![\"Aftab](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1792481288_722_FTW_05-AED_CommissionersCourt.JPG\" "\\"Aftab")
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Aftab Siddiqui with the Peace and Justice Center protests outside of the Tarrant County Commissioners Court against the proposed cut of polling places on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026 in Fort Worth.<\/p>\n
Abigail Dollins<\/p>\n
Fort Worth Star-Telegram<\/p>\n
It was a busy week in Tarrant County. From a courthouse ruling on polling sites to a prayer service on the courthouse lawn, a commissioner\u2019s eyebrow-raising claim about public speakers and some high-profile Republicans quietly stepping away from Ken Paxton, here are the five stories that got your neighbors talking between Oct. 12 and 18.<\/p>\n
A judge says no to reopening 92 polling sites<\/p>\n
District Judge J. Patrick Gallagher denied a temporary injunction that would have forced Tarrant County to reinstate 92 polling locations cut ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Plaintiffs argued the reductions placed an unequal burden on Black and Hispanic voters, while the county\u2019s attorney said reopening sites days before early voting would be nearly impossible.<\/p>\n
\u00bb\u00bb Read the story, see the comments<\/a><\/p>\n Mercy Culture holds a \u2018spiritual protest\u2019 at the courthouse<\/p>\n About 50 Mercy Culture Church congregants gathered in front of the Tarrant County Administration Building on Oct. 13 to sing, pray and take communion before the commissioners court meeting. Ministry director Emmanuel Cota called it a \u201cspiritual protest against the evil spirits that are influencing Tarrant County\u201d and said the group is praying for \u201crighteous and just leaders\u201d to win on Nov. 3.<\/p>\n \u00bb\u00bb Read the story, see the comments<\/a><\/p>\n Cornyn, Betsy Price and other Republicans skip Paxton<\/p>\n Columnist Bud Kennedy tallied up the long list of Texas Republicans who aren\u2019t backing Ken Paxton two weeks out from Election Day \u2014 including U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, former Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, former House Speaker Dade Phelan and state Rep. Charlie Geren of Fort Worth. Price, who told KTVT\/Channel 11 she\u2019ll skip that line on the ballot, previously texted a Star-Telegram reporter that Paxton is \u201ccorrupt and immoral.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00bb\u00bb Read the story, see the comments<\/a><\/p>\n A commissioner says 75% of critics are \u2018paid\u2019<\/p>\n In a recorded private conversation with retired news anchor Jack Bowen, Commissioner Manny Ramirez claimed roughly 75% of the people who speak at Commissioners Court meetings are \u201cactually paid by the political organizations\u201d they represent. Regulars at the meetings pushed back hard. \u201cYou can\u2019t pay me enough to do this,\u201d resident Deborah Kratky said. \u201cI do it because I love Tarrant County, maybe more than you.\u201d<\/p>\n