Senate passes GOP’s tax and spending bill with Cornyn, Cruz priorities included

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• Oil companies want to sell their wastewater. The Texas Supreme Court decided who gets the profits.

  By Martha Pskowski, Inside Climate News 8 hours ago

  The ruling comes as more companies are seeking to turn a profit on what has long been considered a vexing waste stream. Full Story 

• TribCast: A very unusual Supreme Court term

  By Eleanor Klibanoff 10 hours ago

  The TribCast gang is finally reunited, just in time to dive into the big cases and unresolved questions from the term. Full Story 

• A Texas boy needed protection from measles. The vaccine cost $1,400.

  By Julie Appleby, KFF Health News July 1, 2025

  Because their insurance did not cover the cost of vaccinations, the family qualified for a variety of options to help lower the cost, but they were not offered assistance. Full Story 

• Texas medical marijuana industry to push for hemp age restrictions and delta-8 ban

  By Stephen Simpson July 1, 2025

  Medical program leaders want a ban on synthetic delta-8 THC, which makes up the bulk of consumable hemp products. Full Story 

• GOP state Sen. Brian Birdwell says he won’t seek reelection

  By Alejandro Serrano June 30, 2025

  Soon after Birdwell announced his retirement, state Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield, said he was running for the seat. Full Story 

• Texas lawmakers have gotten used to state budget surpluses. That era may be ending.

  By Paul Cobler, Graphics by Chris Essig June 30, 2025

  As federal pandemic aid ends and sales tax revenues cool, analysts say it could constrain the Texas Legislature in coming years. But they don’t see an immediate budget crisis on the horizon. Full Story 

• Sen. John Cornyn looks to overcome Paxton primary challenge by embracing Trump

  By Owen Dahlkamp June 30, 2025

  As he faces the toughest electoral challenge of his career, Cornyn has also wielded his powers as a U.S. senator to lean into partisan issues prized by the GOP base. Full Story 

• Texas education board approves Native Studies course, skirting concerns about state’s K-12 DEI ban

  By Jaden Edison Updated: June 29, 2025

  The long-awaited vote survived objections from the panel’s most right-leaning Republicans, who criticized the lessons as “un-American woke indoctrination.” Full Story 

• Top Texas Democrats ponder the state’s future at forum amid questions about what’s next for their party

  By Alejandro Serrano June 28, 2025

  Former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke was joined at his San Antonio town hall by U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro and state Rep. James Talarico, whose names have been floated for statewide office. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott sets Nov. 4 special election for open state Senate seat

  By Atirikta Kumar June 27, 2025

  The contest coincides with the state’s November uniform election, when voters across Texas will already be at the polls to decide local offices and ballot measures. Full Story 

• “It will affect all families”: Challenges await Texas parents if birthright citizenship ends

  By Uriel J. García, Berenice Garcia and Carlos Nogueras Ramos June 27, 2025

  The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for President Donald Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship to take effect in certain states in 30 days. Full Story 

• United Methodist Church can fight to prevent split with SMU, Texas Supreme Court rules

  By Jessica Priest Updated: June 27, 2025

  The school sought to leave the church because of differences over gay marriage and clergy. The court did not decide whether SMU could be prevented from separating. Full Story 

• State Rep. Nate Schatzline drops Texas Senate bid, endorses conservative activist Leigh Wambsganss

  By Kayla Guo Updated: June 27, 2025

  The North Texas district opened up last week when Republican Kelly Hancock resigned from the upper chamber to take over as the state’s acting comptroller. Full Story 

• Texas can require porn websites to verify users’ ages, Supreme Court rules

  By Kayla Guo and Eleanor Klibanoff Updated: June 27, 2025

  The case involves a 2023 state law requiring adult websites to verify users’ ages, but the ruling is expected to have broader implications for free speech law. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott, AG Ken Paxton do not have to release Uvalde or Jan. 6 emails, Texas Supreme Court rules

  By Sneha Dey June 27, 2025

  The decision, stemming from a 2022 lawsuit, narrows the public’s legal options to challenge Texas officials under the state’s open records law. Full Story 

• Fate of birthright citizenship order unresolved after Supreme Court limits nationwide injunctions

  By Uriel J. García, Carlos Nogueras Ramos, Berenice Garcia and Associated Press Updated: June 27, 2025

  The ruling was a partial victory for President Donald Trump who has made immigration his signature issue. Full Story