A bill scrapping the state’s standardized test heads over to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. It would replace STAAR with three shorter tests at the beginning, middle and end of the year.
Texas is poised to replace STAAR. Here is what schools’ new standardized tests would look like.
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Immigration
Second immigrant dies after shooting at Dallas ICE facility
The 32-year-old Mexican citizen died after being taken off life support, his wife said in a written statement.
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2026 Texas Elections
Democratic Rep. Jon Rosenthal will run for Texas Railroad Commission
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.
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Hill Country floods
Central Texas floods reveal need to shore up disaster response in unincorporated areas
Almost one-third of Americans live in areas like Travis County’s Sandy Creek, where disaster aid can be spotty.
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Public Education
Texas investigation into teachers’ posts after Charlie Kirk’s death violates their free speech, experts say
Free speech experts say that when teachers speak in their personal capacity, even on school grounds but outside their official duties, they retain their right to comment on matters of public concern.
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Criminal Justice
Shooter’s notes say he intended to target ICE officers, authorities say
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.
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T-Squared
Meet our next CEO: Sarah Adler Hartman
Sarah is an Austin native who brings a rare combination of vision and leadership experience to the job.
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Economy
About $675 million earmarked for Texas projects is in limbo as Congress careens toward shutdown
Texas’ congressional delegation obtained tentative funding for infrastructure improvements, university research and other initiatives, but the nearly 350 earmarks are all in jeopardy.
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2026 Texas Elections
Can Texas use its new congressional map for 2026? A trio of judges will decide.
The same plaintiffs who are challenging the state’s 2021 maps have asked the court to block the new GOP-approved districts from being used in the fast-approaching midterms.
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Demographics
Anti-DEI crusader Sid Miller urged UT to enroll student emphasizing her race and socioeconomic status
In May 2023, Miller wrote a letter urging university leaders to reconsider admitting a student whom he described as a “biracial Latina,” who was also the daughter of his political associate.
