Colony Ridge developer defends Houston-area community as state leaders vow action against it

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• Oilfield companies helped to craft Texas’ new waste rules for 2 years before the public got to see them

  by Emily Foxhall and Erin Douglas 6 hours ago

  The effort to update the state’s oilfield waste disposal rules was initiated by Railroad Commissioner Jim Wright, one of the state’s top oil and gas regulators who has investments in the industry. Full Story 

• Texas borrowers face hard financial choices after student loan pause ends

  by Caroline Wilburn 11 hours ago

  Payments resumed this month after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the Biden administration’s student loan forgiveness plan is unconstitutional. For many, the pause meant the difference between saving and making ends meet. Full Story 

• Texas Republicans stuck with Kevin McCarthy, but it wasn’t enough to save him

  by Matthew Choi Oct. 3, 2023

  In January, some Republican Texans led the charge to challenge McCarthy’s leadership bid. But this time, all Texas Republicans who were present voted to save McCarthy and every U.S. House Democrat voted to remove him. Full Story 

• U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar carjacked at gunpoint near his Washington home

  by Matthew Choi Oct. 3, 2023

  Cuellar was unharmed in the incident, and law enforcement eventually retrieved the car. Full Story 

• Support for Houston ISD’s Spanish speakers has dwindled under state-appointed leader, parents say

  by Brian Lopez Oct. 3, 2023

  For one reading class, Superintendent Mike Miles said instruction would focus on English, even if it meant risking state funding for dual-language programs. Parents say it goes further than that, adding that their kids are receiving no assistance in Spanish at all. Full Story 

• Residents in one of Texas’ most populous cities are working to decriminalize marijuana

  by Jayme Lozano Carver Oct. 3, 2023

  Home to more than 260,000 people, the West Texas town of Lubbock is no stranger to passing local laws by petition. In 2021, residents overwhelmingly approved a local ban on abortion. Full Story 

• Texas’ unemployment rate is among the nation’s worst — but experts say it signals a growing economy

  by Maia Pandey Oct. 3, 2023

  The state has yet to return to its pre-pandemic unemployment rate of about 3.5%, even as it leads the country in new jobs created. However, state economic experts say the unemployment rate is an indicator of Texas’s rapidly growing population and labor force. Full Story 

• Legislative marathon delays criminal trial for North Texas House member charged with felony

  by Patrick Svitek Oct. 2, 2023

  Rep. Frederick Frazier was indicted over a year ago on two charges of impersonating a public servant. But the case has not gone to trial yet, partly because Frazier has been able to delay the case until the Legislature concludes its work. Full Story 

• Texas drought has deepened amid this year’s brutal heat

  by Kevin Vu, The Texas Tribune Oct. 2, 2023

  After a long summer of extreme heat, Texas has been battered by a lingering drought that’s damaging crops, drying up water supplies and causing wildfires. Full Story 

• Can John Sharp protect his maroon empire?

  by Kate McGee Oct. 2, 2023

  The savvy ex-lawmaker has expanded the Texas A&M University System and mollified state leaders. Some faculty, alumni and students say that accommodation has come at a cost. Full Story 

• ‘They just tried to scare us’: Anti-abortion centers teach sex ed inside some Texas public schools

  by Sarah Butrymowicz and Caroline Preston, The Hechinger Report Oct. 2, 2023

  The groups work in dozens of school districts across the state, but some public health experts say their curricula can be misleading and biased. Full Story 

• Congress averts government shutdown with last-minute scramble

  by Tyler Pager, The Washington Post Sept. 30, 2023

  Lawmakers avoided closing the government for now, but funding for Ukraine — and Kevin McCarthy’s speakership — face further hurdles. Full Story 

• Body camera footage shows February drunk-driving arrest of Sen. Charles Schwertner

  by Patrick Svitek Sept. 30, 2023

  Newly released body camera footage shows state Sen. Charles Schwertner’s February arrest for suspicion of drunk driving. Travis County prosecutors dropped the charge in July. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott says special lawmaking session will begin on Oct. 9, likely on school vouchers

  by Brian Lopez and William Melhado Sept. 29, 2023

  The session comes as a rift between the Texas House and the Senate grew following Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial, raising questions about the chambers’ ability to compromise on education issues. The governor has threatened to call for more special sessions if lawmakers fail to pass a “school choice” proposal. Full Story 

• Federal judge throws out hiring discrimination lawsuit against Texas A&M

  by Kate McGee Sept. 29, 2023

  The judge tossed the suit after the university argued a new state law that will go into effect in January, Senate Bill 17, already prohibits preferential treatment in hiring at public universities. Full Story 

• 4 Texas Republicans join ultraconservatives to sink GOP attempt to keep federal government open

  by Matthew Choi Sept. 29, 2023

  The funding bill was a long shot, but far-right U.S. representatives said it didn’t go far enough in promoting their priorities, including border security and defunding investigations into Donald Trump. Full Story