Texas to execute man who kept changing his mind about appealing death sentence for killing two men

Richard Tabler called officials to brag about killing four people in Killeen in 2004. He was convicted for two of the deaths.
Texas now has more top-tier research universities than any other state, report finds
The designations come at a tumultuous time for universities as funding could be cut off and efforts to end tenure continue.
Critics of Texas House leadership spent big in this year’s speaker’s race. They fought years for that chance.

A pair of lawsuits filed by allies of West Texas megadonor Tim Dunn shut down laws that banned outside spending in the House leadership race, allowing for more political mudslinging and raising questions about ethics rules.
County judge approves election to decide whether SpaceX launch site will become a city

If a majority of the roughly 500 residents living around the South Texas site vote yes in May, Starbase will be the state’s newest city.
Texas appeals court hears attorney general’s arguments for questioning Catholic Charities director over migrant services

Three Republican judges heard oral arguments Wednesday after a lower court blocked Attorney General Ken Paxton’s efforts to depose the charity’s leader.
Certain criminal suspects would be denied bail under changes OK’d by Texas Senate panel

The package of bills would tighten the state’s bail laws to keep more people in jail — including undocumented immigrants — while their criminal cases are pending.
In quest to infuse more religion into Texas schools, advocates say courts are now on their side

Past efforts to allow more religion in public schools have been hamstrung by legal challenges. But those on the religious right feel empowered by recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions.
Burrows, Patrick and Abbott: Texas’ Big 3 have big plans and a wary new dynamic

The aggressive Republican agenda’s success depends on how well the three leaders harmonize their tactics and goals for the legislative session.
Trump’s mass deportation plans have echoes of a 1950s federal crackdown that swept through Texas
Seventy-one years after the Eisenhower administration launched a high-visibility operation to arrest undocumented immigrants, President Trump is following some of the same playbook.
Texas foster home linked to boy’s death had history of fight clubs and sexual misconduct, report says

The death of an 11-year-old at a Greenville residential treatment center is among 16 deaths reported in the Texas foster care system in the last 15 months.