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Left-wing advocacy groups are challenging the constitutionality of Texas’ new congressional map, which creates five new Republican-opportunity districts.  A legal showdown over Texas’ new congressional map begins Wednesday in an El Paso federal court. The outcome will determine whether the state’s latest congressional boundaries can be used in upcoming elections. view article

For the first time since Texas authorized the program, the state heard public testimony from people concerned about pre-K funding, special education provisions and data reporting. view article

Texas’ border jurisdictions are scrambling to manage thousands of pending Operation Lone Star cases after key state partners abruptly pulled out, leaving local officials to coordinate housing and transportation for defendants.  Kinney County Attorney Brent Smith told Texas Scorecard the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), both of which helped provide housing for illegal crossers arrested under the border security initiative, are no longer handling those responsibilities.  The Del Rio Processing Center is reportedly shutting down, along with Val Verde County’s detention facility—the original epicenter of Operation Lone Star (OLS) prosecutions.  “We’re left holding the bag,” Smith said. “Counties are having to figure this out on their own without the infrastructure the state had in place.” view article

Texas’ congressional delegation obtained tentative funding for infrastructure improvements, university research and other initiatives, but the nearly 350 earmarks are all in jeopardy.   Left-wing media outlets are criticizing a memo written by the Texas Tech University System’s chancellor which mandates faculty adherence to laws recognizing only two biological sexes, framing it as an attack on LGBT ideology without legal basis.  On September 25, Texas Tech University System Chancellor Tedd Mitchell sent a memo to the presidents of the system’s institutions.  He wrote that state and federal law recognize male and female as the only two human sexes. He cited three sources: President Donald Trump’s January 2025 executive order, Gov. Greg Abbott’s January 2025 letter, and new state law House Bill 229.  HB 229 defined biological sex and required Texas agencies to record only male or female in vital statistics data. Abbott’s letter ordered agencies to reject gender identity policies and follow laws recognizing two sexes. Trump’s executive order directed federal agencies to use only biological sex and to remove gender identity from policy. view article

The American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, along with other civil rights groups, filed a second lawsuit in federal court Monday to stop more Texas public school districts from displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms.  Earlier this summer, Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 10 into law, requiring every public school classroom in the state to include a poster with the Ten Commandments.  Last month, the groups — who are representing Texas families of varying religious and nonreligious backgrounds — successfully argued for a preliminary injunction against 11 school districts in Texas’ largest metropolitan areas. While issuing the injunction, U.S. Judge Fred Biery wrote the new law "likely violates both the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment” to the U.S. Constitution.  "This [new] lawsuit is a continuation of our work to defend the First Amendment and ensure that government officials stay out of personal family decisions," said Chloe Kempf, a staff attorney at the ACLU Texas. "All students — regardless of their race or religious background — should feel accepted and free to be themselves in Texas public schools." view article

Senate Bill 8, which goes into effect on Dec. 4, restricts bathroom use in government buildings and schools to the sex assigned at birth. view article

Several proposed amendments in Texas’ Nov. 4 general election would provide property tax cuts for Texan homeowners if approved at the cost of billions of the state’s funding. The general election has 17 different proposed statewide amendments on the ballot. Of those, ten of them relate to providing tax cuts in various ways, including on homes, businesses, capital gains, securities, and animal feed. view article

A majority of the proposed constitutional amendments address tax cuts for homeowners and businesses.  A majority of the proposed constitutional amendments address tax cuts for homeowners and businesses. On Nov. 4, Texas voters will get the final say on 17 constitutional amendments — usually listed as statewide propositions at the top of the ballot — including billions of dollars in property tax cuts for homeowners and businesses.  Earlier this year, a two-thirds majority of the state Legislature passed the joint resolutions calling for the constitutional amendment elections, along with the state’s budget for the next two years, which includes $51 billion for property tax cuts.  Texas lawmakers have used multibillion-dollar budget surpluses, the result of inflation and temporary federal stimulus dollars during the COVID-19 pandemic, to pay for tax cuts in recent years. Proponents of tax cuts and bans, including Gov. Greg Abbott, have said they will maintain Texas as a competitive, business-friendly state and contribute to economic growth. view article

Learn more about all the ways you can register to vote, cast your ballot and protect your rights at the polls. Texans’ next opportunity to use their vote to shape state policies and their communities will be during the Nov. 4 elections.  On the ballot are 17 constitutional amendments, including billions of dollars in property tax cuts for homeowners and businesses.  Some Texans may also see local elections for elected officials or for measures to raise property taxes or issue bonds to pay for projects and services. view article

After weeks of permitting students to use their devices during lunch and passing periods, the Alamo Heights Independent School District will now enforce a bell-to-bell cellphone ban. At a board meeting on Wednesday evening, the board approved a policy change prohibiting students from using personal communication devices for the entire school day. The move is in response to House Bill 1481, a new state law requiring school districts to develop policies restricting student phone use on campus. view article

Some people use the drug to treat COVID, even though it’s not approved by the FDA for such use.  Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday signed a bill makes ivermectin — a drug used mostly in this country to treat livestock for parasites — available to Texans without a prescription.  Texas is now the fifth state to approve the over-the-counter sale of the drug after it became popular as an unproven treatment for COVID-19. House Bill 25 filed by state Rep. Joanne Shofner, R-Nacogdoches, first passed the House, 87-47, after an energetic, three-hour debate along party lines. Shofner, surrounded by more than 20 Republicans at one point, argued her bill was championing medical freedom, giving Texans better access to a drug particularly outside cities where pharmacies outnumber physicians. view article

The judge currently handling Attorney General Ken Paxton’s divorce case has decided to shield the records in the case from public disclosure.  Judge Ray Wheless, a Republican serving as the regional administrative judge for North Texas, ordered the case records be sealed Friday. He was brought on to the case after the judge originally assigned to the case, Jill Renfro Willis, recused herself. While Willis did not give a reason for her recusal, she and her husband, Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis, have longtime ties to the Paxtons.  Sealing the court records means the public will not have access to further filings in the case, which has garnered significant public interest given the Paxtons’ political prominence and past links between the attorney general’s infidelity and allegations of corruption. view article

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced Monday evening in an ABC 13 interview that she will not seek re-election in 2026.  Earlier this month, during her State of the County address, Hidalgo told the public that her decision would come “very, very, very soon.” Her announcement ends months of speculation, as she had repeatedly teased her future plans. view article

The attorney general has issued civil investigative demands to determine if political agendas are driving financial recommendations. view article

A sweeping array of education bills passed this legislative session is set to transform the landscape of public education in Texas, sparking both hope and concern among educators and parents. Anna Smith, Place 4 Representative on the Leander ISD School Board, emphasized the significance of these changes. view article

After historic floods on the Fourth of July killed more than 130 people in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott vowed state lawmakers would pass transformative legislation, designed to “make sure communities are better, more resilient, and have the resources that they need.”Just two months later, on Sept. 5, Abbott held a bill signing ceremony surrounded by families who’d lost loved ones in the tragedy. That day, the governor signed a package of flood-related measures into law, including one tightening restrictions for overnight youth camps.  “They wanted laws to be passed so that other parents would not experience the hell that have been through,” Abbott said. “They pleaded for camp safety.” view article

School district administrators across the San Antonio area are either developing or have already established guidelines to comply with aspects of Senate Bill 12 and its so-called “parental rights” provisions.  The law, which took effect on Sept. 1, requires schools to obtain parental consent before administering certain health services to students. view article

Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Friday announced the formation of committees to study bias and free speech at universities amid a firestorm of criticism from conservative lawmakers on statements made by university faculty and students.  The House and Senate Select Committees on Civil Discourse & Freedom of Speech in Higher Education were formed “honoring the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk,” according to a press release. Kirk, a Christian conservative activist who frequently traveled to college campuses to discuss controversial politics, was shot and killed on Wednesday at Utah Valley University during one of his events.  In the wake of Kirk’s death, Republican lawmakers and activists in Texas and across the state have harshly criticized online commentary mocking Kirk and his killing. Several lawmakers have called for the removal of school teachers, professors and public officials who criticized Kirk, which Burrows said highlighted the necessity of the committee. view article

The guidance comes in response to confusion over a new state law requiring schools to notify parents whenever students need health care services.  Texas’ new parental consent law does not prevent nurses from administering basic health-related services like providing Band-Aids or checking a student’s temperature, according to updated state guidance sent to school district administrators on Thursday.  The Texas Education Agency’s revised guidance came in response to widespread confusion about Senate Bill 12, a sweeping state law that includes a requirement for schools to obtain written approval from parents before offering to students routine health assistance and medication or conducting medical procedures.  School districts are required to take disciplinary action against any employees who provide such services to students without parental consent. Some districts had interpreted the law as requiring consent for every non-emergency, health-related circumstance. SB 12’s authors last week urged education officials to clarify that the extreme levels of caution exercised by some districts were not necessary for what the lawmakers consider “common sense” practices. view article

Gov. Greg Abbott ceremonially signed legislation in McKinney aimed at tightening property protections in response to a controversial Islamic residential development proposed for Collin County.   Abbott has framed the issue as “banning Sharia compounds,” though the legislation does not especially mention any specific religion.  House Bill 4211, authored by State Rep. Candy Noble (R–Lucas) and carried in the Senate by State Sen. Angela Paxton (R–McKinney), creates a framework for regulating “business entity-owned residential arrangements,” an ownership model critics say was used to sidestep state property law in the East Plano Islamic Center’s (EPIC) planned “EPIC City” and “EPIC Ranches” projects. view article

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is pushing back against Gov. Greg Abbott’s recent executive order on THC, warning that the governor’s actions could legitimize dangerous and unregulated drug sales across the state.  In a fiery statement issued Friday, Patrick said the order issued earlier this week—intended to curb youth access to psychoactive THC products—falls far short of what’s needed and sends a dangerous message to an already emboldened industry.  “This is not a personal fight with the governor,” said Patrick. “It is a disagreement on extremely important policy.” view article

The Republican-led State Board of Education rejected a proposal favored by conservative activists to overhaul the state’s social studies curriculum by  requiring a heavier concentration of Texas history taught across six grades, instead of the current two.  Instead, after a marathon meeting Wednesday, the board settled on an approach that will more closely integrate state, national and global history, and also focus more lessons on the founding of Western civilization and democracy. Under the plan, Texas history will be the focus of grades three and eight; U.S. history will be the focus of grades four and seven; and grades five and six will center on world history.   Supporters said it would create an “identity” of Texan and American heritage for children at earlier ages.  view article

The governor’s order came shortly after the Legislature failed to ban or further regulate hemp-derived THC products by the end of this year’s second special session.  THC products will remain largely legal in Texas, but will be banned for minors under a new executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott. view article

Gov. Abbott’s executive order bans THC products for those under the age of 21.  After two special sessions failed to produce a legislative deal on banning the sale of intoxicating THC products in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott has taken unilateral action—though limited in scope.   On Wednesday, he issued an executive order implementing a series of new restrictions aimed at limiting access to the controversial substances.  The move comes after the House declined to take up Senate bills that would have outlawed nearly all psychoactive cannabis-derived products currently sold in vape shops and convenience stores. The Senate passed the bill during both special sessions this summer, but the House adjourned without addressing it.  Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who championed the ban, had blamed the breakdown on a lack of agreement among the state’s top leaders. view article

The policy was first adopted in 2024 and has been continually challenged in Texas’ courts  In preparation for the upcoming State Fair of Texas, the board of directors has released this year’s safety policies, which still include prohibiting the licensed carrying of firearms by attendees.  According to the State Fair of Texas’ safety and security policies for this year’s event, even those with a license who would normally be allowed to carry a firearm on state-owned property will not be permitted to do so.  After allowing lawful carrying for 135 years, the event banned firearms in 2024 following a 2023 incident in which an unlicensed attendee shot and injured three people. view article

School officials say that in the wake of Texas’ new cellphone ban in public K-12 schools, students have become more engaged in and outside of classrooms.  The ban on cellphones, laptops and tablets has prompted Texas’ more than 1,200 school districts to adopt policies ranging from secure device pouches to increased monitoring as the academic year has begun. While some officials were concerned that schools would face pushback from students and parents, administrators from across the state said that hasn’t happened.  Instead, school officials say they’re seeing signs of positive change after years of concerns that cellphones and addictive social media apps distracted students during instructional time.  “At one of our campuses, for example, they had to get some Uno cards and other things for students to do during lunch because they wanted that engagement, so there’s a lot more face-to-face conversation going on,” said John Khun, the superintendent at Abilene ISD.  view article

The Republican Party of Texas is challenging Texas’ open primary system.  With the Republican Party of Texas challenging the state’s open primary system in court, the debate over who should decide each party’s nominees has reached a historic crossroads.  Texas’ open primaries trace back to the early 20th century and the passage of the Terrell Election Law of 1903. This landmark law introduced primary elections for nominating candidates and replaced the convention system with state-run primaries for major political parties.  view article

The executive order comes after the Legislature ended a special session without the House, Senate and governor agreeing on restrictions. view article

Texas will give participating families about $10,000 to pay for their kids’ private schooling. Other details about the program, set to launch in 2026, are unclear.  Gov. Greg Abbott on Saturday signed legislation authorizing a private school voucher program into law, marking the grand finale of an oftentimes ugly conflict that has largely defined Texas politics this decade.  Senate Bill 2 will allow families to use public taxpayer dollars to fund their children’s education at an accredited private school or to pay for a wide range of school-related expenses, like textbooks, transportation or therapy. The program will be one of the largest school voucher initiatives in the nation. view article

Requested records include a professor’s emails related to core curriculum.  UT-Austin is attempting to conceal faculty communications related to governance reforms.  At issue are changes to “core curricula” that are expected to result from the passage of Senate Bill 37 during the regular legislative session. This measure changes several aspects of university administration, including granting additional oversight authority over mandatory courses to boards of regents.   In universities, the phrase “core curricula” describes a set of requirements students must complete regardless of major. Typically, these classes comprise about a third of a student’s undergraduate coursework. view article

When news broke Wednesday afternoon of a last-minute push to pass new, stricter regulations for consumable hemp products, the employees at Austin Vape & Smoke sprung into action.  Zaquiri Hensen, a manager at the South Austin store, said he alerted his staff and other stores around the city before beginning to contact his legislators, urging them to reject any strict regulation or ban. Every customer that came into the store for the rest of the day was told to do the same, Hensen said.  “I still watched the House stream just in case because you never know what’s going to happen on the House floor,” Hensen said.   Hensen was finally able to relax around 9 p.m. when Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced in a post on X that the Senate would wrap up the second special session hours later, effectively closing out the Legislature without any new THC restrictions or a ban. view article

Multiple organizations are suing the University of Texas System as a means of undoing a new state law meant to counter disruptive activities on college campuses. The law in question is Senate Bill 2972, which took effect September 1. It was designed to protect freedom of expression for students while establishing guardrails to prevent the type of disruptive chaos that occurred at UT-Austin in 2024. view article

The new punishments, however, are not binding on future legislative sessions.  After Democrats staged a walkout earlier this summer to block congressional redistricting, the Texas House has moved to ensure such quorum-busting tactics carry heavy consequences in the future.  In one of its final actions before adjourning sine die, the chamber adopted House Resolution 128 by State Rep. Cody Vasut (R–Angleton). The measure rewrites House rules to increase fines and add new punishments for members who absent themselves without leave to deliberately break quorum. view article

The new accountability system increases overall testing in public schools throughout the year.  The Texas House voted to concur with Senate amendments to House Bill 8, sending the STAAR-testing overhaul to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk.  The bill replaces the current State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) year-to-year growth model, which relies on predictions from one end-of-year test to the next, with a new “three-year growth measure” that uses beginning-, middle-, and end-of-year assessments to track student progress more directly. view article