School book bans show no signs of slowing, new PEN America report finds
The number of bans and restrictions in the U.S. rose 33% in the last school year, according the the report. Florida had more bans than any other state.
Texas
Texas Senate acquits state Attorney General Ken Paxton in impeachment trial
Paxton, who has been suspended, faced 16 articles of impeachment tied to allegations that he abused his office to protect a political donor. The Senate vote reinstates Paxton as attorney general.
The floating border barrier in the Rio Grande must be removed, a federal judge rules
The judge gave Texas until Sept. 15 to move the barrier to shore and barred the state from placing any additional buoys or other structures in the river. Gov. Greg Abbott plans to appeal the ruling.
In video, Rep. Ronny Jackson yells profanities at Texas trooper, is put on ground
"I'm gonna call the governor tomorrow," Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, said as he shouted obscenities at a trooper during an altercation at a rodeo.
Barrels of drinking water for migrants walking through Texas have disappeared
As one of the worst heat waves on record set in across much of the southern United States, barrels of life-saving water for wayward migrants traveling on foot have vanished.
Uvalde shooter's cousin arrested in San Antonio for threatening to shoot a school
Nathan James Cruz, 17, was arrested on charges of making a terroristic threat and making a terroristic threat against his family. His mother reported his statements to police.
Texas abortion bans lifted temporarily for medical emergencies, judge rules
A Texas judge is temporarily blocking the state's abortion bans from being enforced against doctors who perform abortions in cases of medical emergencies and fetal anomalies.
A Texas A&M professor was suspended for allegedly criticizing lieutenant governor
Joy Alonzo was suspended and investigated after she allegedly criticized Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at a lecture on the opioid crisis. Free speech advocates call the probe "blatantly inappropriate."
How climate change could cause a home insurance meltdown
It's increasingly expensive and difficult to get home insurance, as losses rise from climate-driven disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes. And the solutions aren't always politically popular.
Amid a record heat wave, Texas construction workers lose their right to rest breaks
In June, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law undoing local protections that ensured breaks for laborers who spend their days in scorching heat. The law takes effect Sept. 1.