State of Texas

Story of Survival – Dylan McKim speaks with a former Camp La Junta counselor who documented the terrifying overnight hours as floodwaters rapidly filled a cabin housing dozens of campers. One year later, he shares his story of survival, leadership, and the lessons learned as camps reopen under new statewide safety requirements. New Flood Sirens, New Funding Questions – Kerr County is installing fl...

Texans are voicing growing opposition to the rapid expansion of AI data centers, especially in rural and suburban areas. With more than half of Texans opposing construction in their communities, state leaders are weighing how to balance local concerns with national security and economic priorities. We examine the debate — and Governor Abbott's push to require data centers to generate their own pow...

A major plan to expand Texas' power grid is now on pause after regulators delayed a decision on a controversial transmission line project in West Texas. Eric Henrikson breaks down the pushback from landowners, concerns from lawmakers about the rushed timeline, and the unresolved question of whether large-scale power imports are necessary to meet future demand. State investigators have released the...

New state test results show Texas students are improving across multiple subjects, though some STAAR scores still lag behind pre‑pandemic levels. We break down what's driving those gains, where gaps remain, and what it means for students and schools moving forward. As Texas works to contain the deadly screwworm parasite, the response is becoming a flashpoint in the race for Agriculture Commissione...

A dangerous parasite targeting livestock has been detected in South Texas for the first time in decades, triggering a rapid response from state and federal officials. Dylan McKim reports on efforts to contain the spread, concerns from agriculture leaders about the federal strategy, and what's at stake for the state's cattle industry. Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson is leaving her post just mo...

Attorney General Ken Paxton has secured the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, defeating Senator John Cornyn and setting up a high‑stakes general election against Democrat James Talarico. Adam Schwager looks at how both candidates are already defining the race — and the tone voters can expect heading into November. Body camera footage reveals new details in the case of an Austin ISD senior det...

President Donald Trump has officially endorsed Attorney General Ken Paxton in the final stretch of the high‑profile Senate runoff against Senator John Cornyn.  Adam Schwager looks at what early voting turnout could signal ahead of Election Day and whether the late endorsement is enough to shift momentum in one of the most expensive primaries in U.S. history. While record-breaking spending is drivi...

Early voting begins Monday in one of the most consequential races on the Texas ballot — the fight to replace Ken Paxton as attorney general. We go one‑on‑one with all four candidates in the runoff, giving voters a chance to hear directly from each in their own words about their priorities, experience, and how they would shape the office. Congressman Chip Roy and State Senator Mayes Middleton are l...

New polling shows the Republican runoff between Senator John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton within the margin of error, with early voting set to begin in just days. Adam Schwager breaks down how both candidates are positioning themselves as they await a potential endorsement from Donald Trump — and how that decision could still shape the outcome of the race. Texas is temporarily backing of...

Dueling Hemp Lawsuits - Two lawsuits with very different potential outcomes came down for the Texas hemp industry this week. The Texas Supreme Court ruled that the Department of State Health Services can ban Delta-8 THC. On the same day, a district judge granted an injunction against the total THC definition change blocking four new DSHS hemp rules. That case will be decided in a trial scheduled f...

The Justice Department's move to reclassify medical marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug marks a major federal policy shift with potential ripple effects in Texas. Dylan McKim breaks down what the change means for research and public health, what stays the same, and why some experts warn the move opens the door to profit‑driven expansion without enough safeguards. School districts ac...

Emotions ran high during a tense court hearing over the future of Camp Mystic, as camp leaders testified and families pressed allegations tied to last summer's deadly floods. Dylan McKim and Adam Schwager report as lawmakers prepare to visit the site amid ongoing lawsuits, a contested injunction, and an unresolved licensing decision that could determine whether the camp reopens this summer. Texas...

State investigators are stepping in as Camp Mystic seeks to renew its operating license following last summer's deadly floods that killed 27 campers and counselors. Avery Travis joins Josh to walk through the allegations in the lawsuits from families, and a court fight that could keep the camp closed as judges weigh whether the site must be preserved as potential evidence. From AI to cloud computi...

Texas regulators have officially banned intoxicating hemp flower, a move supporters say closes a loophole but critics warn could cripple a billion‑dollar industry. Adam Schwager looks at how retailers are scrambling to adjust, what products remain legal, and why some business owners believe the change will push buyers back toward the illicit market. Texas is investing $50 million into clinical tri...

Social Media Regulation Push – Recent jury verdicts finding Meta and YouTube liable for harms to young users are reigniting calls in Texas to rein in social media. Josh speaks with State Rep. Jared Patterson about his renewed push to ban minors from social platforms altogether, and the debate over whether that’s necessary protection or government overreach. Texas Hemp Crackdown – A looming state b...

Senator John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton are officially locked into the May runoff. With Donald Trump still withholding a key endorsement, both campaigns are navigating intense pressure as they court conservative voters. Dylan McKim speaks with New York Times correspondent Lauren McGaughy about the ideological split defining the race and how a Trump endorsement could reshape the contest...

Gasoline prices in Texas have surged as the war with Iran disrupts global oil shipments.  Uncertainty over the evolving situation is rattling both consumers and oil companies.  Our team speaks with Texas Oil and Gas Association President Todd Staples, who outlines the state's unique role in the stabilizing supply in a volatile market. After the deadly West Sixth Street mass shooting, Austin police...

New polling is giving us a snapshot of where the race for U.S. Senate stands.  We look at the data and also what the numbers show about how Texans view Donald Trump.  Texas Politics Project pollster James Henson joins us to break down the numbers.   Early voting in Texas surpassed turnout totals from recent primary elections.  Dylan McKim look closer at new efforts to increase turnout and what it...

Four Republican candidates hit the debate stage in the race for Attorney General.  The debate revealed that they have similar positions on policy, but that didn't stop the political fireworks.  Adam Schwager looks at how the debate played out and how it could affect the outcome in the race to replace Ken Paxton. Taylor Rehmet made national news with his stunning win as a Democrat in a red district...

Texas voters are just days away from the start of early voting, and new polling is showing us the state of some key races.  We look at the numbers at the top of the ticket and beyond, including races down ballot that are shaping the story of the Texas primary. Our investigation uncovers millions of dollars meant for crime victims is being withheld by the state.  Investigator Matt Grant looks into...

Texas teachers across the state were reported, suspended, or fired after posting social media comments reacting to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.  Investigator Kelly Wiley examines records that show how the controversy has left many educators facing threats, job loss, and potential loss of their teaching certifications as the state continues to review the cases. High scho...

Local law enforcement agencies across Texas have been entering 287 G agreements to help ICE achieve its mission.  Josh Hinkle looks closer at the impact of a new state law paving the way for broader partnerships with the federal entity, and why some worry there's not enough training for law enforcement in these partnerships. Governor Abbott orders public universities and state agencies to halt pet...

Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and Texas State Representative James Talarico took the stage Saturday afternoon to debate for the first time since they both launched their bids for the U.S. Senate. This week's edition of State of Texas focuses on a few highlights from the debate, including discussions of campaign style, ICE, artificial intelligence, and foreign policy The Dallas-area civil rights a...

New polling shows a major shift in the race for U.S. Senate.  The numbers show State Rep. James Talarico now holding a lead over Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett.  The poll also shows a tight Republican primary getting even tighter.  We speak with Emerson College Pollling Senior Director Matt Taglia to dig deeper into the numbers and what they mean for this crucial primary. The state has turned over...

The head of one of the nation's largest teachers unions announced a federal lawsuit filed against the Texas Education Agency.  It stems from reviews of social media posts made by educators in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk.  Investigator Kelly Wiley looks closer at the controversy Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico are set to meet on the debate stage later this month.  The people w...