Hill Country News 3160
Artificial Intelligence in Boats and Fishing? Really?
This whole AI thing is a little much for many of us, especially anglers who fish to unplug, not to get more “screen time.” That said, it’s also basically unavoidable. And today, that even means on our boats and when we go fishing. Wait a sec – could that actually be a good thing? It’s
Abbott Executive Order Bans DeepSeek, RedNote, Other Chinese Apps on Texas Government Devices
Chinese smartphone applications are a growing area of concern for both the state and federal governments, and now Gov. Greg Abbott is taking action to combat these technologies in Texas. The executive order (EO) directed the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Department of Information Resources to add RedNote, DeepSeek, Webull, Tiger Brokers,
Texas Lawmakers Eye Changes to Harris County Flood Control District
Although Harris County has managed most of its own flood mitigation and planning for more than 80 years, state lawmakers are considering changes to the governance and territory of the state’s only flood control district delineated along county lines. A special purpose district created by the Texas Legislature in 1937, the Harris County Flood Control
Texas Lawmaker Files Bill to Allow Voters Eligible for General Elections to Vote Underage in Primaries
State Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin) filed a bill that would allow citizens who turn 18 years old on or before the general election to also vote in the corresponding primary election. House Bill (HB) 2074 would “allow a person who will be 18 years of age on the date of the general election for state
Gov. Abbott Requires That Texas Agencies Recognize Only Male and Female as Legitimate Genders
Gov. Greg Abbott sent a letter to all Texas state agency heads reiterating that the State of Texas recognizes only male and female as legitimate genders, mirroring language declared in one of President Donald Trump’s executive orders (EO). “This office has consistently reiterated a simple truth: The State of Texas recognizes only two sexes —
Texas Attorney General Drops Felony Charges Against Hidalgo Staffers in Harris County Bid-Rigging Case
Prosecutors at the Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG) have filed motions to dismiss felony charges pending against two of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo’s former staffers in relation to an $11 million COVID-19 vaccine outreach contract awarded to a highly connected Democratic strategist in 2021. According to documents filed in Harris County on
State Lawmaker Seeks to Formalize Trump’s ‘Gulf of America’ in Texas Constitution
President Donald Trump wasted no time after taking the oath of office to declare he would be making big changes, one of which is to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.” “America will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on earth, inspiring
Texas Lawmaker Files ‘Abolition of Abortion’ Bill, Faces Opposition from Lt. Gov. Patrick
State Rep. Brent Money (R-Greenville) filed a bill that would treat an elective abortion as murder under state law. The “abolition of abortion” legislation is a proposal to eliminate an exception in state penal code for women who obtain an abortion — providing equal protection under criminal law to unborn children. × This page requires
Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Lee Finley Continues Legal Battle Over Mortgage Default
Attorneys for a newly elected member of Texas’ highest criminal court, Judge Lee Finley and his wife, appeared in a Dallas-area state appellate court as defendants appealing a district court eviction order after defaulting on their home mortgage payments. What isn’t in dispute is that the Finleys owe a six-figure balance on their home mortgage
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Releases First Round of Senate Priority Bills
Legislative business is already underway in the upper chamber of the Texas Legislature as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has released the “first round” of priority bills he plans to focus on this session. Patrick noted in his press release that this year he has increased the number of priority bills from 30 to 40 for
TPWD Commission Adopts Oyster Regulation Changes
During its Jan. 23 meeting, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Commission approved changes to the oyster regulation Certificate of Location (COL) program rules. The approved rule revisions allow the use of the COL program for oyster regulation and reef restoration as well as harvesting, and includes: Mirroring Parks and Wildlife Code changes that
Texas Senate Committee Hears Testimony on ‘Universal’ School Choice Bill
The Texas Senate Committee on Education K-16 took up its “fully universal” school choice bill this week as the priority legislation garners increased attention, evidenced by hours of testimony. Senate Bill (SB) 2 authored by Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) utilizes education savings accounts (ESA) as its method for school choice. The program is described as universal because
