
Is Cooke County under a burn ban? Current status and what to know
Is there a burn ban in Cooke County? Check the current status for April 2026. This page is updated each time the status changes — see current restrictions, pen…
Mar 26
Cooke County government offices: A complete directory
A comprehensive guide to Cooke County government offices, elected officials, phone numbers, addresses, and hours of operation.
Mar 26
Emergency alert test set for April 2 in Gainesville, Cooke County
Residents may receive test alerts on their phones April 2 as Gainesville and Cooke County participate in a statewide emergency communications drill.
Mar 26
Texas bans smokeable hemp products starting March 31
New state rules eliminate natural smokeable hemp products and sharply raise licensing fees, taking effect at the end of the month.
Mar 25
Council appoints Whiteman to GEDC, Gonzalez to Ward 4
The Gainesville City Council appointed Safran Industries manager Jacob Whiteman to the GEDC board and Angel Gonzalez as temporary Ward 4 representative at its …
Mar 23
Muenster seeks contractors for AMPI site demolition
The City of Muenster is accepting qualifications from contractors for the demolition of the former AMPI site, with submissions due March 15 at City Hall.
Mar 13
Cooke County Commissioners lift burn ban after rainfall
Cooke County Commissioners voted Monday to lift the burn ban following recent rainfall and improved fire safety conditions, though officials urge residents to …
Mar 10
Charter Review Commission begins first update in decades
The Gainesville Charter Review Commission held its inaugural meeting, launching the first comprehensive review of the city charter in nearly 50 years with term…
Mar 9
Council tables asphalt zipper purchase, wants cost clarity
Gainesville City Council postponed a letter of intent to purchase an asphalt zipper machine Tuesday, citing cost uncertainties despite supporters calling it a …
Mar 7
Haiman wins County Judge Republican primary
Fred Haiman captured the Republican nomination for Cooke County Judge with 1,368 votes, more than double each of his two challengers in Tuesday's primary.
Mar 7
Cooke County burn ban extended as dry conditions persist
Cooke County Commissioners Court extended the countywide burn ban for at least two more weeks after Emergency Management Coordinator Rand Brown warned that fir…
Mar 5
Gainesville Charter Review Commission holds kickoff meeting
The City of Gainesville's Charter Review Commission held its first meeting Tuesday evening at the Civic Center, beginning a review of the city's governing docu…
Mar 4
Gainesville post office weighs drive-thru to improve access
Postmaster Vallarie Taylor has asked the Gainesville City Council for support before taking a drive-thru window proposal to U.S. Postal Service leadership.
Mar 3
TAPS seeks to expand transit service across Cooke County
The Texoma Area Paratransit System presented expansion plans to Cooke County commissioners Monday, targeting underserved seniors, veterans and residents with d…
Feb 18