Government and Politics

The U.S. Supreme Court will now make a final decision on whether Texas can use its new congressional map, which was drawn this summer to benefit Republicans in the 2026 midterm elections. The outcome could have a huge impact on which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives in the future.

Some advisers have criticized diversity efforts, questioned the historical contributions of people of color, and promoted debunked beliefs.

A federal judge in Texas has blocked a new state law that requires Ten Commandments displays in public schools across the state. As The Texas Newsroom's Lucio Vasquez reports, the temporary block is mainly focused on the state's largest cities. With Thanksgiving coming up next week, our Sean Ryan has tips from Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport for those getting out of town this holiday season.

Senate Bill 10, which requires public schools to display the biblical text in classrooms, has sparked multiple legal challenges from civil liberties groups.

Abbott fought for months to keep secret emails between his office and Elon Musk. Now, hundreds of pages have been released.

The ruling is a blow to Trump and the Republicans in a nationwide redistricting race that began in Texas this summer.

The opening of the West Texas State Veterans Cemetery, originally set for December, has been delayed. A new report finds that the state's six-week abortion ban has had the most significant impact on those under the age of 18. Texas Public Radio's Bonnie Petrie reports on why that might be. Just one week after District 19 congressman Jodey Arrington announced he would not be seeking re-election in 2026, and other candidates have already begun filing for his seat.

The federal funding package to reopen the government included a one-year extension of certain 2018 Farm Bill programs. Several expired Sept. 30 or would have been null by the end of the year.

The Select Committees on Civil Discourse and Freedom of Speech in Higher Education were formed days after Kirk's assassination on a Utah college campus. Members assembled Thursday in Austin for their first meeting to assess state free speech laws.

The House of Representatives was sent home for the duration of the government shutdown. Members returned to the Capitol Wednesday with a lot on their minds.