Approved by both chambers, the bill is now on its way to the governor. Unless he vetoes it, the bill will become law, which means book vendors will have to assign ratings to books based on depictions or references to sex.
Raul Trey Lopez
Raul Trey Lopez was a spring 2023 reporting fellow. He was born in San Antonio and raised in Converse. He will graduate from Texas A&M University-San Antonio in May with a major in communications and a minor in business administration. During his time with The Mesquite, A&M-San Antonio’s online news site, he covered athletics, campus and student life, the student government association and the Southside community. In his free time, he loves to watch sports, listen to music and spend time with loved ones.
Supreme Court extends access to abortion drug until Friday
The U.S. Supreme Court originally planned to weigh in on the abortion pill case by Wednesday night, but extended the hold on the Amarillo ruling until Friday at midnight.
Expanded access to medical marijuana gains traction as Texas House passes bill
The bipartisan legislation is an expansion on the state’s 2015 “Compassionate Use” law, which has allowed a growing number of patients to legally use cannabis to treat debilitating symptoms of conditions such as epilepsy, autism, cancer and PTSD.
A Texas lawmaker wants voters to decide whether legislators deserve a raise
State Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin, has proposed an amendment to the state constitution to raise legislator pay and tie it to teachers’ pay, saying it would give lawmakers a living wage and allow a broader range of Texans to serve.
A Texas park on leased land near Dallas must close because the state’s landlord is selling the property to a developer
After investing $72 million in improvements at Fairfield Lake State Park over three decades, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is out. The state has 120 days to vacate the property.
Texans pessimistic about the national economy and losing faith in democracy, poll says
More than 60% of Texans polled by Texas Lyceum said the country is on the wrong course, and the poll found steep drops in the number of people who think democracy is the best form of government.

