Government and Politics

Early voting in Texas’ joint party primary runoff elections runs May 18-22. Democratic and Republican voters alike will be returning to the polls to determine their party’s nominees for the general election later this year. You can find races on both ballots and a list of early voting locations here.

Hill County commissioners’ split vote to issue a moratorium appears to be a first in Texas.

Since many of the state’s congressional districts are drawn to favor one political party, Democratic and Republican voters this month can go a long way toward picking their next representatives in the U.S. House.

Data center construction is unpopular among locals, and a majority of the facilities are being proposed in red, rural counties. That puts Texas Republicans in a tough spot, as the White House has encouraged states to let the centers flourish.

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital trade passageway, remains virtually closed due to the war in Iran. That's driven up the prices of key agricultural necessities, which could remain high into next year.

Campaign staffers are turning private polling data into personal paydays. They describe the election prediction market as a "Wild West" for staffers.

The $4 million system could provide up to several hours of advance warning, giving residents more time to evacuate before floodwaters become dangerous.

Families have until July 15 to opt in to the education savings accounts, or ESAs, which launches next school year.

Texas leads the nation in utilities shutting off electricity and natural gas services to customers who can't afford their energy bills. Texas Public Radio’s David Martin Davies has more on the report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a $390 billion Farm Bill last week. Harvest Public Media’s Frank Morris reports the House didn't make many changes to the policy, but the legislation faces serious obstacles in the Senate.

Many of the nation's overgrown forests are at high risk of burning. Under the Trump administration, work to reduce flammable vegetation fell by more than a million acres compared to previous years.