Groups funded by artificial intelligence industry leaders have spent more than $2.8 million in the state, mostly on U.S. House GOP candidates who favor a light regulatory touch.
Politics
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Health care
Texas’ ban on smokeable hemp cannabis is in effect. Here’s what you need to know.
New rules from state health officials ban smokeable intoxicating hemp products, including pre-rolled joints and hemp flower.
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Health care
Texas will launch its own clinical trials into ibogaine psychedelic after failing to find a drug company to help
The Legislature last year approved $50 million to research the psychedelic and find a company to develop it into a drug for FDA approval.
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2026 Texas Elections
Hardline conservative donors Tim Dunn, Farris Wilks ballooned Bo French’s Railroad Commission campaign
Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks made their fortune in the oil business. They’ve deployed millions of dollars to pull the Texas GOP and Legislature toward their hardline stances.
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Health care
“Don’t take me to the hospital”: Undocumented immigrants in Texas are delaying medical care
Since Gov. Greg Abbott ordered Texas hospitals to start asking patients for their citizenship status in November 2024, reported visits by undocumented immigrants have dropped.
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2026 Texas Elections
Voting rights groups sue Texas over removal of potential noncitizens from the voter roll
The lawsuit says officials failed to check for proof of citizenship that voters may have already provided the state.
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Health care
Forced to sell medications at a loss, rural Texas pharmacies seek new survival tactics
Independent rural pharmacists are starting other businesses or selling baby shower gifts to keep their stores operating. Pharmacy deserts affect 4 million Texans.
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Texas Legislature 2027
Dan Patrick adds data centers, prediction markets and THC to Senate priorities
Patrick’s Friday release of priorities calls on lawmakers to study the emerging issues ahead of the 2027 legislative session.
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2026 Texas Elections
At CPAC, Texas Railroad Commissioner candidate Bo French calls for deportation of 100 million people
French, a former Tarrant County GOP chair, also said Republicans should more openly embrace Islamophobia.
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2026 Texas Elections
Ken Paxton won’t represent Comptroller Kelly Hancock in school voucher suit amid grudge match
In a Thursday letter, Paxton said Hancock jeopardized the state’s defense in the case by leaking a separate letter he sent to the AG’s office on Tuesday.