Why were border wall materials put up for auction? Here's what you should know.
Read full article: Why were border wall materials put up for auction? Here's what you should know.Some Texas lawmakers including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick slammed the Biden administration over the auction of wall materials. But the sale was directed by Congress — and Texas has already bought some of it.
‘If you cross into Texas illegally, you will regret it forever’: Gov. Abbott targets migrants with new border billboards
Read full article: ‘If you cross into Texas illegally, you will regret it forever’: Gov. Abbott targets migrants with new border billboardsGovernor Greg Abbott has launched a bold new campaign aimed at deterring illegal immigration by highlighting the harsh realities faced by migrants.
Cartels turn to social media to lure Americans into human smuggling as Texas enforces stricter laws
Read full article: Cartels turn to social media to lure Americans into human smuggling as Texas enforces stricter lawsThousands of people have been arrested under Texas’ human smuggling law. Now they face at least a decade in prison under sentencing guidelines that took effect this year.
Texas House panel may never hear Robert Roberson’s testimony after new legal move
Read full article: Texas House panel may never hear Robert Roberson’s testimony after new legal moveAttorney General Ken Paxton sought to delay legal proceedings until Jan. 13 — the day before the committee disbands — even as lawmakers vowed to continue fighting to hear from Roberson.
Attorney General Ken Paxton files motion to block death row inmate Robert Roberson from testifying
Read full article: Attorney General Ken Paxton files motion to block death row inmate Robert Roberson from testifyingThe motion escalates a tense standoff between Paxton and a bipartisan Texas House committee, which had subpoenaed Roberson to testify at the Capitol on Friday.
Texas’ latest effort to deter migrants is a billboard campaign in Mexico, Central America
Read full article: Texas’ latest effort to deter migrants is a billboard campaign in Mexico, Central AmericaGov. Greg Abbott announced the new strategy, which will cost an estimated $100,000, during a press conference in Eagle Pass.
Texas regulators shelve an electricity market reform proposal they say does too little to shore up grid
Read full article: Texas regulators shelve an electricity market reform proposal they say does too little to shore up gridThe Public Utility Commission found that the performance credit mechanism, a financial tool the Legislature capped at $1 billion, would only marginally improve reliability of the state power grid.
Texas’ citrus industry — once an agricultural powerhouse — is on the brink of disaster
Read full article: Texas’ citrus industry — once an agricultural powerhouse — is on the brink of disasterA hurricane and winter freeze devastated the South Texas industry. A lack of water is preventing a full recovery.
New push to ban commercially bred puppies, kittens in Texas pet stores
Read full article: New push to ban commercially bred puppies, kittens in Texas pet storesAnimal advocates in Texas are pushing for a ban on the sale of commercially bred puppies and kittens in pet stores, citing unethical practices and animal welfare concerns.
U.S. House members want answers on Texas’ decision to not review maternal deaths after near-total abortion ban
Read full article: U.S. House members want answers on Texas’ decision to not review maternal deaths after near-total abortion banU.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas led a letter calling for a briefing on why the state won’t review 2022 and 2023 deaths.
2 killed, 3 injured when freight train derails in small West Texas city after collision
Read full article: 2 killed, 3 injured when freight train derails in small West Texas city after collisionAuthorities say two Union Pacific employees were killed and three people were injured when a freight train collided with a tractor-trailer and derailed in a small West Texas city.
Texas Republicans want voters to provide proof of citizenship. Arizona’s law holds lessons.
Read full article: Texas Republicans want voters to provide proof of citizenship. Arizona’s law holds lessons.A Votebeat analysis shows how such requirements risk disenfranchising key voter groups, including Native Americans and college students.
As landowners resist, Texas’ border wall is fragmented and built in remote areas
Read full article: As landowners resist, Texas’ border wall is fragmented and built in remote areasAt least a third of landowners approached by state officials have refused to let wall be built on their properties. That’s forced the state to largely build on ranchland in remote areas, or erect sections that are full of gaps.
Gov. Greg Abbott announces more than $500 million in public safety grants
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott announces more than $500 million in public safety grantsThe grants will go to private and public sector recipients in Texas for a variety of public safety priorities, including securing the southern border.
Rice University offers free tuition program for students from low-income families
Read full article: Rice University offers free tuition program for students from low-income familiesRice University is celebrating over five years of providing access to higher education through the Rice Investment, a financial aid program introduced during the 2019-20 academic year.
Trump’s promise of mass deportation throws undocumented Texans into fear, uncertainty
Read full article: Trump’s promise of mass deportation throws undocumented Texans into fear, uncertaintyAs Republican Texas leaders show support for Trump’s mass deportation plans, undocumented people — some who have lived in America for decades — are weighing their options amid mounting fears.
Texas has big goals for college completion. In places like the Coastal Bend, how to get there is still murky.
Read full article: Texas has big goals for college completion. In places like the Coastal Bend, how to get there is still murky.Many rural Texans in the region say they lack quality information on the skills required to get good jobs and build a lasting career.
Texas school districts asked to return $16 million in federal funding for special education services
Read full article: Texas school districts asked to return $16 million in federal funding for special education servicesThe request comes after an audit found Texas improperly billed the federal government for reimbursements related to Medicaid-eligible students.
Texas GOP threatens House members who support Dustin Burrows in speaker race with attack mailers
Read full article: Texas GOP threatens House members who support Dustin Burrows in speaker race with attack mailersThis is the latest example of the Republican Party of Texas spending its resources attacking its own members.
A school voucher program in Texas is more likely than ever. Can lawmakers craft a bill they agree on?
Read full article: A school voucher program in Texas is more likely than ever. Can lawmakers craft a bill they agree on?Some voucher opponents are ready to compromise; others are hoping supporters will fumble over the program's size, eligibility and accountability.
Texas House panel subpoenas death row inmate Robert Roberson a second time
Read full article: Texas House panel subpoenas death row inmate Robert Roberson a second timeThe new subpoena comes after lawmakers say Ken Paxton’s office stalled a previous effort to get Roberson’s legislative testimony about his conviction in “shaken baby” case.
After learning hard lessons in Austin, Greg Casar to take Congressional Progressive Caucus in new direction
Read full article: After learning hard lessons in Austin, Greg Casar to take Congressional Progressive Caucus in new directionThe freshman congressman will lead the influential progressive caucus next year with plans to focus on working class and economic issues instead of culture wars.
Texas regulators report more than 250 new cases of groundwater contamination
Read full article: Texas regulators report more than 250 new cases of groundwater contaminationAn annual report documents 2,870 active cases of groundwater contamination around the state. Groundwater provides more than half of the state’s water supply.
‘The tree clearly won’: Texas police officer ‘A-OK’ after Christmas tree mishap at school
Read full article: ‘The tree clearly won’: Texas police officer ‘A-OK’ after Christmas tree mishap at schoolA Texas police officer is “A-OK” after a Christmas tree toppled over on top of him at a school in North Texas.
‘Come home, Jake’: Family’s birthday plea for missing San Antonio teen Jake Alvarado
Read full article: ‘Come home, Jake’: Family’s birthday plea for missing San Antonio teen Jake AlvaradoJacob "Jake" Alvarado, a 14-year-old from San Antonio, went missing on December 10, and his family is desperately seeking his return as he turns 15 tomorrow.
Survivors seek a reckoning as FBI investigates child sex abuse in little-known Christian sect
Read full article: Survivors seek a reckoning as FBI investigates child sex abuse in little-known Christian sectA small Christian sect that for decades was little noticed by the outside world has found itself riven by a very public child sex abuse scandal.
Growing oil industry support for methane reduction rule could help it survive Trump’s return
Read full article: Growing oil industry support for methane reduction rule could help it survive Trump’s returnTexas regulators are taking public comment about how they should implement an EPA rule to reduce methane leaks from the oil and gas industry.
Expanding college financial aid will help Texas meet workforce needs, new higher ed chief says
Read full article: Expanding college financial aid will help Texas meet workforce needs, new higher ed chief saysIn his new role, Rosser will be responsible for helping Texas meet its goal to increase the number of Texans ages 25 to 34 with a postsecondary credential to 60% by 2030.
Astros trade Kyle Tucker to Cubs for package including Isaac Paredes, Cam Smith and Hayden Wesneski
Read full article: Astros trade Kyle Tucker to Cubs for package including Isaac Paredes, Cam Smith and Hayden WesneskiTucker missed half of 2024 after fouling a ball of his shin and suffering a stress fracture.
A new Texas GOP rule could alter the House speaker’s race — and ban some Republicans from appearing in primaries
Read full article: A new Texas GOP rule could alter the House speaker’s race — and ban some Republicans from appearing in primariesRepublicans who vote against party leaders’ preferred candidate could be barred from running in primaries. Lawsuits could follow.
Dustin Burrows on bipartisanship, school vouchers and why he still thinks he’ll be Texas House speaker
Read full article: Dustin Burrows on bipartisanship, school vouchers and why he still thinks he’ll be Texas House speakerIn a Q&A, Burrows said he’s still confident he’ll win. But he says the leadership race is bigger than any one person and his supporters are trying to protect the integrity of the House.
AMBER Alert update: Missing Tyler brothers found safe, case under investigation
Read full article: AMBER Alert update: Missing Tyler brothers found safe, case under investigationAn AMBER Alert has been issued for two young boys, Legend Sanford, 3, and Kannon O'Neal, 4, who were abducted in Tyler, Texas.
“The best time to prepare”: Migrant rights group warns undocumented Texans to plan for deportations
Read full article: “The best time to prepare”: Migrant rights group warns undocumented Texans to plan for deportationsGroups are urging the state’s estimated 1.6 million undocumented migrants to prepare financially and make plans for their loved ones if they’re detained.