Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks during the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s annual policy summit at the AT&T Executive Hotel & Conference Center in Austin on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

Dan Patrick says GOP will ‘have a tough time’ holding Texas House majority in November

The lieutenant governor’s remarks are the latest sign that Republicans are worried about the fall midterms. The GOP has controlled the state House since 2003 and currently has an 88-62 advantage.

by Alejandro Serrano, The Texas Tribune April 9, 2026April 9, 2026

The Texas hemp industry's lawsuit accuses state regulators of illegally overturning stipulations passed by the legislature in 2019.

Cannabis News

Texas hemp industry sues to block state’s ban on smokable products, new fees

Hemp distributors and retailers argue the rules, which went into effect March 31, are designed to spell financial ruin for their industry.

by Sanford Nowlin April 8, 2026April 8, 2026

Construction continues on the Meta Platforms data center complex on a 1,000-acre site in far Northeast El Paso, near the Texas-New Mexico state line, as seen March 12, 2026.

Texas News

Texas is giving data centers more than $1 billion in tax breaks each year

The tax break is one of the state’s costliest incentive programs and soon to be the most expensive of its kind in the nation.

by Paul Cobler, The Texas Tribune April 8, 2026April 8, 2026

Eloisa Schessler outside of her food truck, Eloisa’s Kitchen, located at Klyde Warren Park near downtown Dallas, on March 12, 2026.

Flavor

Texas to launch a statewide food truck permit on July 1

Business owners are applauding the new law because currently, anytime they want to operate in another city or county, they have to pay that jurisdiction’s permitting fee.

By Zahiyah CarterApril 6, 2026April 6, 2026

Illustrated posters reading “We Belong Here” sit on the Capitol’s rotunda floor during Texas Students for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’s protest of anti-DEI initiatives for public universities, on Mar. 23, 2023. One responsibility of the new Office of the Ombudsman is to investigate allegations that anti-DEI laws have been broken.

Texas News

This state agency was created to investigate Texas universities. How that works is a mystery.

Office of the Ombudsman has no written policies on how to investigate allegations that education laws are being broken, even though it’s been accepting complaints for three months.

by Jessica Priest April 3, 2026April 3, 2026

Both Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows have put "preventing Sharia law” on their list of legislative priorities. Gosh, we feel safer already.

Texas News

Assclown Alert: Playing a tired, racist game with the ‘Sharia Free Texas Caucus’

The Constitution bars courts from using religious doctrine to decide cases — so why are Texas Republicans obsessed with Sharia law? Could it be, gasp, a distraction?

by Sanford Nowlin March 31, 2026March 31, 2026

Prison staff and inmates move through the Darrington Unit's main hallway on Wednesday, July 12, 2017.

Texas News

Federal trial over air conditioning in Texas prisons set to start Monday

About two-thirds of Texas prisons are not fully air conditioned, and dozens of inmates have died in the sweltering heat.

by Alex Nguyen and Pooja Salhotra, The Texas TribuneMarch 28, 2026March 28, 2026

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announces a "Double Nickel" tax proposal to reduce the age on freezing property taxes from its current 65 to 55 years of age on December 9, 2025.

Texas News

Dan Patrick adds data centers, prediction markets and THC to Senate priorities

Patrick’s Friday release of priorities calls on lawmakers to study the emerging issues ahead of the 2027 legislative session.

by Kayla Guo, The Texas Tribune March 27, 2026March 27, 2026

Drag Queen Brigitte Bandit performs during a Fight The Trump Takeover Rally at the south side steps of the Capitol on Aug. 16, 2025.

Texas News

Texas’ drag show ban takes effect after years of court challenges

A federal court cleared the way for Senate Bill 12, which prohibits drag performances on public property or in front of children, to take effect Wednesday.

by Alex Nguyen, The Texas Tribune March 19, 2026March 19, 2026

Candy bars and other sweets are displayed in the candy aisle of a convenience store in Austin on March 11, 2026. Beginning April 1, people will not be allowed to purchase candy and certain sweetened beverages using SNAP benefits.

Texas News

What Texans need to know about upcoming SNAP restrictions

Starting April 1, Texans will no longer be allowed to use food stamps to buy sweetened beverages and candy.

by Riddhi Bora and Dan Keemahill, The Texas TribuneMarch 18, 2026March 18, 2026

Henry Herzog, 7, watches his sister play with a family dog as he eats breakfast on Monday, March 9, 2026, at their home in Manvel.

Texas News

Texas students with disabilities struggle to qualify for extra school voucher funds

Confusion over the program’s special education requirements is making it difficult for families to meet a looming deadline — and creating more work for Texas school districts.

by Jaden Edison, The Texas Tribune March 12, 2026March 12, 2026

State Rep. Steve Toth, R-Conroe, speaks to protesters from Texans for Vaccine Choice as the Texas House convenes a third special legislative session for controversial legislative items at the Texas Capitol in Austin on Sept. 20, 2021.

Texas News

Hardline House Freedom Caucus gains ground in Texas GOP primaries

If they win in November, Steve Toth and Brandon Herrera are poised to join the group known for its conservative absolutist approach and willingness to defy GOP leaders.

by Gabby Birenbaum, The Texas Tribune March 10, 2026March 10, 2026

Students walk through the hallway at Lago Vista High School on Sept. 9, 2025 in Lago Vista.

News, Texas News

School districts can set aside prayer time under a new Texas law. Few have done so.

School boards had until March 1 to decide whether to establish a daily period for students and staff to pray or read religious texts.

by Jaden Edison, The Texas Tribune March 2, 2026

Candidate for Texas Attorney General Aaron Reitz answers a question from a moderator during a Texas Republican candidate debate forum at the Civic Center in Canton on Saturday, January 17, 2026.

Texas News

Texas AG candidate says if he wins, he’d try to revoke Democratic leader Gene Wu’s citizenship

Aaron Reitz, who is running for Texas attorney general, issued the threat after an interview of Wu was shared online of him discussing non-white voting strength.

by Alejandro Serrano, The Texas Tribune February 10, 2026February 10, 2026

San Antonio residents stage a downtown protest against the state's abortion restrictions.

Texas News

After years of silence, Texas Medical Board issues training on how to legally provide abortions

The course includes examples of when abortion is permitted to protect the life of the patient, but many experts say pregnancy complications are impossible to capture in a brief presentation.

by Cassandra Jaramillo, Kavitha Surana and Lizzie Presser, ProPublicaFebruary 7, 2026February 7, 2026

A chain store in Houston sells CBD products along with hemp items containing THC.

Cannabis News

Texas lawmakers: Cannabis is here to stay. And we will regulate the market in 2027.

Lawmakers and industry leaders gathered in Austin to discuss the future of the market. ‘We almost have to take it on,’ a Republican state House member said.

by Stephen Simpson and Alejandro Serrano, The Texas Tribue February 2, 2026February 2, 2026

Culture warrior Nate Schatzline be talking shit again.

Assclown Alert

Clinging to relevance by lying about U.S. history with former Texas Rep. Nate Schatzline

The Bible-thumping former politician claimed a 1787 document proves the U.S. a “Christian nation.” He got the facts completely wrong.

by Sanford Nowlin January 21, 2026January 21, 2026

San Antonio News

Alamo Heights ISD cancels visit by kids’ author over book’s mention of LGBTQ+ people

The cancelation is just the latest disruption prompted by Republican-backed Texas Senate Bill 12.

by Michael Karlis January 20, 2026January 22, 2026

Texas Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, speaks during a campaign kick-off rally at Centennial Plaza on Sept. 9, 2025.

San Antonio News

How teaching in one of San Antonio’s poorest areas spurred James Talarico’s U.S. Senate bid

Talarico’s two years as a public school teacher is central to his Democratic Senate campaign after shaping his policy goals and driving his political rise through the Texas House.

by Kayla Guo, The Texas Tribune January 16, 2026January 16, 2026

Democratic members of the Texas House hold a press conference following the passing of House Bill 4, in the Capitol Rotunda in Austin on Aug. 20, 2025.

Texas News

Texas House Democrats raised record-breaking $2.2 million in 2025

The majority of the Democratic caucus’ haul came when the party broke quorum over the summer to delay the GOP-controlled Legislature from redrawing the state’s congressional map.

by Renzo Downey, The Texas Tribune January 15, 2026January 15, 2026

Vote NOW for your Best of San Antonio® Finalists!

Texas legislature

Dan Patrick says GOP will ‘have a tough time’ holding Texas House majority in November

Texas hemp industry sues to block state’s ban on smokable products, new fees

Texas is giving data centers more than $1 billion in tax breaks each year

Texas to launch a statewide food truck permit on July 1

This state agency was created to investigate Texas universities. How that works is a mystery.

Assclown Alert: Playing a tired, racist game with the ‘Sharia Free Texas Caucus’

Federal trial over air conditioning in Texas prisons set to start Monday

Dan Patrick adds data centers, prediction markets and THC to Senate priorities

Texas’ drag show ban takes effect after years of court challenges

What Texans need to know about upcoming SNAP restrictions

Texas students with disabilities struggle to qualify for extra school voucher funds

Hardline House Freedom Caucus gains ground in Texas GOP primaries

School districts can set aside prayer time under a new Texas law. Few have done so.

Texas AG candidate says if he wins, he’d try to revoke Democratic leader Gene Wu’s citizenship

After years of silence, Texas Medical Board issues training on how to legally provide abortions

Texas lawmakers: Cannabis is here to stay. And we will regulate the market in 2027.

Clinging to relevance by lying about U.S. history with former Texas Rep. Nate Schatzline

Alamo Heights ISD cancels visit by kids’ author over book’s mention of LGBTQ+ people

How teaching in one of San Antonio’s poorest areas spurred James Talarico’s U.S. Senate bid

Texas House Democrats raised record-breaking $2.2 million in 2025