TEXAS NEWS
Muslim parent sues Texas over exclusion of Islamic private schools in voucher program
Read full article: Muslim parent sues Texas over exclusion of Islamic private schools in voucher programThe federal lawsuit argues Texas officials are engaging in religious discrimination by preventing Islamic private schools from accessing state voucher money.
Austin downtown shooting: What we know about the gunman, victims and motive
Read full article: Austin downtown shooting: What we know about the gunman, victims and motiveThree people were killed and 13 wounded in a West Sixth Street attack. Police say the shooter fired from an SUV before getting out and continuing on foot.
Business owners sue comptroller after their removal from state minority business program
Read full article: Business owners sue comptroller after their removal from state minority business programWomen- and minority-owned businesses were removed from the Historically Underutilized Business Program in December by acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock, who argued he was ending a DEI program.
Republican meddling roils Senate Democratic primary in final days
Read full article: Republican meddling roils Senate Democratic primary in final daysA super PAC supporting James Talarico is running ads online warning that the GOP is “boosting” Jasmine Crockett. Her spokesperson said Republicans “who underestimate her do so at their own peril.”
‘Not an everyday rescue’: Man, woman rescued after hot air balloon strikes East Texas cell tower
Read full article: ‘Not an everyday rescue’: Man, woman rescued after hot air balloon strikes East Texas cell towerRescue crews in an East Texas city completed an unusual and complicated rescue Saturday when a hot air balloon struck a cell tower, getting stuck over 900 feet above the ground with two people on board.
School districts can set aside prayer time under a new Texas law. Few have done so.
Read full article: School districts can set aside prayer time under a new Texas law. Few have done so.School boards had until March 1 to decide whether to establish a daily period for students and staff to pray or read religious texts.
Turnover in East Texas politics may jeopardize regional sway at the Legislature
Read full article: Turnover in East Texas politics may jeopardize regional sway at the LegislatureSome advocates for the region worry freshmen lawmakers will start deal-making at a deficit, while other voters see a chance for new blood.
Political fighting pervades Texas politicians’ responses to Austin shooting
Read full article: Political fighting pervades Texas politicians’ responses to Austin shootingDays out from the March primary, Republicans called for changes to immigration law. Democrats repeated their calls for stricter gun laws.
Three dead, including suspect, and 14 injured after shooting at Austin bar
Read full article: Three dead, including suspect, and 14 injured after shooting at Austin barOfficials are investigating the early Sunday morning shooting as a potential act of terrorism, but didn’t provide further details, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Texas Democrats prepare to decide party’s future after divisive, epic Senate primary
Read full article: Texas Democrats prepare to decide party’s future after divisive, epic Senate primaryJasmine Crockett and James Talarico face off in the state’s first blockbuster Democratic primary in decades. The race will likely conclude Tuesday, with the outside chance of a runoff.
Texas’ Republican Senate primary is a battle of conservative titans
Read full article: Texas’ Republican Senate primary is a battle of conservative titansU.S. Sen. John Cornyn, Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt are competing to be the Republican nominee come November, with stakes that will be felt across Texas and in Washington.
Redrawn to favor GOP, Texas’ 35th Congressional District attracts competitive primaries in both parties
Read full article: Redrawn to favor GOP, Texas’ 35th Congressional District attracts competitive primaries in both partiesPresident Donald Trump recently endorsed Air Force veteran Carlos De La Cruz for the seat Texas Republicans drew at his request. Democrats also see a chance to win in November.
President Trump endorses Sid Miller and Don Huffines, countering Abbott’s picks
Read full article: President Trump endorses Sid Miller and Don Huffines, countering Abbott’s picksTrump’s last-minute primary endorsements that directly oppose the Texas governor’s selections came hours after he spoke at an event in Corpus Christi on Friday.
Tony Gonzales heads into Election Day with political future imperiled, Democrats eyeing his district
Read full article: Tony Gonzales heads into Election Day with political future imperiled, Democrats eyeing his districtBoth parties are contemplating the notion of Brandon Herrera, a gun-loving YouTuber with a history of provocative comments, as the GOP nominee. Herrera says he can win in November.
Kamala Harris makes last-minute pitch for Jasmine Crockett with robocall
Read full article: Kamala Harris makes last-minute pitch for Jasmine Crockett with robocallThe call gives Crockett a jolt of support from one of her party’s biggest stars in the home stretch of her Senate Democratic primary against state Rep. James Talarico.
Before scandal, Rep. Tony Gonzales had complicated relationship with his West Texas constituents
Read full article: Before scandal, Rep. Tony Gonzales had complicated relationship with his West Texas constituentsThe moderate Republican’s votes on gun control and marriage equality upset the region’s most conservative voters, but local officials said they’re grateful for the work he did on public safety and health.
Texas Tech regents unexpectedly take no public action on what can be taught on race, gender
Read full article: Texas Tech regents unexpectedly take no public action on what can be taught on race, genderSome professors are waiting for a final decision on acceptable instruction under a review policy created by the system’s new chancellor.
With his personal life under scrutiny, Paxton turns to family to defend his character
Read full article: With his personal life under scrutiny, Paxton turns to family to defend his characterAfter Sen. John Cornyn began running an ad about Paxton’s alleged infidelity, he countered with a spot featuring his daughter, who also penned an op-ed citing her father’s “genuine love for his family.”
Houston schools closures explained: A Q&A with HISD Superintendent Mike Miles
Read full article: Houston schools closures explained: A Q&A with HISD Superintendent Mike MilesWhy is Houston ISD closing schools now? Superintendent Mike Miles explains what changed since November and what it means for families.
Can Jasmine Crockett’s East Texas past give her an electoral boost in rural Texas?
Read full article: Can Jasmine Crockett’s East Texas past give her an electoral boost in rural Texas?Before she was a firebrand congresswoman, Jasmine Crockett was a public defender — and local Democratic party chair — in Texarkana.
Rep. Veronica Escobar, two dozen Democrats call on ICE to close troubled El Paso detention camp
Read full article: Rep. Veronica Escobar, two dozen Democrats call on ICE to close troubled El Paso detention campThree deaths have been reported recently at the hastily constructed camp. One was ruled a homicide involving staff. Claims of medical neglect and unsanitary conditions are rife.
Flores vs. Flores: GOP primary for South Texas congressional seat hinges on who can beat the Democrats
Read full article: Flores vs. Flores: GOP primary for South Texas congressional seat hinges on who can beat the DemocratsMayra Flores argues her “battle scars” make her the best bet to beat Democrat Vicente Gonzalez. Eric Flores says his opponent is a proven “loser” after back-to-back defeats.
West Texas congressional candidates split on campaign strategy: Defend farmers or Trump
Read full article: West Texas congressional candidates split on campaign strategy: Defend farmers or TrumpAs front-runners in a seven-person Republican primary, Tom Sell is running on local issues, while Abraham Enriquez is making it all about Trump.
Texas grand jury won’t indict in 2025 fatal shooting of U.S. citizen by ICE agent
Read full article: Texas grand jury won’t indict in 2025 fatal shooting of U.S. citizen by ICE agentThe Department of Homeland Security said the 23-year-old, who came from a family of Trump supporters, was shot after intentionally hitting an agent with his vehicle on South Padre Island.
Texas education board approves 4,200 corrections in Bible-infused curriculum
Read full article: Texas education board approves 4,200 corrections in Bible-infused curriculumTaxpayers will bear the cost of fixing errors in learning materials published by the Texas Education Agency. The curriculum has drawn attention for its references to Christianity and the Bible.
How two churches forged Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico’s politics
Read full article: How two churches forged Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico’s politicsIn the Senate Democratic primary, Talarico has made his church’s ethos of compassion central to his campaign, while Jasmine Crockett is tapping into the civic power of Black churches.
Texas’ comptroller is the state’s top accountant. The candidates are campaigning on culture wars.
Read full article: Texas’ comptroller is the state’s top accountant. The candidates are campaigning on culture wars.Don Huffines, Christi Craddick and Kelly Hancock are talking more about fighting DEI, trans athletes and illegal immigration than the office’s traditional fiscal duties.
Jasmine Crockett leads James Talarico by double digits in Senate Democratic primary, poll finds
Read full article: Jasmine Crockett leads James Talarico by double digits in Senate Democratic primary, poll findsOn the Republican side, Ken Paxton and John Cornyn were neck-and-neck and in position for a runoff, according to the poll from the University of Texas’ Texas Politics Project.
Early vote turnout in Texas outpacing past elections, fueled by Democratic primary voters
Read full article: Early vote turnout in Texas outpacing past elections, fueled by Democratic primary votersTurnout during the first week of early voting for the Texas midterm election exceeded the same period for the previous two presidential elections, years that typically see higher voter engagement.
U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales says he won’t resign despite explicit texts with staffer
Read full article: U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales says he won’t resign despite explicit texts with stafferA growing number of House Republicans have called for Gonzales’ ouster — though he has yet to explicitly lose the support of any members who endorsed him.
Texans are searching for remote jobs more than any other state, new study shows
Read full article: Texans are searching for remote jobs more than any other state, new study showsA new study reveals Texas leads the nation in total remote job searches and ranks sixth overall for work-from-home interest.
Houston lawmakers skip State of the Union to hold community listening sessions
Read full article: Houston lawmakers skip State of the Union to hold community listening sessionsTwo Houston-area Congress members, Rep. Christian Menefee of Texas' 18th District and Rep. Lizzie Fletcher of the 7th District, have chosen to skip President Trump's State of the Union address to host community listening sessions in Houston.
Seis muertes en seis semanas: Lo que hay que saber sobre las detenciones de ICE en Texas
Read full article: Seis muertes en seis semanas: Lo que hay que saber sobre las detenciones de ICE en TexasEl año pasado hubo más muertes dentro de los centros de detención de ICE que en ningún otro en las últimas dos décadas. Casi una cuarta parte de esas muertes ocurrieron en Texas.
Texas Lt. Gov. asks for pause on Camp Mystic license renewal
Read full article: Texas Lt. Gov. asks for pause on Camp Mystic license renewalTexas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has requested that the state pause the renewal of Camp Mystic's license until a full investigation into last summer's tragic events, where 28 lives were lost, is conducted.
North Texas suburb will stay in region’s largest public transit system for now
Read full article: North Texas suburb will stay in region’s largest public transit system for nowThe Plano City Council led an aggressive push to dismantle the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system. The suburb reached an agreement with the agency earlier this year to claw back some tax dollars and other concessions.
Trump expected to visit Corpus Christi on Friday, days before Texas primary
Read full article: Trump expected to visit Corpus Christi on Friday, days before Texas primaryThe president’s visit could be heavy on political overtones, as he has endorsed dozens of Republicans in their March 3 congressional and legislative primaries.
Texts show Rep. Tony Gonzales asked for explicit photos from aide who later died by suicide
Read full article: Texts show Rep. Tony Gonzales asked for explicit photos from aide who later died by suicideAdditionally, a police report shows that the aide, Regina Santos-Aviles, told responding officers she set herself on fire because her husband was romantically involved with her best friend.