TEXAS NEWS
If Texas measles outbreak is still spreading, U.S. could lose measles-free status, scientists say
Read full article: If Texas measles outbreak is still spreading, U.S. could lose measles-free status, scientists sayOne study estimates that an outbreak the size of the one in West Texas earlier this year costs about $12.6 million.
Supreme Court lets Texas keep new congressional map while legal battle continues
Read full article: Supreme Court lets Texas keep new congressional map while legal battle continuesThe ruling is a major win for the Trump administration and Texas Republicans, who engineered the map to give the GOP control of 30 of the state’s 38 congressional districts.
Contracts awarded to design gates and dunes for Gulf Coast “Ike Dike” project
Read full article: Contracts awarded to design gates and dunes for Gulf Coast “Ike Dike” projectSupporters say the massive project would protect the Galveston Bay area from dangerous storm surge, but it remains billions of dollars short of what’s needed to build the barrier.
Federal lawsuits challenging immigration detention flood Texas
Read full article: Federal lawsuits challenging immigration detention flood TexasThe wave of legal challenges is in response to the Trump administration’s intensified immigration enforcement and its new policy expanding mandatory detention for undocumented immigrants.
Running water will finally reach West Odessa thanks to $17 million from state lawmakers
Read full article: Running water will finally reach West Odessa thanks to $17 million from state lawmakersThe Legislature approved $600 million for standalone improvements, but one advocate worried the increase in direct spending undermines the Texas Water Development Board’s process.
Texas’ new “bathroom bill,” Senate Bill 8, takes effect today
Read full article: Texas’ new “bathroom bill,” Senate Bill 8, takes effect todaySenate Bill 8, Texas' new "bathroom bill," has become law, restricting restroom and changing-area access in public buildings based on sex assigned at birth.
TribCast: Did Texas quietly help with its child care crisis?
Read full article: TribCast: Did Texas quietly help with its child care crisis?In this week's episode, Matthew and Eleanor speak with K-12 education reporter Jaden Edison and early learning advocate David Feigen about the shortage of affordable child care in Texas.
Donald Trump to pardon Texas Democrat Henry Cuellar
Read full article: Donald Trump to pardon Texas Democrat Henry CuellarCuellar had faced a dozen charges of bribery, money laundering and conspiracy. On Wednesday, he filed for reelection as a Democrat, quieting speculation that he migh switch parties.
FDA warns imported cookware may leach lead into food during cooking or storage
Read full article: FDA warns imported cookware may leach lead into food during cooking or storageThe FDA has warned that nine imported cookware products made from aluminum, brass, and aluminum alloys may leach lead into food.
Despite bribery charges, many Democrats still favor Henry Cuellar to hold his Laredo district
Read full article: Despite bribery charges, many Democrats still favor Henry Cuellar to hold his Laredo districtDays out from the filing deadline, Cuellar has yet to draw a serious primary challenger — a sign that many in his party view the anti-abortion congressman as their best bet to stave off the GOP in November.
Kerr County was among dozens of Texas communities to turn down state flood money, saying it wasn’t enough
Read full article: Kerr County was among dozens of Texas communities to turn down state flood money, saying it wasn’t enoughTexas earmarked $1.4 billion to help fund flood prevention projects. But after learning that so many communities turned down the money, two lawmakers who approved the program acknowledged it was flawed.
Texas removes women and minorities from Historically Underutilized Business program for state contracts
Read full article: Texas removes women and minorities from Historically Underutilized Business program for state contractsThe program will now only be eligible for service-disabled veterans. It will be called Veteran Heroes United in Business.
Texas will unveil its newest state park with a guided hike on New Year’s Day
Read full article: Texas will unveil its newest state park with a guided hike on New Year’s DayPalo Pinto Mountains State Park in North Texas will open sometime next year. Visitors can reserve spots for a sneak peek on New Year’s Day.
Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina launches run for Congress, seeking to flip South Texas district red
Read full article: Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina launches run for Congress, seeking to flip South Texas district redNational GOP recruiters see Webb County’s top elected official as a promising candidate to unseat longtime U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar in 2026.
Federal prosecutors say Afghan national made bomb threat on TikTok video in Texas
Read full article: Federal prosecutors say Afghan national made bomb threat on TikTok video in TexasAuthorities have charged a Texas man with making threats online after they say a video showing him threatening to build a bomb and conduct a suicide attack was posted to TikTok and other social media sites.
In Houston, young mothers face some of the highest barriers for college and work in the U.S.
Read full article: In Houston, young mothers face some of the highest barriers for college and work in the U.S.At 13.3%, Houston has the worst rate of young adults who are neither working nor in school of the largest metro areas in the country.
How Texas’ law banning DEI, LGBTQ+ topics in K-12 schools could fare in court
Read full article: How Texas’ law banning DEI, LGBTQ+ topics in K-12 schools could fare in courtCases challenging Florida and federal policies provide a glimpse into the possible outcome for the Texas case. It is scheduled for a court hearing in Houston on Dec. 10.
Texas Tech System limits how race and gender can be taught, says faculty could face discipline for noncompliance
Read full article: Texas Tech System limits how race and gender can be taught, says faculty could face discipline for noncomplianceTech, now the second Texas public university system to add similar teaching restrictions, had earlier directed faculty to follow state and federal guidance recognizing only two sexes.
Texas Rep. Gary VanDeaver, a private school voucher holdout, won’t seek reelection
Read full article: Texas Rep. Gary VanDeaver, a private school voucher holdout, won’t seek reelectionVanDeaver, who represents northeast Texas, was one of two House Republicans to oppose a school voucher program this year after he narrowly beat a pro-voucher primary challenger in 2024.
Son of drug kingpin ‘El Chapo’ pleads guilty in US drug trafficking case in a plea deal
Read full article: Son of drug kingpin ‘El Chapo’ pleads guilty in US drug trafficking case in a plea dealOne of the sons of imprisoned Mexican drug kingpin “El Chapo” has pleaded guilty to U.S. drug trafficking charges.
Texas is restricting the bathrooms trans people can use in government buildings. Here’s how the law works.
Read full article: Texas is restricting the bathrooms trans people can use in government buildings. Here’s how the law works.The “bathroom bill” doesn’t provide guidance for how government agencies, schools and universities should ensure people use facilities matching their sex assigned at birth.
Days before Texas’ “bathroom bill” becomes law, questions remain about how it will be enforced
Read full article: Days before Texas’ “bathroom bill” becomes law, questions remain about how it will be enforcedSome trans Texans worry that the lack of specificity on how the law will be enforced will harm their safety and lives.
U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls won’t seek reelection, becoming sixth Texas Republican to announce exit from Congress
Read full article: U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls won’t seek reelection, becoming sixth Texas Republican to announce exit from CongressThe Richmond Republican, a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, made the announcement with days left before the deadline for candidates to file for the 2026 primaries.
Texas ID restrictions could prevent immigrants in US illegally from buying, registering vehicles
Read full article: Texas ID restrictions could prevent immigrants in US illegally from buying, registering vehiclesThe Texas Department of Motor Vehicles is implementing more stringent photo identification requirements for all vehicle registrations and renewals in an abrupt shift that could prevent immigrants from legally owning vehicles.
Megan Thee Stallion’s foundation feeds nearly 2,000 Texas families for Thanksgiving
Read full article: Megan Thee Stallion’s foundation feeds nearly 2,000 Texas families for ThanksgivingHouston rapper Megan Thee Stallion’s Pete & Thomas Foundation partnered with Walmart this week to provide Thanksgiving meals and essential items to nearly 2,000 underserved families in Texas.
Texas proposes hiking licensing fees for summer camps by as much as 4000%
Read full article: Texas proposes hiking licensing fees for summer camps by as much as 4000%Some Texas overnight summer camps may start paying as much as $19,500 per year to renew their license with the state. Currently, they pay $464.
Wednesday is the ‘Drunkest Day of the Year.’ Don’t drive drunk and ruin Thanksgiving
Read full article: Wednesday is the ‘Drunkest Day of the Year.’ Don’t drive drunk and ruin ThanksgivingThe Wednesday before Thanksgiving, known nationally as “Blackout Wednesday,” has earned a grim reputation as the drunkest day of the year on roads around the country.
Beyond the dad bod: Male liposuction on the rise in 2025
Read full article: Beyond the dad bod: Male liposuction on the rise in 2025In 2025, male liposuction is gaining popularity, moving beyond the "dad bod" trend as more men seek cosmetic procedures not for perfection, but to restore definition that workouts can't achieve.
Texas hoped $100 million would help more families pay for child care. Here’s why it didn’t.
Read full article: Texas hoped $100 million would help more families pay for child care. Here’s why it didn’t.Increased costs in food and payroll at child care centers effectively wiped out the one-time investment state lawmakers approved earlier this year, a new report found.
A West Texas county wants to better prepare for floods. Paying for it will be tricky.
Read full article: A West Texas county wants to better prepare for floods. Paying for it will be tricky.Ector County has boomed since the 1970s, when the drainage system was last updated. Officials hope state and federal funds will help pay for the update despite some grant programs ending under the Trump administration.
A slate of new Texas laws go into effect December and January. Here’s what to watch.
Read full article: A slate of new Texas laws go into effect December and January. Here’s what to watch.Laws include restricting transgender people’s access to public bathrooms, allowing lawsuits against abortion pill providers, and replacement of the STAAR test.
In school voucher rules, Texas lets families get more for pre-K but rejects stronger accountability
Read full article: In school voucher rules, Texas lets families get more for pre-K but rejects stronger accountabilityThe rules serve as the foundation for Texas’ private school voucher program, which will officially launch at the start of the 2026-27 school year.
Tony Buzbee files $10 million lawsuit on behalf of woman alleging Texas Association of Business CEO of sexual assault
Read full article: Tony Buzbee files $10 million lawsuit on behalf of woman alleging Texas Association of Business CEO of sexual assaultProminent Houston Attorney Tony Buzbee confirmed his firm is representing an unidentified female victim in a case involving alleged sexual misconduct.
Brandon Herrera raises $1 million, swipes at Rep. Tony Gonzales over alleged affair
Read full article: Brandon Herrera raises $1 million, swipes at Rep. Tony Gonzales over alleged affairGonzales recently made his first public remarks about the death of his 35-year-old aide who died after lighting herself on fire. He vigorously denied reports that the two were engaged in an extramarital affair.
Texas summer camp owners brace for more mental health issues among youth
Read full article: Texas summer camp owners brace for more mental health issues among youthMental health experts expect the July 4 floods have resulted in post-traumatic stress disorder, unhealthy hypervigilance and recurring thoughts on disasters among campers.
They couldn’t save their daughters’ lives in the July 4 floods. Now they’re dealing with the grief and the guilt.
Read full article: They couldn’t save their daughters’ lives in the July 4 floods. Now they’re dealing with the grief and the guilt.RJ and Annie Harber have leaned on faith, their community and each other to move through each day after losing their daughters and RJ’s parents. But memories of that night still haunt them.
Texas education chief met with Turning Point USA to discuss group’s expansion in high schools
Read full article: Texas education chief met with Turning Point USA to discuss group’s expansion in high schoolsThe meeting happened days before Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick pledged $1 million to help establish chapters of the conservative student group on every Texas college and high school campus.
Houston teen reunited with mom after nearly 50 days in federal care: A full timeline of what happened
Read full article: Houston teen reunited with mom after nearly 50 days in federal care: A full timeline of what happenedA Houston mother says she spent nearly fifty days searching for answers after her teenage son disappeared, was later found by police, and then taken into federal care when officers believed he had no family here.