Hill Country News 3160
Texas Lawmakers Approve Historic Bail Reform Constitutional Amendment
The Texas House voted overwhelmingly to approve a proposed state constitutional amendment that will allow denial of bail to certain violent suspects, capping off a reform effort that has been years in the making. In a Monday bipartisan vote of 133 to 8, House members approved Sen. Joan Huffman’s (R-Houston) Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 5
Texas Launches Investigation Into U.S. Masters Swimming for Allegedly Allowing Biological Male in Women’s Race
Texas has launched an investigation into the U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS) after it allegedly allowed a biological male to compete in women’s events during its 2025 Spring Nationals swim meet hosted in San Antonio. “The policy of US Masters Swimming, which allows men to compete in women’s events, is reprehensible and could violate Texas’s consumer
Attorney General Paxton Closes Superior HealthPlan Investigation, Finds No Illegal Conduct
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton closed his investigation into Superior HealthPlan Insurance on Monday after finding it did not violate Texas law in its use of private investigators (PI) to collect data on lawmakers, journalists, and private citizens. Paxton first launched the investigation in late March, shortly after a fiery hearing in the House Committee
Federal Judge in Texas Rules Against Biden Title VII Transgender Anti-Discrimination Guidelines
A federal court in Texas has issued an order to vacate portions of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) 2024 Enforcement Guidance that interpreted Title VII of the Civil Rights Act to mandate accommodations for transgender employees related to pronouns, dress codes, and bathroom access. The EEOC “Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace” was
Trump Renames Anahuac Refuge
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum signed a Secretary’s Order renaming the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in Texas to the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge, following an executive order issued by President Donald J. Trump. The renaming honors 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, who was brutally murdered by illegal immigrants in North Houston, Texas, in June 2024.
First Texas House Deadline Hits as House Bills Not Passed by Midnight Expire
The clock struck midnight in the Texas House on state Rep. Terry Wilson’s (R-Marble Falls) proposal to close a loophole that allows candidates to file for both a primary ballot slot and a third party convention nomination. That bill was less important thematically than what came next: state Rep. Brent Money’s (R-Greenville) House Bill 5561
A Look Ahead At Elk Conservation
Working to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and America’s hunting heritage continues to drive the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s tireless conservation and advocacy efforts as the organization marks its 41st anniversary. Founded by four elk hunters on May 14, 1984, RMEF now includes more than 500 chapters across the United States.
Rare Encounters With Texas Bonefish
Bonefish—revered by saltwater anglers as some of the fastest, most elusive fighters in the ocean—are often associated with the tropical flats of Florida, Belize, and The Bahamas. But did you know these legendary fish occasionally turn up in Texas? While Texas isn’t known as a bonefish hotspot, a few intriguing encounters suggest they do roam
Jaguarundi Sighting In Seguin? Black Panther?
Over the years, I’ve followed numerous accounts of elusive wild cats reported across the Lone Star State—from the dense woods of East Texas to the brush country along the border. Every once in a while, though, a report surfaces that really makes me sit up and take notice. That’s exactly what happened recently in Seguin,
Uptick In Hunting Accidents Shows Need For Caution
Texas experienced an increase in hunting accidents with last year, with 18 non-fatal hunting accidents and one fatality reported in the 2024 Texas Hunting Accident Report. “Safe hunting in Texas starts with you,” said Matthew Smith, Hunter Education Coordinator for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). “Hunting accidents are preventable by following basic safety
Major TX Water Rights Dedication Accepted
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) announces it has helped secure a 10-year commitment of 200 acre-feet per year of surface water to help conserve Big Cypress Bayou in northeast Texas. The water right, purchased by The Nature Conservancy in Texas (TNC) and dedicated to the Texas Water Trust, will help TPWD manage habitat for native fish
An Epic Season For Collecting Mega Bass
The 2025 Toyota ShareLunker program powered forward with another excellent bass collection season for the fifth consecutive year. Anglers provided 14 Legacy Class ShareLunkers from nine different public lakes across the state of Texas. Another new waterbody recorded its first Legacy Class fish, and O.H. Ivie, the reigning waterbody champion for the past five seasons, finished
