In a contest to regulate Texas’s oil and gas industry, one Republican wants to talk DEI and China

Jim Wright, the GOP incumbent, and several other Republican candidates dismissed Bo French’s campaign rhetoric as distracting from the Railroad Commission’s mission.
UT-Austin to consolidate race, ethnic and gender study programs

More than 800 students are pursuing degrees in the affected departments, which include African, Latino and gender studies.
Pentagon let border agency use anti-drone laser before FAA closed El Paso airspace, AP sources say

The sources say the border security agency borrowed the laser and fired it without first coordinating with the aviation agency, sparking the sudden shutdown.
AG Ken Paxton backs ivermectin champion’s fight against Texas Medical Board

The board reprimanded Dr. Mary Bowden last year after she prescribed ivermectin to a patient at a Fort Worth hospital during the height of the pandemic.
“Rule follower”: In GOP primary, Joan Huffman promises to bring law and order to the attorney general’s office

Huffman is running on her criminal prosecution experience and allegiance to the rule of law, cutting a contrast with her opponents who are emphasizing a continuation of Paxton’s culture war battles.
Former Elon Musk lawyer emerges as frontrunner in GOP primary for Michael McCaul’s congressional seat

Ten Republicans, including Trump-endorsed attorney Chris Gober, are competing for the red-leaning 10th Congressional District in Central Texas.
Rep. James Talarico raises $7.4 million in first six weeks of 2026 in bid for U.S. Senate

Talarico’s haul, announced days before early voting, already outpaces what he raised over the last three months of last year.
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals primaries: Who is running and what to know

The criminal court decides death penalty case appeals and rules on petitions for those who believe they’ve been wrongfully detained. Here’s a look at who’s running for the court’s three seats on the 2026 ballot.
Trump lawyer sends cease-and-desist letter to Brandon Herrera over use of president’s image in campaign ad

The letter says Herrera’s mailer depicting him next to the president “is inconsistent with President Trump’s unequivocal endorsement” of Rep. Tony Gonzales in the GOP primary for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District.
Trump administration is sending pregnant migrant girls to Texas shelter criticized as medically inadequate

Government sources and advocates for the children worry the goal is to concentrate them in Texas, where abortion is banned.