Texas is receiving the kind of political attention usually reserved for states where neither party can feel comfortable. With the November election approaching, the Senate contest between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico has become a test of party loyalty, candidate appeal and voters' concerns about their finances. President Donald Trump's planned October 7 appearance in San Antonio underscores the stakes. Reuters reported that the trip would be his third Tex

AUSTIN — For more than three decades, Texas has been one of the most dependable Republican states in America. Democrats have repeatedly predicted that changing demographics and rapidly growing cities would eventually turn the state competitive. In 2026, that prediction may finally face its biggest test. The U.S. Senate race between Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democratic state Rep. James Talarico has developed into one of the most closely watched elections in th

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas is putting the brakes on the expansion of automated license-plate surveillance, raising new questions about how far law enforcement should be allowed to go in tracking vehicles traveling across the state. Gov. Greg Abbott has directed state agencies to stop spending state money on additional automated license-plate reader cameras operated by Flock Safety, a technology company whose camera systems have become increasingly common among police departments a

HUNTSVILLE, Texas — Texas prison officials are asking state lawmakers for nearly $300 million to expand air conditioning across the state's correctional system, an issue with particular significance in Huntsville, home to several major prison facilities and the headquarters of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. TDCJ has requested approximately $298 million over the next two years to install air conditioning for more than 15,700 additional prison beds. The agency says t