Author Archives: Public Radio Staff
For First Time Since 2019, Swimmers Will Be Able To Dive Into Balmorhea’s Waters Again
Balmorhea State Park will officially re-open on June 26 to visitors for day use only. The announcement comes after years of maintenance problems, which forced intermittent closures.
Gov. Greg Abbott Says Texas Will Build A Border Wall, But Doesn’t Yet Give Details On Cost Or Location
The governor suggested more details would be released next week. The announcement Thursday of several initiatives is the latest in an ongoing conflict between Abbott, a Republican, and Democratic President Joe Biden’s administration.
In First Session Since 2019 Mass Shootings, Texas Legislators Make It Easier To Carry Guns
After Texas was rocked by back-to-back mass shootings, some of the state’s top Republican leaders promised change. Gun safety advocates and Democratic lawmakers hoped gun violence prevention might become a priority. Yet the legislative session that just wrapped moved in … Continue reading
Texas’ 1836 Project Aims To Promote “Patriotic Education,” But Critics Worry It Will Gloss Over State’s History Of Racism
The project is essentially an advisory committee designed to promote the state’s history to Texas residents, largely through pamphlets given to people receiving driver’s licenses.
Dozens Of Texas Migrant Shelters Told To ‘Wind Down’ Operations By End Of August After Abbott’s Disaster Declaration
Texas-licensed shelters for migrant kids have some of the best national standards for care. Now, Gov. Abbott is trying to close them, which would likely push more children and teens into emergency shelters, that are subject to less government oversight.
COVID-19 Ravaged The State’s Border Counties. Now They’re Leading Texas In Vaccinations
From El Paso to Brownsville, every county along the border is outpacing the state average for the percentage of residents fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Gov. Abbott Signs Bill To Implement Statewide ‘Active Shooter Alert System’
Gov. Greg Abbott has signed into law a bill requiring the Texas Department of Public Safety to create a text-message system to warn the public of active shooter situations.
Coalition Calls for Easing of Southern Border Travel Restrictions
Officials along the U.S.-Mexico border say restrictions on nonessential travelers — first adopted at the start of the coronavirus crisis — are dividing families and hindering economic recovery in the area.
Gov. Greg Abbott Signs Into Law One Of Nation’s Strictest Abortion Measures, Banning Procedure As Early As Six Weeks Into A Pregnancy
The signing of the bill opens a new frontier in the battle over abortion restrictions as first-of-its-kind legal provisions intended to make the law harder to challenge are poised to be tested in the courts.
Alliance Of Texas Environmental, Oil Interests Block Bill That Would Have Given Nuclear Waste Company A Financial Break
Opponents said the legislation wasn’t strong enough to stop highly radioactive materials from coming to Texas and instead amounted to a financial giveaway to a West Texas nuclear waste company.