One year after a deadly train wreck, a West Texas town awaits help to avoid more tragedy
Read full article: One year after a deadly train wreck, a West Texas town awaits help to avoid more tragedyAs oil and gas industry traffic continues to speed through Pecos, TxDOT said it is working to find $194 million to build an alternative route away from the heart of the city.
Southwest Airlines will bring 2,000 new jobs to Austin as city works to expand crowded airport
Read full article: Southwest Airlines will bring 2,000 new jobs to Austin as city works to expand crowded airportAustin and the state offered the Dallas-based airline a package of economic incentives totaling $19.5 million to locate a new crew base at Austin’s airport.
Last Christmas: An East Texas Christmas tree farm closes after 40 years, despite booming sales
Read full article: Last Christmas: An East Texas Christmas tree farm closes after 40 years, despite booming salesChristmas tree sales are up in the Lone Star State, even as many tree farmers are aging out of the business with no successors.
Gov. Greg Abbott wants a tighter lid on home values. Tax policy experts warn that’s a bad idea.
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott wants a tighter lid on home values. Tax policy experts warn that’s a bad idea.Conservative and liberal tax policy experts said Abbott’s proposal would lead to higher housing costs and tax benefits flowing disproportionately to wealthy homeowners.
Why Gov. Greg Abbott wants to let taxpayers decide whether cities can raise — or cut — taxes
Read full article: Why Gov. Greg Abbott wants to let taxpayers decide whether cities can raise — or cut — taxesTexas cities and counties already face limits on how much revenue they can generate. Local leaders have warned that further restrictions would mean fewer services like parks and libraries.
Texas’ plan to stop a parasitic fly from destroying its cattle population is far from complete
Read full article: Texas’ plan to stop a parasitic fly from destroying its cattle population is far from completeTexas lawmakers heard conflicting reports on the state’s readiness to fight the New World Screwworm, which is approaching the southern border.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants to increase the homestead exemption for school property taxes again
Read full article: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants to increase the homestead exemption for school property taxes againThe lieutenant governor also doubled down on his stance that property taxes can’t be totally eliminated, putting him at odds with Gov. Greg Abbott.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has a sweeping plan to abolish school property taxes. Would it work?
Read full article: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has a sweeping plan to abolish school property taxes. Would it work?The governor must first win over lawmakers who have rejected similar proposals. The state may have to backfill more than $17 billion for school funding alone.
‘Buy now’: Houston ticket broker says FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket prices are sky-high and trending upward
Read full article: ‘Buy now’: Houston ticket broker says FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket prices are sky-high and trending upwardIt’s been just three days since the schedules were established for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and ticket prices are already through the roof.
State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt announces run for comptroller, dropping congressional bid
Read full article: State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt announces run for comptroller, dropping congressional bidThe Austin Democrat said she wants to tackle waste and fraud as a watchdog over the state budget. She will retain her Senate seat if she loses.
Women, minority small business owners confused, worried after Texas kicks them off HUB program
Read full article: Women, minority small business owners confused, worried after Texas kicks them off HUB programThe decision to limit certification to companies owned by disabled veterans will shrink the Historically Underutilized Business program from more than 15,000 to 485 participants — all men.
Running water will finally reach West Odessa thanks to $17 million from state lawmakers
Read full article: Running water will finally reach West Odessa thanks to $17 million from state lawmakersThe Legislature approved $600 million for standalone improvements, but one advocate worried the increase in direct spending undermines the Texas Water Development Board’s process.
In Houston, young mothers face some of the highest barriers for college and work in the U.S.
Read full article: In Houston, young mothers face some of the highest barriers for college and work in the U.S.At 13.3%, Houston has the worst rate of young adults who are neither working nor in in school of the largest metro areas in the country.
A slate of new Texas laws go into effect December and January. Here’s what to watch.
Read full article: A slate of new Texas laws go into effect December and January. Here’s what to watch.Laws include restricting transgender people’s access to public bathrooms, allowing lawsuits against abortion pill providers, and replacement of the STAAR test.
Texas hoped $100 million would help more families pay for child care. Here’s why it didn’t.
Read full article: Texas hoped $100 million would help more families pay for child care. Here’s why it didn’t.Increased costs in food and payroll at child care centers effectively wiped out the one-time investment state lawmakers approved earlier this year, a new report found.
Texas is getting far less in federal money for broadband expansion than expected
Read full article: Texas is getting far less in federal money for broadband expansion than expectedRural leaders who have worked years to improve broadband access said they were disappointed by the sharp decrease in federal dollars.
Proposed data center project for Waco area would be “paradigm-changer”
Read full article: Proposed data center project for Waco area would be “paradigm-changer”The project is at a scale of industrial development and investment unmatched in McLennan County’s history: acres of computer hardware, substations and a 1.2-gigawatt gas-fired plant capable of powering about 300,000 homes.
Visa delays and policy changes not stopping international students at Rice University
Read full article: Visa delays and policy changes not stopping international students at Rice UniversityInternational students contribute more than $55 billion to the U.S. economy every year, but fewer are coming to study in American universities.
A year after Donald Trump won the Rio Grande Valley, South Texans navigate changes big and small
Read full article: A year after Donald Trump won the Rio Grande Valley, South Texans navigate changes big and smallResidents in the southernmost part of Texas want to remind themselves — and the nation — that the region is more than a political battleground. It’s their home.
Google to build three new data centers in Texas in $40 billion investment
Read full article: Google to build three new data centers in Texas in $40 billion investmentThe announcement by Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai is the latest multi-billion dollar investment in Texas by tech companies racing to build infrastructure that can support advanced artificial intelligence.
Tariffs driving up prices on Christmas trees, decor, lights. Here’s how to save
Read full article: Tariffs driving up prices on Christmas trees, decor, lights. Here’s how to saveRising tariffs on imported goods are driving up prices for Christmas trees, lights, and décor this season, leaving shoppers looking for ways to save and consider locally grown alternatives.
Fresh off defeating state THC ban, Texas hemp industry faces wipeout under federal deal to end shutdown
Read full article: Fresh off defeating state THC ban, Texas hemp industry faces wipeout under federal deal to end shutdownThe issue roiled Texas politics earlier this year when Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed a ban on THC products spearheaded by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
Texas Head Start closures during government shutdown add to state’s child care woes
Read full article: Texas Head Start closures during government shutdown add to state’s child care woesHundreds of families lost child care when certain programs weren’t funded earlier this month, and scores more may be affected if Congress doesn’t fund the government by Dec. 1.
Gov. Greg Abbott launches reelection campaign for fourth term
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott launches reelection campaign for fourth termAbbott framed his campaign as a means to keep Texas as a conservative bastion, touting efforts to lower property taxes, bolster education and strengthen public safety.
Cruz, Cornyn push new retaliatory legislation that blocks U.S. water from going to Mexico
Read full article: Cruz, Cornyn push new retaliatory legislation that blocks U.S. water from going to MexicoThe bill is the latest effort from the Texas delegation that demands the U.S. get tougher with Mexico for failing to honor a 1944 treaty that in part governs Rio Grande water.
Texas voters said no to property tax hikes this week, as Republican leaders signal more cuts ahead
Read full article: Texas voters said no to property tax hikes this week, as Republican leaders signal more cuts aheadEven voters in Austin, one of the state’s most liberal cities, shot down a measure to raise property taxes.
“We don’t know what we’re going to eat”: Texans are still waiting for November SNAP benefits
Read full article: “We don’t know what we’re going to eat”: Texans are still waiting for November SNAP benefitsAlthough the federal government has said it will deposit half of November benefits, Texans are still unsure when money will land in their accounts.
SNAP cutoff could hurt Texas grocers and the rest of the economy, experts say
Read full article: SNAP cutoff could hurt Texas grocers and the rest of the economy, experts sayThe ongoing government shutdown means more than $600 million per month won’t go to millions of Texas SNAP beneficiaries who pump that money into the state economy.
Part-time jobs, loans and worry: Texas federal workers contend with government shutdown
Read full article: Part-time jobs, loans and worry: Texas federal workers contend with government shutdownMany federal workers missed their first full paycheck this weekend as the shutdown nears the one-month mark.
Beloved Houston bakery appeals for help amid rising costs before holidays
Read full article: Beloved Houston bakery appeals for help amid rising costs before holidaysThe Flying Saucer Pie Company, a longtime Houston favorite for pies and other baked goods, is asking for community help this holiday season.
Texas’ congressional delegation wants Trump to punish Mexico for missing key water deadline
Read full article: Texas’ congressional delegation wants Trump to punish Mexico for missing key water deadlineThe state’s citrus industry is at risk, farmers say, after Mexico failed to deliver water it owes Texas as part of a 1944 treaty.
S&P 500 hits record high as government shutdown threatens SNAP benefits in Houston area
Read full article: S&P 500 hits record high as government shutdown threatens SNAP benefits in Houston areaWall Street closed the week with record highs on Friday as the S&P 500 topped 6,800 for the first time in history.
A new generation of industries emerges in Texas as feds push to mine more rare minerals
Read full article: A new generation of industries emerges in Texas as feds push to mine more rare mineralsThe U.S. doesn’t produce the minerals and metals needed for renewable energy, microchips or military technology. Companies are rushing to open new mines in Texas.
Texas State Technical College looks to voters to fund upgrades for old buildings and tools
Read full article: Texas State Technical College looks to voters to fund upgrades for old buildings and toolsProposition 1 would create an $850 million endowment for the college system and its 11 campuses, which are struggling to accommodate a growing student population.
South Texas students have a new chance to taste the race for space
Read full article: South Texas students have a new chance to taste the race for spaceIn the shadow of SpaceX, Rio Grande Valley students will have a chance to build their own rockets and launch them 11,000 feet in the air, under a program that hopes to spark interest in aerospace jobs.
Texas stock exchange gets federal approval as state tries to compete with New York heavyweights
Read full article: Texas stock exchange gets federal approval as state tries to compete with New York heavyweightsThe Texas Stock Exchange is expected to launch in Dallas next year, as economists wait to see if “Y’all Street” is big enough to support the exchange and challenge New York’s dominance in the financial sector.
Economic boom or environmental disaster? Rural Texas grapples with pros, cons of data centers
Read full article: Economic boom or environmental disaster? Rural Texas grapples with pros, cons of data centersLocal leaders see data centers, which help power the world’s shift to artificial intelligence, as a way to keep their towns open. Residents worry their way of life — and water — is at stake.
TribCast: Will the Texas renewable energy powerhouse survive?
Read full article: TribCast: Will the Texas renewable energy powerhouse survive?This week, Matthew and Eleanor speak with Eric Goff, founder of an energy policy advising firm, about the growth of wind and solar power in Texas and whether it will continue after recent federal efforts targeting the industry.
About $675 million earmarked for Texas projects is in limbo as Congress careens toward shutdown
Read full article: About $675 million earmarked for Texas projects is in limbo as Congress careens toward shutdownTexas’ congressional delegation obtained tentative funding for infrastructure improvements, university research and other initiatives, but the nearly 350 earmarks are all in jeopardy.
State approves $562 million Texas Energy Fund loan for power plant near Baytown
Read full article: State approves $562 million Texas Energy Fund loan for power plant near BaytownThe low-interest loan to NRG Energy for a gas-fired power plant is the largest of three loans approved through the $7 billion fund since its creation in 2023.
Cost of living, job stability, and AI risks are driving employed workers to seek new jobs: UH Survey
Read full article: Cost of living, job stability, and AI risks are driving employed workers to seek new jobs: UH SurveyThe survey showed participants were seeking better opportunities, e.g., better pay, more predictability, benefits, or career advancement prospects, and that almost half said AI could replace some or all their activities in their own jobs.
Starbase will take partial control of beach near Elon Musk’s SpaceX launch site
Read full article: Starbase will take partial control of beach near Elon Musk’s SpaceX launch siteThe deal between the new South Texas city and Cameron County mirrors a similar agreement with South Padre Island and requires a plan to combat beach erosion.
Texas health agency adopts emergency rule banning consumable hemp sales to anyone under 21
Read full article: Texas health agency adopts emergency rule banning consumable hemp sales to anyone under 21Two state agencies have now adopted the temporary rule while they work to adopt formal rules to limit who can buy THC products.
West Texas wants to sell its natural gas to AI data centers, but has few options for transporting it
Read full article: West Texas wants to sell its natural gas to AI data centers, but has few options for transporting itOther smaller oil and gas producing regions in the state are better poised to help power the growing data center market, a new report found.
Houston named the poorest most populous cities in the US, according to Census data
Read full article: Houston named the poorest most populous cities in the US, according to Census dataAccording to recent U.S. Census data, about 21.2 percent of Houstonians now live below the poverty line. That’s more than one in five people!
More than 800 new laws went into effect in Texas on Sept. 1. Here are some of the significant ones.
Read full article: More than 800 new laws went into effect in Texas on Sept. 1. Here are some of the significant ones.New laws range from school vouchers and water infrastructure funding to a ban on city and county-funded abortion travel funds.
Texas universities could see fewer international students amid immigration crackdown, reports say
Read full article: Texas universities could see fewer international students amid immigration crackdown, reports sayAn enrollment drop could cost the Texas economy hundreds of millions of dollars, the reports say.
Texas’ $7.2 billion loan program for gas power plants has approved two projects in two years
Read full article: Texas’ $7.2 billion loan program for gas power plants has approved two projects in two yearsExperts say the Texas Energy Fund is facing an energy market that makes new power plants more expensive and less profitable.
Texas House approves bill that would limit water exports from East Texas — for now
Read full article: Texas House approves bill that would limit water exports from East Texas — for nowA Dallas businessman has proposed studying the aquifer to see if he can pump millions of gallons out of East Texas, a plan that residents distrust.
U.S. will build sterile fly factory in Texas to stop screwworm from devastating livestock industry
Read full article: U.S. will build sterile fly factory in Texas to stop screwworm from devastating livestock industryMounted patrol officers, known as tick riders, who typically patrol the southern border to protect cattle from fever tick, will also now serve as the first line of defense against screwworm.
Texas economy, job growth slowing amid trade war and immigration crackdown, Dallas fed report says
Read full article: Texas economy, job growth slowing amid trade war and immigration crackdown, Dallas fed report saysIncreasing tariffs on foreign goods and the impact of deportations on the work force cited as job growth slows in Texas.
Dallas and Fort Worth end their diversity efforts to keep federal funding
Read full article: Dallas and Fort Worth end their diversity efforts to keep federal fundingThe North Texas city councils said hundreds of millions of dollars were in jeopardy if they didn’t shut certain programs to comply with the Trump administration.
‘Come with your wallets open:’ A month after Texas Hill Country flood, small communities feeling economic burden
Read full article: ‘Come with your wallets open:’ A month after Texas Hill Country flood, small communities feeling economic burdenOne month after the catastrophic Texas Hill Country Flood swept through Kerr County, the physical damage may be fading, but for local businesses, the financial pain is just beginning.
Shell Federal Credit Union warns of fraudulent, unauthorized charges related to Roblox accounts
Read full article: Shell Federal Credit Union warns of fraudulent, unauthorized charges related to Roblox accountsWe’ve recently been made aware that some members are experiencing unauthorized charges related to Roblox on their accounts," Shell FCU said in a written statement.
Struggling Texas cotton industry emphasizing the hazards of fast fashion
Read full article: Struggling Texas cotton industry emphasizing the hazards of fast fashionA group representing High Plains region farmers has launched a campaign to make buyers aware of synthetic fibers’ impact on the environment and health.
What to know if you’re planning on back-to-school shopping during Texas’ tax-free weekend
Read full article: What to know if you’re planning on back-to-school shopping during Texas’ tax-free weekendTexas shoppers can save sales tax on many back-to-school items during the state’s annual sales tax holiday, which runs from Friday, Aug. 8, through Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025.
Texas lawmakers have gotten used to state budget surpluses. That era may be ending.
Read full article: Texas lawmakers have gotten used to state budget surpluses. That era may be ending.As federal pandemic aid ends and sales tax revenues cool, analysts say it could constrain the Texas Legislature in coming years. But they don’t see an immediate budget crisis on the horizon.
Meals On Wheels waiting lists grow as Texas braces for federal funding cuts
Read full article: Meals On Wheels waiting lists grow as Texas braces for federal funding cutsState chapters of the nonprofit group that provide meals to seniors are waiting to hear from Washington how much of a hit their battered budgets will take.
To fight screwworm, the U.S. is opening a South Texas facility to disperse sterile flies
Read full article: To fight screwworm, the U.S. is opening a South Texas facility to disperse sterile fliesScrewworm is a parasitic fly that targets warm-blooded animals and has the potential to disrupt Texas’ $15 billion cattle industry.
Houston’s housing affordability under strain amid climate risks, housing study reports
Read full article: Houston’s housing affordability under strain amid climate risks, housing study reportsHouston remains one of the more affordable major cities in the U.S., but a new report suggests that status is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain.
Houston homeowner claims double water bill due to builder error
Read full article: Houston homeowner claims double water bill due to builder errorA Houston homeowner says her monthly water bills have reached $150 due to what appears to be an improper water meter connection that may be charging her for her neighbor’s water usage as well.
Staff vacancies hit Texas weather offices as they brace for a busy hurricane season
Read full article: Staff vacancies hit Texas weather offices as they brace for a busy hurricane seasonHouston’s National Weather Service office has lost its head meteorologist amid a federal requirement to cut 10% of NOAA’s staff.
Texas Republicans pioneered in-state tuition for undocumented students. Now they’re celebrating its end.
Read full article: Texas Republicans pioneered in-state tuition for undocumented students. Now they’re celebrating its end.In 2001, Texas Republicans saw expanding college access for certain undocumented students as a way to build an educated workforce. Now, some GOP lawmakers feel only U.S. citizens should receive those benefits.
70% of Houston-area residents don’t have $400 for unexpected expenses, study shows
Read full article: 70% of Houston-area residents don’t have $400 for unexpected expenses, study showsAs low cost of living, housing, job opportunities and the nightlife may attract visitors or even new residents to the Houston area -- a new study shows that more than 70% of residents don’t have money for unexpected expenses.
Voters will have final say on billions of tax cuts for Texas homeowners, businesses
Read full article: Voters will have final say on billions of tax cuts for Texas homeowners, businessesTexas is slated to spend $51 billion on property tax cuts over the next two years. Some worry that’s unsustainable.
Texas lawmakers voted to ban consumable THC products. Will Gov. Greg Abbott sign — or veto — the bill?
Read full article: Texas lawmakers voted to ban consumable THC products. Will Gov. Greg Abbott sign — or veto — the bill?Abbott faces pressure from both sides of the aisle. The prohibition was a priority for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, but some hemp farmers and veterans want it killed.
School vouchers, THC ban, property tax cuts: Here’s what Texas lawmakers did in the 2025 regular session
Read full article: School vouchers, THC ban, property tax cuts: Here’s what Texas lawmakers did in the 2025 regular sessionThe Legislature wrapped up without the same drama that defined the end of the last two sessions, with state GOP leaders checking off nearly everything on their to-do lists.
Texas property tax cut bills that could save homeowners $500 per year headed to governor’s desk
Read full article: Texas property tax cut bills that could save homeowners $500 per year headed to governor’s deskA set of property tax cut bills in Texas Legislature, Senate Bill 4 and Senate Bill 23, are now headed to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk for signature.