TEXAS NEWS
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick proposes penalties for schools that keep “vulgar” books on library shelves
Read full article: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick proposes penalties for schools that keep “vulgar” books on library shelves“We’re coming for the books,” the lieutenant governor said in announcing plans to lower the performance rating of Texas schools that violate a recent law targeting obscene titles in school libraries.
A surrogate’s fight for parental rights in Dallas could discourage surrogacy use in Texas, lawyers say
Read full article: A surrogate’s fight for parental rights in Dallas could discourage surrogacy use in Texas, lawyers sayA surrogate’s fight for custody over the baby she birthed last week could lead to more restrictions on the rights of biological parents and on abortion clauses in surrogacy agreements.
Gov. Abbott proposes ban on H-1B visa use for Texas public schools during campaign stop
Read full article: Gov. Abbott proposes ban on H-1B visa use for Texas public schools during campaign stopSome districts use the temporary work permits to fill critical teacher shortages in roles such as bilingual education.
What to know about possible border barriers in Big Bend
Read full article: What to know about possible border barriers in Big BendThe Trump administration has said the remote West Texas region needs measures to stop illegal immigration. But a bipartisan group of elected officials is pushing to halt that plan, especially in the national park.
TribCast: Should we believe the polls about Paxton and Talarico?
Read full article: TribCast: Should we believe the polls about Paxton and Talarico?In this week's episode, Matthew speaks with James Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin about the polls showing a tight race for U.S. Senate. Are they reliable? Is Talarico really in the lead?
Minnesota sues Abbott to force extradition of ICE agent accused of shooting Venezuelan man
Read full article: Minnesota sues Abbott to force extradition of ICE agent accused of shooting Venezuelan manChristian Castro, accused of assault and lying about the circumstance surrounding the Jan. 14 shooting, could be released if a judge does not grant Minnesota’s request for a restraining order.
Colorado school district rejects controversial reading curriculum because of errors, Texas focus
Read full article: Colorado school district rejects controversial reading curriculum because of errors, Texas focusThe Colorado district scrapped plans to use Bluebonnet materials just days into the school year.
Protecting Texas research focus of hearing as Abbott eyes limiting foreign influence in education
Read full article: Protecting Texas research focus of hearing as Abbott eyes limiting foreign influence in educationLawmakers will review security rules for universities as Gov. Greg Abbott campaigns for a fourth term by targeting foreign influence in education.
Feds pausing Big Bend border construction while CBP commissioner visits the park
Read full article: Feds pausing Big Bend border construction while CBP commissioner visits the parkIt was not immediately clear how long CBP plans to implement the pause. The Trump administration had announced plans to build an access road and vehicle barriers in the park.
Can Austin break the costly cycle of homelessness, jail and crisis? A new program aims to do that.
Read full article: Can Austin break the costly cycle of homelessness, jail and crisis? A new program aims to do that.On a hot August afternoon, Marcus Martin walked out of the Travis County Correctional Complex in Southeast Austin after about six months behind bars, a broad smile stretched across his face. He’s been incarcerated before, but he believes this time is different. Outside the facility, several people awaited his release in their vehicles, blasting the […]
Texas cities eye property tax hikes, spending cuts amid yawning budget gaps
Read full article: Texas cities eye property tax hikes, spending cuts amid yawning budget gapsRising costs, slowing tax revenue and a sluggish economy have saddled some of Texas’ biggest cities with multimillion-dollar deficits.
Greg Abbott threatens Dallas, Houston airports’ grant funds over Islamic washing facilities
Read full article: Greg Abbott threatens Dallas, Houston airports’ grant funds over Islamic washing facilitiesDFW said late Friday that plans to install the religious washing station had been canceled.
Texas will audit up to 300 projects, mostly data centers, after Gov. Greg Abbott’s order
Read full article: Texas will audit up to 300 projects, mostly data centers, after Gov. Greg Abbott’s orderThe state’s power grid operator had already planned on auditing several data center proposals, but Abbott’s directive reworks the timeline and adds new requirements.
As the only Texas district to trigger potential state takeover, Austin ISD’s future now in TEA’s hands
Read full article: As the only Texas district to trigger potential state takeover, Austin ISD’s future now in TEA’s handsTwo middle schools received their fifth consecutive F grades from the Texas Education Agency.
Data center audit lacks specifics even as Gov. Abbott, industry leaders tout it
Read full article: Data center audit lacks specifics even as Gov. Abbott, industry leaders tout itWithout key details on the audits but the eagerness to support them, policy watchers question how impactful these audits will be in curbing data center growth.
Limits on certain firearms, silencers lifted for some in Texas after judge’s order takes effect
Read full article: Limits on certain firearms, silencers lifted for some in Texas after judge’s order takes effectThe Trump administration declined to immediately appeal a ruling by a federal judge in Lubbock that invalidated parts of the 1934 National Firearms Act.
UT-Austin overhauling core classes but hasn’t detailed how new center relates to the courses
Read full article: UT-Austin overhauling core classes but hasn’t detailed how new center relates to the coursesUT-Austin proposes big changes to how future students meet graduation requirements as questions persist about a new Center for Humanities.
U.S. attorney confirms that FBI tests didn’t find meth in van driven by man fatally shot by ICE in Houston
Read full article: U.S. attorney confirms that FBI tests didn’t find meth in van driven by man fatally shot by ICE in HoustonAaron Reitz did not reveal what FBI testing found in bags taken from Lorenzo Salgado Araujo’s van after his July 7 shooting death. Other men in the van said the bags contained salt.
Austin ISD moves closer to state takeover after 2 schools receive fifth failing ratings
Read full article: Austin ISD moves closer to state takeover after 2 schools receive fifth failing ratingsThursday’s announcement, which comes a day before TEA publicly releases accountability ratings statewide, moves Austin ISD one step closer to potential state intervention after months of district efforts to avoid it.
Rio Grande Valley residents are feeling more negative about their lives. That could spill into the voting booth.
Read full article: Rio Grande Valley residents are feeling more negative about their lives. That could spill into the voting booth.Rio Grande Valley residents are unhappy with the economy, salaries, and other factors. That could sway their political views, according to political watchdogs.
In San Antonio’s immigrant community, the fear of ICE weighs on every move
Read full article: In San Antonio’s immigrant community, the fear of ICE weighs on every moveEveryday tasks like buying groceries or taking kids to the park now bring life-changing risks. “We couldn’t go out because they were hunting us,” a Honduran mother said.
Paxton, Talarico tap contrary versions of God and Christianity in appeal to Texas voters
Read full article: Paxton, Talarico tap contrary versions of God and Christianity in appeal to Texas votersCampaigning for the U.S. Senate, Paxton says he was “delivered by God” to protect Texas from leftists. Talarico’s focus
2 people died in a military helicopter crash near Fort Hood, officials say
Read full article: 2 people died in a military helicopter crash near Fort Hood, officials sayOfficials say an Army Apache attack helicopter crashed in a central Texas field, killing both people on board and sparking a wildfire that forced several homes to be evacuated.
Corpus Christi voters to decide if industry should pay sharply higher water fees during droughts
Read full article: Corpus Christi voters to decide if industry should pay sharply higher water fees during droughtsActivists gathered nearly 13,000 petition signatures to place the measure on the November ballot. Legal challenges are expected.
As Big Bend wall outcry builds, Paxton does not say whether construction should proceed
Read full article: As Big Bend wall outcry builds, Paxton does not say whether construction should proceedThe attorney general’s campaign said he wants strong border security that considers Big Bend’s “unique characteristics” — but did not say whether he supports building a wall there.
Broadband grants paused as critics allege favoritism toward Elon Musk’s Starlink
Read full article: Broadband grants paused as critics allege favoritism toward Elon Musk’s StarlinkThe Texas Broadband office made the announcement after facing scrutiny from lawmakers for changing the rules to seemingly favor companies such as Elon Musk’s Starlink.
Migrant kids are being held in a South Texas detention center longer than a court order allows
Read full article: Migrant kids are being held in a South Texas detention center longer than a court order allowsThe nation’s only detention center for families is routinely holding children beyond the 20-day limit, including an Iranian-born “average American kid” who’s been locked up for 123 days and counting.
Trial lawyers, once a force for Democrats, reclaim political clout in Texas GOP’s MAGA wing
Read full article: Trial lawyers, once a force for Democrats, reclaim political clout in Texas GOP’s MAGA wingTexas plaintiffs’ lawyers are bankrolling populist GOP insurgents. Tort reform groups like Texans for Lawsuit Reform are aghast.
TribCast: Could rural rage really swing a statewide election?
Read full article: TribCast: Could rural rage really swing a statewide election?In this week's episode, the TribCast crew is joined by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and economy reporter Paul Cobler. They discuss the anger in rural Texas over data centers and power lines, and ask Miller why he thinks it means Democrats could win a statewide race in November.
Surrogate asks Texas court to let her seek medical care on the baby she’s carrying, AG Paxton says
Read full article: Surrogate asks Texas court to let her seek medical care on the baby she’s carrying, AG Paxton saysAn Alaskan surrogate has traveled to Texas for legal protection after a California couple has refused treatment for a severe heart condition.
Texas fights court ruling requiring that defendants get quicker access to psychiatric hospitals
Read full article: Texas fights court ruling requiring that defendants get quicker access to psychiatric hospitalsA federal judge recently ruled that Texas must give defendants who are mentally incompetent to stand trial a state hospital bed within 21 days.
Here’s how to find information about data centers in Texas
Read full article: Here’s how to find information about data centers in TexasWhat information is accessible about a data center project can differ from place to place and depend on whether a project seeks out tax breaks, whether it needs local rezoning or special permits, and how it will get its power and water.
Despite federal efforts to drop vaccine recommendations, Texas requirements unchanged
Read full article: Despite federal efforts to drop vaccine recommendations, Texas requirements unchangedPublic health officials said some parents are confused about what vaccines are required to attend Texas schools amid efforts to change recommendations.
While data centers boom in Texas, their plans stay shrouded in secrecy
Read full article: While data centers boom in Texas, their plans stay shrouded in secrecyData center developers can use nondisclosure agreements and shell companies to shield the details of their deals from the public. Even state officials also say they need more transparency from the industry.
Black-majority schools in Texas receive more Fs than A ratings, leaving parents with tough choices
Read full article: Black-majority schools in Texas receive more Fs than A ratings, leaving parents with tough choicesBlack Texas families weigh whether to send their children to schools with more academic resources — but potentially fewer of their values.
Ted Cruz’s college sports bill hangs in the balance as U.S. Senate scrambles ahead of August recess
Read full article: Ted Cruz’s college sports bill hangs in the balance as U.S. Senate scrambles ahead of August recessThe Protect College Sports Act gained a burst of momentum with last week’s support from the SEC and Big Ten, but the clocking is ticking as the Senate prepares to leave town.