In a critical move to reform the Texas Lottery, a new Senate bill filed by Senator Bob Hall could provide the much-needed lifeline to an increasingly scrutinized institution. Senate Bill 3070, introduced at the tail end of the Senate session, seeks to abolish the Texas Lottery Commission and place oversight of the state-run lottery under the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. This bold step aims to address concerns raised over illegal activities and enhance accountability within th

The Telugu Desam Party’s prestigious annual plenary event, Mahanadu, is back in the headlines, and this year’s edition comes with strong political symbolism. For 2025, the TDP has announced that the grand event will be held in the CK Dinne area of YSR Kadapa district long considered a fortress of the YSR Congress Party. This decision is not just logistical but deeply political, representing what could be a clear power statement by the Telugu Desam Party. Mahan

A late-night house party in southeast Houston turned deadly early Sunday morning, leaving at least one person dead and several others critically injured in a mass shooting incident. Authorities from the Houston Police Department (HPD) responded to reports of gunfire at approximately 12:50 a.m. on the 6000 block of Cherry Hill, according to HPD Assistant Chief Patricia Cantu. Cantu stated during a press briefing that multiple 911 calls alerted law enforcement to the scene, where officers arriv

In a closely watched local election, Amir Omar has been elected the new Mayor of Richardson, securing 55 percent of the vote and defeating incumbent Bob Dubey, who received 42 percent, according to unofficial results released Sunday evening. The victory marks a significant political comeback for Omar, who previously ran for the mayoral position in 2012 but was defeated. His election in 2025 signals a new chapter for Richardson’s city leadership, with voters opting for change amid evolvi

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

In a landmark move with far-reaching political and social implications, the Government of India has announced that caste-based data will be included in the upcoming population census, scheduled for next year. The announcement was made by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw during a Cabinet briefing on Wednesday, marking a significant shift in national policy and fulfilling a long-standing demand by opposition parties. The decision to incorporate caste enumeration—a detailed account of vario

Former Vice President Kamala Harris is set to deliver her first major speech since the 2024 election loss at a San Francisco hotel on Wednesday evening. The event, marking the 20th anniversary of the Emerge program, will take place at the historic Palace Hotel. Harris, who has been somewhat out of the public eye following her loss to President Donald Trump last November, is expected to address the challenges and opportunities facing women in politics. Her speech comes just as Trump hits his firs

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

Canadians voted on Monday to elect their next Prime Minister as the country confronts a renewed wave of tensions with the United States, fueled by President Donald Trump’s threats of annexation and a continuing trade war. On election day itself, Trump’s comments sparked outrage across Canada, with political leaders from all major parties rebuking his statements. As of the latest projections from CTV News and CBC, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s ruling Liberal Party is

Senior TDP leader and Sarvepalli MLA Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy has made serious allegations against the previous YCP government, claiming that transactions worth ₹1.30 lakh crore took place in liquor shops during their tenure. Speaking to the media, Somireddy pointed out that this staggering volume of cash-based transactions could potentially set a world record for the highest number of cash dealings in the liquor business, especially at a time when the entire country has moved toward di

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

In the aftermath of the tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reaffirmed its decision to maintain a complete halt on bilateral cricket relations with Pakistan. BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla stated that the board stands by the Indian government's stance and will not engage in bilateral series with Pakistan under any circumstances. Speaking to Sports Tak, Shukla remarked, “We are with the victims and we condemn it. Whate

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

President Donald Trump has strongly condemned a recent terror attack in Kashmir that resulted in the deaths of at least 20 tourists, signaling his concern over rising violence in the region and emphasizing the need for international cooperation to combat terrorism. The attack took place at a popular resort in the Pahalgam area, located in the Indian-administered region of Jammu and Kashmir, a place often visited by travelers due to its scenic beauty. The tragic event, which lef

When drivers enter a new state in the U.S., they’re often met with a cheerful "Welcome to…" sign, a longstanding gesture symbolizing hospitality and openness. However, for undocumented immigrants carrying certain types of out-of-state driver's licenses, the message is becoming increasingly unwelcoming. A growing number of Republican-led states are now invalidating driver’s licenses issued to undocumented immigrants by other states, reflecting a widening divide

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