Texas is redrawing congressional map for GOP gains, House Republicans acknowledge

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• Texas’ proposed congressional map dismantles districts flagged by DOJ

  By Eleanor Klibanoff, Graphics by Carla Astudillo 8 hours ago

  The Department of Justice said four districts unconstitutionally combined Black and Hispanic voters, a charge the state disputes. If the proposed map passes, two will still be multiracial. Full Story 

• Overhauling STAAR test is back on the table this special session. But the clock is ticking.

  By Sneha Dey 8 hours ago

  An effort to replace the state's standardized test fell apart in the final stretch of this year's regular session. Texas lawmakers have two weeks left to find middle ground. Full Story 

• Texas cities, counties may face new limits on raising property taxes

  By Joshua Fechter 9 hours ago

  Republican state lawmakers want to curb property tax bills by further limiting how much can be collected by cities and counties. Full Story 

• Texas GOP once again tries to ban local governments from hiring lobbyists in Austin

  By Joshua Fechter Updated: 9 hours ago

  Critics of the bill say the state’s smallest cities and school districts will be silenced at the Capitol. Full Story 

• Texas Senate passes bill to ban THC — again

  By Stephen Simpson Updated: Aug. 1, 2025

  The Senate’s decision signals another potential standoff with Gov. Greg Abbott, who vetoed a similar ban earlier this year as he called for more regulations instead. Full Story 

• Texas Senate once again tries to give the attorney general authority to prosecute election crimes

  By Eleanor Klibanoff Updated: Aug. 1, 2025

  A similar proposal stalled out earlier this year over disagreements between the House and Senate. This time, lawmakers might clash over whether to approve the new bill along with a constitutional amendment. Full Story 

• Lawmakers advance bill to protect Texans from real estate fraudsters

  By Atirikta Kumar Aug. 1, 2025

  Senate Bill 15 seeks to prevent the use of fraudulent deeds to sell someone else’s property or take out loans. Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed a previous version of the bill. Full Story 

• Some rural Texans see THC as a lifeline for their health and economy

  By Stephen Simpson Aug. 1, 2025

  As lawmakers continue to debate banning hemp-derived THC, some rural Texans say it helps ease addiction, health concerns and economic woes that hit their communities the hardest. Full Story 

• Texas bills increasing youth camp safety face long odds, even after Hill Country floods

  By Terri Langford Aug. 1, 2025

  Competing legislative priorities and an industry that has pushed against certain regulations could challenge a suite of camp safety bills this special legislative session. Full Story 

• Top two Kerr County emergency officials say they were asleep as July 4 floods struck

  By Emily Foxhall Updated: July 31, 2025

  Their statements to state legislators marked the first time county officials have spoken publicly about what they were doing the morning of the disaster that killed more than 100 people in the county. Full Story 

• “Nobody came”: Hill Country flooding survivors recount anguish, neglect during emotional hearing

  By Hayden Betts July 31, 2025

  Residents told state lawmakers about what they’ve lost and the hardships they’re experiencing almost a month after the July 4 disaster devastated the region. Full Story 

• Texas Hill Country floods: What we know so far

  By María Méndez Updated: July 31, 2025

  With hundreds confirmed dead, questions remain about the local response to flood warnings. Meanwhile, lawmakers will weigh measures to mitigate future disasters. Full Story 

• From racism claims to a $725,000 settlement, a UNT professor's lawsuit mirrors Texas' shifting views on free speech

  By Ayden Runnels Updated: July 31, 2025

  Professor Timothy Jackson was accused of making racist remarks at the height of the racial reckoning that followed George Floyd's murder. His free speech suit against the university comes to an end in the era of DEI bans. Full Story 

• Cruz introduces weather radio modernization bill with a new focus on flood communications

  By Gabby Birenbaum July 31, 2025

  This comes after Cruz voted in favor of the spending megabill that rescinded funds for NOAA. Full Story 

• Draft Texas congressional map pits Democratic incumbents against each other, spelling possible primary clashes

  By Gabby Birenbaum July 31, 2025

  Multiple Democratic members have been packed into blue districts in Austin, Dallas and Houston to make way for newly crafted Republican districts in those areas. Full Story 

• How a rural Texas sheriff became a poster child for serving Trump’s immigration goals

  By Alejandro Serrano July 31, 2025

  Roy Boyd has also become one of the loudest cheerleaders for partnerships between sheriffs and ICE to offer the federal agency unprecedented access to jails and deputies. Full Story