A 2006 study found undocumented immigrants contribute more than they cost Texas. The state hasn’t updated it since.
Read full article: A 2006 study found undocumented immigrants contribute more than they cost Texas. The state hasn’t updated it since.A comptroller’s report found that deporting the estimated 1.4 million undocumented immigrants living in Texas in 2005 would have cost the state about $17.7 billion in gross domestic product.
A Texas man claims he shot his son after mistaking him for an intruder, later burns the body
Read full article: A Texas man claims he shot his son after mistaking him for an intruder, later burns the bodyAuthorities say a father is being accused of fatally shooting his adult son with Down syndrome at a home in East Texas after claiming he had mistaken him for an intruder and then later burning his body.
Houston Rep. Gene Wu to lead Texas House Democrats through GOP-dominated legislative session
Read full article: Houston Rep. Gene Wu to lead Texas House Democrats through GOP-dominated legislative sessionWu defeated incumbent Trey Martinez Fischer on Thursday to become the next chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus.
At this Fort Worth charter school, Texas adults are getting a second chance at a diploma
Read full article: At this Fort Worth charter school, Texas adults are getting a second chance at a diplomaThe Texas Legislature has prioritized getting high school dropouts the skills they need to enter the workforce.
Texas Senate to pursue ban on THC products next year, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says
Read full article: Texas Senate to pursue ban on THC products next year, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick saysPatrick contends retailers have exploited a law passed in 2019 to sell unregulated and potentially harmful consumable tetrahydrocannabinol products.
After Texas banned puberty blockers and hormones for trans kids, adults lost care, too
Read full article: After Texas banned puberty blockers and hormones for trans kids, adults lost care, tooAs limitations on trans teens increase, doctors have left the state, weakening an already threadbare system for trans adults.
Henry Cuellar pitched adding buoys in Rio Grande to deter migrants years ago
Read full article: Henry Cuellar pitched adding buoys in Rio Grande to deter migrants years agoThe congressman said he joined other Democrats in opposition to the use of the floating barriers and razor wire at Texas’ border because of the lack of permits.
Texas conservatives plan to further restrict trans lives this legislative session
Read full article: Texas conservatives plan to further restrict trans lives this legislative sessionEmboldened by the recent election, some Texas lawmakers are already filing bills that would dictate bathroom use, limit gender identity markers on documents and restrict funding for surgeries.
Grid operator says Texas is better prepared for extreme cold this winter
Read full article: Grid operator says Texas is better prepared for extreme cold this winterERCOT says conditions this winter could spark extreme cold, but additional power supply and continued weatherization efforts will lower the risk of power outages.
Rural providers, advocates push Texas Legislature to "rescue" maternal health care system
Read full article: Rural providers, advocates push Texas Legislature to "rescue" maternal health care systemAlmost half of Texas counties have nowhere to get prenatal care, let alone deliver a baby. This plan offers legislative proposals to shore up what’s left.
Texas has billions pledged to expand broadband. Spending it is taking a while.
Read full article: Texas has billions pledged to expand broadband. Spending it is taking a while.Despite the efforts of local governments and others, the move to provide internet access to millions of Texans has been slow and faces new challenges.
Texas farmers say sewage-based fertilizer tainted with “forever chemicals” poisoned their land and killed their livestock
Read full article: Texas farmers say sewage-based fertilizer tainted with “forever chemicals” poisoned their land and killed their livestockThe fertilizer was promoted as an environmental win-win for years. An untold number of farmers and ranchers across Texas have spread it on their land.
Handshakes, murals and ministry: A reopened Texas prison focuses on rehabilitation
Read full article: Handshakes, murals and ministry: A reopened Texas prison focuses on rehabilitationThe Bartlett Unit in Williamson County will house 1,049 male inmates who will participate in educational programs aimed to help them secure a job after they’ve served their time.
Trial judge in Robert Roberson’s death row case agrees to recusal
Read full article: Trial judge in Robert Roberson’s death row case agrees to recusalSenior District Judge Deborah Oakes Evans recused herself after a challenge to her impartiality over longtime relationships with case prosecutors and judges.
Feds can’t destroy razor wire Texas installed near Eagle Pass, appeals court rules
Read full article: Feds can’t destroy razor wire Texas installed near Eagle Pass, appeals court rulesTexas Attorney General Ken Paxton had sued the Biden administration after Border Patrol agents had cut the razor wire.
Community college “deserts” deter Texas students from getting a degree, report says
Read full article: Community college “deserts” deter Texas students from getting a degree, report saysBlack and Hispanic high schoolers who have to drive more than 30 minutes to a community college are less likely to pursue a degree, the report found.
How David Cook went from Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan’s ally to lead the movement to replace him
Read full article: How David Cook went from Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan’s ally to lead the movement to replace himThe two-term Republican caught many Capitol observers off guard when he emerged as the standard-bearer for a coalition that wants to depose Phelan and reshape how the House operates.
Texas offers Trump administration more land and support for mass deportations
Read full article: Texas offers Trump administration more land and support for mass deportationsTwo events in the Rio Grande Valley on Tuesday made clear Texas officials will work with the Trump administration on immigration.
"Somebody needs to get fired": Vicente Gonzalez blasts Dem strategy on abortion, trans issues
Read full article: "Somebody needs to get fired": Vicente Gonzalez blasts Dem strategy on abortion, trans issuesAfter Democrats underperformed nationally and in Texas, the McAllen Democrat had some sharp commentary for his party and said he won't be taking their advice.
Inside the only college class in Texas to help prepare inmates for life after prison
Read full article: Inside the only college class in Texas to help prepare inmates for life after prisonMore than 250 Texas prisoners are on the waitlist to join the Lee College reentry class. Programs like these prepare students to find jobs and help lower recidivism.
Crypto miners must register with state and reveal power usage under new Texas rule
Read full article: Crypto miners must register with state and reveal power usage under new Texas ruleThe Public Utility Commission of Texas adopted the rule amid surging demand for power across the state and a growing crypto mining industry in Texas.
Texas General Land Office unveils proposed 1,402-acre site for immigrant detention, border wall
Read full article: Texas General Land Office unveils proposed 1,402-acre site for immigrant detention, border wallOfficials with the Texas General Land Office on Tuesday outlined plans for a 1,402-acre ranch it has offered to the incoming Donald Trump administration for housing undocumented immigrants before deportation.
Trump nominates former Texas lawmaker Scott Turner to lead Housing and Urban Development
Read full article: Trump nominates former Texas lawmaker Scott Turner to lead Housing and Urban DevelopmentTurner served in the Texas House for four years and was also executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council in the first Trump administration.
Ken Paxton can’t be deposed under oath in whistleblower lawsuit, Texas Supreme Court says
Read full article: Ken Paxton can’t be deposed under oath in whistleblower lawsuit, Texas Supreme Court saysThe attorney general has agreed not to contest a lawsuit brought by former employees accusing him of retaliation after they said he abused his office.
A tuition freeze without more state aid could leave Texas universities strapped
Read full article: A tuition freeze without more state aid could leave Texas universities strappedRegional colleges rely more on tuition revenue to operate than flagship campuses. Gov. Greg Abbott’s desire to pause increases could create tight financial conditions.
Despite back-to-back deals on water from Mexico, relief for South Texas farmers is far from certain
Read full article: Despite back-to-back deals on water from Mexico, relief for South Texas farmers is far from certainTexas agreed to take 120,000 acre-feet of water from Mexico this month, only after the U.S. and Mexico agreed to an updated treaty.
A year into the job, Texas A&M president performs balancing act with growth, tuition, faculty and state leaders
Read full article: A year into the job, Texas A&M president performs balancing act with growth, tuition, faculty and state leadersStaff relations continue to be important for Mark Welsh III as he rebuilds trust after a hiring controversy and universities brace for legislation targeting faculty senates.
State Board of Education says it wants more control over public school library books
Read full article: State Board of Education says it wants more control over public school library booksA majority of the panel voted to call on the Texas Legislature to pass a state law giving members the authority to determine age-appropriate books for students.
Ken Paxton adds Dallas to list of cities he's sued over marijuana decriminalization
Read full article: Ken Paxton adds Dallas to list of cities he's sued over marijuana decriminalizationDallas is the sixth Texas city the attorney general has sued this year over marijuana decriminalization measures that he says conflicts with state law.
Why a West Texas county is building a new courthouse even after voters rejected the proposal
Read full article: Why a West Texas county is building a new courthouse even after voters rejected the proposalOfficials took the extraordinary step of taking on new debt to replace the old courthouse, which has been plagued by rats and other pests, elevator breakdowns and flooding.
Could Texas do for Alzheimer’s research what it did for cancer?
Read full article: Could Texas do for Alzheimer’s research what it did for cancer?Modeled after the state’s $6 billion cancer research fund, the dementia fund — a legislative priority for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick — could pump hundreds of millions of dollars into Texas researchers.
Texas hospitals are now required to ask for patients’ citizenship. Here’s what you should know.
Read full article: Texas hospitals are now required to ask for patients’ citizenship. Here’s what you should know.Gov. Greg Abbott wants to know how much hospitals spend caring for undocumented immigrants. Hospitals should not deny care based on how patients respond.
Los hospitales en Texas ahora deben preguntarle a sus pacientes sobre su ciudadanía. No tienes que responder.
Read full article: Los hospitales en Texas ahora deben preguntarle a sus pacientes sobre su ciudadanía. No tienes que responder.El gobernador Greg Abbott quiere saber cuánto gastan los hospitales en el cuidado de inmigrantes indocumentados. Los hospitales no deben negar atención en ningún caso.
Approval of Texas' Bible-infused curriculum will likely depend on Abbott appointee
Read full article: Approval of Texas' Bible-infused curriculum will likely depend on Abbott appointeeTiffany Clark, who was elected to fill a vacant State Board of Education seat in January, said she would have voted against the curriculum.
Freeman Martin selected to lead the Texas Department of Public Safety
Read full article: Freeman Martin selected to lead the Texas Department of Public SafetyFreeman Martin, a senior official at the Texas Department of Public Safety, will serve as the agency’s new executive director beginning next month after the retirement of current DPS director Steve McCraw.
UT System expands free tuition and fees to all undergraduates whose families make $100,000 or less
Read full article: UT System expands free tuition and fees to all undergraduates whose families make $100,000 or lessThe Board of Regents is lifting the income threshold to expand eligibility across all nine of its UT System campuses.
Texas Tech wants permission to pay college athletes as a part of its recruitment efforts
Read full article: Texas Tech wants permission to pay college athletes as a part of its recruitment effortsState law prohibits schools from making direct name, image and likeness deals with athletes. Texas Tech says it puts them at a disadvantage as the university recruits athletes for fall 2025.
Gov. Greg Abbott issues executive order targeting Chinese government operatives in Texas
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott issues executive order targeting Chinese government operatives in TexasGov. Greg Abbott has issued an executive order directing the Texas Department of Public Safety to target and arrest people trying to execute influence operations on behalf of the Chinese government to return dissidents to China.