State of Texas

The new year shines a new light on one of the biggest stories of 2026 in Texas politics: the race for U.S. Senate. Dylan McKim and Adam Schwager deliver stories focused on the top candidates.  We hear from John Cornyn, Jasmine Crockett, Wesley Hunt, Ken Paxton, and James Talarico - five candidates vying for one seat that could help decide control of the U.S. Senate. Our team digs deeper into the d...

A new Texas law is boosting businesses that help patients seeking medical marijuana.  As demand grows, Dylan McKim looks at the impact of changes to the compassionate use program, and how it's helping some people have an easier time filling their prescriptions. A West Texas mountain could play an important role in our country's national security.  News Nation's Ali Bradley explores the importance...

The deadly July floods led to a new state law meant to protect children at camps.  Now some camps worry one provision of the law will force them to shut down.  Adam Schwager reports on why camp leaders need to change part of the law requiring fiber internet. The Texas Attorney General created a new tool to enforce a new state law designed to keep transgender women out of women's restrooms. But the...

The field is set for the race to become the next U.S. Senator from Texas.  The newest candidate to join the field is shaking up the campaign.  Dylan McKim digs deeper into polling, and we speak with Jim Henson with the Texas Politics Project to explore what voters say they want from the candidates. Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick are each touting plans to cut property taxes in Texas.  Ab...

For nearly 30 years, the Historically Underutilized Business program helped minority and women-owned business compete for state contracts.  But now the HUB program is getting a new name and a narrower mission.  Dylan McKim reports on the decision and the battle brewing over who gets a shot to earn state contracts. After a deadly shooting near the White House, asylum cases for refugees from Afghani...

From border security to terrorism and THC, and the ongoing legal battle over redistricting, Governor Abbott is making decisions with wide-ranging impact on Texans.  Dylan McKim  catches up with the Governor in an informal setting to get his perspective on issues and policies making headlines. As court battles continue over the Ten Commandments in schools, the divisive issue is leading some Texas t...

Our investigation reveals that while Texas is a leader in legislation to stop human trafficking, few people actually face trafficking charges. Jennifer Sanders uncovers difficulties Texas prosecutors face in dismantling modern-day slavery and what it means for those seeking accountability. A court opinion briefly blocked the Texas congressional redistricting map, setting the stage for a key decisi...

Deadly July 4th Flooding - As families of victims file lawsuits against Camp Mystic, there is a growing demand for a review on river management. Matt Grant looks into River Authority Boards, how they are appointed, and in some cases members are also donors.   Government Reopens, THC Closes - The budget bill to reopen the U.S. government contains language that would outlaw the sale of consumable he...

Texas voters approved billions of dollars to make sure the state has enough water for future needs.  But you'll have to wait years before seeing an impact.  Dylan McKim looks into why the spending won't start anytime soon. The deadly July floods revealed the need for more warnings for people along Texas rivers.  Investigator Matt Grant investigates the challenges, and why some counties have not me...

Is your economic situation better or worse than one year ago?  That's a key question from a new poll, and the answers show many Texans are worried.  We dig into the data and explore how attitudes on the economy could affect election season. A program meant to give minority and women-owned businesses a boost is now suspended by the State Comptroller.  Dylan McKim explores what's behind the move and...

President Trump pushes a plan to import more beef to help cut your grocery bill. But that's bringing backlash from Texas ranchers.  Adam Schwager goes one-on-one with Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller to discuss his alternate proposal, while Dylan McKim reports on the battle to balance helping ranchers with cutting costs for consumers.   The Coast Guard deploys boats to patrol the Rio Grande.  T...

The race for Governor is expanding, as a new candidate makes her case to lead the state. State Rep. Gina Hinojosa hopes to take on Greg Abbott in 2026, but first she'll face a packed field of candidates hoping to win the Democratic nomination. Demand for high skilled workers is growing in Texas, particularly for those with the right skills.  But some believe the state needs more resources to train...

There's a big change in the race for U.S. Senate, as Congressman Wesley Hunt joins an already heated Republican primary.  Capitol Correspondent Adam Schwager looks into how Hunt's campaign is already changing the equation for Republicans.  Plus, we dig into polling that shows how someone who's not in the race could shake things up for Democrats. A court blocks the execution of Robert Roberson.  It...

Three decades after the crime, new advancements help investigators link a suspect to Austin's infamous Yogurt Shop Murders.  The break in the case highlights how new technology could lead to breakthroughs in other unsolved cases.  Dylan McKim interviews Congressman Michael McCaul to get his perspective on the new developments, and how legislation he led could help investigators crack more cold cas...

A deadly attack in Dallas raises calls to tone down political rhetoric.  Some of the messages from some state leaders transcend politics, some do not. New age restrictions take effect for sales of products containing THC.  The requirements have widespread support, but they could be just the beginning of new regulations for the products. Texas Democrats have not won a statewide election in more tha...

Comments made after the assassination of Charlie Kirk lead to some Texas educators losing their jobs.  It's raising questions about the limits of free speech.  We look closer at the debate underway now and how Texas lawmakers are getting involved. Ten Commandments posters appeared on the walls in one Texas school district.  But it's not the only new poster in campus classrooms.  Investigator Kelly...

Another U.S. Senate Candidate - Democrat Colin Allred has a new challenger. State Rep. James Talarico announced his run in the Democratic primary for one of Texas's U.S. Senate seats this week. In the latest Texas Politics Project poll, Talarico's favorability ratings slightly edged out his unfavourability ratings, but more than half of people surveyed said they didn't know enough about him to hav...

Lawmakers ended the special session after pushing through bills in response to the deadly July floods.  With families of the girls who died at Camp Mystic watching, Gov. Abbott signed them into laws.  Adam Schwager reports on the changes meant to protect children, and how one family is responding to the new laws. Improvements to the state's troubled Crime Victims' Compensation Fund are in place, a...

Parental Rights Bill Challenged - Senate Bill 12 is now being challenged in court.  Supporters call it the Parental Bill of Rights.  But opponents call it censorship.  One provision outlaws student groups linked to race or LGBTQ+ identity.  Capitol Correspondent Adam Schwager looks closer at the court challenge ahead. Healthcare Investment - State leaders announce a major investment in healthcare...

Texas lawmakers approve plans to redraw voting lines in to boost Republican power in Congress. But Democrats say the battle is not over.  We look at the impact the redistricting map is already having, including how it's shaking up a race for Congress in central Texas.  Plus, Julia Manchester from The Hill explores the tie between redistricting in California and the fight in Texas. Governor Greg Ab...

Lawmakers launch a new special session as Texas Democrats prepare to head back to the Capitol.  Dylan McKim reports on what's changed and what's next in the fight over drawing new voting lines in Texas.  In addition, Adam Schwager speaks with Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu on why he believes the quorum break sets Democrats up for a win. This, as Speaker Dustin Burrows makes the case f...

Most of the Democrats in the Texas House left the state, breaking quorum to block a plan to give the GOP more seats in Congress.  We've seen quorum breaks before, but the response this time is different.  Adam Schwager looks closer at the legal fight surrounding the efforts to block redistricting.  Also, we hear from State Sen. Mayes Middleton, who's pushing legislation to prevent future quorum br...

Flood Fact-Finding – A legislative hearing in the heart of the disaster zone reveals new information about the deadly Texas floods.  Investigator Matt Grant digs into the search for answers and accountability after the tragedy, while Capitol correspondent Adam Schwager looks into testimony from people whose lives were changed by the floods, and what they need from lawmakers now. Doubling Down on t...

Search for Solutions – Lawmakers get back to work at the State Capitol, working toward ways to prevent future disasters.  Jala Washington reports on public pressure to keep lawmakers focused on flood safety legislation.  Matt Grant looks closer at the first hearing on flood-related bills and the push for accountability. Backing the Ban – Gov. Abbott vetoed a bill to ban THC products and pushed law...

Redistricting– A rare mid-decade redistricting in Texas after pressure from President Donald Trump. How we got here, the reaction from leaders and the impact it could have on the midterms. Deadly Flash Flood on the Agenda – After the Independence day flood, the number of people who lost their lives reached triple digits. More than two weeks later people are still searching for missing loved ones....