Texas investigation into teachers’ posts after Charlie Kirk’s death violates their free speech, experts say

Latest News

• Texas halts commercial drivers licenses for many immigrants

  By Colleen DeGuzman Updated: 1 hour ago

  DACA recipients, refugees and asylum recipients will no longer be able to receive or renew commercial licenses, the Department of Public Safety announced. Full Story 

• Second immigrant dies after shooting at Dallas ICE facility

  By Uriel J. García 3 hours ago

  The 32-year-old Mexican citizen died after being taken off life support, his wife said in a written statement. Full Story 

• Democratic Rep. Jon Rosenthal will run for Texas Railroad Commission

  By Alejandro Serrano Updated: 7 hours ago

  The day after the four-term Houston lawmaker launched his statewide bid, his former chief of staff, Odus Evbagharu, announced he was running to succeed his former boss in the Texas House. Full Story 

• Shooter’s notes say he intended to target ICE officers, authorities say

  By Uriel J. García, Colleen DeGuzman and Nicholas Gutteridge Updated: Sept. 29, 2025

  Federal authorities said the notes indicate the 29-year-old who killed an ICE detainee and wounded two others expressed hatred for the federal government and acted alone. Full Story 

• About $675 million earmarked for Texas projects is in limbo as Congress careens toward shutdown

  By Marijke Friedman Sept. 29, 2025

  Texas’ congressional delegation obtained tentative funding for infrastructure improvements, university research and other initiatives, but the nearly 350 earmarks are all in jeopardy. Full Story 

• Texas Tech’s limits on gender identity discussion deepen fears of politics breaching academic freedom

  By Jessica Priest, Jayme Lozano Carver and Sneha Dey Updated: Sept. 26, 2025

  Professors are afraid to publicly speak out, system leaders left key questions unanswered and advocates worry for LGBTQ+ students’ mental health. Full Story 

• Texas State University professor reinstated by court after being fired for “inciting violence”

  By Ayden Runnels Sept. 26, 2025

  Thomas Alter, who was fired for comments he made during an online socialist conference, won’t be allowed to teach but will be reinstated with pay, the university said. Full Story 

• Texas A&M System regents authorize settlement with former president

  By Nicholas Gutteridge Updated: Sept. 26, 2025

  Details of the agreement with Mark A. Welsh III, who resigned as leader of the flagship university on Sept. 19, will not be revealed until it is finalized. Full Story 

• State approves $562 million Texas Energy Fund loan for power plant near Baytown

  By Paul Cobler Sept. 26, 2025

  The low-interest loan to NRG Energy for a gas-fired power plant is the largest of three loans approved through the $7 billion fund since its creation in 2023. Full Story 

• Texas’ guidance on end of in-state tuition for undocumented students doesn’t clear confusion, advocates say

  By Sneha Dey Updated: Sept. 26, 2025

  The state is being criticized for advising colleges to verify students’ status with immigration authorities, which could put them at risk. Full Story 

• “Unthinkable”: Camp Mystic parents condemn reopening plans after devastating floods

  By Ayden Runnels Updated: Sept. 25, 2025

  Despite a plea by the family of a camper who is still missing to halt all discussions of reopening and memorials to those who died, Mystic officials say they’ll proceed with their plans. Full Story 

• Texas executes man convicted of killing 13-month-old girl in 2008

  By Ayden Runnels Updated: Sept. 25, 2025

  Blaine Milam, who was pronounced dead at 6:40 p.m. Thursday, is the fifth death row inmate executed by the state in 2025. Full Story 

• Angelo State University bans classroom discussions of transgender identities, stirring criticism and confusion

  By Alex Nguyen and Lindsey Byman Sept. 25, 2025

  Instead of a campus-wide announcement, faculty members say the restrictions have trickled down through department chairs and college meetings. Full Story 

• Data centers are thirsty for Texas’ water, but state planners don’t know how much they will need

  By Alejandra Martinez Sept. 25, 2025

  A wave of massive data centers is expanding across Texas, prompting warnings from experts who say the new water demands could push the state’s already strained supply to the brink. Full Story 

• Texas Democratic Party’s move to Dallas prompts top staff exodus, roils organization ahead of 2026

  By Kayla Guo and Renzo Downey Sept. 25, 2025

  Party insiders said the way the move was handled undercuts Chair Kendall Scudder’s rhetoric about winning back working class voters, who lurched to the right in 2024. Full Story 

• Texas counties struggle to process voter registrations using state’s new system

  By Natalia Contreras, Votebeat and The Texas Tribune Sept. 25, 2025

  State officials push back on complaints about software problems. Meanwhile, unprocessed applications are piling up. Full Story