Caldwell-Hays Examiner

10/14/2026

EXCLUSIVE: The world’s largest repository of modern English slang has adopted yet another term coined by the Examiner, a word we devised to depict a rising trend locally.

The new entry – “Demulate” – is defined as follows: to emulate or simulate Democratic Party branding, despite one’s actual conservative leanings and voting history.

See why Hays County D.A. candidate Kirsta Melton and Commissioner candidate Abby Gibson find themselves cited in the denotation – view our screenshot in the comments below or visit Urban Dictionary directly, where you can upvote our new term: www.urbandictionary.com/Demulate

10/13/2026

EXCLUSIVE: Tomorrow marks 10 days since Kyle’s City Council voted 4-3 to cover up their warrantless license-plate-readers, yet as of today numerous Flock cameras remain uncovered.

Although Police Chief Jeff Barnett reportedly told city leaders that most of the rented mass-surveillance tech has been shut off, the Council’s vote directed staff to physically cover them up.

All eyes are on Mayor Yvonne Flores-Cale and Councilmember Melisa Medina to see if they will move to save taxpayers’ money – currently tens of thousands of dollars spent on unused equipment after last meeting’s decision – by calling to cancel the Flock contract at the next Council meeting, Oct 20.

Today, the City of Midland voted unanimously to remove 73 cameras by ending their Flock contract, a stand already taken locally by Hays County and the City of San Marcos.

10/10/2026

Insincere Kyle residents pretending it’s impossible to cancel the Flock contract — as if Hays Co & San Marcos didn’t do exactly that.

10/10/2026

SPOOKY SEASON: As you head out to enjoy a mild fall weekend, consider picking up a free copy of the Examiner’s October print edition, featuring a cover story about a ghoulish data center tied to the owner of Tito’s Handmade Vodka that is being built in Martindale.

10/08/2026

BREAKING: Because the Flock Bloc – Mayor Yvonne Flores-Cale & Councilwoman Melisa Medina – Refuses to End Contract, Kyle Residents Will Give Tens of Thousands of Dollars to Disgraced Surveillance Company Despite KPD Shutting Off Cameras

A must-watch KVUE story yesterday details misguided decisionmaking by city leaders, citing the Mayor’s defense of Flock three weeks ago, upon renewing their expensive contract: "For a place who has not misused Flock, why are so many people against it?"

All eyes are on the Flock Bloc: will they stop spending taxpayer dollars on cameras they resolved to stop using – by cutting the Flock contract, as Hays County and San Marcos did – or do Flores-Cale and Medina expect residents to just keep on paying for the unused surveillance equipment?

https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/hays-county/kyle-council-flock-cameras/269-401f3e43-1479-4821-8198-0efc6cf8fd5b

10/08/2026

Austin Chronicle selected our convening in Martindale as a Staff Pick for its half-million readers of things to do this weekend!

"Citizens in Caldwell and Hays counties have driven surveillance cameras out of their communities recently and that’s in no small part due to organizers like the Caldwell-Hays Examiner, which provides oversight of their local governments. On Sept. 17, Caldwell County rejected a $100,000 grant from Texas’ Operation Lone Star program, citing concerns about the money’s possible use for surveillance. Five days later, the Hays County Commissioners Court voted to strip funding for a $4.5 million contract expansion with tech company Axon that would have boosted artificial intelligence in the county’s law enforcement systems. On Saturday, 17 local groups gather to strategize next steps. – Brant Bingamon"

No Tech For ICE Asamblea Citizens in Caldwell and Hays counties have driven surveillance cameras out of their communities recently and that’s in no small part due to organizers like the Caldwell/Hays Examiner, which provides oversight of their local governments. On Sept. 10, Caldwell County reject...

10/07/2026

Beware: detonation of a new denotation:

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Flock%20Bloc%20Shock

Just in time for the asamblea — scrutinizing harmful police tech, the disturbing reign of its oligarchs as well as powerful public fightback — in Martindale on Saturday!

Flock Bloc Shock: A surprise reversal of politicos loyal to police mass-surveillance, specifically in the wake of public outrage, grassroots organizing &...

10/06/2026

San Martians, join the Civics Club next Friday at Ta**ra – where you can also scoop up a copy of our new Oct edition!
(Or, if you're feeling WILD, you can DRAW TWO...)

10/06/2026

The St. David’s Foundation announced $40.1 million in grants last week for Central Texas non-profits that aim to close the gaps left behind by federal cuts to public-assistance programs, including SNAP and Medicaid.

St. David’s says they hope this funding will strengthen the essential work the organizations are doing. “Too often, the systems designed to support people during times of financial hardship are the very systems that can be hardest to navigate,” said Dr. Edward Burger, CEO of the St. David’s Foundation. “These grants invest in trusted community organizations that are breaking down barriers, connecting people to critical resources, and helping ensure our safety networks with greater dignity, accessibility and impact for all.”

Kate Sowell – executive director of the Barnabas Connection, based in Wimberley – spoke with the Examiner about her group’s selection and the work ahead.

“This grant gives us the opportunity to reach residents we may not be reaching today and help more people navigate systems that can be incredibly complicated. Our goal is to make sure people know what resources are available, understand what they may qualify for, and have someone locally who can help them through the enrollment process,” she told the Examiner.

Other organizations in our bi-county region chosen for funding include Buda United Methodist Church, Caldwell County Homeless Coalition, Community Action Inc. of Central Texas and Southside Community Center.

Support from St. David’s comes at a time when Central Texas families are struggling with the ever-rising cost of living – from food to housing to gasoline. The Foundation and its partners hope the investment makes a real difference to improve the lives of ordinary people throughout the region.

10/06/2026

BREAKING: Mayor Yvonne Flores-Cale and Councilmember Melisa Medina suddenly vocalized arguments made for many months by their colleague Claudia Zapata in the rare moments her concerns were not silenced by dais peers, unable to get a second on repeated motions to discuss Flock cancellation prior to adoption of 2027 budget…

A big victory for Kyle residents who care about the 4th Amendment, in a 4-3 vote – with Courtney Goza joining the three aforementioned Council members – City Council, enjoying Police Chief Jeff Barnett’s apparent blessing, chose yesterday to deactivate their complex system of cameras.

Because the Flock Bloc failed to embrace Zapata’s urging to axe the contracts before approving the city’s 2027 budget last month – and because the Flock Bloc still has not cancelled the contracts – taxpayers in Kyle will continue to pay the Big Brother company serious sums of money despite not using its technology.

This might be an occasion to celebrate with a t-shirt! www.DontFlockwithTexas.org