Government and Politics

The 2026 Farm Bill has been approved by the House Agriculture Committee, with expansions on crop insurance and the establishment of new research programs. Next, the bill heads to the full U.S. House of Representatives for a vote. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an Emergency Use Authorization for a new topical treatment to combat the spread of New World Screwworm. Texas Public Radio's Marian Navarro explains it's one of many drug and treatments the FDA has recently approved to address the spread of the parasite.

Local officials report that 108 of the cases originated in a contracted detention facility in Hudspeth County.

Starting April 1, Texans will no longer be allowed to use food stamps to buy sweetened beverages and candy.

Senate Bill 12, passed in the 2023 Texas Legislative session is set to go into effect for the first time tomorrow. Our reporter Samantha Larned explains the so-called 'drag ban bill' has been blocked from enforcement for two years. The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that state Attorney General Ken Paxton can obtain records from LGBTQ+ advocacy group PFLAG. The Texas Newsroom’s Lucio Vasquez reports it’s part of an investigation tied to Texas’ ban on gender-affirming medical care for minors.

Texas is already poised to break a record this year for the largest turnover in its congressional delegation in a single cycle – either because of voluntary retirements or reelection losses. Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider reports that will hurt Texas’ ability to address its needs in Washington. And KTTZ's Mia Shephard reports on Covenant Children’s new Small Baby Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, designed for infants born before 30 weeks of gestation.

New state rules change how THC levels are calculated and raise fees on hemp businesses by as much as 4,000%

According to the City of Lubbock, the City Council will set a special election date at its next regular meeting. Rose will remain until his successor is elected.

Officials in Corpus Christi expect a “water emergency” within months and to fully run out of water next year. That would halt jet fuel supplies to Texas airports, trigger a surge in gasoline prices and result in an “economic disaster” without precedent, former officials said.

Texas State Representative Brent Money has formed the Sharia Free Texas Caucus, aligning with previous efforts by Texas Republicans targeting the Muslim community.