Sources told the Tribune that U.S. Reps. Bill Flores, R-Bryan, and Mike Conaway, R-Midland, are considering bids for the gavel after U.S. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy withdrew from the speaker’s race on Thursday.

Following in the footsteps of two Texas counties, the state announced Thursday it is suing Volkswagen in connection with the German automaker's admitted use of software that allowed its vehicles to circumvent emissions limits.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Thursday began to detail interim charges for the Texas Senate, signaling he would like members to revisit some unfinished business from the most recent legislative session.

A Washington-based interest group is setting up shop in Texas to try and persuade lawmakers — and the people who usher them into office — to change their tone on U.S.-Cuba relations

The Obama administration announced late Wednesday that it "strongly opposes" a repeal of the crude oil export ban, legislation that many Texans are trying to push through Congress.

With Vice President Joe Biden apparently closer than ever to a decision about running for president in 2016, some top Texas Democrats say he would have a hard time blunting Hillary Clinton's advantage in the state.

Some State Board of Education members are dismissing a backlash against a textbook that describes African slaves as immigrant “workers," with one Republican saying the ordeal would "make for a great Jerry Seinfeld episode: something out of nothing.”

The state's highest criminal court ruled Wednesday that a Texas law banning defacement of the U.S.and state flags is unconstitutional.

A decades-long ban on crude oil exports is up for repeal, legislation that is expected to glide through the U.S. House at the end of the week. While there is little doubt that the House will pass the repeal, it still faces serious obstacles before becoming law.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Wednesday granted requests by both Rick Perry and the Office of the State Prosecuting Attorney to determine whether the indictment against Perry should stand. The court set oral arguments for Nov. 4.

As cities worldwide struggle to balance the fast growth of vehicle-for-hire apps with traditional taxi services, three Texas markets are providing a test of the regulatory breaking points for Uber and Lyft. Fingerprinting drivers can be a deal-breaker.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal says GOP presidential opponent U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has "enabled" frontrunner Donald Trump by failing to call him out for his liberal positions.

It will get harder for Texas public school students to pass standardized tests this year, Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams announced Tuesday, but the state will ease into the tougher passing standards more slowly than originally planned.

The U.S. Supreme Court is back in session, and the upcoming term will feature at least two cases from Texas — if not more. The justices will look at voting rights, UT-Austin admissions and — maybe — the state's new abortion restrictions.

A furor involving a small-town Texas police department and national secular organization has reached the state attorney general's office, and may well wind up in court after that. At issue: Does slapping "In God We Trust" stickers on police patrol cars violate the U.S. constitution?

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Monday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reject a request from a coalition of abortion providers to take up their legal challenge to the state’s strict abortion restrictions.

Texas and four other Gulf Coast states have reached a final settlement with BP stemming from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill, the U.S. Department of Justice and states announced Monday.

Former Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst says he is finally paying off the nearly $1 million in debts owed to campaign consultants and vendors since his lopsided loss to Ted Cruz in the 2012 U.S. Senate race.

Disclosure: The University of Texas at Austin, BP, Lyft and Uber are corporate sponsors of The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.

Jennifer “Jenny” Downing Yoakum of Longview, Rebecca “Suzette” Tijerina of Castle Hills and Isaac “Chip” Thornsburg of San Antonio were named by Gov. Greg Abbott to the Texas State Board of Pharmacy for terms to expire Aug. 31, 2021.

President Barack Obama announced on Monday that he’s nominated a Texan to be the nation’s next ambassador to Ecuador. The nomination of Todd C. Chapman, who is a career member of the Foreign Service, is subject to approval by the Senate.

UT-Austin President Gregory Fenves announced Tuesday that UT Astronomy Department Chair Daniel Jaffe will serve as UT’s vice president for research starting in January.

In a surprise announcement, TxDOT leader Joe Weber, who has logged 18 months on the job, said he is stepping down at the end of the year.

Jodey Arrington, a former vice chancellor at Texas Tech University, and Slaton businessman and oilfield worker Jason Corley both plan to enter the race for the open Congressional District 19 seat in West Texas.

James K. "Red" Brown, who has acting deputy commanding general at Fort Bragg on his resume alongside a stint as a Lindale ISD school board member, has decided to run for the Republican nomination in the contest for the open Senate District 1 seat in East Texas.

Sen. Konni Burton, R-Colleyville, announced Tuesday she has hired Elliott Griffin, who previously served as external affairs director for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, to serve as her chief of staff. He succeeds Art Martinez de Vara, the former mayor of Von Ormy, who was hired as Burton's chief of staff in late 2014.

Hudson ISD’s chief executive, Mary Ann Whiteker, was named the 2015 Superintendent of the Year by the Texas Association of School Boards.

John Scott has been selected to serve as the next chair of the political arm of the Texas Society of Anesthesiologists. Scott has served on the TSAPAC board since 2010 and has held the title of vice chair since 2014.

The Texas Civil Justice League's political arm announced Thursday their endorsement of Debra Lehrmann in her run for re-election to the Supreme Court. She is running for against Michael Massengale, who has sat on the First Court of Appeals since 2009.

Jim Wheeler, the majority whip in the Nevada Assembly, has endorsed Ted Cruz for president. Wheeler had co-chaired Scott Walker's campaign in the early voting state before the Wisconsin governor dropped out of the presidential race last month.

The Faith and Freedom Coalition’s Texas affiliate announced Wednesday its endorsement of Dawn Buckingham, who is one of several candidates running for the open Senate District 24 seat.

Andrew Piel, who is challenging incumbent Tony Tinderholt for the GOP nomination in the Tarrant County-based House District 94, announced an endorsement from Arlington ISD School Board President Jamie Sullins.

Former HD-115 representative Bennett Ratliff announced that the majority of board members in Coppell ISD and Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD are endorsing him in his run to regain the seat, including the districts’ presidents — David Apple of Coppell ISD and James Goode of Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD.

Kevin Roberts, a Republican candidate in the Harris County-based House District 126 race, announced Tuesday that he has received the support of more than 90 business and community leaders.

Dan Wolterman, president & CEO of the Memorial Hermann Health System, has decided to retire as CEO in the second half of 2016. He's held that title since 2002.

Vincent Harding was selected on Sept. 30 to be the next chairman of the Travis County Democratic Party. He is the party’s youngest chair and second African-American to hold the position.

Bunni Pounds, Republican fundraiser and campaign manager for U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Dallas, announced Monday she is launching a fundraising company that will cater to conservative candidates for national and state office. Her initial client list includes Hensarling as well as state Sens. Van Taylor, R-Plano, and Sen. Bob Hall, R-Edgewood.

Disclosure: The University of Texas at Austin, Texas Tech University and the Texas Association of School Boards are corporate sponsors of The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.