The committees were made to honor slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk and come as university faculty have come under online scrutiny.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Friday called Abbott’s decision a pathway to full legalization of cannabis, including marijuana which is still federally illegal. Hemp-derived THC is legal.

The executive order comes after the Legislature ended a special session without the House, Senate and governor agreeing on restrictions.

More Texas universities are turning to politicians to lead their systems, preferring political clout over academic credentials.

While Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick remains adamant about a ban, hemp industry representatives say they would compromise on creating a 21 age limit to purchase.

The families of some of the children who died at Texas' Camp Mystic during catastrophic flooding two months joined Gov. Greg Abbott for a ceremonial bill signing.

Both legislative chambers adjourned without agreeing on changes to Senate Bill 2, which aimed to create new training and licensing requirements for local officials.

Between cracking down on abortion pills and restricting transgender restroom use, lawmakers also tackled flood safety and the STAAR test. Left untouched: Texas’ hemp industry.

Legislators couldn’t reach a last-minute deal to tighten regulations on consumable hemp products.

Experts in Houston have been studying the idea of building massive tunnels to divert floodwaters. Musk’s company wants a piece of the project.

Gov. Greg Abbott will ceremonially sign Texas’ Make America Healthy Again legislation Wednesday afternoon at the Texas Capitol in Austin.

More than 20 bills that would restrict restroom use for transgender people have been proposed since 2015, but their language — and reception — have shifted.

Lt. Governor Dan Patrick will hold a press conference Tuesday afternoon to make a campaign announcement.

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.

Democrats' absence has halted work in the Texas House, which must also approve the new boundaries, for more than a week.

In a dramatic turn of events, Texas Senate Democrats staged a walkout on Tuesday, challenging Governor Greg Abbott’s decision to prioritize redistricting over urgent flood relief for the state’s devastated communities.

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.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly delivered for the conservative Christians who form the bedrock of his Republican support.

The Texas Supreme Court said in 2021 the Constitution allows members to thwart legislation by leaving the state. Abbott wants them to reconsider.

On July 31, Texas lawmakers listened to local leaders, survivor testimonies, and experts in Kerrville at a state committee hearing to address flood response after the Hill Country Floods.

"The three guys in Kerr County who were responsible for sounding the alarm were effectively unavailable,” said Representative Ann Johnson, a Houston Democrat.

The Senate’s decision signals another potential standoff with Gov. Greg Abbott, who vetoed a similar ban earlier this year as he called for more regulations instead.

The 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.

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

A controversial bill banning consumable THC products has been vetoed by Governor Abbott, who instead calls for tighter regulations in the upcoming special session. A Houston CBD store owner says the ban would have forced him to shut down and supports age restrictions and labeling requirements to keep his business open and customers safe.

The Conroe community gathered at the Lone Star Convention Center Thursday evening to honor Claire “Reese” Manchaca.

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.

Devastating flash floods from a storm that pounded central Texas have killed at least 51 people.

As the floodwaters recede from Camp Mystic, a torrent of grief remains for the families of the children who died and those who went missing when flash floods tore through central Texas earlier this week.

Severe flooding near Camp Mystic in Kerr County has left nearly two dozen people unaccounted for as search and rescue operations continue.

Camp Mystic, a private Christian summer camp in Kerr County, is experiencing "catastrophic level floods,".

Heavy rains have caused devastating flash floods in Texas Hill Country, killing at least 24 people and leaving many others missing.

The contest coincides with the state’s November uniform election, when voters across Texas will already be at the polls to decide local offices and ballot measures.

Although Patrick and hemp industry leaders have quarreled over the risks and benefits of THC, cannabis researchers say it can be addictive but doesn’t usually cause widespread psychosis or brain damage.

The statewide survey also found that Texas Republicans are closely divided on the issue.

The North Texas district opened up last week when Republican Kelly Hancock resigned from the upper chamber to take over as the state’s acting comptroller.

THC will remain on the shelves in smoke shops across Texas after Governor Greg Abbott shot down a bill aimed at banning the element derived from marijuana.

The clash marks a rare break between two of the most powerful Republicans in Texas after a legislative session that ushered in a series of conservative victories.

This week, we run an emergency episode to discuss Gov. Greg Abbott vetoing Texas THC ban and calling a special session. Will redistricting end up on the agenda?

After Governor Greg Abbott vetoed Senate Bill 3, which aimed to ban all THC consumables in Texas, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is holding a press conference to address the situation.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has vetoed a bill to ban all THC products.

The move infuriated Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the powerful head of the Senate, who had called the ban among his top five bills over 17 years in the Legislature.

Democrats will need to sort through a pileup of potential candidates who see an opportunity to harness backlash to the Trump administration in next year’s midterms.

Lawmakers have approved funding clinical trials for ibogaine as a treatment for addiction and brain trauma. It comes as Texas contemplates banning THC.

The private school voucher program is now law in Texas.

It’s an unusual situation for the lieutenant governor, long viewed by GOP activists as a stalwart conservative responsible for driving the Legislature rightward.

The private school voucher program is now law in Texas.

Star running back Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens finally has the attention of “The Waterboy.”.

In 2001, Texas Republicans saw expanding college access for certain undocumented students as a way to build an educated workforce. Now, some GOP lawmakers feel only U.S. citizens should receive those benefits.

At the same time, some Democrats acknowledged the Lubbock Republican let them leave their mark on some of the GOP bills they disagreed with.

Texas passed sweeping changes to cannabis policy, including expanding the medical marijuana program and banning hemp products, while also boosting psychedelics research.

Texas lawmakers have approved banning gummies, drinks and vapes infused with THC, the compound that gives marijuana its psychoactive properties.

Abbott faces pressure from both sides of the aisle. The prohibition was a priority for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, but some hemp farmers and veterans want it killed.

The Legislature wrapped up without the same drama that defined the end of the last two sessions, with state GOP leaders checking off nearly everything on their to-do lists.

The goal of the bill, according to the author, was to curb “nuclear verdicts” — ones that award victims $10 million or more.

Senate Bill 3, a controversial measure that would ban all THC products in Texas, has officially passed both chambers of the Texas Legislature. The bill is now on Governor Greg Abbott’s desk, where he will make the final decision on whether it becomes law.

House Bill 126, which allows student athletes to receive a slice of the billions Texas colleges generate in revenue from their teams, now awaits the governor’s signature.

In this week’s episode, Matthew and Eleanor talk with politics reporter Jasper Scherer about education funding, a THC ban and the success of conservative priorities this year.

The governor has not addressed whether he supports the ban, as hemp industry leaders have urged him to veto Senate Bill 3.

SB 3070, which awaits Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature, would move the lottery game to Texas’ Department of Licensing and Regulation and includes new restrictions on ticket purchases.

A top priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the legislation would make it easier to construct homes on smaller lots. A House Democrat briefly killed the bill.

A 2024 war among Republicans tilted the House to the right. Now more closely aligned with the Senate, Speaker Dustin Burrows has accelerated action on bail, school vouchers and social issues.

The chamber jettisoned a provision tenants’ advocates warned would make it easier for Texas landlords to evict renters.

A bill that would make it illegal to sell THC products could soon head over to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. For a cannabis store employee, lawmakers don't know enough about the industry they're trying to shut down.

Gov. Greg Abbott called a special legislative session asking lawmakers to instead strictly regulate the substance.

The House approved the ban after previously considering proposals to preserve the industry by tightening regulations.

Gov. Greg Abbott and other leaders have called for a major investment to save the state’s water supply. How to spend the money has caused friction at the Capitol.

The deal appears to strike a face-saving compromise for both chambers over how to increase funds for the state’s public schools, with money earmarked for teacher pay and overhead costs.

President Donald Trump's establishment of a White House Faith Office, a Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias and a Religious Liberty Commission has raised cheers from his base of conservative Christian supporters.

Senate Bill 3070 would allow the Texas Lottery’s games to continue under a new department, abolish the agency and create restrictions on ticket purchases.

A key Senate critic threw a lifeline to the Texas Lottery when he proposed moving its oversight to a new agency instead of eliminating it entirely.

The money will help pay for a permanent home for the school on UT-Austin's campus. Conservative donors and lawmakers, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, helped create the school in 2023.

Paul is the first candidate out of the gate to succeed incumbent Mayes Middleton in an open seat running from Galveston to the outskirts of Houston.

Governor Greg Abbott has officially signed Senate Bill 2 into law, marking a historic moment for school choice in Texas.

Texas will give participating families about $10,000 to pay for their kids’ private schooling. Other details about the program, set to launch in 2026, are unclear.

The commission includes Ben Carson, “Dr. Phil” McGraw and religious figures.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has called banning THC products a top priority. The latest draft of the lower chamber’s THC regulation bill would allow retailers to continue selling edibles and drinks.

In this week’s episode, Matthew and Eleanor talk to Texas Tribune reporter Ayden Runnels about lottery couriers and whether a $95 million prize winner was legitimate.

State lawmakers have been pushing the dementia fund for years, modeling it after a state fund for cancer research.

Some Republicans have bristled at the hefty cost of the bill, and Democrats could reject the funding for it over the school voucher dispute.

The first bill to reach Abbott’s desk this session creates a regulation-cutting state agency under the purview of the governor. It was passed with bipartisan supermajorities.

The lieutenant governor proposes that the Texas Senate adopt the House bill, which would eliminate a negotiation over the two versions and cement the victory for supporters.

President Donald Trump offered an endorsement of Patrick on Truth Social.

Patrick has held the position of Lt. Govornor since 2015.

Lawmakers are pursuing legislative changes that would keep more people locked up in overcrowded county jails while awaiting resolution to their cases.

In an interview, the lieutenant governor talks about his recent pop-up investigations and how he uses storytelling to make a political point.

If passed, ICE agents can then train deputies and jailers on how to identify and apprehend undocumented immigrants.

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.

Only Gov. Greg Abbott can call for a special session. But in his role presiding over the Texas Senate, Patrick can block any bill from passing, giving him leverage to compel overtime sessions by killing must-pass legislation.

The new finding is about 20% higher than previous estimates of the known cost of the effort to remove Paxton from office.

The Texas legislature is proposing a bill that would make it illegal to possess, share, or create obscene visual material depicting children, even if it’s merely a drawing or an AI-generated image. Could this law unintentionally criminalize art, manga (comics or graphic novels originating from Japan), or even harmless visual content?

Edible Brands, the parent company behind the iconic Edible Arrangements, is introducing a new type of edible and launched its program in Texas.

The gaps over eligibility and on spending levels are narrower than the fundamental differences of the previous session.

Lawmakers, who are preempting locals on lot sizes in new subdivisions, have been eyeing ways to allow more homes to be built as the state faces a shortage.

The winning ticket, purchased online through the courier Jackpocket, is being scrutinized by lawmakers concerned about the legality of third-party services.

Texas Senate advances THC ban aimed at curbing hemp products, a priority for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Critics warn it could push the market underground.

Patrick says the measure will shut down the dangerous THC products business. The House’s proposal would tighten oversight of the industry without a full ban.

A Senate bill filed Friday does not expand abortion access, but aims to give doctors clarity while operating under laws that come with up to life in prison.

Republican lawmakers in Kentucky have added several medical exceptions to the state’s near-total abortion ban.

Texans who fall behind on their property taxes face one of the most punitive systems in the nation, where private collection companies can tack up to 20% onto their bill.