Crime

In places like Smith County, jails recruiting more teenagers to shore up shortage

When Justtice Taylor began working at Smith County Jail last year, the inmates made fun of her, and…

Crime

Bipartisan Texas House majority urges clemency for man facing execution in shaken baby case

A bipartisan majority of the Texas House urged the state on Tuesday to grant clemency to a Palestine…

Texas

Criminal investigation underway into Houston-area blaze

DEER PARK — A pipeline fire that burned in a Houston suburb for four days finally went out…

Elections

Ted Cruz, Colin Allred agree to debate in U.S. Senate race

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and his Democratic challenger, U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, have agreed to a televised debate…

Texas

Judge denies effort to halt State Fair of Texas’ gun ban

Associated Press DALLAS — A judge on Thursday denied a effort by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to…

Local

Texas education commissioner: Ban student cellphones in schools

Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath on Wednesday said next year lawmakers should ban the use of cellphones…

Texas

Roaring pipeline fire near Houston subsides but still burns

DEER PARK — A flame that towered over a southeast Houston suburb subsided Tuesday but was still burning…

Texas

Abbott announces crackdown on Venezuelan gang

Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday announced the state is going to target a Venezuelan gang that he said…

Education

Texas districts say upgrades to data reporting system could hurt funding

Upgrades to the system Texas uses to collect student, staff and financial data from school districts are causing…

National

Francine expected to hit Louisiana as hurricane

BATON ROUGE, La. — Tropical Storm Francine was strengthening in the Gulf of Mexico on Monday, drenching coastal…