POLITICS
Texas ranks second in the US for book bans
book bans | books | censorship | DALLAS | DFW | DFW TEXED EXCLUSIVE | EDUCATION | K-12 education | TEXAS
Lina Hidalgo on 7 years leading Harris County: ‘I’m most proud of this community’
| September 25, 2025
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo cited a long list of accomplishments during nearly seven years as the county’s chief executive.
1 detainee killed, 2 others injured during shooting at Dallas ICE facility
| September 24, 2025
The shooting at a Dallas ICE facility killed at least one person and injured two others, according to police. The shooter died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Texas lawmakers want to honor Charlie Kirk by investigating free speech on college campuses
| September 23, 2025
COLLEGE STUDENTS | DFW TEXED | EXCO-Player | local politics | old texas | Republicans | TEXAS | TEXAS LEGISLATURE
Top Republicans in the Texas Legislature, already cracking down on speech they don’t care for from professors and students, formed two committees to study “bias, discourse, and freedom of speech” on public college campuses.
The committees, which are stacked with Republicans, were formed following the killing of far right political activist Charlie Kirk, and come as Texas professors have come under online scrutiny.
Be sure to subscribe to The TexEd Report—a weekly education-focused newsletter—at the link in our bio for more on this topic.
James Talarico reclaiming Christianity from alt-right, DFW supporter says
| September 23, 2025
collin county | DFW | DFW EVENTS | EXCO-Player | James Talarico | local politics | old texas | TEXAS | US SENATE
Watch as Collin County resident Katie Ryan shares why state Rep. James Talarico—a 36-year-old former teacher and aspiring preacher—has her support as he kicks off his US Senate campaign.
Talarico will face former US Rep. Colin Allred and former astronaut Terry Virt in the Democratic primary in March.
Educators rally behind James Talarico at Dallas campaign event
| September 23, 2025
State Rep. James Talarico, a 36-year-old Democrat and former teacher, is running for US Senate in Texas.
‘Sick to my stomach’: Trump distorts facts on autism, tylenol, and vaccines, scientists say
| September 23, 2025
acetaminophen | autism | Community | Donald Trump | EXTREMISM | HEALTH | HEALTHCARE | NATIONAL NEWS | national politics | North Carolina | NORTH CAROLINA NEWS | prenatal Tylenol | RFK Jr. | tylenol | vaccines
On Monday, President Donald Trump stood beside Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for what he called a “historic” announcement on autism.
Texas educators applaud increased public school funding, but question if it’s enough
| September 22, 2025
Texas lawmakers provided $8.5 billion in new funding for public schools this year, including a pay raise for teachers.
17 statewide propositions will appear on the November ballot. Here’s what Texas voters need to know.
| September 22, 2025
austin | ballot | CIVIC ENGAGEMENT | election | elections | lawmakers | laws | local politics | TEXAS | texas voter | Voter Resources | Voter Stories | VOTING IN TEXAS
By María Méndez, The Texas Tribune “17 statewide propositions will appear on the November ballot. Here’s what Texas voters need to know.” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Sign up for The […]
What you need to know about THC bans in Texas
| September 19, 2025
Changes are coming to the T💨C industry in Texas.
Although lawmakers failed to pass a blanket ban on consumable h3mp products, Gov. Greg Abbott recently issued an executive order mandating state agencies develop a ban on sales to minors and regulate the products similar to alcohol.
Vape pens containing T💨C are now banned in retailers as well.
Texas teacher fired over Charlie Kirk comments amid free speech crackdown
| September 19, 2025
Hundreds of Texas teachers are being investigated by the Texas Education Agency over social media posts commenting on Charlie Kirk’s death, sparking concerns over free speech.
Houston mayor John Whitmire blasts critics of retiree pay delays
| September 19, 2025
Mayor John Whitmire, facing criticism over a delay in payouts for more than 300 city employees who accepted a buyout to retire, fired back during a recent Houston City Council meeting. He put the blame on the Houston Municipal Employees Pension Plan, which was overwhelmed with processing 1,052 early retirements.
Sherry Mose, chair of the pension plan, told Whitmire and the council during its Sept. 10 meeting that more than 700 of the retirees have been paid. The remainder will be paid by the end of September. The city offered early retirement to workers earlier this year to help address a budget shortfall.
James Talarico opens US Senate campaign denouncing ‘bullies bigots, billionaires’
| September 19, 2025
Feeling scrappy? State Rep. James Talarico reminded supporters that living in a politically red state has taught them how to fight, pointing to Democratic icons like Barbara Jordan, Beto O’Rourke, and Wendy Davis.
Talarico, running for US Senate in 2026, wants to become the first Texas Democrat to win a statewide campaign since 1994.