Despite the spike in demand for measles shots following the deadly 2025 outbreak, exemptions on all vaccines for schoolchildren rose after the release of a downloadable exemption form.
West Texas
West Texas is home to the nation’s largest oil field, the Permian Basin. The region is defined by its energy production and wide-open spaces. It also includes Big Bend country and cities such as El Paso, Midland and Odessa.
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Screwworm in Texas
Screwworm was found in a dog in Texas. What does that mean for your pets?
Experts say not to panic. These are the signs to look for to protect your fur babies.
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Immigration
$1.7 billion contract awarded “for border wall in Big Bend” amid public confusion over construction plans
A Customs and Border Protection statement said the funding would not be used for “a 30-foot-high barrier” in the region’s parks, echoing a previous commitment from a top CBP official.
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Politics
Chad Hasty, West Texas conservative talk show host, dies unexpectedly
Hasty, known statewide for his evocative political conversations, is described by his friends as “open-minded and respectful.”
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Congress
Rep. Tony Gonzales could face expulsion from Congress amid furor over sexual misconduct
U.S. House members say they will bring resolutions to the floor this week to expel the Republican Gonzales and Democrat Eric Swalwell. Each motion would require a two-thirds majority.
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Energy
Record oil production in West Texas helps stabilize U.S. supply amid Iran war
Production in West Texas has helped the U.S. stabilize its demand for foreign oil amid the Iran war, despite drilling fewer oil wells.
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Health care
Hands-on telehealth helps reach rural Texas communities
A new approach aims to tailor telehealth to the realities of an older, rural population by offering a physical place with reliable connectivity and an on-site nurse.
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Energy
A plan to get more electricity to West Texas may come undone
Oil and gas companies have said the region needs more power. Environmentalists and a conservative think tank worry the state is moving too fast — and ratepayers will see the costs in their bills.
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2026 Texas Elections
With Tony Gonzales out, Democrats sense an opening against new hardline GOP nominee Brandon Herrera
Herrera’s history of brash comments, and the leftward drift of Hispanic voters, has renewed Democrats’ interest in the 23rd Congressional District, which runs from San Antonio to El Paso.
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2026 Texas Elections
Before scandal, Rep. Tony Gonzales had complicated relationship with his West Texas constituents
The moderate Republican’s votes on gun control and marriage equality upset the region’s most conservative voters, but local officials said they’re grateful for the work he did on public safety and health.
