Texas
Texas lawmakers want to spend millions on Child ID kits. Experts say there’s no evidence they work.
Texas legislators slipped millions for child ID kits into a 1,000-page budget proposal. The move comes two years after they quietly cut funding for such kits following a ProPublica and Texas Tribune report that showed there’s no evidence they work.
SpaceX workers in South Texas vote yes to create City of Starbase
Critics of Elon Musk and SpaceX say that a new city will give more power to a company they believe is harming the environment.
With AI on the rise, Texas House passes bill requiring more transparency in political ads
The bill faced fierce opposition from hardline conservatives who say it is policing speech and could allow the state to jail people over silly political memes.
GOP-backed bill would help verify the results of hand-counted ballots in Texas
The proposal would require counties who choose to hand-count to use ballots that can be scanned and tabulated by a voting machine.
Texas school district sees efficiency gains with e-procurement
At a time when shrinking budgets are impacting school closures in the state, the Arlington Independent School District has turned to tech to better manage spending.
Legislation creating statewide emergency communication system advances in Texas House
The legislation was written after the state’s largest wildfire scorched more than 1 million acres in the Panhandle last year.
Telehealth for pets? It’s the cat’s meow, a Texas lawmaker says.
Animal health care experts raised concern that telehealth would lead to misdiagnosis and erode what little care already exists in rural Texas.
Houston-area cities and counties want you to go to their websites. How useful are they?
While full of information, some local government websites fall short on best web practices including readability, security and page design.
Texas mulls establishing new Cyber Command
Legislation would create the command and mandate that it set up a cybersecurity strategy. Gov. Greg Abbott said it is vital to protect the Lone Star State from bad actors.
A new Texas bill is coming after online abortion pills
The 43-page measure, introduced Friday, may be the most meaningful attempt this year to block the ordering and mailing of medication abortion.
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Two Texans in Congress defend CHIPS Act in the face of Trump’s criticism
Although the president has said he wants to “get rid of” the act, Rep. Michael McCaul and Sen. John Cornyn say it supports jobs and national security.
Texas wants to be a nuclear power
The state is aggressively pushing to deploy the next generation of atomic energy that would power big industrial operations.
Texas official wants low-cost broadband requirements tied to federal dollars dropped
Texas is getting more than $3 billion from the federal government to help expand internet access.
As Texas’ energy demand soars, a pilot program looks to bolster grid with “virtual power plants” fueled by people’s homes
Some Texans who install residential batteries, solar panels and smart thermostats can now send power back to the grid and get a credit on their bill.
Texas’ social media law takes another hit with temporary blocks on three more provisions
The new injunction prohibits advertising and age verification restrictions in the SCOPE Act, which aims to make social media safer for teenagers.
Texas counties left scrambling after critical election equipment loses its certification
Texas decertified a widely used electronic pollbook after problems in November. Will a fix arrive in time for the next election?
Digital twin helps Texas port track operations, plan ahead
The Port of Corpus Christi deployed its Overall Port Tactical Information Computer System to provide a “single pane of glass” to law enforcement and other authorities who monitor it.
Data centers are booming in Texas. What does that mean for the grid?
As energy demand surges, largely due to crypto mining facilities, data centers and industrial electrification, Texas officials are looking at how to increase supply and shore up the grid.
Online age verification laws await legal spotlight
A Texas law requiring adult websites to use age verification technology to limit minors’ access goes before the Supreme Court next week, as similar laws are springing up in other states.
Meta to move content moderators to Texas as part of plan to end fact-checking program
The tech giant’s decision to end the program comes as CEO Mark Zuckerberg seeks to mend ties with the incoming Trump administration.
