BERENICE GARCIA/The Texas Tribune

The Texas Tribune
Why two border counties are joining Gov. Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star after migration slows
After declining to do so for years, Starr County commissioners signed the disaster declaration to qualify for additional state money through Texas’ Operation Lone Star, according to Starr County Judge Eloy Vera. The move comes as Texas lawmakers are proposing to pour $6.5 billion in border security
 
Spring forward? Maybe not in Texas as lawmakers mull ending daylight savings time.
Most of the bills filed aim to adopt daylight saving time year-round, an effort that was pushed during the 2023 legislative session, however, state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, is trying a different approach. Her bill would adopt standard time year-round in Texas, the only option allowed under f
 
South Texas groups sue state agency for allowing SpaceX to discharge industrial water without permit
SpaceX did not admit to any violation but agreed to pay a $3,750 penalty. Part of the penalty was deferred until SpaceX obtains the proper permit and on the condition that future water discharges meet pollution restrictions.
 
A South Texas lawmaker’s 15-year fight for a Rio Grande Valley law school
MCALLEN, Texas (AP) — The Texas Legislature can be full of surprises.

But for the last eight sessions, there has been one constant: state Rep.
 
Texas has billions pledged to expand broadband. Spending it is taking a while.
Late last month, Texas won final approval to use billions of federal money to help connect every corner of the sprawling state. The news came about 17 months after the $3.3 billion was first pledged for Texas — part of the bipartisan infrastructure deal signed by President Joe Biden.
 
U.S.-Mexico water agreement might bring relief to parched South Texas
The International Water and Boundary Commission, a federal agency that oversees international water treaties between the U.S. and Mexico, announced Saturday that the two countries had signed a highly-anticipated agreement that will give Mexico more options to meet its water deliveries to the U.S. Me
 
Animal welfare advocates will plead with Texas lawmakers to help cities control stray pet population
McALLEN, Texas (AP) — The phone calls at Yaqui Animal Rescue were non-stop. On the other end of the phone were requests to help with abandoned puppies or pick up stray dogs roaming the streets.
 
Travis County sues top Texas officials, accusing them of violating National Voter Registration Act
The new federal lawsuit escalates a pre-election war between Republican state officials and Democratic urban county leaders over voter registration efforts and accuses Texas officials of violating the National Voter Registration Act. Developments in the ongoing battle continue unfolding as the Oct.
 
A South Texas school district received a request to remove 676 books from its libraries
The email was clear. Cabrera and “the community” wanted them removed.
 
Data shows Rio Grande water shortage is not just due to Mexico’s lack of water deliveries
MCALLEN, Texas (AP) — Drought conditions in South Texas have brought increased pressure on Mexico to make good on its commitment to deliver water to the U.S. under a 1944 treaty.
 
A crew works on upgrading pipes and valves at a North Alamo Water Supply Corporation water plant in Donna, Texas, on Thursday, July 18, 2024. In order to increase the amount of water the plant is able to distribute, pipes were upgraded, replaced and connected to the plant's existing facility with the newly expanded infrastructure. (Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune via AP)
As the Rio Grande runs dry, South Texas cities look to alternatives for water
EDINBURG, Texas (AP) — The Rio Grande is no longer a reliable source of water for South Texas.

For now, the state’s most southern cities have enough drinking water for residents. However, the region’s agricultural roots created a system that could jeopardize that supply. Cities here are set up to depend on irrigation districts, which supply untreated waters to farmers, to deliver water that w
 
South Texas needs rain. Tropical Storm Alberto didn’t deliver enough.
MCALLEN, Texas (AP) — South Texas was prepared for a deluge.

City officials distributed sandbags and planned road closures. Gov.