Hill Country News 3160
Annunciation House, State of Texas Present Oral Arguments in Illegal Immigration Facilitation Case at State Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Texas (SCOTX) heard oral arguments this week in the case of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and the State of Texas versus Catholic charity Annunciation House, which the state has accused of facilitating illegal immigration. Annunciation House, which is located along the U.S.-Mexico border, describes itself as “a volunteer organization that
Texas House Gavels In for 89th Texas Legislature
The Texas House of Representatives will convene the 89th Texas Legislature at noon on Tuesday, ceremonially ushering in the 140-day long sprint in passing new legislation for the state. The first order of business is the election of a House speaker to replace Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont), a highly-anticipated, particularly contentious contest that could consume
Texas Comptroller Projects $23.8 Billion Treasury Surplus Ahead of 89th Legislative Session
The Texas Legislature will have an estimated $23.8 billion in surplus treasury dollars at its disposal when it convenes for the 2025 session, according to the latest biennial revenue estimate. Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Glenn Hegar — the state’s fiscal officer, among whose many duties is to track tax revenues and project spending abilities
Texas Judge Rules Against American Airlines ESG Retirement Plan Investing
A Texas judge has ruled that American Airlines “breached their fiduciary duty” in making retirement investments in companies promoting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores. Judge Reed O’Connor for the Fort Worth District Court ruled that American Airlines and the American Airlines Employee Benefits Committee breached certain fiduciary duties when investing, or relying on others
Abbott Announces Flags to Fly Full-Mast in Texas for Trump Inauguration Despite Biden Order
Despite an order from President Joe Biden, Gov. Greg Abbott has announced all flags at the Texas Capitol and other state buildings should be flown at full-mast during the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. Biden ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff for 30 days after the death of former President Jimmy Carter on
Patrick, Phelan Scrap Once More Ahead of Texas House Speaker Vote Over Bank Ties
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) joined in one last brouhaha on Sunday evening, just two days before the vote to replace Phelan as Texas House speaker. The Texas Legislature will convene on Tuesday, and the House’s first business after being sworn in will be to elect a speaker. State Reps. David
Dan Patrick Boasts Record Fundraising Haul, ‘Second-Highest’ in Texas History
With just days remaining until the start of the 89th Legislative Session, the leader of the upper chamber has posted a “record” number of fundraising dollars. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick posted “over $33.5 million” raised for his re-election campaign in 2026 — likely putting to bed the rumors that he would not seek another term
Doc On Texas Elk Seeks Reports
I am going to do a mini-documentary on Texas elk populations and I need your help. I need video, photos and accounts of elk in Texas. It can be recently or in the past. A free-ranging elk in Kendall County, TX. (Photo Courtesy Connie Powell) There are four key areas I am looking for. They
Deloy’s Ape -What Was Killed 100 Years Ago In South America?
In the annals of cryptozoology, the name Louis François Fernand Hector de Loys is nearly forgotten. A Swiss oil geologist, de Loys embarked on an oil survey expedition between 1917 and 1920 in the remote, densely forested region of the Sierra de Perijaa, situated along the Venezuela-Colombia border. This pristine wilderness was inhabited by the
Two Louisiana Black Bear Hunters Took Bears Where Teddy Roosevelt Hunted
The recently concluded Louisiana black bear hunting season, administered by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), produced an impressive harvest by 10 hunters in northeast Louisiana. For two of those hunters, Fisher Brown and Perry Pitre Jr., it also was a chance to relive an event experienced more than 100 years ago by
Jacques Cousteau & Great White Sharks
Jacques Cousteau, the legendary French oceanographer, filmmaker, and explorer, dedicated his life to unlocking the mysteries of the ocean depths. Among his many expeditions and discoveries, Cousteau’s work on great white sharks stands out as a testament to his passion for understanding and protecting marine life. Great white sharks, with their imposing size and fearsome
USDA Invests Huge Money Into Forest Management
The U.S. Department of Agriculture – USDA -announced awards of nearly $335 million to strengthen financial incentives for private forest landowners to manage their forests sustainably and to permanently conserve private forests in partnership with states. The funding was made possible thanks to investments from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act. “Forests provide innumerable benefits
