The Latest
Key Election Security Efforts Met Resistance in the Texas House
While some legislation to better secure Texas elections passed, activists were disappointed to see several key bills fail.
Democrat Elected Officials Share Pictures With Violent Protest Sign
Houston City Councilmembers Abbie Kamin and Mario Castillo and U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia shared the threatening image on their social media pages.
Texas Democrats Elect Socialist Vice-Chair
A self-described “pansexual,” Kolby Duhon uses they/he pronouns.
Abbott Hints at Potential Special Session on Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Ban
The governor has shown a willingness to repeatedly bring lawmakers back to Austin to complete his agenda when he feels it’s necessary
The Archive
City Officials Across Texas Promise Order on Saturday Ahead of Nationwide Protests
As cities across the country prepare for protests against enforcement of federal immigration law, city officials in Texas are warning residents to remain peaceful. Gov. Greg Abbott has said he will deploy the Texas National Guard to various locations around the state...
Who Is Running for Harris County Judge in 2026? Here Is the Field So Far.
Although they cannot file their candidacies for another five months, three contenders have announced campaigns to challenge incumbent Lina Hidalgo in the 2026 Harris County Judge race. Hidalgo, a Colombian immigrant, has gained national prominence as a progressive...
Collin County Votes for Switch to Hand-Marked Ballots
In a move heralded by election security advocates, Collin County officials voted to use hand-marked ballots in the November 2025 election. Collin County Commissioners Court approved a plan on Monday to eliminate the use of ballot marking devices except for voters with...
ICE Arrests Three More Illegal Aliens Outside Houston Immigration Court
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are continuing to arrest illegal aliens following dismissal of their asylum claims in a Houston courthouse. On Monday, ICE agents in plain clothes arrested three men outside a southwest Houston immigration court. On...
Gov. Abbott to Deploy Texas National Guard Amid Nationwide Protests, Riots
As riots erupt in cities like Los Angeles and protests targeting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are planned for this weekend, Gov. Greg Abbott is deploying the Texas National Guard across the state to deter potential violence and maintain order. “Texas...
State Commission Suspends East Texas Judge Without Pay After Indictment
Rains County Justice of the Peace Robert Jenkins Franklin has been suspended without pay following his indictment for allegedly threatening a defendant to accept a plea deal and pressuring his chief clerk into signing a false affidavit. Texas’ State Commission on...
Texas Man Arrested After Allegedly Giving Girlfriend Abortion-Inducing Drug
A North Texas man has been arrested after his ex-girlfriend accused him of secretly giving her an abortion-inducing drug, resulting in the death of their preborn child. Justin Anthony Banta, 38, was booked on Friday into the Parker County Jail on a charge from local...
Direct Democracy or Council Control? Some Woodway Residents Want to Vote for Mayor
In Woodway, Texas, some residents assume they vote for their mayor. In reality, the city council selects the mayor from among its members—a system that, while uncommon, is not unique in Texas. This method has sparked debate over transparency, accountability, and local...
Retired Texas Teacher Caught in Child Sex Solicitation Sting Faces New Charges
A retired high school athletic trainer arrested last year for soliciting sex from a child online has now been charged with sexually assaulting a disabled student while working for Bridgeport Independent School District. William Lawrence “Billy” Newsom, 61, was caught...