A federal judge in Tyler blocked a proposed IRS‑church settlement that would have allowed pulpit endorsements without risking tax status. The Johnson Amendment remains intact while the legal fight continues.

Houston GOP leaders and radio callers have revived calls to redraw state legislative maps after 2025 legal fights. The proposal would reshape local districts and likely prompt new lawsuits.

Gov. Abbott and TANEO opened applications for a $350M state fund to back advanced nuclear reactors, manufacturing and fuel‑cycle projects. Notices due April 23; full apps due May 14.

John Barnes, wounded confronting the 2018 Santa Fe shooter, still waits for federal help. A bipartisan bill would widen eligibility and force faster PSOB decisions.

UT invited Justice Clarence Thomas to a closed‑door April 15 talk at Hogg Memorial Auditorium. The university has not publicly confirmed the event.

Houston‑area families have driven a surge of applications for Texas’ new TEFA voucher program as the parent‑application window ends March 31; roughly 100,000 students may be funded. Award notices begin in April.

A Texas policy group says tablets may be hurting student learning; lawmakers are being pushed to review device rules and classroom screen time.

Five Austin councilmembers asked staff to study banning face coverings for officers in a March 13 memo that frames the step as a transparency and accountability move. Staff are due to report back by mid‑April.

A San Antonio judge ordered the release of Wimberley artist Igor Babkin from a Pearsall ICE facility, saying ICE must justify re‑arrests on an individual basis. The move has drawn legal questions and local support.

Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows directed a select committee to study whether Texas could add adjacent New Mexico counties, triggering pushback from Santa Fe.

A Workday payroll glitch left 675 Austin city employees with about $1.4 million in excess pay. Human Resources says the issue has been fixed and repayment plans are being developed.

Abbott rolled out state grants for military communities while Gina Hinojosa warned Corpus Christi residents about water reliability, putting infrastructure center stage in the governor’s race.

Round Rock ISD trimmed its 2026–27 enrollment forecast to 45,000 students, reducing state revenue by about $9.3 million and prompting cuts to positions and programs.