NEWS
Governor Abbott appoints six to Texas Energy Reliability Council
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Brad Jones, Nate Murphy, George Presses, Edward Stones, Jon Taylor, and Melissa Trevino to the Texas Energy Reliability Council for terms at the pleasure of the Governor. The Texas Energy Reliability Council was established to ensure that the energy and electric industries in this state meet high priority human needs and address critical infrastructure concerns, and enhance coordination and communication in the energy and electric industries in this state.
Brad Jones of Liberty Hill is the Interim CEO of ERCOT. He has over 35 years of experience in the electric energy industry. He is a former board member of March of Dimes, Gulf Coast Power Association, Atlas Scholars, and St. Peters Health Partners. Jones received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech University and a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Arlington.
Nate Murphy of San Antonio is Senior Counsel for Valero. He is a corporate member representative for the Texas Oil & Gas Association, Texas Industrial Energy Consumers, Louisiana Energy Users Group, Oklahoma Industrial Energy Consumers, Texas Energy Coalition, and the Association of Oil Pipe Lines. Additionally, he is a member of the California State Bar and an inactive member of the Colorado State Bar. Murphy received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the United States Air Force Academy, a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law, and a Master of Public Administration from The University of Texas at San Antonio.
George Presses of San Antonio is Vice President of Fuel & Energy for H-E-B, where he has worked since 1998. Presses received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Science in Environmental Science from The University of Texas at San Antonio.
Edward Stones of Houston is the Global Business Director for Energy & Climate Change for Dow, Inc. He has more than 25 years of experience in energy, plastics, and hydrocarbon markets. Stones received a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from Stanford University and a Master of Business Administration from Louisiana State University.
Jon Taylor of Austin is the Corporate Vice President of Fab Engineering and Public Affairs at Samsung Austin Semiconductor, where he is responsible for factory engineering for operations including safety, quality, cost, and productivity for all production equipment and supporting personnel. He has over 30 years of experience as a process engineer. He is a member of the Texas State University Engineering Advisory Board and the American Heart Association Executive Committee. Taylor received a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of New Hampshire.
Melissa Trevino of Houston is the Assistant Vice President for Power at Occidental Energy Ventures, where she leads the energy management team and oversees the power reporting and compliance group. She has worked for Occidental since 2003. She is a mentor for American Corporate Partners. Trevino received a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from the Texas Tech University.
WATCH COUNTY NOTIFICATION FOR WATCH 702
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
550 PM CST MON NOV 2 2026
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED TORNADO WATCH 702 IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM CST THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS
IN TEXAS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 12 COUNTIES
IN CENTRAL TEXAS
COMANCHE
IN NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS
COOKE EASTLAND ERATH
HOOD JACK MONTAGUE
PALO PINTO PARKER STEPHENS
WISE YOUNG
THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF BOWIE, BRECKENRIDGE, BRIAR,
BRIDGEPORT, CISCO, COMANCHE, DE LEON, DECATUR, DUBLIN, EASTLAND, GAINESVILLE, GORMAN, GRAHAM, GRANBURY, JACKSBORO, MINERAL WELLS, NOCONA, OAK TRAIL SHORES, OLNEY, RANGER, STEPHENVILLE, AND WEATHERFORD.
The Montague County Sheriff’s Office staff is providing the following information regarding a fatal incident involving a juvenile following a law enforcement pursuit.
On 11/01/2026 at approximately 12:21 A.M., a vehicle involved in a law enforcement pursuit crashed in the 3600 block of Cardwell Road in Montague County. The juvenile was the sole occupant of the vehicle and was ejected as a result of the crash.
Responding law enforcement personnel immediately initiated life-saving measures at the scene. The juvenile was subsequently transported to Nocona General Hospital, where, despite continued life-saving efforts, the juvenile was pronounced deceased.
The Texas Department of Public Safety responded to the scene and conducted the crash
investigation.
Staff from the following agencies responded and assisted during this incident:
- Montague County Sheriff’s Office
- Nocona Police Department
- Nocona EMS
- Nocona Rural Fire Department
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Fatal Crash Following Law Enforcement Pursuit
The Montague County Sheriff’s Office is providing the following information regarding a fatal
incident involving a juvenile following a law enforcement pursuit.
On 11/01/2026 at approximately 12:21 A.M., a vehicle involved in a law enforcement pursuit crashed in
the 3600 block of Cardwell Road in Montague County. The juvenile was the sole occupant of the
vehicle and was ejected as a result of the crash.
Responding law enforcement personnel immediately initiated life-saving measures at the scene. The
juvenile was subsequently transported to Nocona General Hospital, where, despite continued life-
saving efforts, the juvenile was pronounced deceased.
The Texas Department of Public Safety responded to the scene and conducted the crash
investigation.
The following agencies responded and assisted during this incident:
- Montague County Sheriff’s Office
- Nocona Police Department
- Nocona EMS
- Nocona Rural Fire Department
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
The staff of Montague County Sheriff’s Office recognizes the difficult circumstances surrounding this
incident and extends its sincere condolences to the juvenile’s family and loved ones.
This incident remains under investigation. No additional details are being released at this time out of
respect for the family and the ongoing investigation.
The Texas Tribune reports more than 7.7 million Texans voted early in the 2026 midterm election, according to preliminary data from the secretary of state’s office as of Sunday morning. This puts turnout at 40.5%, surpassing the modern-day high-water mark for a midterm election set in 2018.
The in-person early voting period ended Friday.
“We’re not going to hit presidential levels, but this is definitely high turnout,” said Mark Jones, a political science professor at Rice University. “The question though, that is still out there is, and this happens every time that we try to interpret early voting numbers: How many votes are actually still out there?”
More than 19 million Texans are registered to vote, up 2.2% from the November 2024 presidential election.
Election day voting will take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the following locations in Montague County:
Montague County Courthouse Annex,
11339 State Highway 59, Montague
Bowie Senior Citizens Center, 501 Pelham
H.J. Justin Community Room, 100 Clay, Nocona
Saint Jo Civic Center, 101 E. Boggess, Saint Jo
Ringgold Fire Hall, 17832 N. Hwy. 81
Tales ‘N’ Trails Museum, 1522 E. U.S. Hwy. 82
Sunset City Hall,119 FM 1749
Bowie Public Library, 301 Walnut
Forestburg Community Center, 16617 FM 455
Valley View Baptist, 6159 FM 103
- Montague County has countywide voting, which means a voter can cast their ballot at any voting center.
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