Hill Country News 3160
Federal Judge Blocks Texas A&M University System’s Drag Show Ban
The Texas A&M University (TAMU) System banned drag shows across their 11 campuses after the board of regents passed a resolution, resulting in a lawsuit that produced a ruling from a Texas judge blocking the ban from being enacted. The resolution, which was passed earlier this month, stated explicitly that “Drag Show Events are likely
Texas Blocks Biden Administration Foster Care Rule Requiring Affirmation of Children’s Gender Identity
Texas foster care homes will not have to affirm children’s gender identity outside of biological sex in order to maintain all government funding, a federal district judge ruled, siding with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and against a 2024 rule from the Biden administration. Paxton sued former President Joe Biden’s Secretary of Health and Human
Texas Democrats Lambast Trump, Musk, Abbott over Department of Education Elimination
President Donald Trump announced he would work to “begin eliminating” the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) last week, and now Texas Democrats at both the state and federal levels are railing against his order. “I want to start today by being crystal clear about what is going on,” Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX-35) stated at a
Texas Projected to Gain Four Congressional Seats in 2030 as Metro Areas Grow
As the population of the Lone Star State keeps growing, Texas’ share in Congress is projected to grow by four seats come 2030 reapportionment occurs. All of the growth over the past several years means that Texas is projected to gain four congressional seats, alongside Florida, which is also expected to gain four seats according
Texas Legislature Looks to Crack Down on Distribution of Chemical Abortion Pills
Legislation has been filed in the Texas Senate that would crack down on chemical abortion pill distributors — whether via the internet, trafficked from another state, or through mail or prescription. It also establishes a means for a mother or father to sue the other for secretly using such substances to end the life of
Texas Spent $5.1 Million Total on Ken Paxton Impeachment, per State Auditor
The State of Texas spent $5.1 million in total on the impeachment investigation and trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton in 2023, according to a report released by the State Auditor’s Office. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced at the beginning of March that Speaker Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) had turned over financial statements related to the
Ted Cruz Unveils $250,000 School Choice Ad Campaign During Visit to Texas Capitol
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) descended into the Texas Legislature this week to “cheer the House on” as the debate concerning school choice heats up in the state. “The Texas House of Representatives is taking up what I think is the single most important issue before the Texas Legislature, and that is school choice,” Cruz
Texas Senate Passes Weakened Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Ban Following GOP Amendment
The Texas Senate passed legislation intended to ban “taxpayer-funded lobbying” late Wednesday night, but tacked on an amendment that exempts groups like the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). State Sen. Mayes Middleton’s (R-Galveston) Senate Bill (SB) 19 passed along party lines last night in a marathon floor proceeding. The bill prohibits local governments from
Donald Trump Signs Order to ‘Begin Eliminating’ U.S. Department of Education
“We are not doing well with the world of education in this country,” Trump stated during the signing on Thursday afternoon, “and we haven’t for a long time.” × This page requires Javascript. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. See the original
Classroom Discipline, Student Violence Testimony Heard in Texas House Committee Hearing
Classroom behavior and providing an orderly learning environment for students in Texas public schools has been an ongoing discussion in the Texas Legislature. Now, House Bill (HB) 6 by Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano) seeks to address the issue by reforming education policies regarding both in- and out-of-school suspensions. The priority legislation aims to amend school
King Mackerel Commercial Harvest Closes
The commercial harvest of king mackerel has closed in federal waters of the Gulf Southern Zone. What/When: Commercial gillnet harvest of king mackerel in federal waters of the Gulf Southern Zone closec at 12 p.m., local time, on March 20, 2025. Commercial king mackerel gillnet harvest will reopen at 6:00 a.m., (local time) on January 20, 2026. The
National Archery In Schools Program Comes to Belton
For the 19th year, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is hosting the state’s National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP®) tournament in Belton. The competition, March 25-26 at the Cadence Bank Expo Center, provides more than 5,000 students from 150 Texas schools the opportunity to compete in Bullseye and 3D Archery competitions. Participants have
