University of Houston asked students to wear neon vests after police drew weapon on a Black student
The university distributed vests to theater students after an officer drew a gun on a Black student rehearsing a violent scene last year. Officials walked back the requirement amid recent student criticism.
At parental rights event, Gov. Greg Abbott sheds light on how heโd implement โschool choiceโ policy
For the first time, Abbott makes it clear which policy he supports. Bills that would allow parents to get state money to send their kids to schools outside of the stateโs public education system have been floated previously, but top lawmakers believe the policies will pass this session.
Texans should avoid travel in regions hit with icy weather as power grid expected to meet demand
School closures and hazardous road conditions are expected throughout a large portion of Texas, according to forecasts. State officials caution Texans about local power outages but expect the grid to stay up.
โWe are humans back hereโ: As Texas hunger strike wanes, prisoners speak out against solitary confinement
After 21 days, the last of many Texas prisoners to consistently refuse food ended his hunger strike. In letters to The Texas Tribune, two prisoners spoke out on the dire solitary confinement conditions that led them to starve themselves.
With full state coffers and bipartisan support, Texas teachers are hopeful theyโll get a raise this year
The COVID-19 pandemic, inflation and burnout have pummeled teachers in the last few years. Lawmakers from both parties agree they should get a pay bump โ but it wonโt happen without some negotiation.
In East Texas, a town fights to keep an oilfield waste dump from opening near wetlands and water wells
The Texas Railroad Commission has rejected the proposal twice over water contamination concerns, but locals are dismayed that the commissioners keep giving the developer more chances to alter its application.
Federal judge again threatens contempt-of-court fines for Texasโ slow progress on foster care reforms
The judge warned the state could be held in contempt of court for not following through with three mandates: youths not knowing their rights, not adequately responding to abuse allegations and still having too many children without placement.
In a Texas federal courtroom, families of those killed in Boeing 737 MAX crashes finally have their voices heard
The airplane manufacturer was accused of fraud for misleading federal regulators about the safety of its jets, but stayed out of court by making a deal with prosecutors. Victimsโ families say they were cut out of the process.
Texas death row prisoners spend decades in solitary confinement. A lawsuit wants to end that โcruelโ treatment.
Men sentenced to death in Texas are held in isolation until their execution dates, with little human contact, medical care or legal help, according to a lawsuit filed to improve treatment of the condemned.
Two years after Texasโ voting rights showdown gripped the nation, lawmakers again push dozens of elections bills
State policymakers have mapped out familiar territory early in the legislative session, with Democrats seeking to expand voting access and Republicans pledging to make elections more secure.
Texas environmentalists push the EPA to crack down on methane emissions, saying state agencies have โfailed usโ
Commenting on the EPAโs proposed new rule to reduce methane leaks nationally, environmentalists said Texas regulators are hesitant to address emissions of the climate super-pollutant.
After fumbled Uvalde shooting response, Texas senator wants to make it easier to sue law enforcement officers
State Sen. Roland Gutierrez, a San Antonio Democrat, introduced a package of legislation that includes a bill that would end qualified immunity, which shields government officials from liability for constitutional violations.
Bill to ban Chinese citizens and government from buying Texas land gains steam among Republicans
Sen. Lois Kolkhorst filed a bill that would ban citizens, governments and entities from China, Iran, North Korea and Russia from purchasing land in the state, part of what she and other Republicans have said will help stem foreign influence in Texas.
After alleged sexual assault of two children living in state care, another foster shelter closes
Two girls in the care of Child Protective Services were allegedly sexually assaulted in October after sneaking out of a facility run by the state agency. Advocates say itโs a symptom of the Texas foster care systemsโ problems.
SMCISD Board moves forward with process to become District of Innovation
San Marcos Consolidated ISD moved closer to becoming a District of Innovation after the board of trustees approved a resolution to consider the designation.The resolution, which was passed unanimously[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]
sanmarcosrecord.comโWho ever thought I would be chief?โ Texasโ Alabama-Coushatta tribe elects first female chief
Millie Thompson Williams was elected the tribeโs first female second chief, a lifetime appointment, last year. For the first time, her accession comes as women make up the majority of the tribeโs council.
UnifyAs legislature convenes,cooperation most crucial
โThere will be difficult moments ahead; that happens every session,โ Nelson said. Veteran Rio Grande Valley legislatures were part of those old days of cooperation and negotiation, such as state Sens. Those views have been reflected in their elected officials, who forged strong friendships, and alliances, with colleagues from both parties. That regional thinking is evident in residentsโ movement throughout the Valley to shop, work and pursue entertainment. We need our representatives in Austin to recognize our common needs and work together to meet them, placing their constituents above any partisan bluster.
myrgv.comUnify: As legislature convenes, cooperation most crucial
Veteran Rio Grande Valley legislatures were part of those old days of cooperation and negotiation, such as state Sens. The old spirit of cooperation is more important than ever in the Valley, which for the first time ever will be represented by both Democrats and Republicans in the House. Those views have been reflected in their elected officials, who forged strong friendships, and alliances, with colleagues from both parties. That regional thinking is evident in residentsโ movement throughout the Valley to shop, work and pursue entertainment. We need our representatives in Austin to recognize our common needs and work together to meet them, placing their constituents above any partisan bluster.
myrgv.comSchool boards may push to remove South Texas ISD taxing authority
Two Hidalgo County school districts will consider this week pushing for legislative changes that could impact the funding formula of South Texas ISD and eliminate it as a taxing authority, potentially impacting some $30 million collected by that district annually.
myrgv.comSchool boards may push to remove South Texas ISD taxing authority
A uniquely structured district, South Texas ISD taxes residents in Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy counties. Members of the South Texas Association of Schools, a group composed of South Texas districts, previously voted to propose those changes, Executive Director Jesus Chavez said Sunday. The Texas Legislature created what would become South Texas ISD in 1964. โSouth Texas ISD should be funded like other districts in Region 1,โ the South Texas Association of Schools said in a news release. South Texas ISD taxes account for $4.2 million annually in Edinburg alone, he said.
myrgv.comAsian American and Pacific Islander voters are preparing to sue Texas for alleged discrimination in last yearโs redistricting โ Houston Public Media
The lawsuit, which a judge has combined with a similar suit by Latino and Black voters, will go to trial at the end of September, too late to affect this yearโs midterm elections.
houstonpublicmedia.orgAsian American and Pacific Islander voters are preparing to sue Texas for alleged discrimination in last yearโs redistricting โ Houston Public Media
The lawsuit, which a judge has combined with a similar suit by Latino and Black voters, will go to trial at the end of September, too late to affect this yearโs midterm elections.
houstonpublicmedia.orgHealth care providers sue Texas over pre-Roe abortion ban โ Houston Public Media
In a memo issued last week, Attorney General Ken Paxton said prosecutors โmay choose to immediately pursue criminal prosecutions based on violations of Texas abortion prohibitions predating Roe that were never repealed by the Texas Legislature.โ
houstonpublicmedia.orgAbbott calls on Texas House and Senate to form special committees on school safety, guns, mental health โ Houston Public Media
The governorโs orders to the Texas House and Senate come as Democrats and gun-reform groups are instead urging lawmakers to immediately return to Austin for a special legislative session addressing gun laws.
houstonpublicmedia.orgAnalysis: Texans without high-speed internet are getting closer, slowly
The idea that internet access is a luxury was already demolished before anybody ever heard of COVID-19. But the pandemic โ and the demands of switching work, school and medicine from in-person to virtual experiences โ made it impossible for state officials to ignore.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] Opinions San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]
sanmarcosrecord.comTexas Senate committees ordered to review university tenure, public school library books โ Houston Public Media
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrickโs marching orders come after he threatened to revoke tenure for some professors who teach about critical race theory and its history at public universities.
houstonpublicmedia.orgAnalysis: Property tax relief that doesnโt lower your tax bill
Three years ago, Texas lawmakers were trying to honor a promise to cut property taxes and raise the stateโs share of the cost of public education.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] Opinions San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]
sanmarcosrecord.comDan Patrickโs plan to end tenure at Texas universities could have dire consequences, experts warn โ Houston Public Media
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said heโll make legislation eliminating tenure at state universities โ as a way to ban the teaching of critical race theory โ a top priority for the 88th Texas Legislature.
houstonpublicmedia.orgDemocrats take redistricting challenge to Texas Supreme Court โ Houston Public Media
Attorneys for the Mexican American Legislative Caucus took their latest challenge to Texasโs new political maps to the stateโs high court. They argue lawmakers violated the Texas Constitution when drawing state house districts in the Rio Grande Valley.
houstonpublicmedia.orgEnding Tenure For College Faculty: Texas Lt. Gov. to Target New Public Hires
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick pledged to end tenure for new faculty hires at the stateโs public universities and colleges when the Texas Legislature reconvenes next year. Patrickโs Feb. 18 attack on tenured college professors came days after the University of Texas at Austin Faculty Council passed a resolution Feb. 14 defending professorsโ academic freedom, particularly [โฆ]
news.yahoo.comFINDING A SOLUTION: Local law enforcement, PGM of Texas discuss catalytic converter theft
Local law enforcement held a discussion alongside Platinum Group Metals (PGM) of Texas on Wednesday morning focusing on options and solutions regarding catalytic converter theft in San Marcos.[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]
sanmarcosrecord.comPopulation growth challenges Texas' Hill Country
Booming population growth, coupled with changing climate patterns, unslakable groundwater thirst and political challenges, leave the Texas Hill Country newly vulnerable. Driving the news: A recently released report from the Texas Hill Country Conservation Network reveals a region facing profound threats to its future. The network is a partnership of dozens of organizations working across an 18-county region of Central Texas to protect waterways, vistas and wildlife.Stay on top of the latest mark
news.yahoo.comGBRA earns 8th-consecutive TCEQ Award
The Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) has earned the Texas Optimization Program (TOP) Award from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for the eighth year in a row.According to th[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]
sanmarcosrecord.comFirst Texas redistricting challenge set to be heard in federal court โ Houston Public Media
The lawsuit alleges a GOP-drawn map of Texas Senate districts dilutes the voting power of minorities in North Texas. Attorneys say it could be a preview of whatโs to come in the larger legal battle facing the stateโs controversial new political boundaries.
houstonpublicmedia.orgTexas election officials blame new voting law for rise in rejected mail-in ballot applications โ Houston Public Media
All over the state, county officials report theyโre rejecting hundreds of applications for mail-in ballots, an issue several attribute to recent election law changes championed by state Republicans.
houstonpublicmedia.orgTexas election officials blame new voting law for rise in rejected mail-in ballot applications โ Houston Public Media
All over the state, county officials report theyโre rejecting hundreds of applications for mail-in ballots, an issue several attribute to recent election law changes championed by state Republicans.
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