In a sweeping move to address growing concerns over the mental health impact of social media on young people, the Texas House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill that would ban individuals under 18 from using social media platforms. The bill, known as House Bill 186, passed with a 116-25 vote and now heads to the Texas Senate for further consideration. The bill, authored by Rep. Jared Patterson (R-Frisco), would require social media companies to verify the age of users upo

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

More than 7.2 million Americans are now living with Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2025 Facts and Figures report released Tuesday. Of those, over 459,000 live in Texas, placing the state among the hardest hit by this debilitating illness. The new data underscores not only the growing burden of Alzheimer’s, but also the unrecognized labor and emotional toll carried by over 1 million unpaid caregivers in Texas alone. The disease, which ca

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

The United States has expressed deep concern over escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 people. In a statement issued on Monday, the U.S. State Department emphasized the importance of both nations adopting a responsible and peaceful approach to resolving the crisis. The message comes in the wake of growing uncertainty and strain between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, with the international community watch

In a sweeping multi-agency operation on Monday, law enforcement officials from Kaufman and Dallas counties, in coordination with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), seized an estimated $4.8 million in cash, along with firearms, vehicles, and jewelry, as part of an ongoing investigation into the illegal distribution of controlled substances. The investigation centers around multiple businesses operating under the names Sky Rise and ZRD Smoke Shops, with locations spread across Mesquit

Rapid growth across Williamson County is reshaping the once-rural town of Liberty Hill, bringing a surge in development, new residents, and pressing challenges for local schools. “When I moved out here 5 years ago, it was very calm, very country,” said Natalie Menteer, a Liberty Hill resident. “Now, apartments going up, homes going up, a lot of businesses it’s growing fast.” That growth is being felt acutely in Liberty Hill ISD (LHISD), where student enrollment i

As early voting begins across the state, residents of Cameron County are faced with a unique ballot question: Should Starbase, the South Texas hub for Elon Musk’s SpaceX, become an official city? Currently an unincorporated community situated about 25 miles east of Brownsville in the Rio Grande Valley, Starbase is home to SpaceX's starship development and production center. The community houses fewer than 500 residents, including around 120 children, most of whom are directly connec

A recent audit released by the City of Austin has revealed that the Austin Police Department (APD) still lacks a long-term recruitment and staffing plan, despite a landmark $218 million contract deal signed just six months ago to address the ongoing officer shortage. The findings come amid heightened scrutiny over public safety staffing in the capital city. According to the audit, APD’s vacancy rate has doubled to 18 percent between 2020 and 2024. While department leadership celebrates

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

The May 2025 Joint and Special Election in Texas presents an opportunity for registered voters to participate in shaping their local leadership, including city council members, school board trustees, and other key municipal positions. Early voting begins this Monday, April 22, and runs through Tuesday, April 29, offering voters the chance to cast their ballots ahead of the official election day on May 3, 2025. Early Voting: Who Can Vote? Any registered v

Dallas-Fort Worth residents are urged to stay alert as multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms are forecasted to impact the region from Saturday evening into early Sunday morning. According to the National Weather Service, the storms could bring hail up to 2–3 inches, wind gusts over 60 mph, localized flooding, and even a low risk of tornadoes—particularly if storms develop ahead of the main line. A Flood Watch is in effect for parts of western North Texas—includ

AUSTIN, Texas – The Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB) is bracing for a major blow after the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) slashed funding for critical food assistance programs. These cuts, tied to over $1 billion in federal reductions, will impact the availability of nutritious food for thousands of families in the region and reduce support for the local farming community. Beth Corbett, Vice President of Government Affairs and Advocacy at CTFB, said the cuts stem from chan

The Texas House is poised for a pivotal vote that could redefine education funding across the state. Lawmakers are set to decide on two major education bills: one that introduces a $1 billion private school voucher program, and another that aims to invest $8 billion into public school funding. These bills represent two of the most consequential education initiatives of the current legislative session. The voucher proposal is a significant development in Texas politics, especially

In a series of intense deliberations, the Texas House of Representatives has embarked on finalizing the state's budget, with debates centering around Attorney General Ken Paxton's backpay, healthcare costs associated with undocumented immigrants, and the future of the Texas Lottery. The budget process, typically procedural, took an unexpected turn when discussions arose about compensating AG Ken Paxton for the period he was suspended during his impeachment proceedings in 2023. Represe

A quiet Sunday morning in Northwest Austin turned into chaos and devastation after a powerful house explosion shook the Double Spur Loop neighborhood just before noon on April 13. According to the Austin Fire Department, the two-story home was completely leveled by the blast, and the effects of the explosion were felt and seen miles away. Initial emergency calls came in around 11:30 a.m., with witnesses reporting a massive boom and visible smoke plumes. Emergency crews arr

In a tragic discovery over the weekend, the Lewisville Fire Department’s dive team recovered a body from Copperas Branch Lake, located just west of I-35E. According to the Lewisville Police Department, the recovery occurred shortly after 11 a.m. on Sunday. The deceased individual is believed to be the driver involved in a single-vehicle crash that happened early Saturday morning. The incident unfolded around 3:30 a.m. Saturday near the 2900 block of the northbound lanes of I

A wave of student visa revocations at universities across the U.S. has left hundreds of international students in limbo, with Texas institutions such as the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), University of North Texas (UNT), Texas A&M, and UT Austin among those affected. School officials are scrambling to support affected students while seeking clarity from federal authorities regarding the reasoning behind these abrupt visa terminations. Although the exact cause of the revoca

Faced with the challenge of limited future water sources and rapid population growth, the city of Austin is ramping up its efforts in water reuse, conservation, and underground storage as part of an ambitious long-term strategy to meet demand for decades to come. At a recent infrastructure summit hosted by the Austin Chamber of Commerce, water planners and city leaders outlined Austin's evolving strategy, which centers on extending the lifespan of its current water resources through smart

A recently released study by the Texas Department of Health Services has revealed that around 330,000 people residing in East Harris County, Texas, are living within a cancer cluster spanning 250 square miles along the San Jacinto River. The report was shared in a community meeting held Tuesday evening in Highlands, drawing emotional reactions and urgent calls for action from residents. The study was initiated at the request of the Texas Health and Environment Alliance (THEA), a nonprofit adv