The lawsuit alleges Minnesota-based Xcel Energy failed to maintain utility poles that started the 2024 Panhandle fire that killed three people and thousands of livestock.
Texas House of Representatives
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2026 Texas Elections
National Democrats put Texas House on list of legislative targets for 2026
Rep. Christina Morales, the new chair of the Texas House Democratic Campaign Committee, said she wants to initially target five GOP-controlled districts, with a broader list to come later.
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The 2025 Texas Tribune Festival
Former Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan says he’s “not a MAGA Republican” and couldn’t carry Trump’s agenda
At a Texas Tribune Festival event on Thursday, the Beaumont Republican said his opposition to Trump and his agenda informed his decision to give up the speaker’s gavel last year.
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State Government
Former state Rep. Chris Paddie fined $105,500 for violating revolving door lobbying law
The Marshall Republican began lobbying less than two years after donating campaign funds to other state lawmakers, according to a Texas Ethics Commission order.
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The 2025 Texas Tribune Festival
Texas House Democrats say they are keeping their options open for speaker in 2027
Speaking at the Texas Tribune Festival, Democratic Rep. Donna Howard acknowledged that Republicans have unified around Speaker Dustin Burrows to the point that he “may not need us” to retain the gavel.
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2026 Texas Elections
Texas Rep. Gina Hinojosa joins Democratic race to challenge Gov. Greg Abbott
The five-term state lawmaker from Austin has homed in on education issues in the Texas House, becoming a primary foil to Abbott on school vouchers.
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Higher Education
Harrison vs. higher ed: How one lawmaker is weaponizing social media to eradicate LGBTQ+ curriculum
Harrison has been on a crusade against Texas universities, scouring course catalogs and university websites for examples of “gender ideology” or LGBTQ+ curriculum, and riling up his X followers about “liberal indoctrination” on campuses.
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Hill Country floods
New legislative panels will investigate “facts and circumstances” of deadly Central Texas floods
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Camp Mystic leaders would be invited to testify before the committees, as part of what Speaker Dustin Burrows said would be a “comprehensive and thorough review.”
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Politics
Texas GOP censures five lawmakers, but rejects banning anyone from the primary ballot
Saturday’s decisions signal a deescalating intraparty tension that heightened at the start of the year.
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2026 Texas Elections
How the Texas GOP’s bid to block lawmakers from the ballot defies a century of court precedent
The Texas GOP will vote Saturday to possibly bar some state legislators from running in the 2026 primary, despite repeated Texas Supreme Court rulings saying they cannot.