Join us November 13-14 for two days of conversations on the future of rural Texas
Focused on “Small Towns, Big Possibilities,” we’ll discuss where rural Texas is and where it can go.
Unregulated oilfield power lines are suspected of sparking Texas wildfires
No state agency is taking responsibility for making sure the privately built lines that power many oil and gas sites are safe. Such lines have been blamed for sparking two recent Panhandle fires.
Harris in Houston slams Trump as divisive and disrespectful
The Vice President spoke to a historically Black sorority hours after the Republican candidate falsely accused her of avoiding her racial identity.
Former Texas prisoners describe suffocating heat during trial over state’s un-air conditioned lockups
A lawsuit seeks to force Texas to fully air condition its prison system. Inmate advocacy groups say temperatures can push above 120 degrees in some units.
Weak infrastructure, distrust make communication during natural disasters hard on rural Texas
When disaster strikes, Polk County Judge Sydney Murphy takes command of her county’s emergency communication channels, including a text service and Facebook page.
This company promised to improve health care in jails. Dozens of its patients have died.
Health care contractor Turn Key serves nearly 70 counties across Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Colorado, Kansas and Montana.
Texas’ floating barrier in the Rio Grande can stay for now, appeals court says
After Texas deployed the barrier, a panel ordered it removed. The full appeals court says it can stay while a lower court hears a case on the merits.
Ted Cruz, Secret Service leader tangle at Senate hearing over assassination attempt motive
Cruz accused the U.S. Secret Service on Tuesday of making a politically motivated decision to deny former President Donald Trump extra security.
Tech groups challenge Texas law requiring parental consent for kids’ social media accounts
In a lawsuit, the industry groups argue a new state law violates First Amendment free speech rights.
Meta to pay Texas $1.4 billion for using facial recognition technology without users’ permission
Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the Facebook parent company in 2022, claiming it had used personal biometric data without permission.