TEXAS NEWS
Running water will finally reach West Odessa thanks to $17 million from state lawmakers
Read full article: Running water will finally reach West Odessa thanks to $17 million from state lawmakersThe Legislature approved $600 million for standalone improvements, but one advocate worried the increase in direct spending undermines the Texas Water Development Board’s process.
Federal lawsuits challenging immigration detention flood Texas
Read full article: Federal lawsuits challenging immigration detention flood TexasThe wave of legal challenges is in response to the Trump administration’s intensified immigration enforcement and its new policy expanding mandatory detention for undocumented immigrants.
TribCast: Did Texas quietly help with its child care crisis?
Read full article: TribCast: Did Texas quietly help with its child care crisis?In this week's episode, Matthew and Eleanor speak with K-12 education reporter Jaden Edison and early learning advocate David Feigen about the shortage of affordable child care in Texas.
Donald Trump to pardon Texas Democrat Henry Cuellar
Read full article: Donald Trump to pardon Texas Democrat Henry CuellarCuellar had faced a dozen charges of bribery, money laundering and conspiracy. On Wednesday, he filed for reelection as a Democrat, quieting speculation that he migh switch parties.
Despite bribery charges, many Democrats still favor Henry Cuellar to hold his Laredo district
Read full article: Despite bribery charges, many Democrats still favor Henry Cuellar to hold his Laredo districtDays out from the filing deadline, Cuellar has yet to draw a serious primary challenger — a sign that many in his party view the anti-abortion congressman as their best bet to stave off the GOP in November.
Kerr County was among dozens of Texas communities to turn down state flood money, saying it wasn’t enough
Read full article: Kerr County was among dozens of Texas communities to turn down state flood money, saying it wasn’t enoughTexas earmarked $1.4 billion to help fund flood prevention projects. But after learning that so many communities turned down the money, two lawmakers who approved the program acknowledged it was flawed.
Camp Mystic announces enhanced safety plans after death of 25 girls, 2 counselors
Read full article: Camp Mystic announces enhanced safety plans after death of 25 girls, 2 counselorsThe owners of Camp Mystic in Texas have announced new safety upgrades following a tragic July 4 flood that killed 25 campers and two counselors.
Texas removes women and minorities from Historically Underutilized Business program for state contracts
Read full article: Texas removes women and minorities from Historically Underutilized Business program for state contractsThe program will now only be eligible for service-disabled veterans. It will be called Veteran Heroes United in Business.
Texas will unveil its newest state park with a guided hike on New Year’s Day
Read full article: Texas will unveil its newest state park with a guided hike on New Year’s DayPalo Pinto Mountains State Park in North Texas will open sometime next year. Visitors can reserve spots for a sneak peek on New Year’s Day.
What we know about Texas A&M student Brianna Aguilera’s death in Austin
Read full article: What we know about Texas A&M student Brianna Aguilera’s death in AustinOn Nov. 25, a Texas A&M University student from Laredo fell to her death from a student apartment building near the University of Texas at Austin.
Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina launches run for Congress, seeking to flip South Texas district red
Read full article: Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina launches run for Congress, seeking to flip South Texas district redNational GOP recruiters see Webb County’s top elected official as a promising candidate to unseat longtime U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar in 2026.
How Texas’ law banning DEI, LGBTQ+ topics in K-12 schools could fare in court
Read full article: How Texas’ law banning DEI, LGBTQ+ topics in K-12 schools could fare in courtCases challenging Florida and federal policies provide a glimpse into the possible outcome for the Texas case. It is scheduled for a court hearing in Houston on Dec. 10.
In Houston, young mothers face some of the highest barriers for college and work in the U.S.
Read full article: In Houston, young mothers face some of the highest barriers for college and work in the U.S.At 13.3%, Houston has the worst rate of young adults who are neither working nor in school of the largest metro areas in the country.
Texas Tech System limits how race and gender can be taught, says faculty could face discipline for noncompliance
Read full article: Texas Tech System limits how race and gender can be taught, says faculty could face discipline for noncomplianceTech, now the second Texas public university system to add similar teaching restrictions, had earlier directed faculty to follow state and federal guidance recognizing only two sexes.
Mother questions circumstances surrounding death of daughter, a Texas A&M student, in Austin
Read full article: Mother questions circumstances surrounding death of daughter, a Texas A&M student, in AustinA Laredo mother is searching for answers after her daughter died in Austin hours after last week’s Texas Longhorns-Texas A&M Aggies football game.
Texas Rep. Gary VanDeaver, a private school voucher holdout, won’t seek reelection
Read full article: Texas Rep. Gary VanDeaver, a private school voucher holdout, won’t seek reelectionVanDeaver, who represents northeast Texas, was one of two House Republicans to oppose a school voucher program this year after he narrowly beat a pro-voucher primary challenger in 2024.
Days before Texas’ “bathroom bill” becomes law, questions remain about how it will be enforced
Read full article: Days before Texas’ “bathroom bill” becomes law, questions remain about how it will be enforcedSome trans Texans worry that the lack of specificity on how the law will be enforced will harm their safety and lives.
Texas is restricting the bathrooms trans people can use in government buildings. Here’s how the law works.
Read full article: Texas is restricting the bathrooms trans people can use in government buildings. Here’s how the law works.The “bathroom bill” doesn’t provide guidance for how government agencies, schools and universities should ensure people use facilities matching their sex assigned at birth.
U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls won’t seek reelection, becoming sixth Texas Republican to announce exit from Congress
Read full article: U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls won’t seek reelection, becoming sixth Texas Republican to announce exit from CongressThe Richmond Republican, a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, made the announcement with days left before the deadline for candidates to file for the 2026 primaries.
14 US stadiums proposed among 20 possible sites for 2031 Women’s World Cup
Read full article: 14 US stadiums proposed among 20 possible sites for 2031 Women’s World CupThe United States Soccer Federation proposed 14 American sites among 20 possible venues to host games of the 2031 Women’s World Cup, including seven U.S. stadiums to be used for next year’s men’s tournament.
Texas proposes hiking licensing fees for summer camps by as much as 4000%
Read full article: Texas proposes hiking licensing fees for summer camps by as much as 4000%Some Texas overnight summer camps may start paying as much as $19,500 per year to renew their license with the state. Currently, they pay $464.
A West Texas county wants to better prepare for floods. Paying for it will be tricky.
Read full article: A West Texas county wants to better prepare for floods. Paying for it will be tricky.Ector County has boomed since the 1970s, when the drainage system was last updated. Officials hope state and federal funds will help pay for the update despite some grant programs ending under the Trump administration.
A slate of new Texas laws go into effect December and January. Here’s what to watch.
Read full article: A slate of new Texas laws go into effect December and January. Here’s what to watch.Laws include restricting transgender people’s access to public bathrooms, allowing lawsuits against abortion pill providers, and replacement of the STAAR test.
Texas hoped $100 million would help more families pay for child care. Here’s why it didn’t.
Read full article: Texas hoped $100 million would help more families pay for child care. Here’s why it didn’t.Increased costs in food and payroll at child care centers effectively wiped out the one-time investment state lawmakers approved earlier this year, a new report found.
In school voucher rules, Texas lets families get more for pre-K but rejects stronger accountability
Read full article: In school voucher rules, Texas lets families get more for pre-K but rejects stronger accountabilityThe rules serve as the foundation for Texas’ private school voucher program, which will officially launch at the start of the 2026-27 school year.
Texas summer camp owners prepare for more mental health issues among youth after July floods
Read full article: Texas summer camp owners prepare for more mental health issues among youth after July floodsTexas lawmakers are requiring youth camps to have weather alert systems, emergency preparedness plans and several communication methods available to help children and their families feel safe when they return to camp after this year's catastrophic flooding.
Brandon Herrera raises $1 million, swipes at Rep. Tony Gonzales over alleged affair
Read full article: Brandon Herrera raises $1 million, swipes at Rep. Tony Gonzales over alleged affairGonzales recently made his first public remarks about the death of his 35-year-old aide who died after lighting herself on fire. He vigorously denied reports that the two were engaged in an extramarital affair.
Texas summer camp owners brace for more mental health issues among youth
Read full article: Texas summer camp owners brace for more mental health issues among youthMental health experts expect the July 4 floods have resulted in post-traumatic stress disorder, unhealthy hypervigilance and recurring thoughts on disasters among campers.
Texas education chief met with Turning Point USA to discuss group’s expansion in high schools
Read full article: Texas education chief met with Turning Point USA to discuss group’s expansion in high schoolsThe meeting happened days before Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick pledged $1 million to help establish chapters of the conservative student group on every Texas college and high school campus.
They couldn’t save their daughters’ lives in the July 4 floods. Now they’re dealing with the grief and the guilt.
Read full article: They couldn’t save their daughters’ lives in the July 4 floods. Now they’re dealing with the grief and the guilt.RJ and Annie Harber have leaned on faith, their community and each other to move through each day after losing their daughters and RJ’s parents. But memories of that night still haunt them.
Records show search for Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland included 160 mph chase, K-9s, drone
Read full article: Records show search for Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland included 160 mph chase, K-9s, droneBody and dash camera show a vehicle pursuit of Dallas Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland reached speeds of up to 160 mph.
Head of Texas’ largest business organization accused of sexual assault in lawsuit
Read full article: Head of Texas’ largest business organization accused of sexual assault in lawsuitAn unidentified woman on Monday sued Glenn Hamer, Texas Association of Business president and CEO, alleging he sexually harassed and assaulted her, then retaliated when she rejected his advances.
Texas AG Ken Paxton sues a second state agency over rules he says discriminate on religious grounds
Read full article: Texas AG Ken Paxton sues a second state agency over rules he says discriminate on religious groundsPaxton, who is running to unseat fellow Republican John Cornyn in the U.S. Senate, has vowed to strike down Texas laws that “undermine religious liberty.”
Webb County judge disputes allegation that he violated federal law to dodge Texas’ resign-to-run rule
Read full article: Webb County judge disputes allegation that he violated federal law to dodge Texas’ resign-to-run ruleTano Tijerina, the top elected official in a county that includes Laredo, is expected to seek the GOP nomination in Texas’ 28th Congressional District, long held by Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar.
Speaker Johnson defends Crenshaw after he was reportedly banned from congressional overseas travel
Read full article: Speaker Johnson defends Crenshaw after he was reportedly banned from congressional overseas travelPunchbowl News reported that the Houston congressman was banned from taxpayer-funded travel for 90 days after toasting a Mexican official who made an inappropriate joke.
Proposed data center project for Waco area would be “paradigm-changer”
Read full article: Proposed data center project for Waco area would be “paradigm-changer”The project is at a scale of industrial development and investment unmatched in McLennan County’s history: acres of computer hardware, substations and a 1.2-gigawatt gas-fired plant capable of powering about 300,000 homes.
Texas is getting far less in federal money for broadband expansion than expected
Read full article: Texas is getting far less in federal money for broadband expansion than expectedRural leaders who have worked years to improve broadband access said they were disappointed by the sharp decrease in federal dollars.
Gov. Greg Abbott, long a defender of states’ rights, embraces Trump’s push to expand presidential power
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott, long a defender of states’ rights, embraces Trump’s push to expand presidential powerDefending Texas sovereignty has been central to Abbott’s political identity. Yet he has helped Trump erode states’ authority over elections, policing and deploying the National Guard.
Faculty panel: Texas A&M wrongly fired professor after gender lesson
Read full article: Faculty panel: Texas A&M wrongly fired professor after gender lessonTexas A&M did not have good cause to fire a professor after a video of a gender lesson created a political storm, and the school failed to follow due process, a faculty appeal committee found.