Agencies
Texas Cruise Passengers Complete Hantavirus Monitoring With No Signs of Infection
Two Texas residents monitored for possible hantavirus exposure after traveling aboard an Antarctic cruise ship completed their observation period without developing symptoms.
Agencies
Wayne Christian Applauds Federal Decision to Revoke Dunes Sagebrush Lizard Protection
Texas Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian applauded a decision by the U.S.
Agencies
DIR Launches Texas Design System to Modernize State Websites
The Texas Department of Information Resources launched a digital content library to help state agencies modernize their public-facing websites.
Data Centers
Texas Data Center ‘Batch Zero’ Framework Tests Limits of Local Government Control
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) board of directors has endorsed a new large-load screening framework that is already reshaping which massive technology infrastructure projects will advance on the state's power grid.
Local Government
Midland Considers Property Code Reaching Inside Every Home to Address Local Blight
The Midland City Council is scheduled to consider a comprehensive municipal property maintenance code on Tuesday that critics say would grant local code enforcement officers the statutory authority to regulate both the interior and exterior conditions of every building within the city limits.
New World Screwworm
Commissioner Sid Miller Demands Federal Deployment of Bait Program Amid Three New Screwworm Cases
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller responded to the additional New World screwworm detection by demanding the immediate federal deployment of a specialized fly suppression system.
Agencies
TCEQ Names Tyler High School Science Teacher Ambassador of the Year
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality named high school physics and environmental science teacher Amanda Adair as its 2026 Ambassador of the Year.
Profiles of Texans
Rep. Don McLaughlin Wants to Strengthen School Safety and Law Enforcement
Mason Ayer on Leading An Iconic Austin Restaurant Into Its Next Chapter
Dr. Wynn Rosser and John Hryhorchuk on Aligning Human Capital With the Industries of the Future
Moving From Good Intentions to Scale: Laura Arnold and David Leebron on the Science of Long-Term Policy Outcomes
More Profiles →
Opinions
OPINION: Cities Should Treat Residents Like Grown-ups, Not Dependents
OPINION: Texans Deserve Lower Drug Prices Without Losing Their Pharmacies
OPINION: Local Governments Failing Victims of Sexual Assault: Law Enforcement Needs State Support
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Latest Policy Clips
Should Texas have a statewide prosecutor’s office?
What student debt actually looks like in Texas
Patrón founder shares business advice for entrepreneurs
Texas Talks Podcasts
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No Orders, No Pay, No Country
Six weeks after Appomattox, the Confederate Army of the Trans-Mississippi was disintegrating without a formal surrender — soldiers abandoned posts, officers looted the treasury, and General Kirby Smith acknowledged he commanded nothing and no one.
Read the Full Story →New World Screwworm
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New World Screwworm Cases Rise to Five as Outbreak Spreads into North Texas and New Mexico
The New World screwworm outbreak in Texas widened as federal regulatory officials confirmed three additional cases far beyond the original South Texas containment zone and announced an escalated, multi-agency response. According to reporting from The Texas Tribune, the United States
Commissioner Sid Miller Demands Federal Deployment of Bait Program Amid Three New Screwworm Cases
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller responded to the additional New World screwworm detection by demanding the immediate federal deployment of a specialized fly suppression system. According to a June 8 press release from the Texas Department of Agriculture, the latest
Canada Bars Texas Livestock Over Screwworm; Abbott’s Office Calls Decision an ‘Overreaction’
The international fallout from recent New World screwworm detections in South Texas escalated as the Canadian government moved to restrict imports of Texas livestock, drawing sharp pushback from state officials. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced disease-control measures that
Governor Abbott Deploys State Resources and Expands Disaster Declaration to Fight Screwworm Infestation
Governor Greg Abbott signed an updated statewide disaster declaration authorizing the use of all available state resources to eradicate the New World screwworm fly. According to a June 5 press release from the Governor's Office, the emergency declaration prioritizes and
First New World Screwworm Case in Texas Since 1966 Triggers Federal-State Emergency Response
The US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed on June 3, 2026 the detection of a New World screwworm (NWS) in a bovine in Zavala County, Texas — the first detection of the pest in
Data Centers
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Texas Data Center ‘Batch Zero’ Framework Tests Limits of Local Government Control
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) board of directors has endorsed a new large-load screening framework that is already reshaping which massive technology infrastructure projects will advance on the state's power grid. The policy shift stems from ERCOT's June
East Texas Counties Repurpose 1960s Planning Law to Combat Solar and Data Center Boom
A proposal for two East Texas counties to jointly study the effects of solar farms, data centers, and high-capacity water wells failed on a tied vote in Smith County Commissioners Court on June 2. According to reporting from KLTV, the
Analysis: The Data Center Crossroads—Texas Navigates Infrastructure Growth and Resource Demands
This week, the explosive expansion of artificial intelligence and cloud computing infrastructure across Texas emerged as a central point in economic and legislative debates. Across the state, local municipal leaders, utility operators, and technology conglomerates are working to balance the
Sulphur Springs Swaps Developer on $1.2M Data Center Project Amid Lawsuits
The Sulphur Springs City Council voted Tuesday to change its agreements for a 3,000-megawatt data center project and phase out its current developer. According to KLTV, the June 2 meeting follows two active lawsuits that challenge whether the city lawfully
Developer Sues Hill County Over Data Center Moratorium
A Texas developer has filed a federal lawsuit against Hill County, asking a judge to strike down a one-year data center moratorium that county officials openly acknowledged they believed was illegal before voting to approve it. The lawsuit, filed on
Transmission Lines
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Contested Bell County–Big Hill 765-kV Transmission Line Hearing Opens Following Extension Denial
The expansion of Texas's extra-high-voltage electrical grid faces a regulatory milestone this week as the state's administrative court prepares to review a major infrastructure proposal. The formal hearing on the merits for the proposed 199-mile Bell County East to Big
ERCOT Advances $6.5 Billion Transmission Buildout as Permian Basin 765-kV Plan Takes Shape
Texas's grid operator and regulators are moving on one of the largest transmission expansions in state history. On May 19, 2026, ERCOT's Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) endorsed approximately $6.5 billion in transmission projects across Texas, the same day it approved
Growing Coalition of Lawmakers Urge “Pause” on Permian Basin Transmission Plan, Citing Grid Reliability Concerns
A coalition of 25 Texas state legislators has formally requested that the Public Utility Commission (PUC) pause a proposed $33 billion transmission expansion in the Permian Basin, according to a May 13 newsletter sent by Representative Ellen Troxclair (R-Fredricksburg). In
Texas Lawmakers Urge Pause on Central Texas Transmission Project
A group of five Central Texas legislators sent a letter to the Public Utility Commission (PUC) on May 5, requesting a meeting to discuss their concerns with a proposed high-voltage transmission line in Bell County. The project is part of
Margaret Byfield Explains Why New Energy Transmission Lines Are Wrong for Texas
State officials and energy companies have advanced plans to build high-voltage transmission lines across roughly 4,000 miles of private lands in Texas. Advocates say new lines are needed to strengthen the electric grid and meet surging demand from population growth
Education
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TEA Launches Educator Misconduct Dashboard and Student Protection Resource Center
The Texas Education Agency launched a public database tracking certified educators who have been disciplined for misconduct. According to a June 4 news release from the agency, the new Educator Misconduct Dashboard and an accompanying Student Protection Resource Center aim
Dr. Wynn Rosser and John Hryhorchuk on Aligning Human Capital With the Industries of the Future
The intersection of education, workforce development, and economic opportunity is driving a fundamental shift in how Texas defines and scales human capital. Operating as the world’s eighth-largest economy, the state is home to a rapidly growing, exceptionally youthful demographic. "Texas
Texas-Based Researchers Advocate New School-Safety Framework To Stop Mass Shootings Before They Occur
A pair of West-Texas entrepreneurs are circulating findings from their research initiative focused on preventing school shootings and other forms of targeted violence, and are calling for a nationwide partnership among school districts, researchers, law enforcement agencies, and policymakers to
House education committee to review HB 2 rollout at June 1 hearing, with teacher pipeline and special-ed on the docket
The House Public Education committee, led by Chairman Brad Buckley (R-Salado) will take invited and public testimony on the implementation of the 89th Legislature's signature school-finance law and on what is — and isn't — working to keep classrooms staffed.
Chairman Brad Buckley on Declining Enrollment and the Future of Texas Schools
Texas public schools face declining enrollment, lingering learning loss from the pandemic closures, and now artificial intelligence in classrooms. State Rep. Brad Buckley, Chairman of the Texas House Public Education Committee, says the enrollment decline is a particular concern. During