#greg-abbott
Texas school voucher program draws 274,000 applications by March 31 deadline
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas’ first statewide school voucher-style initiative has drawn overwhelming interest, with more than 274,000 applications submitted for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program by the deadline of Tuesday, March 31, 2026. The volume of applications significantly exceeds the program’s initial capacity of approximately 90,000 students, setting the stage for a highly competitive selection process. The TEFA program, established by the Texas Legislature in 2025,
Texas school voucher program draws 274,000 applications by March 31 deadline
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas’ first statewide school voucher-style initiative has drawn overwhelming interest, with more than 274,000 applications submitted for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program by the deadline of Tuesday, March 31, 2026. The volume of applications significantly exceeds the program’s initial capacity of approximately 90,000 students, setting the stage for a highly competitive selection process. The TEFA program, established by the Texas Legislature in 2025,
Dallas seeks exemption from Texas order to remove rainbow crosswalks
Nearly a month after Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered cities to remove rainbow crosswalks and other “non-standard” symbols from public roads, the City of Dallas is formally pushing back. City officials have submitted a request for an exemption to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), arguing that the crosswalks not only meet safety standards but also represent inclusion, free expression, and community identity. Abbott issued the directive on October 8, asserting that
Dallas seeks exemption from Texas order to remove rainbow crosswalks
Nearly a month after Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered cities to remove rainbow crosswalks and other “non-standard” symbols from public roads, the City of Dallas is formally pushing back. City officials have submitted a request for an exemption to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), arguing that the crosswalks not only meet safety standards but also represent inclusion, free expression, and community identity. Abbott issued the directive on October 8, asserting that
Texas deploys National Guard and DPS troops to Austin ahead of protest
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott has ordered a large-scale deployment of state security forces, including personnel from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas National Guard, to the state capital in anticipation of a planned demonstration that officials say may involve groups linked to antifa. The governor’s directive, issued Thursday, aims to safeguard residents, businesses, and public property amid concerns that the protest could lead to unrest. According to t
Texas deploys National Guard and DPS troops to Austin ahead of protest
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott has ordered a large-scale deployment of state security forces, including personnel from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas National Guard, to the state capital in anticipation of a planned demonstration that officials say may involve groups linked to antifa. The governor’s directive, issued Thursday, aims to safeguard residents, businesses, and public property amid concerns that the protest could lead to unrest. According to t
Texas Attorney General alleges EPIC City violated state and federal securities laws
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Tuesday that his office has uncovered evidence suggesting that the developers behind a proposed Muslim-centric real estate project known as EPIC City violated both state and federal securities laws. Paxton has requested that the Texas State Securities Board review his office’s findings and provide a formal referral that would allow the Attorney General’s Office to pursue legal action. EPIC City, a planned mixed-use community spanning 4
Texas Attorney General alleges EPIC City violated state and federal securities laws
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Tuesday that his office has uncovered evidence suggesting that the developers behind a proposed Muslim-centric real estate project known as EPIC City violated both state and federal securities laws. Paxton has requested that the Texas State Securities Board review his office’s findings and provide a formal referral that would allow the Attorney General’s Office to pursue legal action. EPIC City, a planned mixed-use community spanning 4
Texas Senate Approves New GOP Congressional Maps Amid Legal Challenges
The Republican-controlled Texas Senate has approved new congressional maps designed to strengthen the party’s hold on power in Washington, completing a contentious redistricting process that has triggered heated partisan battles both within the state and across the country. The decision, reached in an overnight session, clears the way for Governor Greg Abbott to sign the measure into law, a move that will reshape Texas’ political landscape for years
Texas Senate Approves New GOP Congressional Maps Amid Legal Challenges
The Republican-controlled Texas Senate has approved new congressional maps designed to strengthen the party’s hold on power in Washington, completing a contentious redistricting process that has triggered heated partisan battles both within the state and across the country. The decision, reached in an overnight session, clears the way for Governor Greg Abbott to sign the measure into law, a move that will reshape Texas’ political landscape for years
Texas Lawmaker Gene Wu Faces Backlash After Accusations of Being Back in China
A tweet from Texas Senator Mayes Middleton has sparked a wave of controversy after he questioned whether Houston Representative Gene Wu, a prominent member of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, was “back in China.” This remark was made amid the ongoing standoff in Texas, where Democratic lawmakers, including Wu, left the state to prevent a Republican-led redistricting vote from proceeding. Middleton's
Texas Lawmaker Gene Wu Faces Backlash After Accusations of Being Back in China
A tweet from Texas Senator Mayes Middleton has sparked a wave of controversy after he questioned whether Houston Representative Gene Wu, a prominent member of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, was “back in China.” This remark was made amid the ongoing standoff in Texas, where Democratic lawmakers, including Wu, left the state to prevent a Republican-led redistricting vote from proceeding. Middleton's
Illinois Becomes Focal Point in Texas Democrats Fight Against Gerrymandering
Democratic lawmakers from Texas have traveled to Illinois to prevent the Republican-led Legislature in their home state from advancing a controversial plan to redraw congressional districts. This dramatic move marks the latest chapter in the long-standing national debate over gerrymandering, the practice of manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor one political party. Their arrival in Illinois has intensified political discussions, particularly as Illinois itself faces criticism fo
Illinois Becomes Focal Point in Texas Democrats Fight Against Gerrymandering
Democratic lawmakers from Texas have traveled to Illinois to prevent the Republican-led Legislature in their home state from advancing a controversial plan to redraw congressional districts. This dramatic move marks the latest chapter in the long-standing national debate over gerrymandering, the practice of manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor one political party. Their arrival in Illinois has intensified political discussions, particularly as Illinois itself faces criticism fo
Gov. Abbott Vetoes THC Ban; Cedar Park Hemp Shops Relieved
A last-minute veto from Governor Greg Abbott has spared Texas’ growing hemp industry from a sweeping ban on THC products, prompting celebration from businesses across the state including in Cedar Park. At J Heart CBD, store manager Lizzie Taylor said the team was in disbelief on Sunday night as the news broke. “My coworker and I started screaming,” said Taylor. “We thought we were going to los
Gov. Abbott Vetoes THC Ban; Cedar Park Hemp Shops Relieved
A last-minute veto from Governor Greg Abbott has spared Texas’ growing hemp industry from a sweeping ban on THC products, prompting celebration from businesses across the state including in Cedar Park. At J Heart CBD, store manager Lizzie Taylor said the team was in disbelief on Sunday night as the news broke. “My coworker and I started screaming,” said Taylor. “We thought we were going to los
Texas Religion Bills in Public Schools Await Gov. Abbott’s Decision
Two controversial bills involving religion in Texas public schools are currently awaiting Gov. Greg Abbott’s approval before the Sunday deadline. Senate Bill 10 would mandate the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms with a specifically Protestant wording. Meanwhile, Senate Bill 11 would permit designated periods for voluntary prayer and Bible reading in public and charter schools. Bot
Texas Religion Bills in Public Schools Await Gov. Abbott’s Decision
Two controversial bills involving religion in Texas public schools are currently awaiting Gov. Greg Abbott’s approval before the Sunday deadline. Senate Bill 10 would mandate the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms with a specifically Protestant wording. Meanwhile, Senate Bill 11 would permit designated periods for voluntary prayer and Bible reading in public and charter schools. Bot
Gov. Abbott Sparks Outrage Over Jet Ski Death Penalty Call
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is facing backlash after calling for the death penalty in the case of a fatal jet ski crash on Lake Grapevine, which killed 18-year-old Ava Moore. His remark, shared on social media, read, “Welcome to Texas. Here’s your death penalty,” and quickly gained viral traction, amassing over 35,000 likes and more than 1,300 replies. The suspect in the crash, Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez of Venezuela, has been charged with manslaughter af
Gov. Abbott Sparks Outrage Over Jet Ski Death Penalty Call
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is facing backlash after calling for the death penalty in the case of a fatal jet ski crash on Lake Grapevine, which killed 18-year-old Ava Moore. His remark, shared on social media, read, “Welcome to Texas. Here’s your death penalty,” and quickly gained viral traction, amassing over 35,000 likes and more than 1,300 replies. The suspect in the crash, Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez of Venezuela, has been charged with manslaughter af
Texas Governor Pushes Constitutional Bail Reform Amid Public Safety Debate
A proposed constitutional amendment backed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott is reigniting debate over how the state handles bail for violent offenders. Abbott says the reform would save lives, while critics warn it could exacerbate jail overcrowding and undermine due process rights. Speaking at a press conference in Houston, Abbott cited a troubling trend in the region: over 200 cases where individuals released on bond for violent charges allegedly killed Texans while awaiting trial. “For
Texas Governor Pushes Constitutional Bail Reform Amid Public Safety Debate
A proposed constitutional amendment backed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott is reigniting debate over how the state handles bail for violent offenders. Abbott says the reform would save lives, while critics warn it could exacerbate jail overcrowding and undermine due process rights. Speaking at a press conference in Houston, Abbott cited a troubling trend in the region: over 200 cases where individuals released on bond for violent charges allegedly killed Texans while awaiting trial. “For
Texas Economy Ranked 8th Largest Globally, Surpassing Russia, Canada, and Italy
If Texas were an independent nation, its economy would rank as the eighth-largest in the world, surpassing economic giants like Russia, Canada, and Italy. With a nominal gross domestic product (GDP) of $2.7 trillion, Texas sits just behind the overall United States, China, Germany, and Japan when measured against global economies. Among U.S. states, Texas ranks second only to California and accounts for an impressive 9% of the total U.S. GDP. According to recent data compiled by the Internati
Texas Economy Ranked 8th Largest Globally, Surpassing Russia, Canada, and Italy
If Texas were an independent nation, its economy would rank as the eighth-largest in the world, surpassing economic giants like Russia, Canada, and Italy. With a nominal gross domestic product (GDP) of $2.7 trillion, Texas sits just behind the overall United States, China, Germany, and Japan when measured against global economies. Among U.S. states, Texas ranks second only to California and accounts for an impressive 9% of the total U.S. GDP. According to recent data compiled by the Internati
Texas Hospitals Report Millions in Care for Undocumented Patients Amid Push for Annual Immigration Data
Preliminary data collected from hospitals across Texas reveals that tens of thousands of undocumented patients received medical treatment in recent months, costing the state’s health care system millions of dollars, according to testimony from a state health official this week. During a House Public Health Committee hearing on Monday, lawmakers reviewed a new bill introduced by Rep. Mike Olcott (R–Fort Worth) that would formalize Governor Greg Abbott’s 2024 executive order r
Texas Hospitals Report Millions in Care for Undocumented Patients Amid Push for Annual Immigration Data
Preliminary data collected from hospitals across Texas reveals that tens of thousands of undocumented patients received medical treatment in recent months, costing the state’s health care system millions of dollars, according to testimony from a state health official this week. During a House Public Health Committee hearing on Monday, lawmakers reviewed a new bill introduced by Rep. Mike Olcott (R–Fort Worth) that would formalize Governor Greg Abbott’s 2024 executive order r
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Orders State Employees Back to Office Full-Time, No Remote Work Exceptions
Governor Greg Abbott has ordered all Texas state employees to return to the office full-time, marking a significant shift away from the remote work arrangements many have relied on since the pandemic. While Abbott has not set a strict statewide deadline, individual agencies are implementing their own return-to-office timelines, with some requiring employees to be back at their desks by March 31, 2025. This move has sparked mixed reactions among state employ
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Orders State Employees Back to Office Full-Time, No Remote Work Exceptions
Governor Greg Abbott has ordered all Texas state employees to return to the office full-time, marking a significant shift away from the remote work arrangements many have relied on since the pandemic. While Abbott has not set a strict statewide deadline, individual agencies are implementing their own return-to-office timelines, with some requiring employees to be back at their desks by March 31, 2025. This move has sparked mixed reactions among state employ









