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No deaths or serious injuries have been reported, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo told CNN, adding 153 pets have also been rescued during the deluge. Forecast calls for rain Sunday into MondayMost of the weekend’s rain fell over western and central Texas, but there’s a significant chance of heavier rain in the greater Houston area Sunday. An additional 1 to 3 inches of rainfall possible by Monday morning, according to the Houston National Weather Service office. Rainfall today will continue to exacerbate existing river flooding,” warned the Houston weather service office. The weather service listed some of the rainfall totals it collected:Groveton, TX- 23.56”Huntsville, TX- 21.76”Splendora, TX- 21.01”Willis, TX- 20.75”Livingston, TX- 18.42”There is relief on the horizon, however.

Persons: Lina Hidalgo, It’s, ” Hidalgo, “ We’re, Brent Taylor, CNN’s Amara Walker, “, ” Taylor, “ There’s, ‘, I’m, ”, Willis, Hurricane Harvey, Jason Fochtman, ” Emmitt Eldridge, ” Sherri Pegoda, Walker, Greg Abbott Organizations: CNN, Houston Office, Emergency Management, Houston Police, Houston Fire, Houston Public Works Department, Houston National Weather Service, Houston, Panhandle, West Lake Houston, Houston Chronicle, Texas, Gov Locations: South Texas, Harris County , Texas, Houston, Harris, City, Texas, , TX, Huntsville , TX, TX, Willis , TX, Livingston , TX, Gulf, East Texas, Hurricane, Lake Houston, West Lake, Kingwood, Atascocita, Kingwood , Texas, San Jacinto, Walker County, Polk County, Montgomery counties

☆ Evacuations ordered, homes damaged in Texas as rivers surge to Hurricane Harvey levels. And more rain is on the way
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Mary Gilbert | Joe Sutton | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

A total of 1,000 homes are in a mandatory evacuation zone in the county, Polk County Judge Sydney Murphy told CNN. “Due to continuous rainfall across East Texas and rising levels in creeks and rivers, flood levels may increase. Please remain aware of changing flood levels along the Trinity River and ALL low-lying levels. Greg Abbott expanded the storm-related declarations in response to the flooding, according to a news release. The repeated bouts of heavy rainfall soaked soils, making many areas extremely prone to both flash and river flooding.

Persons: Hurricane Harvey, ” Emmitt Eldridge, Eldridge, ”, •, ” Sherri Pegoda, Walker, Pegoda, ” Pegoda, “, Sydney Murphy, Harvey, ” Harris, Lina Hidalgo, Greg Abbott, Hawley –, Bret Hendrickson, Brad Wilson, Hawley, CNN’s Allison Chinchar, Sara Tonks, Ray Sanchez, Andy Rose, Joe Sutton, Paradise Afshar Organizations: CNN, Panhandle, The Coast Guard, Texas Emergency Hospital, Coast Guard, Texas Children’s Hospital, Texas, Gov, San, Harvey, Storm Prediction, Hawley Police, Hawley Independent School, LSM, National Weather Service Locations: Texas, Houston, Gulf, East Texas, Hurricane, South Texas, San Jacinto County, Dallas, • Walker County, Walker County, • Polk County, Polk County, • Harris, San Jacinto, Hidalgo, Harris County, Crosby, Liberty County, Cleveland , Texas, Montgomery County, Livingston , Texas, Trinity, –, Abilene, Hodges, Hawley, Hawley , Texas, Hodges , Texas, Louisiana, Groveton , Texas, Paradise

Campus police officers from the University of Texas at Austin and state troopers in riot gear arrested on Monday dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters who had erected a small number of tents on a central mall of the state’s flagship university. Greg Abbott who last week moved swiftly to stamp out a much larger gathering on campus, a crackdown that led to more than 50 arrests. At least 40 people had been arrested so far on Monday, with officers forming a cordon around the encampment. Around them, a large number of students and onlookers chanted in support of the protesters. “No encampments will be allowed,” Mr. Abbott wrote in a statement after the arrests had begun.

Persons: Greg Abbott, Mr, Abbott, ” Organizations: University of Texas, Gov Locations: Austin

☆ Opinion: What conservatives don’t get about the protests roiling college campuses
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Opinion Jeremi Suri | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

These attacks have over the years undermined university leadership and provoked students, staff and faculty. University leaders responded positively, helping to build more dynamic and well-endowed centers for this work than on any other peer campus in the country. Many students, staff and faculty, especially those from minority backgrounds, feel that they have suffered setback after setback at the hands of hostile politicians and deferential administrators. Public and private university leaders have become more distant from their own campuses as they focus on fund-raising and testifying before hostile federal and state legislatures. There are, of course, good reasons why university leaders should not give in to protesters on these and other points.

Persons: Jeremi Suri, Mack Brown, America’s, CNN —, George W, Bush, ”, “, —, ” Jeremi Suri Korey Howell, Rick Perry, Perry, William Powers, Powers, Greg Abbott, Abbott, Bill, – Organizations: Leadership, Global Affairs, University of Texas, History Department, LBJ School, Democracy, “, CNN, Yale, Republican Party, Republican, Bush’s, Austin, Republicans, University, Clements Center for National Security, Salem Center for Policy, Civitas Institute, School of Civic Leadership, Military, Public, Kent State, Jackson State Universities Locations: Austin, Texas, Houston, Rio Grande Valley, Dallas, United States, Vietnam

☆ As pro-Palestinian protests sweep college campuses, student journalists are rushing to the big story and exams
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Hadas Gold | Liam Reilly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Smith is editor-in-chief of The Lantern, Ohio State University’s student-run newspaper, which has scrambled in recent days to cover pro-Palestinian protests roiling the campus. It’s also finals week, and in the coming days the newspaper’s staff will transition to the next year’s staff. And, for many of these student journalists, it’s becoming a seminal moment in their nascent careers. “Given that we’re student journalists, we know the campus and the students here. As pressure mounted on campus, the newspaper mobilized a handful of writers who worked together to cover the protests.

Persons: Arianna Smith, Smith, It’s, ” Smith, it’s, “, We’re, we’re, Anjali Patel, ” Patel, “ We’re, Amelia Kimball, Kimball, Greg Abbott, ” Kimball, CNN’s John Berman, ” Organizations: CNN, Ohio State University’s, Ohio, ”, University of Southern, The Daily, USC, Daily, University of Texas, The Daily Texan, “ Locations: Gaza, Columbus, University of Southern California, Austin, Texas

☆ Texas’ controversial immigration law has become a blueprint for other states
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( Catherine E. Shoichet | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

It’s likely to face legal challenges, which means its implementation could be delayed or even blocked in court, like the Texas law that inspired it has been so far. In addition to Iowa’s new law, Cid says several recent immigration proposals in the state failed to clear the legislature. This bill gives Iowa law enforcement the power to do what he is unwilling to do: enforce immigration laws already on the books. A similar trend unfolded after Arizona passed a controversial immigration law in 2010, says Anand Balakrishnan, a senior staff attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union’s Immigrant Rights Project. Estefania Mondragon, executive director of PODER of Idaho, hopes a proposed immigration law won't pass there.

Persons: CNN — Maria, “, Acosta, ”, ” Acosta, they’ve, Maria Acosta, It’s, Erica Johnson, Enya Cid doesn’t, Cid, she’s, wouldn’t, they’ve “, Enya Cid, Todd Bailey, who's, ” Cid, “ I’ve, “ We’re, ‘ Let’s, ’, Kim Reynolds, who’s, Joe, Biden, ” Reynolds, Iowa's, Donald Trump, Greg Abbott, Sergio Flores, Anand Balakrishnan, ” Balakrishnan, ‘, Estefania Mondragón, who’ve, PODER, Estefania Mondragon, Mondragón, ” Mondragón, what’s, Fabiola Schirrmeister, that’s, Charlie Neibergall, Johnson, I’m, CNN’s Devan Cole, Alisha Ebrahiji, Alexandra Ross Organizations: CNN, ”, Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, National Conference of State Legislatures, Iowa Migrant Movement, Grand View University, Iowa, View University, University of Iowa, Republican, Democratic, Iowa Gov, Republicans, GOP, Texas Gov, Bloomberg, Getty, American Civil Liberties, state’s Senate, The Associated Press Locations: Iowa, ” Iowa, Texas, Des Moines, Mexico, Arizona, New Mexico, Idaho , Kansas , Louisiana , Missouri, South Carolina, Mississippi, West Virginia, Mission , Texas, United States, ’ In Idaho, PODER of Idaho, Idaho, state’s

☆ Congress cut funds cities need to handle the migrant surge
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Congress last month approved the fiscal year 2024 funding level for FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program in the federal funding package, nearly six months into the fiscal year. Rep. Joaquin Castro, a Democrat who represents San Antonio, said that immigration is a federal responsibility. “Funding from the Shelter and Services Program (SSP) has helped Catholic Charities and other groups in my city of San Antonio offer basic migrant services without straining local resources. “Due to the substantial demand that exceeds the limited SSP program funding authorized by Congress, not all requests can be fulfilled,” a DHS spokesperson told CNN. The Migrant Resource Center opened in July 2022 as a temporary place for migrants traveling through San Antonio.

Persons: of San Antonio doesn’t, Biden, Joaquin Castro, ”, of San Antonio, Antonio Fernandez, Fernandez, Greg Abbott, Mark Ritacco, John Giles, Giles, Ron Nirenberg, he’s, Joe Biden, Carlos Kosienski, Priscilla Alvarez Organizations: CNN, of San, Resource Center, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Democrat, “, Shelter, Services, Catholic Charities, Catholic, San, FEMA, GOP Texas Gov, Democratic, Republicans, Department of Homeland Security, Congress, National Association of Counties, US Customs, Protection, US, Mayors, Migrant Resource Center Locations: San Antonio, Washington, DC, Cities, Mexico, Atlanta ; Chicago ; New York City, Albuquerque , New Mexico, Laredo , Texas, Riverside County , California, Pima County , Arizona, Mesa , Arizona, Texas

☆ U.S. to award Samsung up to $6.6 billion chip subsidy for Texas expansion: Reuters
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Biden administration plans to announce it is awarding more than $6 billion to South Korea's Samsung next week to expand its chip output in Taylor, Texas, as it seeks to ramp up chipmaking in the U.S., two people familiar with the matter said. The Biden administration plans to announce it is awarding more than $6 billion to South Korea's Samsung next week to expand its chip output in Taylor, Texas, as it seeks to ramp up chipmaking in the U.S., two people familiar with the matter said. It will also include an investment in another undisclosed location, the source said, adding that Samsung will more than double its U.S. investment to over $44 billion as part of the deal. Texas Governor Greg Abbott's office did not respond to requests for comment. One of the sources said it would be the third largest of the program, just behind Taiwan's TSMC , which was awarded $6.6 billion on Monday and agreed to expand its investment by $25 billion to $65 billion and to add a third Arizona factory by 2030.

Persons: Biden, Gina Raimondo, Greg Abbott's, Taiwan's Organizations: Biden, South, Samsung, Commerce, Commerce Department Locations: Taylor , Texas, U.S, Taylor, Texas, Arizona

☆ Texas immigration controversy rekindles fight over Arizona’s ‘show me your papers’ law
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Devan Cole | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —The legal battle over a controversial Texas immigration law could eventually give the Supreme Court a chance to revisit a historic ruling that largely struck down Arizona’s “show me your papers” law and reaffirmed the federal government’s “broad, undoubted power” over immigration. “It would have been incredibly difficult for the 5th Circuit to let this law stand under existing Supreme Court precedent,” she said. ‘Show me your papers’ lawThe Arizona law is a high-profile example of what happens when states attempt to take immigration policy into their own hands. Jan Brewer signed the Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act, known as SB 1070, into law in 2010. The Supreme Court upheld the “show me your papers” part of the law and struck down the three other parts.

Persons: ”, Andrew Schoenholtz, “, ” Denise Gilman, Biden, Jan Brewer, Justice Anthony Kennedy, ’, ” Kennedy, ” Gilman, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Antonin Scalia, Elena Kagan, Jessica Bulman, Scalia, ” “, Pozen, Obama, that’s, Priscilla Richman, Irma Carrillo Ramirez, Andrew Oldham –, Alito, –, Oldham, Greg Abbott Organizations: CNN, Texas ’, ., Georgetown Law, University of Texas School of Law, Circuit, Arizona Republican Gov, Enforcement, Act, National, National Government, Columbia Law School, “, Arizona Court, Oldham, Texas Republican Gov Locations: Texas, New Orleans, Arizona, . United States, El Paso County . Texas, United States, “ Arizona

☆ Texas appeals court blocks state from investigating families seeking gender-affirming care for trans youth
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-30 | by ( Emma Tucker | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —A Texas appeals court upheld two injunctions in a pair of legal cases Friday, in an order blocking the state’s Department of Family and Protective Services from investigating families of transgender youth who are seeking gender-affirming medical care for their children. The court of appeals upheld a trial court decision in the Friday order, ruling in favor of LGBTQ+ advocates and families in two related Texas lawsuits asking a state court to block the agency from investigating parents who provide their children with gender-affirming care. Paxton appealed the district court injunction in March and declared investigations could continue during the appeal process under the law. The court, in its opinion, also affirmed Paxton’s opinion does not alter preexisting law or legal obligations of the department. Abbott’s directive to the agency was seen by many as an attack on transgender children and their families.

Persons: CNN —, Greg Abbott, Ken Paxton, Abbott, “, ”, Paxton, Bill, Chase Strangio, ” CNN’s Amir Vera, Ashley Killough Organizations: CNN, state’s Department of Family and Protective Services, Texas Gov, Republican, Department of Family and Protective Services, ”, Lambda Legal, ACLU, Texas Supreme, Gov, American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, HIV Locations: Texas, State of Texas, Travis County

☆ Appeals Court Rules Against Texas in Clash Over Migrant Arrest Law
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( J. David Goodman | More About J. David Goodman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A federal appeals court late Tuesday ruled against Texas in its bitter clash with the federal government, deciding that a law allowing the state to arrest and deport migrants could not be implemented while the courts wrestled with the question of whether it is legal. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which has a reputation for conservative rulings, sided in its 2-to-1 decision with lawyers for the Biden administration who have argued that the law violates the U.S. Constitution and decades of legal precedent. The panel’s majority opinion left in place an injunction imposed last month by a lower court in Austin, which found that the federal government was likely to succeed in its arguments against the law. Greg Abbott but not an unexpected one: The governor has said that he anticipated the fight over the law’s constitutionality to eventually reach the Supreme Court. Mr. Abbott has said the law, which allows the state to arrest and deport migrants on its own, is necessary to deal with the record number of migrants crossing into Texas from Mexico.

Persons: Biden, Greg Abbott, Abbott Organizations: Texas, U.S ., Appeals, Fifth Circuit, Gov Locations: Constitution, Austin, Texas, Mexico

☆ Abbott’s Army on the Border: Is it Working?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-23 | by ( J. David Goodman | Edgar Sandoval | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

For many months, the small border city of Eagle Pass, Texas, has provided the backdrop for a bitter legal battle between Gov. Greg Abbott and the Biden administration over how best to handle record numbers of migrants arriving at the border. The court fights, which intensified this week, have centered on claims that the border is in crisis. But recently, the opposite has been happening along the Rio Grande as it curves its way through Eagle Pass: In an area that last year was the epicenter of unauthorized migration along the southern border, far fewer migrants have been crossing. Mr. Abbott has cited the slowdown as evidence that his aggressive attempt to push the boundaries of immigration law and his $10 billion program to harden the state’s border with Mexico — using National Guard troops, razor wire, helicopters, boats and floating buoys in the Rio Grande — has been working.

Persons: Greg Abbott, Biden, Abbott Organizations: Gov, National Guard Locations: Eagle Pass , Texas, Grande, Eagle, Mexico, Rio

☆ Behind Trump's campaign cash crunch: Small-dollar donor fatigue, major donor hesitation
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +12 min

The drop in Trump's small-dollar contributors could be significant obstacle as the former president faces the well-funded incumbent president, Democrat Joe Biden. Falling behind BidenEvidence from earlier in the 2024 election cycle already hinted at an erosion of Trump's small-dollar donor base, or support of $200 or less. In January of this year, Trump's campaign reported raising around $3 million from small-dollar donors, according to data from OpenSecrets. Elizabeth Frantz | ReutersMeanwhile, Trump's campaign told The New York Times that February was its strongest month so far in the 2024 campaign cycle for small-dollar donations. Between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2020, Trump's campaign raised over $264 million from small-dollar supporters.

Persons: Donald Trump, Marco Bello, Reuters Donald Trump's, Joe Biden, Biden, Trump's, Elizabeth Frantz, Trump, Shannon Stapleton, John Paulson, Howard Lutnick, Letitia James, Steve Schwarzman, Miriam Adelson, Denise Truscello, Stephen Louro, Long, Louro, Greg Abbott, Elise Stefanik, Haley, Nikki Haley, MAGA, Adrienne Arsht, Mike Segar, Paul Singer, Singer, Paul Singer David A, Singer's, Lara Trump, Jonathan Drake Organizations: Reuters, White, Republican Party, Federal, Commission, U.S, Capitol, Washington , D.C, New York Times, CNBC, Trump, Republican National Committee, RNC, New York, Court, Trump Organization, AFP, Getty, PAC, Democrats, Blackstone, Cleveland Clinic Lou, Brain Health, MGM, Garden, Hamptons, Republican, New York Republican, Republican Texas Gov, South Carolina Gov, Former South Carolina, NBC News, Adrienne, Adrienne Arsht Center, Performing Arts, Republicans, Haley, Grogan, American Opportunity Alliance, Politico, North, North Carolina GOP Locations: Lago, Palm Beach , Florida, U.S, Washington ,, New York City, Las Vegas , Nevada, York, Former, Miami , Florida, Houston, New York, North Carolina, Greenville , North Carolina

☆ Supreme Court blocks Texas from enforcing controversial immigration law for now
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Devan Cole | John Fritze | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The Supreme Court on Monday indefinitely blocked Texas from enforcing an immigration law that would allow state officials to arrest and detain people they suspect of entering the country illegally. The order came from Justice Samuel Alito because he oversees matters arising from the appeals court that is currently weighing the case. Senate Bill 4, signed into law by Texas Republican Gov. And Texas may be deeply concerned about recent immigration,” attorneys for a pair of immigration groups and El Paso County wrote in court papers. But the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals granted a temporary stay of the lower court’s decision and said the law would take effect on March 10 if the Supreme Court didn’t act.

Persons: Biden, Samuel Alito, Bill, Greg Abbott, “, ”, Alito, Ken Paxton Organizations: CNN, Texas Republican Gov, Texas, Republican, Circuit Locations: Texas, United States, El Paso County, California, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona, Austin , Texas

☆ SXSW weighs in after Texas governor tells artists pulling out of the music festival because of the US Army 'don't come back'
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Ella Sherman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

South by Southwest acknowledged artists who boycotted the festival due to US Army sponsorship. Despite the controversy, SXSW is maintaining its military sponsorship. Greg Abbott on Tuesday, after he demanded artists who pulled out of the festival due to US Army involvement not visit or return to Texas. The Army is hosting a range of panels at the festival from "Transforming for the Future: Innovation, Tech, and the Army" to "Unleash Your Beast: Army Functional Fitness." Mong Tong at the SXSW Music Opening Party Music Festival Showcase as part of SXSW 2024 Conference and Festivals held at the Palm Door on Sixth on March 12, 2024 in Austin, Texas.

Persons: Greg Abbott's, —, Greg Abbott, Governor Abbott, Abbott, Mong Tong, Diego Donamaria, Rachel Chinouriri, Chinouriri, Eliza McLamb, Ellen Lovett Organizations: US Army, Gov, SXSW, Service, Southwest, Army, Israel, U.S, Collins Aerospace, BAE Systems, RTX Corporation, Raytheon, Texas Tribune, Innovation, Tech, Getty, Star Locations: Southwest, Texas, Austin, Antonio, Austin , Texas

☆ SXSW artists and speakers pull out of festival in protest of military and defense industry sponsorships
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Elizabeth Wolfe | Amanda Jackson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The boycotting artists as of Tuesday were mainly small bands and indie performers, and have largely announced their decisions on social media. I refuse to be complicit in this and withdraw my art and labor in protest,” Williams said in an Instagram post. “The defense industry has historically been a proving ground for many of the systems we rely on today. The Army’s sponsorship is part of our commitment to bring forward ideas that shape our world,” the string of SXSW posts reads. The festival continues to “support human rights for all,” SXSW’s posts read.

Persons: Ella Williams, ”, ’, ” Williams, Yaya Bey, Mei Semones, Greg Abbott, Don’t, don’t, ” Abbott, Selena Gomez, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Mark Cuban Organizations: CNN, Southwest, Hamas, US Army, Singer, . Texas Gov, U.S, SXSW, Austin for Palestine Coalition, United Musicians, Allied Workers Locations: Austin , Texas, Israel, Gaza, South, Austin, ., Texas

Oklahoma and Kentucky are also taking steps to clarify their abortion bans, though in both states the attorneys general, not physicians, are the ones dictating the terms. Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion in 2022, states have been free to enact their own restrictions. “It’s not going to deal with hard calls,” said Greer Donley, an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law who is an expert on abortion law. As some states mull how to clarify — without weakening — their abortion bans, abortion rights advocates in several states continue to challenge the bans with lawsuits. Frustrated with the board's inaction, Amy and Steven Bresnen, a couple who are lawyers and lobbyists, filed a petition in January asking it to clarify what circumstances qualify as medical exceptions to the state's abortion ban.

Persons: —, Kristi Noem, ”, Kelsey Pritchard, wasn't, Taylor Rehfeldt, anesthetist, It's, “ It’s, Greer Donley, “, Sen, Erin Tobin, ” Tobin, women's, Jonathan Skrmetti, Donley, “ That’s, Katie Cox's, Greg Abbott, Amy, Steven Bresnen Organizations: —, Republican, Dakota Legislature, Republican Gov, SBA Pro, U.S, Supreme, State Republican Rep, GOP, University of Pittsburgh School of Law, ” South, ” South Dakota Republican, Texas, Tennessee, Lone Star, Texas Medical Board, Texas Medical Locations: Tenn, U.S, “ South Dakota, South Dakota, Kelsey Pritchard . Oklahoma, Kentucky, Oklahoma, ”, ” South Dakota, mull, Tennessee, ” In Texas, Texas

☆ In Showdown Over G.O.P. Control in Texas, the Race for House Speaker’s Seat Heads to a Runoff
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( J. David Goodman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Texas House speaker, Dade Phelan, and a local Republican activist backed by former President Donald J. Trump will compete in a runoff in May after neither received enough votes to win on Election Day, according to The Associated Press. The contest was part of a bruising and bitter Republican primary across Texas in which dozens of incumbents faced well-funded opposition, either from supporters of Attorney General Ken Paxton, who had vowed revenge for his impeachment by the Texas House last year, or from Gov. It remained unclear on Tuesday how many of the embattled incumbents, mostly in the Texas House, would survive or would have to continue fighting until the runoff on May 28. Candidates, consultants and voters said they had never before seen a Republican primary as hard-fought, expensive and widespread across so many districts. “The barrage aimed at our campaign over the past year was meant to be my undoing,” Mr. Phelan said in a statement, “and yet here I am.”

Persons: Dade Phelan, Donald J, Ken Paxton, Greg Abbott, Mr, Phelan, ” Organizations: Texas House, Republican, Trump, Associated Press, Gov Locations: Texas

MCALLEN, Texas (AP) — SpaceX would acquire public land in Texas to expand its rocket-launch facilities under a tentative deal that is moving forward after months of opposition from nearby residents and officials near the U.S.-Mexico border. Although SpaceX is proposing swapping the public land for 477 acres, it has not yet purchased that property. The deal started in 2019 as a conversation between the state and SpaceX. But it was finally worked out in 2023, said David Yoskowitz, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's executive director. We the voters of Texas have given you money to purchase valuable land," Reed said, referring to the state's Centennial Parks Conservation Fund.

Persons: ” Jeffery D, Hildebrand, Greg Abbott, David Yoskowitz, Cyrus Reed, Reed, Kathryn Lueders, ” Organizations: SpaceX, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Boca, Gov, Texas Parks, Wildlife Department's, Democratic, Texas General Land, Lone Star, Sierra Club, Parks Conservation Fund, Texas, NASA, “, Texans, Wildlife Locations: MCALLEN , Texas, Texas, U.S, Mexico, Boca Chica, Brownsville , Texas, Austin, Florida

☆ Colin Allred will win Democratic nomination in Texas Senate race to face Republican Ted Cruz in November, CNN projects
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Eric Bradner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —US Rep. Colin Allred will win the Democratic nomination in Texas to take on Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, CNN projects. Allred defeated state Sen. Roland Gutierrez and seven other contenders in the Democratic primary Tuesday. Six years after then-Rep. Beto O’Rourke shattered fundraising records with his near-miss bid to unseat Cruz, Texas Democrats are trying again. Republican Sen. John Cornyn cruised to a 10-point reelection win in 2020, and GOP Gov. Cruz, meanwhile, easily overcame marginal opposition from two little-known Republican primary challengers as he seeks a third term.

Persons: Colin Allred, Republican Sen, Ted Cruz, Allred, Sen, Roland Gutierrez, Beto O’Rourke, Cruz, John Cornyn, Greg Abbott, O’Rourke, ’, Trump, Julio Cortez, AP Allred, outraising Cruz, Gutierrez, San Antonio, — Organizations: CNN, Democratic, Republican, Cruz , Texas Democrats, GOP Gov, Texas Democrats, Rep, NFL, Dallas, Affordable Locations: Texas, Cruz , Texas, Rio Grande, But Texas, Florida, Montana , Ohio, West Virginia, Arizona, Michigan, Nevada , Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Dallas, San

☆ Supreme Court temporarily freezes implementation of Texas immigration law
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( John Fritze | Priscilla Alvarez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —The Supreme Court on Monday temporarily froze enforcement of Texas’ controversial immigration law that allows state law enforcement to arrest and detain people they suspect of entering the country illegally. Justice Samuel Alito issued the administrative hold, which will block the law from taking effect until March 13. The Biden administration and several immigration groups filed an emergency application with the Supreme Court hours earlier asking the justices to block enforcement of the law. Last week, a federal judge in Austin, Texas, had blocked the state government from implementing the law. A federal appeals court over the weekend granted a temporary stay of the lower court’s decision and said the law would take effect later this week if the Supreme Court did not act.

Persons: Samuel Alito, Alito, Biden, Greg Abbott, David Alan Ezra Organizations: CNN, Justice Department, Texas Gov Locations: Texas, United States, Austin , Texas

☆ In Texas, a ‘Once-in-a-Generation’ Brawl for Control of the G.O.P.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( J. David Goodman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Rarely have intraparty battles between Republicans in Texas been as bitter, protracted and consequential as the primary contests culminating in Election Day on Tuesday. The fights have primarily focused on members of the Texas House who angered many conservative voters last year by impeaching the Republican attorney general, Ken Paxton, on charges of corruption and abuse of office. Mr. Paxton, who was acquitted in the Texas Senate, vowed revenge, and number one in his sights has been the house speaker, Dade Phelan. Greg Abbott has also been going after a number of Republicans in the Texas House, seeking to unseat those who opposed his plan to use public money to help families pay for private and religious schools. Aggressive campaigning by both statewide leaders is amplifying tensions that have simmered for years between the party’s old guard and a more socially conservative faction aligned with former President Donald J. Trump that sees Tuesday’s vote as a chance to shift the balance of power in the Texas House, which has served as a moderating force in the state’s politics.

Persons: impeaching, Ken Paxton, Paxton, Dade Phelan, Gov, Greg Abbott, Donald J, Trump Organizations: Republicans, Texas House, Republican, Texas Senate Locations: Texas

On Saturday, he told crowds in Greensboro, N.C., and Richmond, Va., that he believed Mr. Biden was “giving aid and comfort” to America’s foreign enemies. Throughout his campaign, Mr. Trump has ramped up warnings about threats he portrays as damaging to traditional American values. On Thursday, Mr. Trump visited Eagle Pass, Texas, where Gov. Mr. Trump is planning an extreme expansion of his anti-immigration policies if he wins the election in 2025, including what he calls the “largest domestic deportation operation” in U.S. history. And Mr. Trump would reimpose a Covid-era policy that would refuse asylum claims on the basis that migrants carry diseases like tuberculosis.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, baselessly, Biden, “, ” Mr, Joe Biden, Mr, Trump’s, Greg Abbott, ”, Dave Johnson, ” Charles Homans Organizations: Trump —, Republican, American, Texas National Guard, Mr Locations: North Carolina, Virginia, United States, Biden’s, United States of America, Greensboro, N.C, Richmond, Va, Eagle, , Texas, Graham

☆ Texas wildfires: Firefighters battling ‘monster’ blaze contend with winds and heat as residents grapple with lost homes
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Dalia Faheid | Camila Bernal | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The biggest inferno in Texas history is being fueled by winds and high temperatures as it rages Sunday, threatening to incinerate more buildings, cattle and livelihoods across the Texas Panhandle while residents sift through ashes of what used to be homes. The fire, which is just one of five blazes currently scorching the Texas Panhandle, has already killed two people and destroyed over 500 structures, state officials said Saturday. Texas A&M Forest Service spokesperson Jason Nedlo told CNN Saturday that the blaze could grow over the weekend due to the weather conditions. Because the Texas Panhandle had higher-than-average rainfall this winter, there is more grass – fuel – to burn. A “red flag” warning, which indicates critical fire weather conditions, remains in effect for Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle through midnight Sunday.

Persons: Jason Nedlo, Crews, Nedlo, Cindy Owen, Jennifer Mitchell, Owen’s, Joyce Blankenship, “, ”, Nathan Blankenship, could’ve, GoFundMe, Lokman Vural, Susan, Ronnie Johnson’s, ” Ronnie, “ We’ve, ” Susan, Greg Abbott, ” Abbott, it’s, Scott Olson, Sid Miller, It’s, ” Miller, CNN’s Omar Jimenez, We’ve, ” “, Miller Organizations: CNN, Texas Panhandle, National Weather Service, M Forest, Texas, M, Service, Texans, Connect, Services, Getty, Texas Gov, Agriculture Locations: Texas, Oklahoma, Moore County, Gray County, Oldham County, Hutchinson County, Pampa , Texas, Hemphill County, Fritch, Stinnett , Texas, Anadolu, Fritch , Texas

☆ Opinion | The Ugly History at the Root of the Border Standoff
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Michelle García | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

On Thursday, President Joe Biden and presidential candidate Donald J. Trump separately toured strips of the border flanked by federal and state agents. For both, there was an eerily similar use of border security backdrop, signaling the decisive role it and immigration will play in the election. Their visits were but another reminder of how the border is used for political theater. Across South Texas, where I lived in recent years, I have repeatedly witnessed federal and state agents convert tiny slivers of the border into sites of violent spectacle. He prevented federal Border Patrol agents from routine access to the riverbank, even after a Supreme Court ruling in January allowed agents to cut or remove the wire.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald J, Trump, Greg Abbott, Mr, Biden Organizations: Texas, federal Border Patrol, Shelby Locations: South Texas, Rio Grande, Eagle, Shelby Park, Texas

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