While the state's strict ban on gambling hasn’t changed, fast-growing daily fantasy sports and prediction market apps are giving Texans new ways to wager without leaving home.

These funds, provided through the Texas Veterans Commission, will deliver support to more than 5,200 veterans and their families in 13 counties.

A Dallas businessman has proposed studying the aquifer to see if he can pump millions of gallons out of East Texas, a plan that residents distrust.

A spokesperson tells us the reason this is happening is that the city is working on the water line on Main Street, and two of the towers are experiencing water issues.

Now that the Texas House has a quorum following Democrats’ two-week absence, lawmakers are back to debate a wide range of issues, including redrawing congressional maps to benefit Republicans.

Starting April 1, 2026, Texans who use SNAP benefits won’t be able to buy candy or sweetened drinks — including sodas and artificially sweetened beverages. The change, approved by the federal government, aims to promote healthier food choices.

Why does this matter? Redistricting can influence electoral outcomes and reshape political power.

Alvin police are searching for Darryl Wayne Pressley, 58, who is wanted for aggravated robbery and other felony charges after allegedly attacking and robbing an elderly resident in a mobile home community.

Approval of the monument comes as the lower chamber prepares to debate the “Life of the Mother Act” bill later this week.

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has launches an online, interactive map that shows where people can go to either acquire for free or purchase life-saving Naloxone (NARCAN).

Houston ISD joins other school districts in a lawsuit against social media companies for allegedly causing emotional and physical harm to students.

In a recent meeting between President Donald Trump and Governor Greg Abbott, discussions centered around improving border security and addressing the growing challenges at the U.S.-Mexico border.

The 400 members of a special tactical unit left bases in Houston and Fort Worth on Monday morning, according to the governor’s office.

Gov. Abbott and TxDOT's new PSA urges drivers to follow the “Move Over or Slow Down” law, protecting roadside workers and law enforcement. With holiday traffic increasing, Texans are reminded: slow down, move over—it’s the law.

Governor Greg Abbott has launched a bold new campaign aimed at deterring illegal immigration by highlighting the harsh realities faced by migrants.

Religion is well-suited for terrifying and entertaining thrill-seeking moviegoers.

If you’re planning to vote in November, today is your last chance to register. You don’t want to show up at the polls and find out your name is on the suspended list!

According to an emailed press release, Erica Lee Carter “has been recently asked by community leaders and Democratic party supporters to consider running.” And now, we’re told she is “strongly considering running.”

The parents of Kentucky baby who died last fall after drinking bacteria-tainted infant formula are the latest to sue manufacturer Abbott Nutrition.

With a state-ordered investigation into CenterPoint underway and their executives on a tight timeline to deliver answers to Governor Abbott by next week, the power company issued a public apology Thursday over its Hurricane Beryl response.

Abbott is warning that sensors on some of its blood sugar monitoring systems may need to be replaced to prevent inaccurate readings.

The U.K.’s first Black female member of Parliament will be allowed to stand for the Labour Party in the upcoming general election, leader Keir Starmer says, following a fractious few days over her political future.

Governor Abbott will get a first-hand look at the devastation in the Conroe area on Monday.

Adelson wasted little time reaching out to the state’s business leaders since news of the deal broke, visiting Austin on Thursday to address the Texas Association of Business, the state’s largest business lobby.

The runoff features two Republicans from dueling factions of the party, Jill Dutton and Brent Money, vying to finish the term of former state Rep. Bryan Slaton, R-Royse City.

If elected next year, Woodfill also plans to run for House speaker. His campaign accuses his 2024 opponent, conservative state Rep. Lacey Hull, of conspiring with incumbent Speaker Dade Phelan to work against conservatives.

Violations could bring a $50,000 fine under an amendment adopted Wednesday. The bill’s sponsor said the ban would be the strongest in the nation.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has released a statement following his reinstatement to the office after a not guilty verdict in his impeachment trial.

On the fifth anniversary of the tragedy, a new monument will be unveiled at the high school on Thursday.

Gov. Greg Abbott will hold a press conference Wednesday at the State Operations Center in Austin ahead of the severe winter weather that is expected to impact the state of Texas this week.

The announcement signals a shift in Abbott’s approach to fighting the opioid epidemic. He had previously pushed back against bills calling for the decriminalization of fentanyl testing strips.

A Montana judge said he would decide Tuesday whether to continue temporary limits on wolf hunting in the state or to restore quotas and hunting methods before a trial over whether the public was given an adequate opportunity to weigh in on changes in the way the state estimates the size of the wolf population.

With inflation a continuing concern for everyone, putting food on the table is a growing challenge for some in our community.

As public debate intensifies over how the state will divvy up billions in new money, community groups that treat children for mental illness fear they’re not a priority.

Less than one month before the Midterm election, KPRC 2 Anchor Christine Noël sat down with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for a 1-on-1 interview in The Woodlands.

New U.S. recommendations call for three home tests for people exposed to COVID-19 to improve accuracy.

HHSC said it was initially told the plan was “not approvable.” Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a statement Friday saying Texas’ plan to extend coverage to six months was not rejected but still under review.

Governor Greg Abbott announced Wednesday that the Public Safety Office (PSO) is providing $1.25 million to the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District (UCISD).

The Texas House of Representatives Investigative Committee on the Robb Elementary Shooting released its interim report on the tragedy Sunday. It is based on weeks of closed-door interviews with dozens of people, including witnesses and law enforcement who responded to the shooting scene in Uvalde, Texas.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Commissioner Rodney Ellis will hold a news conference Tuesday morning calling for a special session to address the ongoing gun violence among children.

In the wake of the Uvalde mass shooting in which 21 people were killed, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he sent a letter on Wednesday to Kathy Martinez-Prather directing the Texas School Safety Center to begin immediately conducting comprehensive school safety reviews to ensure all Texas public schools are following the appropriate procedures to maximize school safety.

Governor Greg Abbott will no longer make an in-person appearance at the NRA convention in Houston Friday due to him being scheduled to hold a news conference in Uvalde.

The head of the Food and Drug Administration faced a congressional grilling over a months-long delay in inspecting the plant at the center of a nationwide baby formula shortage.

A massive recall is getting most of the blame for the U.S. baby formula shortage, but experts say the products have long been vulnerable to this type of crisis.

Lawyers representing families under investigation said they heard from the agency Thursday about continuing the investigations that had previously been halted by a statewide injunction.

Many questions remain about the shuttered Abbott baby formula plant at the center of a nationwide shortage.

President Joe Biden's administration has announced new steps to ease the national shortage of baby formula, including allowing more imports from overseas.

The state’s poorest mothers are paying hundreds of dollars out of pocket when they find baby formula because they say they can’t risk waiting for the exact brand and size container covered by Texas’ Women, Infant and Children program.

Parents across the U.S. are scrambling to find baby formula because of supply disruptions and a massive safety recall by manufacturer Abbott.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner joins Texas Governor Abbott and officials from other states to proclaim April 23 – 29 as “Disability Book Week,” which will highlight authors worldwide with disabilities. It also includes books that have a leading character with a disability shown in a positive way.

Gov. Greg Abbott held a roundtable discussion on Texas’ thriving business climate on Thursday in Houston.

Maj. Gen. Thomas M. Suelzer will take over as the military department’s new leader. He replaces Maj. Gen. Tracy Norris, who was criticized for her handling of Operation Lone Star, as adjutant general of the Texas Military Department.

Ever since Gov. Greg Abbott directed the state’s child welfare agency to investigate parents who provide gender-affirming care to their children, LGBTQ-affirming family lawyers statewide have been deluged with calls.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it's investigating certain powdered baby formula following reports of children contracting serious infections.

As a strong artic cold front moves across Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott held a press conference Thursday, providing an update on the severe winter weather.

Texas faces a new winter storm a year after a deadly freeze left millions without power. Here’s the latest.

Starting Tuesday, “outside dogs” in Houston will hopefully be a little healthier and happier, thanks to a new law that will protect them.

It’s unclear whether the local mandate, which requires businesses to post signs outlining their safety guidelines, is in conflict with Gov. Greg Abbott’s previous pandemic orders.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Attorney Christian Menefee spoke out on Thursday at a news conference after the State Court of Appeals announced they upheld the county’s ability to impose mask mandates.

Holiday season could strain COVID-19 home test supplies as more Americans try to screen themselves before Thanksgiving and other family gatherings.

Before ending the special session Tuesday, Texas lawmakers reached a deal to allocate roughly $3.3 billion to higher education institutions for capital projects. The price tag went up from the Senate's original proposal.

The borders were closed to nonessential travel in March 2020, which hurt businesses in Texas border cities that rely on Mexican shoppers.

Abbott has faced pressure from his right to prioritize property tax relief. One of his challengers in the Republican primary has slammed him for not including it earlier in the agenda, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called it his top priority this session.

On top of redistricting, Abbott wants lawmakers to take up bills on restrictions for transgender student athletes and the allocation of billions of dollars in federal COVID-19 relief funds.

After two months, the donations had petered out around $1 million. But the effort saw a major boost in August.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has extended the border disaster declaration for 43 counties in South Texas.

The bill would nearly triple border security funding from the last biennium. The legislation needs one more vote of approval from the House before moving to the Senate.

Fort Bend Independent School District announced Saturday that its mask mandate for students and staff has been lifted.

Biden said he will use the U.S. Department of Education’s civil rights enforcement authority to deter states from blocking mask mandates in classrooms.

The barrier in Eagle Pass is the first glimpse into how much a state-funded border wall could cost. But Abbott’s office says it’s a “concrete barrier” that is separate from his border wall push.

Reynolds is among the Texas House Democrats who fled to Washington, D.C., last month to block a state voting restrictions bill.

Monica Abbott's 13-strikeout night helped the Americans walk-off in the bottom of the eighth to move to 4-0 and move closer to the gold-medal game.

Veteran pitcher Cat Osterman brought her A-game again as the United States moved to 3-0 in pool play with a 2-0 defeat of Mexico on Saturday.

The United States notched an opening-round victory against Canada behind a clutch pitching performance by Monica Abbott.

Not many days after Lisa Torry Smith died in 2017, after family members learned it was not a crime in Texas to drive into someone in a crosswalk, they decided the law needed to change.

Houston Newsmakers: Harris County Democrats elect new party chair

The governor said Texas needs to build a border wall to reduce migrant apprehensions and fentanyl seizures. But immigration and drug treatment experts say Abbott's oversimplifying the issue.

Houston Newsmakers: Texas Dems stymie GOP voting bill…for now

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will hold a press conference on Thursday in Fort Worth to provide an update on the state's efforts to secure the border.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott told the U.S. Department of Labor on Monday that Texas will opt out of further federal unemployment compensation related to the COVID-19 pandemic, effective June 26, 2021.

(Harris County planned to send out applications to request a mail-in ballot, not the actual ballots.) Harris County officials quickly fired back at Republicans’ proposals in their own press conference. Ad“These kinds of attempts to confuse, to intimidate, to suppress are a continuation of policies we’ve seen in this state since Reconstruction,” Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said. In a previous interview, Harris County’s election administrator Isabel Longoria said she hoped those initiatives would become permanent for future elections. Election officials and even former U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr also said there was no evidence to back Republican claims.

HOUSTON – Masks will no longer be mandatory at Texas businesses starting Wednesday, March 10, per Gov. “Tomorrow I am not going to be enforcing the mask mandate because I think it’s up to the individual,” Contello said. AdShe added that customers can still choose to wear a mask if it would make them more comfortable while shopping. “If you want to stay home, stay home and be safe,” she added. Let’s get our life back on track.”Joseph said he hopes people who may not agree with his stance, not take it out on his restaurant’s employees.

FILE - Dr. Joseph Varon hugs and comforts a patient in the COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) during Thanksgiving at the United Memorial Medical Center on November 26, 2020 in Houston, Texas. HOUSTON – The city of Houston reached a grim milestone of the weekend. Officials said the death toll for COVID-19 has crossed 2,000 people, only a few days after the one-year anniversary of the first Houston-area COVID-19 case. In addition, he reported nearly 500 new COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths on Sunday. Turner did thank business owners and customers that have continued to wear masks, social distance and practice other COVID-19 safety precautions.

All rights reserved)President Joe Biden arrives at Kalamazoo Battle Creek International Airport to visit a Pfizer manufacturing site, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, in Portage, Mich. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)President Joe Biden declared a major disaster in Texas after extreme winter weather caused power outages and water disruptions for millions in the state. Abbott requested the Major Disaster Declaration on Thursday, requesting individual assistance and public assistance in each of the state’s 254 counties. Abbot requested the Major Disaster Declaration in order to provide individual assistance, public assistance, and hazard mitigation for individuals and communities impacted by the severe winter weather. The Biden administration approved the request for individual assistance in 77 counties and for public assistance in all 254 counties. “I thank President Biden for his assistance as we respond to impacts of winter weather across our state,” said Abbott in statement.

Investigating the Texas power gridThe forecast was for record breaking cold for Texas, including Houston. KPRC Investigates reporter Robert Arnold takes a deep dive into what went wrong and is a guest on this week’s Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall. After his second impeachment acquittal, former president Trump may have a renewed ability to play a pivotal role in the future of the Republican Party but to what end? “He has the ability to make life very difficult for the Republican party, particularly in seats that are competitive seats where they want some moderate or centrist moderate candidates,” Jones said. “I think that he’s going to be the butt of national jokes for a while,” Professor Rottinghaus said.

Greg Abbott on Tuesday declared the reform of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas an emergency item for the upcoming 2021 legislative session. “The Electric Reliability Council of Texas has been anything but reliable over the past 48 hours,” Abbott said in a statement Tuesday. “Far too many Texans are without power and heat for their homes as our state faces freezing temperatures and severe winter weather. I've asked the House State Affairs and Energy Resources Committees to convene a joint hearing on Feb. 25 about the factors that led to sustained power outages across Texas. Governor Dan Patrick also expressed his concerns over ERCOT’s handling of the power outages, announcing that the Senate Business & Commerce committee would move forward with hearings to assess the ERCOT’s operations.

Health care worker Mary Carreon administers a COVID-19 vaccine to an elderly patient in Laredo on Feb. 1. During an emergency city council meeting last week, Laredo officials passed a motion to request that the federal government send National Guard troops to help distribute vaccines. Treviño, the Laredo health authority, has repeatedly argued against stricter measures because of the economic damage they can cause. Martinez, the city council member, said many residents live paycheck-to-paycheck and don’t have savings to help them survive a city lockdown. “The little carnita asadas, the barbecues — as a result, we have high numbers of infections, and so one begets the other.”Richard Chamberlain, the city’s health director, said the best way out of the city’s COVID-19 crisis is through vaccinations.

HHSC received federal approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to extend the maximum, allowable amount of SNAP benefits to recipients based on family size. The emergency March allotments are in addition to the more than $2.5 billion in benefits previously provided to Texans since April 2020. AdAdministered by HHSC, SNAP is a federal program that provides food assistance to approximately 1.6 million eligible low-income families and individuals in Texas. Texans in need can apply for benefits, including SNAP and Medicaid, at YourTexasBenefits.com or use the Your Texas Benefits mobile app to manage their benefits. “Providing emergency SNAP benefits is critical to our state’s ongoing COVID-19 response because it ensures that Texas families can continue to put healthy meals on the table,” said Governor Abbott.

Nearly a quarter-million doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine arrived at hospitals and health care facilities around Texas this week. Questions remain about who will be first in line for the vaccine once healthcare workers and long-term care residents have had their chance to be inoculated. Decisions on how vaccines are allocated are made by a state panel of advisers — composed of lawmakers, local and state health officials, and medical experts and researchers — and finalized by Hellerstedt. Texas is participating in the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program, a federal program to vaccinate residents and staff of long-term care facilities. Vaccine doses will be distributed free to those facilities, which are set to receive them starting on Monday, Abbott’s office said last week.

Voters wait in line at a polling site at Austin Oaks Church during early voting. Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas TribuneAfter the conclusion of three weeks of early voting, 9.7 million Texans have cast ballots, crushing previous early voting totals in the state and setting Texas on a course for record turnout in this Tuesday's general election. Early voting, which Gov. Texas has added 1.8 million registered voters since the 2016 election. Among large counties, Collin County outside of Dallas has the highest early voting turnout with 69%.

KPRC Friday Football Frenzy Plays of the Week are back. Here are the Week 6 Plays of the Week:Bronze: Kinkaid Wide Receiver Dillon Bell gets two plays - breaking a tackle on a touchdown run out of the Wildcat and a stiff arm on the next touchdown out of the same set. Bell had 4 rushing touchdowns and a passing touchdown in a 36-8 win for Kinkaid. Silver: Stratford Wide Receiver Hawkins Polley catches a ball across the middle from A.J. Gold: Katy running back Jalen Davis takes a pitch and breaks off a 70 yard touchdown run as part of a Katy win over Dickinson.

GALVESTON, Texas – Galveston County Judge Mark Henry will celebrate the reopening of bars with residents by hosting a happy hour at Buccaneer Bar at Railean Rum Distillery in San Leon on Oct. 14. READ: County judges outline their plans for reopening bars after Abbott’s new orderOnce Judge Henry reviewed the governor’s announcement, he said he would allow bars to reopen earlier than Oct. 14. “I want to let small business owners know that I’ll be reopening bars immediately,” Henry wrote on Twitter Wednesday. He indicated on Thursday that Galveston County law enforcement would not intervene if bars decided to open even earlier. Judge Henry said that not only bar and nightclub owners were suffering during the closure period but so were service organizations.

In thirteen previous elections to represent the 18th Congressional District, the opponents of U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D) 18th, have averaged 19% of the vote. Jackson Lee says she’s worked hard to keep her job. Abbott’s order to cut number of mail in ballot sites--Election Security & a HOUSTON NEWSMAKERS EXTRA**Crime Stoppers Celebrates 40 Years! It’s been an amazing journey for Crime Stoppers of Houston. Rania Mankarious is CEO of Crime Stoppers of Houston.

LAKE JACKSON, Texas – Parents with children enrolled in Lake Jackson schools said that the past few days have been challenging with a boil order in effect. The City of Lake Jackson is under a boil order and Gov. Abbott issued a disaster declaration for Brazoria county after a 6-year-old died from a parasite found in the water. Officials say the boil water order will be in place until the water system is flushed and disinfected. Tuesday, he is expected to provide an update on the water supply in Lake Jackson.

The number of COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals has been falling, to 4,203 on Aug. 31 from a peak of more than 10,000 a few weeks ago. Abbott pointed at those three things schools, the holiday and hurricanes as areas of concern as he and other government officials decide whats next. School is a place for regular meals and a haven from turbulent homes, as well as a place for learning. Texas Christian University in Fort Worth reported 429 cases on campus Tuesday, and university officials suggested last week that parties and large gatherings were a cause. Disclosure: Baylor University and Texas Christian University have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

As part of our new Ask 2 series, the newsroom will answer your questions about all things Houston. The question: Do you have to wear a mask to vote? Gregg Abbotts statewide face-covering mandate excludes Texas voters from having to wear a mask when at the polls. Early July, Abbott said he wouldnt want to deny somebody the ability to go vote simply because they dont have a mask, according to a report by The Texas Tribune. Still not registered to vote?