Texas News & Current Events | Public News Service

During the 2025 session Texas lawmakers passed House Bill 46, which expands the state's medical marijuana program. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said people who need THC for medical reasons will still have access to it. (S.Price/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Future of THC ban in TX unknown

Gov. Greg Abbott has until June 22 to sign or veto Senate Bill 3, which would ban consumable THC products in Texas. Banning items like vapes and …

Around 5.8 million cats and dogs were taken to shelters across the United States in 2024, down 1% from 2023. (hedgehog94/Adobe Stock)

Spay and neuter program designed to reduce stray animal population across TX

CLARIFICATION: An earlier version of this story described the spay/neuter effort as a "bill," rather than a pilot program. (12:16 a.m. MDT, June 16…

According to the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, Texas has about 57,000 undocumented students enrolled in its public universities and colleges who will no longer be eligible for in-state tuition. (K Abrahams/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Ending in-state tuition for undocumented students will cost TX millions

Immigrant rights groups have said they are considering legal action to restore a Texas law allowing in-state tuition rates for undocumented college st…

According to the 2025 Kids Count Data Book, nearly 1.4 million Texas children live below the poverty line. (WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobe Stock)

Report: TX has room for improvement in children's well-being

Texas has fallen to 44th place nationally in this year's 2025 Kids Count Data Book released Monday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The report …

Some 17% of students surveyed said they felt like they could not express their opinion on a subject at least a couple of times a week because of how fellow students, a professor or the administration would respond. (Gatot/Adobe Stock)

Report: TX college students feel free speech is targeted

Texas colleges are getting mixed marks when it comes to protecting free speech on campus. The College Free Speech Rankings include survey results …

Landfill regulations are managed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. In Harris County, 78% of the methane emissions come from three privately owned landfills over which the city has no jurisdiction. (rob245/Adobe Stock)

Houston officials look at options for growing trash problem

By Elena Bruess for Houston Landing.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Texas News Service reporting for the Houston Landing/MIT Climate Change Engage…

The Episcopal Health Foundation says the goal of the Collaborating for Healthy Communities Initiative is to improve and strengthen the effectiveness of existing health-focused coalitions and collaboratives. (ILIA/Adobe Stock)

Assistance available for TX coalitions fighting health disparities

Starting next week, the Episcopal Health Foundation will be accepting applications for its next "Collaborating for Healthy Communities Initiative" to …

Texas women face rising health risks with excessive alcohol use

As research shows alcohol consumption among women is on the rise nationwide, health experts are voicing concern about the risks those in Texas and …

Although the current version of Texas House Bill 2 does not bring schools back to 2019 funding levels members of the American Federation of Teachers-Texas are calling on members of the House of Representatives to approve the school funding bill. (LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/Adobe Stock)

Latest school funding bill heads back to TX House

As school districts across Texas continue to work around budget shortfalls, members of American Federation of Teachers-Texas hope the latest version …

TX family transitions from growing chickens to growing hemp

An east Texas farming family is reaping the benefits after transitioning from industrial chicken farming to growing hemp. For 30 years, the Halley …

A report from the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University showed 23.3% of women of childbearing age in rural areas are covered by Medicaid. (pressmaster/Adobe Stock)

TX health care advocates say changes to Medicaid could affect expectant mothers

As members of Congress debate changes to Medicaid, advocates in Texas who work with people covered by the plan are concerned about potential …

Opponents of a proof-of-citizenship bill before Texas lawmakers say many women in rural areas, who could get targeted by the bill, do not have a birth certificate matching their current last name. (Golib Tolibov/Adobe Stock AI)

Proposed proof-of-citizenship bill could impact all registered voters in Texas

Voting rights advocates in Texas are speaking out against a proof-of-citizenship bill before lawmakers. Senate Bill 16 would require new registrants …

A National Wildlife Federation poll showed Texas producers support increased funding for a voluntary, incentive-based program to help farmers and ranchers conserve grasslands. (cherryandbees/Adobe Stock)

TX farmers and ranchers benefit from federal conservation funds

A recent poll by the National Wildlife Federation showed Texas farmers and ranchers benefit from voluntary conservation programs from the U.S…

The Environmental Protection Agency said it will roll back 31 environmental rules including a scientific finding which has long been the central basis for U.S. actions against climate change. (Simon/Adobe Stock)

New dashboard shows effects of possible EPA rollbacks on TX environment

A new mapping tool from the Sierra Club showed how proposed rollbacks on coal-pollution safeguards could affect the Texas environment. The Trump …

Texas is part of a pilot program by the North Carolina-based Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges. The organization is directing a project designed to increase employment skills for rural students. Each state taking part will use its own approach, guided by local priorities. (Jacob Lund/Adobe Stock)

Program aims to connect rural TX college students with universities

By Lane Wendell Fischer for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Texas News Service Service for the Public News Service/Daily Yonder C…

Overdraft fees originated during a time when consumers wrote and cashed checks more frequently so the checks would clear instead of bouncing. The amount of the fees has increased over time. (JJ Gouin/Adobe Stock)

Overdraft fees are here to stay, costing Texans thousands of dollars a year

Congress has overturned legislation which would have limited bank overdraft fees before the measure could go into effect. The Consumer Financial …

Eduardo Mata Montessori in Dallas received a technology award package valued at $1,000, which included their choice of tech

National program makes sure TX students are technology ready

Across Texas, 63 schools are participating in a Parent Teacher Association digital literacy program known as "PTA Connected: Ready, Tech, Go!." The …

The Buffalo Soldiers were the first Black professional soldiers in a peacetime army. The recruits came from varied backgrounds, including former slaves and veterans from service in the Civil War. The museum was founded in 2001. (serhiibobyk/Adobe Stock)

Federal funding cuts hit Houston's Buffalo Soldiers National Museum

The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum in Houston is one of many historic and cultural institutions across the nation to lose access to federal funding…

Lawmakers are considering several bills that would impact small farmers, including bills that would require country-of-origin labels and allow the sale of raw milk at farmers markets. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

TX lawmakers consider bills to help small farmers, home food businesses

Members of a Texas House committee this week will consider a bill that would limit the number of permits farmers must have to participate at farmers m…

Many international students have said they did not know their visas were revoked, or that their status had been changed, until they were notified by federal officials. (Mediteraneo/Adobe Stock)

Visas revoked, status changed for international students in TX

Hundreds of international college students in Texas are fighting to stay in the country after their visas were revoked and their legal status changed …

Texas House lawmakers passed a proposal for a private school voucher program. Two Republicans joined Democrats in voting against the bill. (zimmytws/Adobe Stock)

TX private school voucher opponents worry about effect on public schools

The Texas school voucher program is on its way back to the Senate, after it was approved by members of the House of Representatives in an 85 to 63 …

Medical experts said if you know high pollen days are in the forecast, taking medicine before they arrive can help alleviate symptoms. (Dragana Gordic/Adobe Stock)

Experts: Texans suffer from year-round allergies

Texas is frequently ranked as one of the worst states for seasonal allergies because symptoms can occur year-round. Dr. Miguel Wolbert, president of …

When a tariff is imposed, the importing business pays the tax to the U.S. Treasury Department. Importers then pass much of the added cost to consumers. (freshidea/Adobe Stock)

Texans brace for financial impact of trade wars

Texas is the number one exporting state in the nation - and although tariffs with Mexico and Canada have been delayed, Texans are still uneasy about …

The Texas horned lizard currently is listed as a threatened species in Texas. It can be found from the south-central United States to northern Mexico, throughout much of Texas, Kansas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. (David McGowen/Adobe Stock)

From horny toad to Guadalupe bass, Texans work to save wildlife

Wildlife conservationists are working with landowners and concerned Texans to recover at-risk species. Currently, more than 1,100 animals from …

School vouchers, a program that would allow students to use public money to pay for private school tuition, has become a hot-button issue in Texas, pitting Republicans against one another. (KatMoy/Adobe Stock)

Debate over school vouchers in TX now moves to House floor

After several weeks of public comment, bills addressing school finance in Texas will be presented to the House of Representatives. House Bill 2 is …

Transgender and nonbinary people say their lives are threatened in their home countries. In Mexico alone, according to data from Mexico's National Trans and Nonbinary Assembly, more than 55 trans people were killed last year, making it the second deadliest country in the world for trans people, after Brazil. (Kromstar Studios/Adobe Stock)

U.S. immigration policy leaves trans migrants at TX-Mexico border in limbo

By Chantal Flores for Yes! Media.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Texas News Service reporting for the Yes! Media-Public News Service …

While students work toward their pilots licenses at the Doswell School of Aeronautical Sciences in Denton, they also gain knowledge in subjects like aviation law, weather and aerodynamics. It is the only such program in the nation geared toward women. (Craig/Adobe Stock)

Texas Woman's University trains next generation of airline pilots

Registration is open for the next information session for the Doswell School of Aeronautical Sciences at Texas Woman's University in Denton, where …

The first International Transgender Day of Visibility was held on March 31, 2009. (Elena/Adobe Stock)

Trans Texans call for recognition on Trans Day of Visibility

Today is Transgender Day of Visibility, a day set aside to recognize the contributions of transgender people and raise awareness of discrimination …

Biosolids, also known as sewage sludge, were applied to farms in Johnson County as fertilizer to boost crop fertility. (zimmytws/Adobe Stock)

North TX county sues feds over PFAS contamination

By Sara Hashemi for Sentient.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Texas News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration John…

Maj. Gen. Patrick Brady was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery in the Vietnam War. (Congressional Medal of Honor Society)

Heroes welcomed for Medal of Honor Museum opening in TX

North Texas leaders are celebrating today's opening of the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington. The museum is dedicated to highlighting the …

Reducing new clean energy projects would increase air pollution in Texas by over 17 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2030 and 83 million metric tons in 2035, equivalent to the annual air pollution from four and 21 coal-fired power plants, respectively. (Andrii/Adobe Stock)

Report: Cuts to Inflation Reduction Act would impact TX economy

Texas would be one of five states to suffer the most if the Trump administration repeals the Inflation Reduction Act, according to a report from the …

PoliChic Engagement Fund says it's critical Texans make sure lawmakers are voting in their public interest. (JHVEPhoto/Adobe Stock)

Texans encouraged to use their voices during current legislative session

Many Texans feel strongly, one way or another, about the proposed school voucher bill before state lawmakers. Gov. Greg Abbott has proposed a plan to …

Research shows students' sense of belonging improves academic outcomes, increases continuing enrollment in school and is protective for mental health. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

Immigrant children face increased cases of bullying across TX

As the immigration debate continues, many children of immigrants in Texas who are American citizens are caught in the middle. An elementary school …

Clean=energy advocates say wind and solar projects in Texas are reducing air pollution, saving water, supporting the grid and combating the global warming that threatens native ecosystems. (Peter Adams/Adobe Stock)

Legislation could hinder TX wind, solar projects

Clean-energy advocates in Texas are closely monitoring a bill before the Legislature that, if passed, could stop the development and operation of …

Expanded oil and gas subsidies, included in current versions of upcoming federal tax legislation, would support a massive expansion of LNG projects to more than double national export capacity by 2030. (Jeeraphun/Adobe Stock)

Religious leaders gather in TX to fight oil and gas subsidies

Forty religious leaders from different denominations gathered in Texas this week to call for an end to fossil-fuel subsidies and expansion of related …

Nationally, the average cost of a dozen large eggs was $4.15 in December, up from $3.65 in November, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Nitr/Adobe Stock)

Report: Bird flu not cause of rising egg prices in TX

A new report by the group Food and Water Watch said egg companies are exploiting the bird flu outbreak for profit. On average, the price of a dozen …

When it comes to solutions to address non-medical factors for those facing the most barriers to good health, 70% of Texans said it was

High cost of health care negatively affects many Texans

Almost two-thirds of Texans have skipped or postponed some form of health care in the past year because of cost. That's according to a survey by …

During a recent American Federation of Teachers-Texas town hall meeting, educators from around the state, including former Department of Education employees, said they are confused by some of the job and spending cuts already made. (ahmed/Adobe Stock AI)

TX educators eye changes at the Department of Education

Educators in Texas are concerned about the Trump administration's plans to dismantle the Department of Education. One of the Department's primary …

The Texas House of Representatives has passed a bill to require all Texas prisons to have air conditioning by 2029 but the prison system only has to comply if the state provides the funding. (pict rider/Adobe Stock)

Faith leaders call out inhumane heat conditions in TX prisons

Only 30% of prisons in Texas have central air conditioning and faith leaders and advocates for those incarcerated are raising concerns about inhumane …

The Texas Department of State Health Services says a dose of MMR is given to unvaccinated people within 72 hours of their exposure to the measles to lessen the severity of the illness if they get sick from their exposure to the virus. (Luci/Adobe Stock)

TX doctors concerned about vaccination rates during measles outbreak

Health officials across Texas remain on high alert after a deadly measles outbreak in the South Plains region. The state health department said one …

Texas is already experiencing the effects of climate change, with rising temperatures creating intensified heat waves across the state. In 2023, Texas recorded its second-hottest summer on record. (Kasper/Adobe Stock AI)

Texans encouraged to 'decarbonize' buildings to fight climate change

School districts and county governments across Texas are being encouraged to consider building decarbonization to combat climate change. The process …

Plaintiffs in a pair of new lawsuits against the Trump administration noted leaders in both political parties, thousands of businesses and millions of Americans support permanently protecting our coasts from offshore drilling. (paxphongtrinh/Adobe Stock)

Trump administration faces lawsuits over oil and gas drilling

Several environmental groups concerned about increased offshore drilling have a filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The suit …

Researchers say although federal relief money is no longer available, states could be targeting federal Title I and state funding to implement intervention programs. (insta_photos/Adobe Stock)

COVID-19 learning loss still being felt in TX schools

Texas ranks 31st among states in terms of the change in math achievement between 2019 and 2024, and 8th in reading. That's according to a study that …

Oil and gas operators seeking to reduce their methane emissions have many options, with 266 companies offering more than 18 categories of cost-effective technologies and services. (peterschreiber.media/Adobe Stock)

TX leads nation in methane mitigation

The methane mitigation industry has experienced a surge in Texas and around the nation over the last decade. A recent study found Texas has 293 …

One contributing factor to seasonal affective disorder, the technical name for wintertime blues, is a lack of sunlight, which is a crucial source of vitamin D and helps regulate wake/sleep cycles. (zinkevych/Adobe Stock)

Texans missing the sunshine could be suffering from winter blues

Cold temperatures, decreased sunlight and fewer interactions with family and friends are some of the reasons Texans might suffer from seasonal …

When biosolids containing PFAS are used as fertilizer, the chemicals leach into soil and groundwater, and are then taken up by plants, which are then consumed by humans, livestock and wildlife. (zimmytws/Adobe Stock)

North TX county declares disaster due to PFAS contamination

A north Texas commissioners' court has declared a county disaster because of PFAS contamination. Johnson County Commissioners are asking Gov…

The Texas Department of Agriculture hopes to reach children in rural areas who haven't previously participated in Summer Meal Programs because of transportation barriers. Eligible sponsors in those areas can apply to distribute meals outside of the required group settings and meal service times. (chomplearn_2001/Adobe Stock)

Sponsors needed for TX Dept. of Ag summer feeding programs

The Texas Department of Agriculture is accepting sponsor applications for its 2025 Summer Meal Programs. The Summer Food Service Program and the …

Attorneys representing an undocumented father in Lubbock said he faces deportation proceedings after a traffic stop by police. (Thanyalak/Adobe Stock)

Northwest TX father faces deportation

A northwest Texas family is waiting to hear from agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement after a recent traffic stop. Jose is in the country …

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