Texas Legislature

It's been more than a week since Democrats fled the state to block a Republican-backed redistricting map.

A quartet of civil liberties organizations is suing the state on behalf of 16 Texas families of various religious and non-religious backgrounds. The plaintiffs are seeking an injunction to stop Senate Bill 10, requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in all public-school classrooms, from taking effect on Sept. 1.

More than 50 Texas House Democrats left the state to stall a Republican-backed redistricting plan, effectively shutting down legislative business at the state Capitol.

The case of Senator E.L. Alford, who was expelled from his seat in 1870, provides lessons for today.

Gov. Greg Abbott filed an emergency petition with the Supreme Court of Texas to remove state Rep. Gene Wu from office.

Lubbock Public Health announced that Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is spreading in Lubbock County. With reported cases in daycares and school about to start for many districts, our Bishop Van Buren has more on how to stay healthy. Lubbock’s state lawmakers are speaking on the Texas Democrats’ absence as the special legislative session continues. The House of Representatives reconvened yesterday, but Houston Public Media's Alexandra Hart reports that without enough members to meet a quorum, it quickly adjourned.

The proposal revives a failed effort from earlier this year and responds to years of legal fights over accountability.

Democrats fled the state to stop Republicans' attempt to redraw congressional districts, but bills aimed at everything from a THC product ban to bolstering flood response are now in doubt.

Last week, Texas Tech University’s president Lawrence Schovanec was named Big 12 Conference representative on the College Football Playoff Board of Managers. Our reporter Bishop Van Buren has more on what the position entails. Texas school districts have until September 1 to comply with Senate Bill 13. KERA’s Bill Zeeble explains the new library law, which critics worry could become a book ban policy.

The move effectively brings the state House of Representatives to a standstill and prevents any consideration by the full chamber of HB 4, which would dramatically redraw Texas’ congressional maps.