Texas News & Current Events | Public News Service

As of August 2021, there were more than 28,000 children in foster care in Texas and almost 6,000 children waiting for adoptive families. (Alexis Scholtz/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

How adopting children changed the lives of two Texas women

When a Texas woman began her six-year journey to adopt, she hoped to affect one child's life. Felicia Lewis, an adoptive parent, is now making a …

Lawmakers in several states, including Texas, continue attempts to subsidize private school tuition with taxpayer dollars through voucher programs. (Austockphoto/Adobe Stock)

Battle over school vouchers lingers in Lone Star State

A top legislative priority for Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott did not get across the finish line last Friday, despite a fourth special session called this …

Federal data suggest at least seven in 10 people have lost their Medicaid coverage for procedural reasons, such as missed deadlines, paperwork lost in the mail, or slow processing by state agencies. (zimmytws/Adobe Stock)

Medicaid’s 'unwinding' takes heavy toll on Texas children

More American children had health insurance during the pandemic than ever before. But now, as states are required to re-enroll those eligible for …

Studies show math and reading scores are higher in schools staffed with full-time certified librarians. (CulturaAllies/Adobe Stock)

Librarians often 'unsung heroes' at Texas schools

Starting in the early years and continuing through 12th grade, it's often the school librarian students know best - seeking them out for help with …

Among all tobacco products, youths perceived e-cigarettes to be the least harmful, according to the Texas Youth Tobacco Survey. yta/AdobeStock)

CDC: mixed success on tobacco reduction among school kids

Cigarettes may not appeal to America's youth like they did in the 1960s, but a significant number still experiment with e-cigarettes. The Centers …

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott believes new laws and the continuation of Operation Lone Star are necessary to

Civil rights groups call Texas' proposed laws, razor wire dehumanizing

A set of border security bills under consideration by Texas lawmakers will cause harm to migrants, residents, and state law, according to a state …

A new survey examined the cost of higher education, housing costs and even the average price of pizza, burgers, movies and bowling to rank the most affordable college towns. (JacobLund/AdobeStock)

Texas' Edinburg tops list for most affordable college towns

A new study found Texas is home to half of the U.S. colleges located in communities deemed affordable for students. The personal finance company …

The United States has warned nearly 100 countries that Russian intelligence is ramping up efforts to destabilize democracies by raising doubts about elections integrity. (Argus/AdobeStock)

Democracy experts worry about chaos, violence ahead of 2024 elections

An election law expert says guilty pleas from Trump lawyers in Georgia's election interference case probably won't change the minds of voters who thin…

Texas is among 17 states with the lowest public school spending per student, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. (wavebreak3/Adobe Stock)

Texas Senate makes school vouchers its priority in education funding

Public schoolteachers in Texas say the state desperately needs to boost its overall investment in students and education programs. Instead, lawmakers …

People with additional years of education beyond high school tend to be more civic-minded and interact more with neighbors and family members, according to a recent Gallup poll. (GetStock/Adobe Stock)

Polarizing social issues complicate college choice for high-schoolers

By Jon Marcus for The Hechinger Report.Broadcast version by Roz Brown for Texas News Service reporting for The Hechinger Report-Public News Service Co…

Abortion pills are playing an increasingly prominent role in post-Roe America. (fizkes/AdobeStock)

Abortion pill pipeline increases availability in 'red states'

By Carrie Baker for Ms. Magazine.Broadcast version by Roz Brown for Texas News Service reporting for the Ms. Magazine-Public News Service …

Census data from 2020 shows 95% of Texas' growth is communities of color that vote Democratic, but redistricting maps heavily favor Republican candidates. (AndriiKoval/Adobe Stock)

Amid multiple lawsuits, Texas' redistricting gets D- from elections watchdog

A Texas math professor who studies redistricting is not surprised a nonpartisan elections watchdog group has given the state's redistricting process a…

Artificial Intelligence bases decisions purely on calculations, which has activated a push to build human trust. (Angelov/Adobestock)

'Trust' becomes catchword for emerging AI technologies

Artificial intelligence is growing quickly, bringing companies such as Google, Amazon, Verizon and Microsoft together to establish best practices in …

Latinos make up about 25% of the U.S. population, but only 5.2% are lead actors in the film industry and less than 3% of directors and screenwriters are Latino, according to the 2022 LDC U.S. Latino GDP Report. (MACLEG/AdobeStock)

Virtual national film festival highlights Hispanic Heritage Month

A film festival created to help close the gap in storytelling for people of color is offering free, virtual showings as part of Hispanic Heritage …

The number of Texans who skipped or postponed some sort of health care because of cost has reached an all-time high, according to a new survey by the Episcopal Health Foundation. (Malik/peopleimages.com/AdobeStock)

Poll: Texans skip, delay medical care as affordability, access worsens

More than half of those who responded to a new Texas health care poll said it is becoming more difficult to afford, and the number of those who do …

President Joe Biden does not believe the U.S.-Mexican border wall built by his predecessor was effective, but cited a 2019 congressional appropriation of funds as the reason for new border wall in the Rio Grande Valley. (AerialStockFootage/Adobe Stock)

South Texas opponents of new border wall promise resistance

Opponents of previous efforts to build a border wall in South Texas are reeling from the Biden administration's announcement last week to resume…

Google Certificate Programs are 100% online and self-paced, with deadlines to meet individual schedules. (visoot/Adobe Stock)

South Texas College finds partnering with Google boosts student success

Many employers are hiring college graduates if they also can show skills-based training, leading one Texas school to expand its Google Career …

A new poll showed Hispanic students who reported having occasional negative experiences on campus were about twice as likely to consider stopping out in the past six months. (Rocketclips/Adobestock)

Poll: TX Hispanic college students feeling more discrimination

In a new poll, about a quarter of Hispanic students in post-high school education and training programs report feeling discriminated against…

Suicide rates in rural communities increased by 48% between 2000 and 2018, compared with 34% in urban areas, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. (StockMediaProduction/Adobe Stock)

TX AgriStress Helpline highlighted for Suicide Prevention Month

Texas farmers face the obvious stressors of weather, costs and market fluctuations, but their responsibility of providing for family and workers also …

Texas lawmakers passed legislation in 2021, allowing many residents to purchase health-care plans in 2023 with lower deductibles and little to no premiums. (AdobeStock/Rawpixel.com)

Health-care coverage: Getting best bang for the buck in Texas

It is open-enrollment season for health insurance plans, and experts say a little research can go a long way toward obtaining better coverage for …

Texas is one of only a handful of states that does not allow online voter registration. (Seventyfour/AdobeStock)

TX Joins Momentous Effort to Register Young Voters of Color

The annual National Voter Registration Day returns tomorrow, and a Texas organization has a goal of registering 1,200 new young voters from diverse …

Black, Hispanic and Asian students in the United States are far more likely than white students to say that applying for college is a stressful experience, according to a study by Higher Ed Dive. (wladimir1804/Adobe Stock)

Foundation Attempts to Reboot America's Clunky College Admissions Process

The complex and confusing process of applying to college is thought to be contributing to a decline in the number of high school graduates who go on t…

Due to service disruptions caused by the three-year pandemic, the Social Security Administration plans to implement a new telephone platform for its toll-free number by the end of 2023. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/Adobe Stock)

Many Texans May Be Unaware They're Eligible for SSI Benefits

Most people eligible for Social Security know what's required to access the program, but another federal program aimed at underserved communities …

Some 8 million Texans cast a ballot in the November 2022 midterm election, just 45.7% of the state's 17.7 million registered voters. (Burlingham/AdobeStock)

Texas Becomes Largest Republican-led State to Exit Voter Data Group

There was no evidence of significance voter fraud in the 2020 election, but it has not stopped Texas from withdrawing from a system used by 30 states …

In 2023, 566 anti-trans bills have been introduced in 49 states including 65 in Texas, according to Trans Legislation Tracker. (inkdrop/AdobeStock)

TX High Court Not Persuaded to Protect Transgender Health Care

Texas has adopted some of the strictest gender-affirming transgender restrictions in the nation. And the leader of a trans advocacy group says it has …

In 2001, Texas became the first state to allow undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition, but politics have shifted the state's attitude toward migrants and immigrants. (DanielErnst/AdobeStock)

TX Advocates for Immigrant Rights Say Politics Exhausts Needed Donations

Organizations that help immigrants find a community, achieve economic self-sufficiency, and become legal residents or citizens say anti-immigrant …

More than 100,000 clean-energy job openings have sprung up across the U.S. since President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, according to Climate Power, a coalition of environmental groups. (Lisa F. Young/Adobe Stock)

Study: Demand for Green Jobs in TX Twice the National Rate

By Ramona Schindelheim for WorkingNation.Broadcast version by Roz Brown for Texas News Service reporting for the WorkingNation-Public News Service Col…

The overall number of Americans without health insurance dropped to a record low in the first three months of 2023, a number expected to rise as Medicaid rolls are purged post-pandemic. (NewAfrica/AdobeStock)

Texans Navigate the Post-Pandemic Medicaid Purge

A nationwide purge of Medicaid rolls is underway after a three-year pause during the pandemic. And in Texas, most of those dropped are children…

More than 1,000 days since voters went to the polls in the 2020 presidential election, the results are likely to be a topic at this week's first Republican 2024 debate in Milwaukee. (maylim/AdobeStock)

America's "Dog Days of Summer" Dogged by Politics

Voters, who couldn't be blamed for looking away from the news during the "Dog Days" of August, especially election news, instead find themselves …

A new poll by four environmental groups found a majority of Texas voters, 58% to 33%, want the Environmental Protection Agency to strengthen its proposal to eliminate emissions from routine flaring at oil wells. (Alexisaj/Adobestock)

Poll: Two-Thirds of Texas Voters Support Tougher EPA Methane Rules

As conservationists await finalization of revised rules governing methane on public lands, a new survey shows a majority of Texans support stronger …

Workers at YouTube Music voted to unionize in October 2022. (Adobe Stock)

NLRB: Google and Cognizant are Joint Employers

Workers at Austin-based YouTube Music recently won a second victory at the National Labor Relations Board. Union organizers at YouTube music…

'Gen Z' Workforce Wants Employers to Step Up Mental-Health Benefits

Seeking help for mental health does not carry the same stigma for "Generation Z" Texans as it did for previous workers, and can be a deal-breaker if …

Texas groups opposed to a controversial law regulating drag performances say it's unconstitutional and want a preliminary and permanent injunction before it goes into effect Sept. 1. (annne/Adobe Stock)

Texas 'Drag Ban' Headed to Court Ahead of 9/1 Implementation

Opponents of a new Texas law governing drag performances say it's so vague and broad, it could have a chilling effect on all free expression and …

Almost 60% of caregivers in the United States are women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (GeckoStudio/AdobeStock)

AARP: Texas Needs More Caregivers for Aging Population

One in five people across the United States is a full- or part-time caregiver, with those in Texas providing $41 billion in unpaid care each year…

From Florida to Texas and California, excessive heat warnings have plagued the United States for weeks. (ALAN/AdobeStock)

TX Bill Banning Heat-Related Worker Breaks Could Be Overridden

Scorching temperatures are not letting up across much of the Southwest, including Texas, just as the issue of how to protect outdoor workers heats up …

A significant reduction in enrollment in Texas higher education in Fall 2022 was driven by a 10.4% decline at public two-year colleges, according to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. (silverkblack/Adobe Stock)

TX Tackles Lower College Enrollment Amid Loss of Higher Ed Confidence

Americans' confidence in major U.S. institutions - including higher education - has fallen in recent years, and Texas is trying to win it back…

Almost 500,000 reports of suspected child maltreatment were called into the Texas state abuse hotline in 2022, with 166,000 cases investigated, resulting in 9,600 children being removed from their homes. (IdeaBug, Inc./AdobeStock)

New Texas Law Favors Parents in Child Abuse Investigations

Texas parents under investigation for child abuse by the state will be informed of their rights before their children are removed from the family's ho…

Families of at least 3.7 million Texas children would have been eligible for summer federal food assistance that the state declined to pursue. (highwaystarz/Adobe Stock)

Texas Families Lose Out on Summer Food Assistance

Many Texas families are still struggling financially post-COVID. Nonetheless, the state turned down millions of dollars in federal aid for summer …

Nearly 30,000 Texas minors would be affected by legislation banning transgender youth health care, according to the Williams Institute at UCLA's School of Law. (Krakenimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Lawsuit Filed Over TX Law Banning Health Care for Transgender Youth

Families and medical providers announced a lawsuit against the State of Texas on Thursday over new legislation that bans gender-affirming medical care…

While some states require licensing, Texas doulas can offer physical, emotional and informational support to their clients without a certification. (AntonioDiaz/AdobeStock)

As Costs Escalate, Texas Increases Nonmedical Maternal Health Care

Texas is recognizing maternal health care is not just about doctor's visits, with a new law taking effect this fall to enhance screening for …

Texas is a leading exporter of agricultural commodities, including peanuts. (maryviolet/AdobeStock)

Transitioning to Organics Made Easier for Texas Farmers

Texas farmers who want to transition some of their land from conventional crops to organics are getting help from the U.S. Department of Agriculture…

Prison guards in the Lone Star State make between $42,000 and $51,000 a year, depending on experience, and received a 5% pay raise on July 1, according to the Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice. (AnyaSlepyan/Daily Yonder)

TX Fills Prison, Jail Job Vacancies with High School Recruits

Texas high schools offering training in corrections and law enforcement are being tapped by the state's Department of Criminal Justice to address mass…

The average cost of center-based child care for a toddler in 2021 was nearly $9,000 in Texas, which is 9% of the median income of a couple and 28% of a single parent's income, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Children's Advocates Lament 'Missed Opportunities' by TX Lawmakers

A child advocacy group in Texas is already looking ahead to the 2025 legislative session, after several policy changes it supported this year failed …

U.S. drivers who maintained or increased their pre-COVID travel levels later reported they were more likely to speed and less likely to wear a seat belt, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (bilanol/Adobe Stock)

Report: U.S. Drivers Exhibited Riskier Behaviors During COVID

Texans have returned to driving their cars and trucks at near pre-pandemic levels, resulting in more deadly accidents. A national transportation …

As of Sept. 1, a new Texas law will repeal ordinances enacted by Austin and Dallas establishing 10-minute breaks every four hours, to allow construction workers to drink water and get out of the sun. (thebigland45/Adobe Stock)

Amid Heat Wave, New TX Law Limits Outdoor Workers' Water Breaks

Parts of Texas have been suffering from dangerous heat, just after Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott signed a law to strip authority from cities, including …

The lack of nearby and affordable child care in the U.S. affects job opportunities and costs the economy $122 billion annually, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (mmg1design/Adobe Stock)

Report: Texas Ranks 44th in Nation for Child Well-Being

Child well-being in Texas is on the ropes, with a new study showing significant declines in third grade reading, eighth grade math proficiency and …

Parents, educators and others protested Thursday ahead of the first public board meeting since the Texas Education Agency took over the Houston Independent School District. (ACLU of Texas)

Texas Assumes Leadership of Houston's Largest School District

Parents and educators in the Houston Independent School District said they are all for improving schools but do not believe a state takeover by an une…

Ninety-percent of counties with the worst food insecurity are rural, according to Save the Children.(Viktoriia/AdobeStock)

Texas Kids Can Benefit from Nonprofit's “Make Summer Fair” Initiative

The last day of school for Texas kids is typically one of elation, but for children in rural areas with high poverty rates, it also can mean …

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