The longtime GOP operative has spent decades as a lawyer for Texas Republicans and conservative causes.

The Austin lawmaker, first elected in 2004, chaired the influential House Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security committees. He is the second Texas Republican this week to bow out of Congress.

The new state ban took effect on Sept. 1, and Texas’ more than 1,200 public school districts have adopted policies ranging from secure phone pouches to increased monitoring.

A former public school teacher, Talarico has emerged as one of Texas Democrats’ strongest communicators. He joins Colin Allred and Terry Virts in the primary.

The Austin Democrat has made a name for himself with his viral social media presence. His entry to the race pits him against former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred in the increasingly crowded primary.

Aaron Reitz and Chip Roy, positioning themselves as Paxton’s ideological heirs, have served as top aides for both the attorney general and Cruz.

Here’s where the proposed laws to address camp safety, flood warnings and emergency response stand in the Legislature.

The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has a four-pronged recovery plan: rebuilding homes, supporting mental health, economic recovery, and reviving the area’s quality of life.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called for another Texas Legislature’s special session after the first session was adjourned Friday morning after failing to make a quorum.

The third-term governor appears determined to win any battle — even if it means scorched-earth primary crusades or trying to boot duly elected legislators from office.

A bill filed in the aftermath of the devastating July 4 Texas Hill Country floods which aims to install outdoor warning sirens in areas with a history of flash flooding has passed the Texas Senate.

The leaders of both chambers said they would adjourn for the session Friday if Democrats do not return, while the governor said he might add more items to his agenda.

The Democratic state lawmaker has inquired about Senate television ad rates, two sources told the Tribune.

Texas country music star Pat Green is continuing to raise money for the victims of the Hill Country Floods in Kerr County.

As 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.

The first draft of the lower chamber’s new redistricting map targets Democratic members of Congress in the Austin, Dallas and Houston metro areas and in South Texas.

Students and naturalists have been sneaking onto private land to extricate threatened native plants: “This is a war between us and the developers, and nobody’s calling uncle.”

The 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.

The Texas Capitol is buzzing as the legislative special session officially begins. Lawmakers were called back to Austin on orders from Governor Greg Abbott to address pressing state issues.

With few options to prevent the Republican majority from passing a new congressional map, Democrats threatened to filibuster, delay hearings and even break quorum.

Lawmakers will have 30 days to tackle a packed agenda outlined by Gov. Greg Abbott, from flood relief to redistricting to THC products.

Want your voice heard? Now's the time to reach out to your local representatives and express your concerns.

Texas country music star Pat Green hosted a livestream concert to benefit those impacted by the Hill Country floods in Central Texas.

Quick hits about what’s going on in Texas and Houston

Quick hits about what’s going on in Texas and Houston

These kittens are among dozens of pets rescued from the hardest-hit areas.

Texas country music star Pat Gren is hosting a livestream concert to benefit those impacted by the Hill Country floods in Central Texas.

Country music star and Kerrville native Robert Earl Keen is making a difference after his hometown was hit with devastating floods.

The most flood-prone area in America is right here in our backyard.

A study puts the spotlight on Texas as the leading U.S. state by far for flood-related deaths, with more than 1,000 of them from 1959 to 2019.

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to immediately halt indiscriminate immigration stops and arrests in seven California counties, including Los Angeles.

In the wake of the devastating Texas Hill Country floods, several Texas-based companies have banned together to provide relief those in need.

We've got some thrilling investigations shaking up the Houston scene.

The request of a CodeRED was met with a dispatcher informing the first responder, “10-4 stand by, we have to get that approved with our supervisor, please be advised we do have the Texas Water Rescue en route.”

In the aftermath of the devastating Hill Country Floods, professional sports teams from the Houston area have stepped up to provide charitable contributions to the rescue and recovery efforts.

These services are free, and you can sign up either on your desktop computer or on a mobile device. Here are some step-by-step instructions on how to register for these life-saving alerts.

The City of Kerrville broke down some of the various CodeRED uses on its website as well, noting that it uses white pages as the database to alert residents and businesses. However, registration, i.e., signing up for these notifications, is vital.

Officials in Texas are facing questions about whether they did enough to get people out of harm’s way before a flash flood swept down the Guadalupe River and killed at least 120 people, including more than two dozen children and counselors at an all-girls Christian camp.

In response to the devastating Fourth of July floods across Central Texas, KPRC, KSAT12, Graham Media Group, and Gray Media, Inc. have united to launch an urgent donation drive called Together for Texas.

As heartbreaking floodwaters swept through Kerr County and surrounding parts of Central Texas over the weekend, Trae Tha Truth and his Relief Gang team did what they always feel called to do: show up with open hearts, ready hands, and a deep commitment to community.

Sinclair Elementary School in Houston ISD offered therapy dog sessions with Justice, a Bernese Mountain Dog known for comforting students during difficult times, following the tragic death of 10-year-old student Greta Toranzo after Central Texas floods.

First responders who continue to search for missing people in the floodwaters are also suffering, as they face burnout and emotional fatigue in the face of such tragedy. To help combat mental health issues in first responders, there are a variety of state-wide and national resources that are available.

Keen, who is perhaps known for his hit song "The Road Goes On Forever," shared the message on social media, saying Camp Mystic "holds a special place in mine and my family’s hearts, as both of my daughters attended summer camp there."

Camp Mystic campers said they are united by song — a tradition they carry throughout their time at camp.

The Houston Astros organization has committed $1 million to support relief efforts for those impacted by the devastating flooding in Central Texas over the weekend.

In the aftermath of the devastating floods in Central Texas, several companies are reaching out to offer free mental health services to the impacted communities.

Days after a deadly, devastating flood ravaged Central Texas and the Hill Country, Kerr County officials provided a sobering update on the aftermath Monday morning as rescue and recovery efforts continue.

Do you want to volunteer in Kerr County to help the flood victims? Here's some vital information you need to know before showing up:

The State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) is an important resource designed to help individuals with disabilities or medical conditions that may require additional assistance during an emergency, such as natural disasters or other crises.

Some losses knock the wind out of you and then keep on knocking. The kind that split life into before and after. That’s what so many Central Texas families are facing right now after the devastating floods on the Fourth of July.

Photos from Getty Images give a haunting look at the extensive damage caused by the catastrophic and deadly flooding in the Texas Hill Country.

Christian Fell, 28, says he remained on the box for nearly three hours,

Governor Greg Abbott has declared Sunday, July 6, 2025, as a Day of Prayer in Texas following the severe flooding that struck Central Texas and the Hill Country over the Fourth of July weekend.

In the wake of the devastating Central Texas floods, our community is rallying together to support those affected. With over 40 lives lost, it's more important than ever to lend a hand. Here's how you can help:

Serious questions are emerging about whether more could have been done to warn residents in time.

The beloved director of Heart O’ the Hills Camp, who was among the 32 victims of the devastating flash floods that swept through Texas Hill Country.

In a matter of hours, this beloved region was inundated, resulting in the confirmed loss of 27 lives, including nine children.

A devastating flood in Texas Hill Country has resulted in at least 104 deaths across six counties, with Kerr County being the hardest hit.

Parts of Central Texas are experiencing what officials described as a “catastrophic flooding event,” where fatalities have been confirmed.

Houston’s Fourth of July forecast turned wet because of a pulse of energy in the atmosphere that matched with the ample moisture that continues to work its way from west to east across the state of Texas.

Medical program leaders want a ban on synthetic delta-8 THC, which makes up the bulk of consumable hemp products.

State chapters of the nonprofit group that provide meals to seniors are waiting to hear from Washington how much of a hit their battered budgets will take.

Thousands of undocumented students who grew up in Texas now face college tuition costs that are more than twice what other state residents pay.

Some hemp retailers are looking at other states, while others say they are ready to take Texas to court over a THC ban.

The Texas Legislature is considering a proposal that would add restrictions on renewable energy expansion.

House Bill 46 would increase the number of health conditions eligible and would offer smokeable products under the state’s medical marijuana program.

A fire captain in a Central Texas city was killed in a car crash Sunday morning, immediately after he welcomed his fifth child.

Lottery couriers have gained newfound scrutiny in Texas after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick raised questions about the use of a courier to sell an $83.5 million jackpot ticket.

Fast-growing Georgetown plans to pump 89 million gallons a day from the Carrizo Wilcox Aquifer but the project is being fought by Bryan, College Station and Texas A&M University, which depend on the same water.

Critics fear increased election prosecutions could intimidate voters and local election officials. Attorney General Ken Paxton has long sought more autonomy over election cases.

A Texas House Representative has filed a bill to rename a part of a busy Central Texas highway after President Donald Trump.

All 20 GOP senators signed on to Senate Bill 16, which would apply to currently registered voters, and restrict some to only congressional elections.

Authorities said it happened at Roy J. Smith Middle School in Killeen.

A strong cold front is approaching Houston, expected to bring scattered light showers in the afternoon and potentially severe storms during the evening commute.

The 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 has executed a man convicted of killing two men as part of a 2004 dispute with his boss at a strip club.

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office says a suspect in a murder in Central Texas is in custody after fleeing from deputies in the Channelview area.

Chronically absent students — those who missed at least 10% of their school days — are more likely to drop out, education advocates say.

Election administrators say letting people cast a ballot at any polling site is more convenient for voters and cheaper for local governments.

Recent enforcement operations across Texas have raised concerns among undocumented immigrants. Here’s what immigration attorneys want you to know about your rights and resources.

Storms have fired up in Central Texas and are headed towards Houston.

Fire crews have made some progress on containing a large wildfire which broke out Sunday near Bastrop in Central Texas.

A large wildfire has prompted evacuations near Bastrop in Central Texas.

A candidate running against the judge accused him of emailing his students at Texas State to vote for him. State law prohibits using public resources for political advertising.

A wanted fugitive who was thought to be missing in Galveston has been taken into custody at his home in Central Texas.

The state’s booming population, congestion problems and billions of federal dollars on the table have officials eyeing ways to boost passenger rail.

Freshwater mussels can pump and filter eight to 15 gallons of water a day, cleaning rivers and streams. Six of the 50 mussels that call Texas home are federally protected by Monday’s listing.

In limited instances, the choices some Texas voters make can later be identified using public, legally available data.

The clouds broke briefly in the path of totality at one of the state's most popular parks.

In some parts of the state, the skies cleared enough for people to see the total solar eclipse.

Llano residents are told to stock up on groceries. A Sulphur Springs church is renting its parking spots. And everyone’s watching the weather forecast ahead of Monday’s eclipse.

Video footage shows the moment of a deadly school bus crash in Central Texas which left a child and one other person dead.

Texas has become an early hot spot for geothermal energy exploration as scores of former oil industry workers and executives are taking their knowledge to a new energy source.

Despite all the hubbub about vouchers and the attorney general’s impeachment, it’s still about the border.

It has been nice to have a break from the rain for a few days, but now we will have to deal with it again overnight and into Saturday morning.

The move is designed to reduce some of the rotating overtime shifts expected of agency caseworkers at group homes and motels, which have been criticized as dangerous for the children who live there.

Bitcoin miner Riot Platforms made headlines over the summer for making millions by selling pre-purchased power back to the grid. The news highlighted how the grid can benefit businesses more than consumers.

The neighboring regions are projected to collectively grow from 5.2 million to 8.3 million people by 2050. But the state still lacks an overarching plan to address critical housing and transportation issues, experts said.

A report from Department of Family and Protective Services watchdogs paints a picture of a roughshod safety-net system that is unprepared to protect its youthful charges from predators and unable to keep them from endangering themselves.

If you want to witness the eclipse in all its glory surrounded by other equally-enthused spectators, consider heading to one of numerous eclipse-watching events scheduled throughout the state.