Texas imports of Venezuelan oil soar as war chokes off Middle East supply
Gulf Coast refineries are welcoming the surge from Venezuela during the prolonged Strait of Hormuz closure that’s virtually halted imports from Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
Why lawmakers are concerned about where billions in broadband funding is going
Texas lawmakers accuse the state broadband office of favoritism and sweetheart deals after satellite internet providers received most of the funding.
Universities to detail progress on new Texas law that increased state scrutiny of colleges
Students and professors who say SB 37 led to censorship are holding a news conference before the Texas Senate’s hearing.
Talarico leads Paxton by 5 points in new poll of Texas’ U.S. Senate race
The poll found the Austin Democrat with a commanding lead among independents and a surprising edge with non-college-educated voters, who have consistently favored Republicans.
Floodwater delays Corpus Christi’s water emergency until fall 2028
A prolonged drought had put the Coastal Bend city months away from running short of water, but upstream storms have improved the outlook.
U.S. House Ethics Committee is investigating GOP Rep. Lance Gooden
The panel did not say why it was looking into the Terrell Republican, noting only that the matter was referred last month by the Office of Congressional Conduct.
Dan Patrick directs Texas Senate to study ways to further ingrain religion into public life
The lieutenant governor released seven new charges for state senators to study before the Legislature reconvenes, including ways to “inform and remind Texans of their religious liberty rights.”
Texas’ multibillion-dollar sales tax exemption for data centers is growing, while audits lag
Out of 138 data centers that qualified for the tax break, only 20 have been audited so far. Six facilities were found to be out of compliance.
Witness to Houston ICE shooting must be released from immigration detention, judge orders
A federal judge mandated Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego be released within 48 hours. He was one of three passengers in the van Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was driving when he was fatally shot by ICE.
Universities can use conservative-favored entrance exam as Texas eyes wider use, agency chief says
Texas may expand use of the Classical Learning Test despite a new report finding less evidence its scores predict college success than the SAT or ACT.