TEXAS NEWS
Texas bills increasing youth camp safety face long odds, even after Hill Country floods
Read full article: Texas bills increasing youth camp safety face long odds, even after Hill Country floodsCompeting legislative priorities and an industry that has pushed against certain regulations could challenge a suite of camp safety bills this special legislative session.
Some rural Texans see THC as a lifeline for their health and economy
Read full article: Some rural Texans see THC as a lifeline for their health and economyAs lawmakers continue to debate banning hemp-derived THC, some rural Texans say it helps ease addiction, health concerns and economic woes that hit their communities the hardest.
Kerr County officials failed to follow certain aspects of disaster plan during Texas floods
Read full article: Kerr County officials failed to follow certain aspects of disaster plan during Texas floodsThe five-year-old plan, required by the state, detailed when additional monitoring was to take place and who was responsible for alerting the public to evacuate.
āNobody cameā: Hill Country flooding survivors recount anguish, neglect during emotional hearing
Read full article: āNobody cameā: Hill Country flooding survivors recount anguish, neglect during emotional hearingResidents told state lawmakers about what theyāve lost and the hardships theyāre experiencing almost a month after the July 4 disaster devastated the region.
Kendall County judge shares how preparedness, action plan saved lives during Hill Country floods
Read full article: Kendall County judge shares how preparedness, action plan saved lives during Hill Country floodsKendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk spoke before a joint House and Senate of lawmakers who visited the Hill Country for the hearing on Thursday.
As the floods hit, Kerrville officialsā messages show lack of information about what was coming
Read full article: As the floods hit, Kerrville officialsā messages show lack of information about what was comingLawmakers plan to hear testimony Thursday in Kerr County. Questions remain about how state and local entities responded to flood warnings.
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals pushes death row inmateās case back to trial court
Read full article: Texas Court of Criminal Appeals pushes death row inmateās case back to trial courtDissenting judges expressed frustration over a lack of clarity on why the case of David Leonard Wood, whose execution in March was halted, was remanded to the lower court.
Former Sid Miller allies told police the ag commissioner feared the DEA, told a friend to get rid of marijuana
Read full article: Former Sid Miller allies told police the ag commissioner feared the DEA, told a friend to get rid of marijuanaMiller denies wrongdoing after allegations surfaced during an investigation into one of his aides, who pled guilty to bribery. The agriculture commissioner has not been charged with a crime.
Texas GOP once again tries to ban local governments from hiring lobbyists in Austin
Read full article: Texas GOP once again tries to ban local governments from hiring lobbyists in AustinCritics of the bill say the stateās smallest cities and school districts will be silenced at the Capitol.
The Breakfast Klubās 4th Annual HBCU Freshmen Send-Off Party returns this Saturday in Houston
Read full article: The Breakfast Klubās 4th Annual HBCU Freshmen Send-Off Party returns this Saturday in HoustonHeaded to an HBCU this fall? The Breakfast Klubās 4th annual HBCU Freshman Send-Off is back ā part party, part pep rally. With free food, scholarships, and real talk from upperclassmen, itās all about celebrating culture and sending local scholars off with love.
Texas Senate once again tries to give the attorney general authority to prosecute election crimes
Read full article: Texas Senate once again tries to give the attorney general authority to prosecute election crimesA similar proposal stalled out earlier this year over disagreements between the House and Senate. This time, lawmakers might clash over whether to approve the new bill along with a constitutional amendment.
Texas House Republicans unveil new congressional map that looks to pick up five GOP seats
Read full article: Texas House Republicans unveil new congressional map that looks to pick up five GOP seatsThe first draft of the lower chamberās new redistricting map targets Democratic members of Congress in the Austin, Dallas and Houston metro areas and in South Texas.
The guerilla campaign to save a Texas prairie from āsilent extinctionā
Read full article: The guerilla campaign to save a Texas prairie from āsilent extinctionāStudents and naturalists have been sneaking onto private land to extricate threatened native plants: āThis is a war between us and the developers, and nobodyās calling uncle.ā
Texas Democrats are fundraising to potentially leave the state to block GOP-backed redistricting
Read full article: Texas Democrats are fundraising to potentially leave the state to block GOP-backed redistrictingThe money could be used to cover the $500-a-day fines lawmakers would incur under House rules set to discourage members from absconding after Democrats fled the state in 2021.
Lubbock to get new 50-bed mental health hospital, part of stateās $2.5B overhaul
Read full article: Lubbock to get new 50-bed mental health hospital, part of stateās $2.5B overhaulState officials have initiated construction on the Lubbock Psychiatric Center, a $121 million, 50-bed maximum-security mental health hospital funded as part of Texas' $2.5 billion overhaul of its mental health care system.
A fight to save an Austin middle school puts families at odds with Texas over how to rate schools
Read full article: A fight to save an Austin middle school puts families at odds with Texas over how to rate schoolsLegislators have a chance this summer to replace the STAAR test. What they come up with will decide the fate of schools like Dobie Middle School, where low test scores have pushed the Austin district to intervene.
From racism claims to a $725,000 settlement, a UNT professorās lawsuit mirrors Texasā shifting views on free speech
Read full article: From racism claims to a $725,000 settlement, a UNT professorās lawsuit mirrors Texasā shifting views on free speechProfessor Timothy Jackson was accused of making racist remarks at the height of the racial reckoning that followed George Floyd's murder. His free speech suit against the university comes to an end in the era of DEI bans.
Deadlock in Texasā District 18 race with high undecided voter rates, University of Houston poll reveals
Read full article: Deadlock in Texasā District 18 race with high undecided voter rates, University of Houston poll revealsWith several candidates lined up to represent the district, which has remained unseated since March, the results from the survey further demonstrate how heated the race has become.
Whatās new at Hobby Airport: SpindleTap Brewery, Killenās BBQ now open
Read full article: Whatās new at Hobby Airport: SpindleTap Brewery, Killenās BBQ now openTravelers at William P. Hobby Airport can now enjoy SpindleTap Brewery near Gate 28, offering craft beers, spirits, coffee, and quick bites. Additionally, Killenās BBQ, a Houston barbecue spot, has opened a location.
Texas A&M Systemās new leader hints faculty senates in state leadersā crosshairs will stay
Read full article: Texas A&M Systemās new leader hints faculty senates in state leadersā crosshairs will stayIn an interview with the Tribune, Chancellor Glenn Hegar also said he would prioritize student outcomes over big projects and skirted questions about diversity and academic freedom.
GOP Army veteran announces challenge to Democrat Vicente Gonzalez in South Texas congressional district
Read full article: GOP Army veteran announces challenge to Democrat Vicente Gonzalez in South Texas congressional districtThe prospect of Eric Floresā candidacy has excited Republicans in Texas and Washington, due in part to his military and law enforcement credentials.
Texas Republicans, including Gov. Abbott, were reluctant to redraw the stateās congressional maps. Then Trump got involved.
Read full article: Texas Republicans, including Gov. Abbott, were reluctant to redraw the stateās congressional maps. Then Trump got involved.The governor eventually agreed to include redistricting on his special session agenda after discussing the matter with the president on a phone call.
In Kerr County, some summer camps are reopening after the devastating July 4 flood
Read full article: In Kerr County, some summer camps are reopening after the devastating July 4 floodAt least two summer camps in the Texas Hill Country have invited campers back after sustaining little to no damage from the flood. Other camps are still combing through the rubble.
Texas House redistricting committeeās Houston hearing draws criticism over absence of maps
Read full article: Texas House redistricting committeeās Houston hearing draws criticism over absence of mapsDemocratic members slammed the process, questioning why hearings were happening before maps were available for review. Chair Cody Vasut said follow-up public hearings will be scheduled once maps are filed.
UH graduate, Congressional candidate Isaiah Martin, arrested after being dragged out of redistricting meeting in Austin
Read full article: UH graduate, Congressional candidate Isaiah Martin, arrested after being dragged out of redistricting meeting in AustinCongressional candidate Isaiah Martin was arrested at the Texas State Capitol during a protest against alleged illegal gerrymandering involving Governor Greg Abbott and former President Donald Trump.
Struggling Texas cotton industry emphasizing the hazards of fast fashion
Read full article: Struggling Texas cotton industry emphasizing the hazards of fast fashionA group representing High Plains region farmers has launched a campaign to make buyers aware of synthetic fibersā impact on the environment and health.
Texas hospitals, clinics spared the worst of GOP Medicaid cuts. An expected rise in the uninsured rate could change that.
Read full article: Texas hospitals, clinics spared the worst of GOP Medicaid cuts. An expected rise in the uninsured rate could change that.Texas clinics, in particular, are worried about their ability to meet patient needs once people begin losing insurance under changes from Republicansā recent megabill.
Texas again trying to restrict the bathrooms transgender people can use
Read full article: Texas again trying to restrict the bathrooms transgender people can useThe bills would carry a $5,000 fine for a first-time violation and comes as momentum for such restrictions has increased in the state and nationally.
āBreaking is about battlingā: Break Free Worldwideās Global Dance battle hits River Oaks Theatre this Saturday
Read full article: āBreaking is about battlingā: Break Free Worldwideās Global Dance battle hits River Oaks Theatre this SaturdayBreak Free Day ā Global Dance Battle brings the world of breakdancing to River Oaks Theatre for a full day of culture, competition, and creativity. With workshops, live battles, cinematic storytelling, and international talent on stage, the event celebrates the roots of hip-hop while highlighting the next generation of breakers.
āWe fought for this districtā: Houstonians push back on Texas lawmakers redistricting efforts
Read full article: āWe fought for this districtā: Houstonians push back on Texas lawmakers redistricting effortsState lawmakers are moving forward with efforts to redraw congressional maps a move thatās sparking both political controversy and public pushback ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Better testing, less vaccine messaging among lessons learned from historic Texas measles outbreak
Read full article: Better testing, less vaccine messaging among lessons learned from historic Texas measles outbreakFaced with a skeptical religious community that became the center of the outbreak, public health officials say they may have pushed too hard on vaccine messaging.
Texas Senate committee doubles down on THC ban, saying state and local governments donāt have the resources for regulations
Read full article: Texas Senate committee doubles down on THC ban, saying state and local governments donāt have the resources for regulationsSenate Bill 5 would ban products containing any detectable amount of any cannabinoid, creating criminal offenses for possession of hemp-derived THC.
Texas Democrats vow to use delay tactics to drag out GOP redistricting effort
Read full article: Texas Democrats vow to use delay tactics to drag out GOP redistricting effortWith few options to prevent the Republican majority from passing a new congressional map, Democrats threatened to filibuster, delay hearings and even break quorum.
Ken Paxton sues adult swimming organization for allowing transgender competitors at San Antonio event
Read full article: Ken Paxton sues adult swimming organization for allowing transgender competitors at San Antonio eventThe Texas attorney general said U.S. Masters Swimming violated the stateās Deceptive Trade Practices Act by allowing trans athletes to compete in womenās events.
Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, first Texas DOGE chair, will not seek reelection
Read full article: Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, first Texas DOGE chair, will not seek reelectionThe Southlake Republican will serve the remainder of his seventh term. Keller Mayor Armin Mizani said on Wednesday he would run for the District 98 seat.
Plans for flood warning system floundered before Hill Country floods, witnesses tell legislative flood committee
Read full article: Plans for flood warning system floundered before Hill Country floods, witnesses tell legislative flood committeeLawmakers serving on special committees investigating deadly floods blasted a river authority for failing to build a flood warning system on the Guadalupe River.
Ohana Surf Dog Competition breaks records, supports Galveston Island Humane Society
Read full article: Ohana Surf Dog Competition breaks records, supports Galveston Island Humane SocietyDogs took over Galvestonās 27th Street Beach for the 12th Annual Ohana Surf Dog Competition, drawing a record crowd and raising crucial funds for the Galveston Island Humane Society. From seasoned surfers to first-timers, these dogs made waves while supporting pet adoption, medical care, and spay/neuter programs.
Typhoon Texas hosts FREE āQuiet Watersā morning for sensory-sensitive children on Friday
Read full article: Typhoon Texas hosts FREE āQuiet Watersā morning for sensory-sensitive children on FridayTyphoon Texas is offering a free, sensory-friendly āQuiet Watersā morning on July 25 for children with autism or sensory sensitivities. Families can enjoy the park in a calm, low-stimulation environment.