Justice Department tried to hide report warning that private border wall in Texas could collapse

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• To combat opioid overdoses, Gov. Greg Abbott says he supports decriminalizing fentanyl testing strips

  by James Barragán Dec. 1, 2022

  The announcement signals a shift in Abbott’s approach to fighting the opioid epidemic. He had previously pushed back against bills calling for the decriminalization of fentanyl testing strips. Full Story 

• An Afghan soldier fleeing the Taliban spent months reaching the U.S. to request asylum. He was arrested at the Texas border.

  by Allison P. Erickson Updated: Dec. 1, 2022

  Abdul Wasi Safi was trying to reach his brother, who immigrated legally to Houston after helping the U.S. military. Legal experts say Wasi may have to serve a criminal sentence before he can pursue asylum. Full Story 

• Supreme Court leaves student debt relief program on hold after Texas judge blocked it

  by Jayme Lozano Dec. 1, 2022

  More than 16 million people had already been approved for student loan debt relief by the Education Department when a federal judge in North Texas struck down the plan last month. Full Story 

• Uvalde officials say local prosecutor impeded investigation into police response to shooting

  by Alejandro Serrano Updated: Dec. 1, 2022

  In a lawsuit filed Thursday, the city of Uvalde says the district attorney is restricting information needed by its independent investigator. Uvalde wants a judge to compel the prosecutor to hand over all relevant investigative information. Full Story 

• Ted Cruz sides with Bernie Sanders to give rail workers more sick days

  by Matthew Choi Dec. 1, 2022

  Cruz split with Sen. John Cornyn in a vote to expand paid sick days for railroad workers in a tumultuous action to stave off a potentially catastrophic rail shutdown. Full Story 

• Watch a conversation on higher education and tomorrow’s workforce

  by Alex Nguyen Updated: Dec. 1, 2022

  The discussion took place at Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus. You can watch the conversation in person or online. Full Story 

• By tradition, the minority party gets to chair some Texas House committees. Some in the GOP want to end that.

  by Patrick Svitek Dec. 1, 2022

  Republican critics say conservative priorities will always be hamstrung if Democrats, who are in the minority party, get a say in which legislation reaches the floor. Full Story 

• A growing number of Texas rural counties are declaring local immigration “disasters”

  by Pooja Salhotra Dec. 1, 2022

  The latest county to make a disaster declaration is an eight-hour drive away from the Texas-Mexico border, but local officials there say they’re under “invasion.” Full Story 

• El Paso DA Yvonne Rosales a no-show in Walmart shooting hearing

  by Molly Smith, El Paso Matters Nov. 30, 2022

  The district judge has asked the embattled district attorney, who resigned Monday, to appear in court Thursday or risk being arrested. Full Story 

• Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick prioritizes property tax relief, electric grid fixes and border security for 2023 legislative session

  by James Barragán Updated: Nov. 30, 2022

  Patrick, who presides over the Senate and wields tremendous power over legislation, said lawmakers have an “extraordinary opportunity” to shape the future of Texas at the start of the next legislative session, which begins Jan. 10. Full Story 

• Republican requests recount after loss in battleground race for state Senate seat in South Texas

  by Patrick Svitek Updated: Nov. 30, 2022

  Adam Hinojosa finished 659 votes behind Democrat Morgan LaMantia in a race that garnered 175,415 total votes. Full Story 

• Texas lawmakers have a $27 billion surplus, but a spending cap complicates their goal of lowering property taxes

  by Karen Brooks Harper Nov. 30, 2022

  Texas homeowners have some of the highest property tax bills in the nation, a byproduct of the state’s reliance on such taxes to help pay for public schools and the state’s lack of an income tax. Full Story 

• Migrants flown from Texas to Massachusetts sue “Perla,” who recruited them for flights

  by Uriel J. García Nov. 30, 2022

  The flights, financed by Florida at the direction of Gov. Ron DeSantis, were filled by Perla Huerta of San Antonio, who was added to a lawsuit against DeSantis and others on Tuesday. Full Story 

• Texas’ rural hospitals are — once again — at grave risk of closing

  by Jayme Lozano Updated: Nov. 30, 2022

  A rural hospital hasn’t closed in Texas since the COVID-19 pandemic started in March 2020. That could change as federal relief ends. Full Story 

• Suspect in Vanessa Guillén’s killing pleads guilty

  by Joshua Fechter Nov. 29, 2022

  The 20-year-old Fort Hood soldier’s murder prompted nationwide outrage and calls to reform the way the military addresses sexual violence within its ranks. Full Story 

• U.S. Senate gives final passage to same-sex marriage bill without support from Cruz and Cornyn

  by Matthew Choi Nov. 29, 2022

  The bill is largely a safeguard against potential action by the Supreme Court to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, which made the Defense of Marriage Act unenforceable and enshrined the right to same-sex marriages across the country. Full Story