NEWS
Texas job growth hits historic heights
AUSTIN ⎯ After continued growth through the month of August, Texas has once again set new records for the number of jobs, number of people employed, and size of the civilian labor force. Total nonfarm employment increased by 16,700 positions over the month to reach a 23rd consecutive series-high level with 13,979,100 jobs and a 30th consecutive month of growth. Since August 2022, Lone Star State employment grew by 402,000 positions and continued to outpace the nation in the rate of annual employment growth.
The number of employed persons grew by another 24,300 people over the month, raising the new record high to 14,489,000. The Texas seasonally adjusted civilian labor force grew over the month by another 33,500 people, raising the total to 15,111,900 and marking another record high for the state. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held at 4.1 percent in August, marking the fourth month at that rate.
“After 30 straight months of job growth, the number of employed Texans has reached more than 14.4 million,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “TWC supports the state’s continued economic growth through programs like Jobs and Education for Texans and the Skills Development Fund, that help upskill the Texas workforce to meet employer demand.”
Leisure and Hospitality saw significant growth over the month with 9,100 jobs added. Another 5,000 jobs were added in Other Services, while Financial Activities gained 3,300 positions. Over the year, the job market grew faster in Texas than the U.S. in industries such as Mining and Logging and Financial Activities, which outpaced national growth rates by 3.9 and 3.0 percentage points, respectively. Other Services also grew 2.7 points faster in Texas than nationally over the year.
“Our world-class Texas workforce has grown by more than 400,000 jobs over the last year, thanks largely to the energizing job creation by our private-sector employers,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Aaron Demerson. “This continued growth highlights TWC’s unwavering commitment to fostering collaboration and building partnerships with Texas employers across the state.”
The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) maintained the lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 2.8 percent in August, followed by Amarillo at 3.6 percent, College Station-Bryan at 3.8 percent, and Odessa at 3.8 percent. Abilene, Austin-Round Rock, and Lubbock were each at 3.9 percent through August. The Midland MSA civilian labor force grew the fastest in the state at 5.5 percent in August. The civilian labor force in Dallas-Fort Worth grew by 4.6 percent, adding more than 195,000 people and representing 40 percent of all MSA growth over-the-year.
“We continue to strengthen the Texas civilian labor force with career pathways through apprenticeship, internship and second chance hiring,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. “TWC empowers economic growth with services such as quality child care and early learning, technical training, vocational rehabilitation, and job finding resources.”
Employment estimates released by TWC are produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). *All estimates are subject to revision. To access this and more employment data, visit TexasLMI.com.
The Texas Labor Market Information Data for September is scheduled to be released on Friday, October 20, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. (CDT).
NEWS
BISD trustees meet on Oct. 19
Trustees of the Bowie Independent School District will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 19 in the board room.
The meeting opens with several recognitions including teacher April Word and her theater students, junior high cross country girls, district champs and BJH boys runner-up.
Superintendent Donna Hale will report on attendance and enrollment, the intruder detection audit results, Jack County Appraisal District 2027 final budget allocation and monthly operational report.
Director of Student Service Jason Childress will offer the annual emergent bilingual report, followed by monthly reports from administrators.
In action items, a memo of understanding with the City of Bowie for use of the community center as a reunification location during emergencies will be reviewed. An emergency transportation agreement with Advanced Rehabilitation and Healthcare of Bowie also will be considered along with the 2026 tax roll totals.
An executive session also is scheduled.
NEWS
Data shows tornado alley is moving eastward
It appears tornado activity is shifting heightening risks in the south.
According to the United States Census Bureau 2025 was one of the nation’s most active tornado seasons on record, with approximately 1,559 tornadoes — 27% higher than the 30-year average from 1991–2020, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The number of tornadoes not only grew but shifted eastward during that period: tornado activity decreased in the west by 25% and increased in the east by 12%. This shift is especially concerning because tornadoes are now increasingly affecting southern states with a large concentration of mobile home communities.
The National Weather Service reports mobile home residents are 15 to 20 times more likely to be killed in a tornado than those living in site-built housing.
Tornado activity isn’t only shifting eastward – it’s breaking out of the traditional late-spring-into-summer season, now stretching into winter and early spring. Between 1950 and 2009, tornado activity was strongly concentrated in the spring months, when nearly two‑thirds of all tornadoes occurred between April and June.
From 2010 to 2025, tornado activity expanded, with higher tornado counts in January through April, and notable increases in October and December (Figure 2).
Summertime tornado activity dropped compared to 1950-2009. The tornado season now begins earlier, ramps up more gradually, and extends later into the year.
This growing threat of near year-round tornadoes is most pronounced in the South, particularly the Gulf Coast states of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi, where moisture-rich air creates an uninterrupted, seven-month tornado season in the cooler months.
Read more on this data and risks to certain communities at census.gov/ccontent/dam/Census/library/stories/2026/10/tornado alley.


NEWS
County grand jury returns 38 cases
The Montague County Grand Jury reviewed a total of 38 cases during its September session that included two no bills, nine indictments that remain sealed awaiting the arrest of a suspect.
The no bills indicate the grand jurors did not believe the case supported the charge. The cases were for evading arrest with a vehicle and possession of a controlled substance 1-4 grams.
The sealed cases cover a large gambit of charges including arson of a habitation/place of worship, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, indecency with a child sexual contact, cruelty non-livestock animals: kill/poison/serious bodily injury; injury to a child/elderly/disabled person with serious bodily injury mental, abandon/endanger a child criminal negligence, and sexual assault of a child.
Read the full story in your Thursday Bowie News.
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