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Week of May 2 - 6

Texas challenged by nursing, trucker shortage
Texas has the fourth-lowest nurse-to-population ratio in the country, with only 9.25 nurses per 1,000 residents, according to a recent report by the comptroller’s office.

Week of April 25 - 29

Early voting underway for May 7 election
Early voting began Monday for local elections and two proposed constitutional amendments relating to property tax reductions. Early voting continues through Tuesday, May 3, with election day on Saturday, May 7.
One proposed amendment would authorize the Legislature to limit property taxes on homesteads of elderly or disabled residents, while the other would increase the homestead exemption for school taxes from $25,000 to $40,000. 

Week of April 18 - 22

Abbott halts border truck inspections
Gov. Greg Abbott halted the state’s aggressive truck inspection at all Texas border crossings after days of bipartisan criticism over the extended delays of goods entering the United States.

Week of April 11 - 15

Traffic deaths spike in highway work zones
The Texas Department of Transportation wants motorists to be aware of dangerous conditions in road construction zones after crashes in those zones killed 244 people last year.
The death toll is an increase of 33% over 2020 and is the highest in 40 years. The majority of those who died were drivers or their passengers, according to TxDOT.

Week of April 4 - 8

Deadline nears to register for elections
Eligible Texas voters who have not done so already have until April 7 to register to vote in the May 7 statewide constitutional amendment election, as well as any local elections for city, school districts and other local entities. 

Week of March 28 - April 1

Wildfire risk remains high in much of state
Much of the state remains at considerable risk for wildfires through this week, largely because of higher-than-usual temperatures and drought conditions. More than 40% of the state is suffering extreme drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Nearly the entire state is in some form of drought, with much of the Panhandle, High Plains and west central Texas most at risk. 

Week of March 21 - 25

Sheriff’s deputy dies in wildfires

Week of March 14 - 18

Nine accused of sex trafficking at center
 
Nine employees at a Bastrop County facility that cares for young victims of sex trafficking have been accused of trafficking those same girls, according to the Austin American-Statesman.  

Week of March 7 - 11

Several races headed to runoffs
 
A number of statewide races are headed for a May 24 runoff after the votes were tallied in the March 1 primary.
Topping the ballot in the Republican races is the contest for attorney general, where incumbent Ken Paxton led the field with 42.7% of votes cast, followed by George P. Bush, current land commissioner, who garnered 22.8%. The remainder of GOP ballots went to former Supreme Court justice Eva Guzman at 17.5% and U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert with 17%.

Week of Feb. 28 - March 4

State high court hears challenge to abortion law
The Texas Supreme Court heard oral arguments last week on the question of whether state regulators can be sued by abortion providers hoping to block enforcement of the state’s restrictive abortion law, known as Senate Bill 8.

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