The number of fines for breaking state campaign ethics laws has exploded in recent years as Ken Paxton’s office rarely pursues stricter enforcement.

A news conference will be held Thursday afternoon at the Four Seasons Hotel regarding CenterPoint’s transparency connected to Hurricane Beryl.

Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is expected to hold a press conference following the recent ruling which stated that Barbers Hill Independent School District did not violate the CROWN Act after disciplining a student for wearing his natural hair.

A Texas state representative and others are asking tough questions after a series of newly released videos show what they say is a “culture of chaos” at the Harris County Jail.

The family of a Barbers Hill High School student is speaking out just days after the district’s superintendent announced that the teen will continue facing disciplinary measures over his hairstyle.

Giving, kind and loving is how Lauren Robinson Holliday’s mother describes her 32-year-old daughter.

A judge has called a new law unconstitutional that passed in the GOP-led Texas Legislature that will dictate how elections are run in the state’s most populous county.

The Senate wants to eliminate tenure altogether while the House seeks to enshrine it in state law. The two chambers have until May 26 to come to an agreement.

The CROWN Act would ensure protection for Texans who wear their hair in natural styles such as braids, locs, twists or knots.

The lawmakers called on major sports organizations to not host championship games in the state until the governor rescinds his guidance to agencies and universities.

Texas Tech’s review comes as Gov. Greg Abbott has instructed state agencies and public universities that “forbidden DEI initiatives” violate federal and state employment discrimination laws.

A community activist is calling out a Katy apartment complex for mold and mice inside a unit where a mother and her four children live.

Lawmakers begin work today for their biennial legislative session. They’ll debate over the state budget, school issues, border security and property taxes, among other issues.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee held a vigil and a rally on Monday evening to raise awareness and demand the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner.

A man running for a Fort Bend ISD trustee position is accused of posting insensitive comments and memes on social media. Some parents within the school district voiced their concerns Tuesday.

Fort Bend County Judge KP George held a press conference Friday afternoon to raise awareness of the new election process following the passing of Senate Bill 1 and address concerns over mail ballot application discrepancies.

Several people are sharing their complaints, claiming they haven’t received COVID-19 test results after visiting several sites hosted by Fort Bend County Independent School District weeks ago.

HOW WE GOT HERE

Local elected officials urge people to avoid suspicious pop-up COVID-19 testing sites while they brainstorm ways to stop them.

There were 99 members registered as present Thursday evening, the exact number needed to end the 38-day Democratic quorum break over the GOP’s priority elections bill. But not all of those members were physically on the floor.

Democrats are renewing their push to enact their marquee elections bill.

Here are things to know for Wednesday, August 4:

Reynolds is among the Texas House Democrats who fled to Washington, D.C., last month to block a state voting restrictions bill.

State Rep. Ron Reynolds, who represents Fort Bend County in District 27, was arrested while protesting Tuesday in Washington.

A push to preserve a burial site on land purchased by a freed Black man after the Civil War has garnered the attention of Fort Bend County officials.

The CROWN Act legislation -- House Bill 392 – is scheduled for a public hearing in Austin at 8 a.m. Thursday.

“It’s humiliating to be required to sit for the song or be in the presence,” said Gary Bledsoe, president of the Texas NAACP. Students have also called on the school to stop playing the song from the bell tower. In his report, Alberto Martinez provided documentation linking the phrase “The Eyes of Texas” to a statement made in reference to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. This complicates its understanding and explains how different people experienced the song in vastly different ways.”A UT-Austin spokesperson said the university stands behind its report. AdOn Monday, a UT-Austin band member said said the implications of protesting the song were unclear for students.

AUSTIN, Texas – Outside of George Floyd’s public memorial last summer in Texas, Republican Gov. Earlier this month in Congress, House Democrats passed the most ambitious effort in decades to overhaul policing nationwide under the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. Like the legislation in Texas, the bill would ban chokeholds and address so-called qualified immunity that shields law enforcement from certain lawsuits. He quickly added that measures need to support law enforcement. Ad___Find AP’s full coverage of the death of George Floyd: https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd

AdTimeka Moore specializes in natural hair at her salon Sugacurls in west Houston. Moore said in the 17 years she’s been doing natural hair, she’s noticed that times are changing. Katy-based hair specialist, Karess The Stylist, said the natural hair movement has come a long way. “There’s a greater selection now than how it was in 2009.”AdIn the past, many naturals had to make hair products out of their kitchen. Tapley said the average Target store will carry 59 brands of products tailored to natural hair.

More than two years after Harris County voters overwhelmingly approved a $2.5 billion flood control bond, the county announced Tuesday that it is $1.4 billion short. Many of the hundreds of original projects remain unfinished, including in some of the most economically disadvantaged communities. “Halls and Greens, the two poorest watersheds in the county -- they’re basically left out of the process,” said Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia in Commissioner’s Court. “It doesn’t add up at all,” said former Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. “The commissioner’s court needs to fix it,” said State Rep. Ron Reynolds (D-Dist.

Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas TribuneSeventeen Democrats in the Texas House launched a climate, environment and energy caucus this week with one simple goal: To talk about climate change at the Texas Capitol, where conversations on reducing emissions of greenhouse gases have been sidelined for years. Led by state Rep. Erin Zwiener, D-Driftwood, the caucus includes Democrats from major cities across the state. AdMembers pointed out that the Legislature didn’t hold a single hearing on any bill related to climate change during the last session. Instead, they have their sights set on a more modest goal they hope is achievable — holding at least one hearing on climate change. “Minority communities are facing the brunt of these injustices,” said state Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, a civil rights attorney.

MISSOURI CITY, Texas Texas Rep. Ron Reynolds, along with Fort Bend County judge KP George is hosting a Back to School giveaway on Friday, providing supplies to students and their families as the school year begins. Residents can stop by at the Wells Fargo Building at 2440 Texas Parkway in Missouri City where volunteers will be giving away backpacks, haircut vouchers, PPE and grocery items to families in need via drive-thru distribution. I am excited that we can provide backpacks, school supplies, PPE and groceries to the families in our community that are going through particularly tough times and are in need, said Reynolds, Im going to continue to do everything in my power to assist our community during this public health crisis.The giveaway started at 10 a.m. and will continue until 1 p.m.WHAT TO KNOW IF YOU GO:Missouri City Back 2 School Fest2440 Texas Parkway, Missouri City10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“I will not support Donald Trump under any circumstances,” proclaimed Neil Bush, the brother and son of two former Presidents. Bush is also co-founder and co-Director of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation. ALSOJulie Baker Finck, Ph.D is the President of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation. Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall, every Sunday Morning at 10 a.m. right after Meet the Press on KPRC Channel 2. More Information:• Neil Bush, Co-Director Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, www.bushhoustonliteracy.org• Julie Baker Finck Ph.D. , President, Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, www.bushhoustonliteracy.org• Ron Reynolds, State Representative District 27, 281-213-9554, 512-463-0494 www.ronreynolds.org