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TEXAS NEWS
In Odessa, multiple efforts are underway to help immigrants stay and work
Read full article: In Odessa, multiple efforts are underway to help immigrants stay and workA naturalized citizen, along with other business leaders, are working to create new resources for undocumented people living in the Permian Basin.
Under Texas House bill, value of education savings accounts would be tied to public school funding
Read full article: Under Texas House bill, value of education savings accounts would be tied to public school fundingThe proposal sets a few possible points of contention between the House and Senate, including how much money should families get through the program.
Feds approve another deepwater oil export terminal off Texas coast
Read full article: Feds approve another deepwater oil export terminal off Texas coastThe terminal continues an oil export infrastructure buildout that pushes growth in U.S. oil production as momentum fades on a phase-out of fossil fuels.
National leaders mount pressure campaign on Texas House GOP to pass voucher bill
Read full article: National leaders mount pressure campaign on Texas House GOP to pass voucher billSupporters of voucher-like education savings accounts are trying to press their advantage early and build a sense of inevitability.
Texas Teacher Retirement System leader says Senate voucher proposal would not harm retirement funds
Read full article: Texas Teacher Retirement System leader says Senate voucher proposal would not harm retirement fundsA recent budget analysis noted the Texas Senate’s voucher bill could affect the fund if it leads students and teachers to leave public schools.
Texas mental health licensing board gives initial OK to remove training requirement associated with DEI
Read full article: Texas mental health licensing board gives initial OK to remove training requirement associated with DEIOfficials say the motive for the change to the rule requiring mental health providers to receive cultural diversity or competency training for license renewals has been misunderstood.
Texas Senate votes in favor of proposals to deny bail to certain accused violent criminals
Read full article: Texas Senate votes in favor of proposals to deny bail to certain accused violent criminalsThe package was fast-tracked after Gov. Greg Abbott declared “bail reform” an emergency item. The bills now head to the House for consideration.
Robert Roberson files first new appeal since his execution was delayed
Read full article: Robert Roberson files first new appeal since his execution was delayedThe appeal includes new testimony from experts who say Roberson’s daughter died of natural causes, and cites the court’s exoneration of a man in another shaken baby syndrome case out of Dallas County.
Texas Senate bill would give public school teachers free pre-K and raises based on experience and performance
Read full article: Texas Senate bill would give public school teachers free pre-K and raises based on experience and performanceThe proposal would expand a program that allows districts to award bonuses to educators based on their students’ academic growth.
TribCast: The ins and outs of the debate over school choice and vouchers
Read full article: TribCast: The ins and outs of the debate over school choice and vouchersIn this week’s episode, we discuss the details of the plan to let parents use state funds to pay for their children’s private schooling.
As Texas’ energy demand soars, a pilot program looks to bolster grid with “virtual power plants” fueled by people’s homes
Read full article: As Texas’ energy demand soars, a pilot program looks to bolster grid with “virtual power plants” fueled by people’s homesSome Texans who install residential batteries, solar panels and smart thermostats can now send power back to the grid and get a credit on their bill.
Dying to serve: Dozens of recruits have died nationwide while training to become police officers
Read full article: Dying to serve: Dozens of recruits have died nationwide while training to become police officersAt least 29 recruits have died during basic training at law enforcement academies nationwide in the last decade.
Texas officials coordinate statewide efforts for winter storm readiness
Read full article: Texas officials coordinate statewide efforts for winter storm readinessGovernor Greg Abbott will hold a press conference to update on Texas's winter weather preparations, focusing on the state's power grid, roadways, and emergency services.
How a South Texas community college embraced apprenticeships to ease a growing nursing shortage
Read full article: How a South Texas community college embraced apprenticeships to ease a growing nursing shortageSouth Texas College in McAllen launched one of the first registered nursing apprenticeships in the country as area hospitals expect the need for nurses to increase.
Large earthquake strikes West Texas, among strongest ever in state
Read full article: Large earthquake strikes West Texas, among strongest ever in stateThe 5.0 magnitude earthquake is tied for the sixth strongest in state history. Scientists have warned for years that increased fracking in West Texas is causing higher earthquake activity.
Winners and losers: Who came out on top — and who didn’t — in the Texas House’s committee assignments
Read full article: Winners and losers: Who came out on top — and who didn’t — in the Texas House’s committee assignmentsThere were only so many chair positions to go around, with 30 committees for 88 Republicans, making it inevitable that some would miss out on plum appointments.
Houston attorney Tony Buzbee expands lawsuits against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs with 7 new cases
Read full article: Houston attorney Tony Buzbee expands lawsuits against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs with 7 new casesHouston attorney Tony Buzbee announced he has filed lawsuits for an additional seven alleged victims of Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Texas migrant shelters are nearly empty after Trump’s actions effectively shut the border
Read full article: Texas migrant shelters are nearly empty after Trump’s actions effectively shut the borderThe shelters began seeing fewer people dropped off by customs and border agents following former President Joe Biden’s executive order limiting some asylum claims.
Texas is poised to become a film haven — but not without a fight
Read full article: Texas is poised to become a film haven — but not without a fightThe Texas Senate has proposed injecting a staggering half a billion dollars into film production, as economists and fiscal hawks question the return on investment.
Texas’ energy demand may exceed supply in 2026, but experts caution against panic
Read full article: Texas’ energy demand may exceed supply in 2026, but experts caution against panicSome experts are skeptical the grid would see as much demand growth as ERCOT predicts, and other ERCOT models showed things getting tight but not tipping into a deficit.
Texas could sell 100 miles of border to feds, Abbott says
Read full article: Texas could sell 100 miles of border to feds, Abbott saysAbbott is in Washington this week to lobby Congress for $11 billion to compensate Texas for money spent on his Operation Lone Star, to secure the border during the Biden Administration.
How many steps do you need in a day to be healthy? The official number just changed
Read full article: How many steps do you need in a day to be healthy? The official number just changedRecent findings from the Texas Heart Institute suggest that health benefits begin at around 2,500 steps per day, with optimal benefits observed between 7,000 and 8,000 steps, contrary to the previously recommended 10,000 steps.
How a multi-year legal battle by allies of a billionaire megadonor set off this year’s explosive House Speaker race
Read full article: How a multi-year legal battle by allies of a billionaire megadonor set off this year’s explosive House Speaker raceA pair of lawsuits filed by allies of West Texas megadonor Tim Dunn shut down laws that banned outside spending in the House leadership race, allowing for more political mudslinging and raising questions about ethics rules.
Texas now has more top-tier research universities than any other state, report finds
Read full article: Texas now has more top-tier research universities than any other state, report findsThe designations come at a tumultuous time for universities as funding could be cut off and efforts to end tenure continue.
Essential travel safety tips for college women in Texas
Read full article: Essential travel safety tips for college women in TexasNavigating college life in Texas often involves late-night study sessions, social events, and solo travel. While these experiences are part of the college adventure, they can also pose safety risks, particularly for women.
County judge approves election to decide whether SpaceX launch site will become a city
Read full article: County judge approves election to decide whether SpaceX launch site will become a cityIf a majority of the roughly 500 residents living around the South Texas site vote yes in May, Starbase will be the state’s newest city.
Texas appeals court hears attorney general’s arguments for questioning Catholic Charities director over migrant services
Read full article: Texas appeals court hears attorney general’s arguments for questioning Catholic Charities director over migrant servicesThree Republican judges heard oral arguments Wednesday after a lower court blocked Attorney General Ken Paxton’s efforts to depose the charity’s leader.
Certain criminal suspects would be denied bail under changes OK'd by Texas Senate panel
Read full article: Certain criminal suspects would be denied bail under changes OK'd by Texas Senate panelThe package of bills would tighten the state's bail laws to keep more people in jail — including undocumented immigrants — while their criminal cases are pending.
In quest to infuse more religion into Texas schools, advocates say courts are now on their side
Read full article: In quest to infuse more religion into Texas schools, advocates say courts are now on their sidePast efforts to allow more religion in public schools have been hamstrung by legal challenges. But those on the religious right feel empowered by recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions.
Burrows, Patrick and Abbott: Texas’ “Big Three” have big plans and a wary new dynamic
Read full article: Burrows, Patrick and Abbott: Texas’ “Big Three” have big plans and a wary new dynamicThe aggressive Republican agenda’s success depends on how well the three leaders harmonize their tactics and goals for the legislative session.
Texas foster home linked to boy’s death had history of fight clubs and sexual misconduct, report says
Read full article: Texas foster home linked to boy’s death had history of fight clubs and sexual misconduct, report saysThe death of an 11-year-old at a Greenville residential treatment center is among 16 deaths reported in the Texas foster care system in the last 15 months.
Rep. Roger Williams introduces bill to reimburse Texas for Operation Lone Star
Read full article: Rep. Roger Williams introduces bill to reimburse Texas for Operation Lone StarThe new bill reinforces Gov. Greg Abbott’s push for the federal government to repay the $11 billion Texas has paid for the border security operation.
Texas Senate unanimously approves tax cuts for homeowners
Read full article: Texas Senate unanimously approves tax cuts for homeownersThe marquee proposal would increase the amount of a home’s value exemption from school taxes to $140,000 from $100,000. The legislation must win approval from the House next.