Hill Country News 3160
Trump-Favored Five-Seat GOP Gain Redistricting Map Passes Texas House
The new Texas congressional map cleared the largest hurdle on Wednesday, passing the House in expedited fashion along party lines — putting the projected five-seat-gain map on track to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk by the end of the week. The final vote was 88 ayes — all Republicans including House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock), who
Grieving Camp Mystic Parents Testify on Flood Disaster Before Texas Senate Committee
State senators heard from grieving parents during the Texas Senate Disaster, Preparedness, and Flooding Committee hearing Wednesday, as many relayed their anguish and made calls for reform to safety standards. “I’d just like to say that it’s gonna be a little bit of a tough day,” Chairman Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) imparted to the other members
Federal Judge Halts Required Classroom Display of Ten Commandments Donated to Texas Public Schools
A federal district court judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking a recently-passed Texas law that requires public schools to display donated copies of the Ten Commandments in classrooms. Senate Bill (SB) 10, which requires public schools to display copies of the King James Bible version of the Ten Commandments in classrooms if donated by an
Kerrville Proposes Eight Percent Disaster Recovery Tax Rate Increase
The City of Kerrville unanimously approved a resolution to publish a property tax rate that includes an 8 percent increase allowed by the Texas Tax Code for cities declared a disaster area. Kerrville suffered extensive damage as a result of the Guadalupe River flooding on July 4. × This page requires Javascript. Javascript is required
Live Bait Rigs For Redfish
When it comes to chasing redfish along Texas bays, marshes, and surf, few techniques beat fishing live bait. Shrimp, mullet, and croaker remain favorites — but how you rig them often makes the difference between a long day of casting and a cooler full of bronze bruisers. Here are three proven rigs every angler should
TEA A–F Ratings Put Five Texas School Districts at Risk of State Takeover, Closures
Five public school districts are vulnerable to state intervention following last week’s release of A–F accountability ratings by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Each district has at least one school with five consecutive years of failing ratings, which under state education code will result in either a state-appointed board of managers or closure of the
Cornyn Trails Paxton by Five Points in 2026 Senate Primary Poll, O’Rourke Leads Democratic Pack
The gap between Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) in the 2026 U.S. Senate race is narrowing, according to new polling from Texas Southern University. Cornyn trails five points behind Paxton in the GOP primary, according to a poll conducted by the Barbara Jordan Public Policy Research and Survey Center at
Texas Bill Would Hold Judges Liable for Harm Done by Violent Offenders on PR Bonds
A state lawmaker from Harris County wants to make judges liable for harm done by violent suspects if they are released on a personal recognizance (PR) bond in response to numerous stories in Texas of repeat offenders who commit new crimes. “If the judge makes a bad decision and lets somebody out on a PR
5th Circuit Appeals Court Blocks West Texas A&M Drag Show Ban
The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed a lower court opinion that had allowed West Texas A&M University (WTAM) to ban on-campus drag shows. In March 2023, an LGBT student group, Spectrum WT, represented by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), sued WTAM President Walter Wendler and other Texas A&M University
TPWD Purchases 112 Oyster Licenses
During the ninth round of the Commercial Oyster Boat License Buyback Program, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) received 115 commercial oyster boat applications and purchased 112 commercial oyster licenses. The 112 purchased licenses represent a 21 percent reduction of all oyster licenses available in Texas. TPWD administers voluntary commercial fishing license buyback programs for
Digital Hunting & Fishing Licenses On Sale
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will offer fully digital options for all recreational hunting, fishing and combo license and tag types when 2025-26 licenses go on sale Aug. 15th. In March, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved the expansion of digital license and tag options. TPWD first introduced digital license options for resident
New Paddling Trails For Toledo Bend
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will launch a new series of paddling trails at Toledo Bend Reservoir in East Texas, recently designated the official Bass Fishing Capital of Texas. The Lost Frontier Reach, Mid Lake Run, Palo Gaucho and Six Mile Paddling trails increase the number of trails at Toledo Bend to five. They
