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The Latest Texas News
Hays CISD Officials Approve Tax Rate Election
A proposed 12-cent tax rate increase will appear on the general election ballot in November.
South Texas Judge Suspended After Indictment for Cattle Theft
Men used to be hanged for such things.
University of Houston Regents Change Faculty Senate Policy To Comply With New Law
Texas’ university systems are taking different approaches to implementing the new law.
Court of Criminal Appeals Reins in Texas Ethics Commission’s Prosecution Power
The Court found the commission lacks exclusive authority over election crimes.
The Archive
Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Costs Millions as Texas House Failed to Act
Despite years of calls from Texas voters to end the use of taxpayer dollars for lobbying, legislation to ban the practice died in committee this session, leaving Texans footing a multi-million-dollar lobbying bill. For years, both Democrat and Republican voters have...
SAVE Data Helps Texas Nab Potential Noncitizen Voters
After gaining access to a federal immigration and citizenship database, state officials have identified potential noncitizens who voted in Texas elections. Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson announced Thursday that her office has referred 33 potential noncitizens...
Why Didn’t Lawmakers Abolish the Texas Lottery? It’s a Lucrative Business
Although Texas lawmakers sent a measure abolishing the Texas Lottery Commission to Gov. Greg Abbott, they stopped short of ending the gambling enterprise entirely. A potential reason? The Texas Lottery is a very lucrative business for its vendors. In fiscal year 2024,...
Former North Texas Pastor and School Volunteer Jailed on Child Porn Charges
A former North Texas church pastor, award-winning school volunteer, and nonprofit leader has been jailed on multiple charges of possessing child sexual abuse material. Jim Dale Mustain was arrested and charged with one count of possession of more than 50 images or...
Houston ISD Teacher Accused of Locking Special Needs Students in Cabinet
A Houston Independent School District special education teacher has been recommended for termination after allegedly locking several special needs students in a cabinet. The incident, which took place at Moreno Elementary School and came to light in late May, has...
Republicans Urge Abbott to Veto ‘Biden-Style’ Loan Repayments for School Counselors
A coalition of 34 Republican lawmakers is urging Gov. Greg Abbott to veto a Democrat-authored bill that would expand state-funded student loan repayment programs—this time, specifically for school counselors and mental health professionals. Senate Bill 646, authored...
East Texas Judge Indicted for Coercion
A grand jury has handed down an indictment against Rains County Justice of the Peace Robert Jenkins Franklin after he allegedly threatened a defendant to accept a plea deal. Last month, Texas Scorecard reported on a federal lawsuit that alleges Franklin told...
UT-Austin Picks Reagan Scholar as Provost Finalist
University of Texas at Austin named William Inboden as the sole finalist for its open provost position. The provost is the Chief Academic Officer of UT-Austin and second in command to the president. The office supervises several aspects of university operations....
Houston City Council Approves $7 Billion ‘Balanced’ Budget
Houston City Council members approved a $7 billion operating budget for fiscal year 2026 on Wednesday, passing the plan in a 14–3 vote after weeks of negotiations and legal hurdles. The vote followed a court-approved phased settlement in a years-long lawsuit over...