Long before he became one of the state's most powerful Republican leaders, Dan Patrick was a broadcaster with a flair for showmanship. Now, the three-term lieutenant governor is facing an unusually competitive reelection bid.

BLAINE, Wash. (AP) — The Trump administration's top border official is defending plans to build a wall in Texas' Big Bend region. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott argues the entire $46 billion wall project is essential for U.S. border security. This comes despite opposition from landowners, businesses and environmentalists in Texas.

Let Texans Do Texas, a newly-launched nonprofit, is calling on state and federal leaders to create a $2 billion border security fund specifically for the Big Bend region as an alternative to the Trump administration's border wall plans. The group says it’s advocating for a local approach, rather than a “one-size-fits-all federal construction program.”

Watchdog groups Public Citizen and FracTracker said the agency approved stormwater permits related to data centers. The TCEQ says it hasn't violated the governor's pause on data center permits.