Texas
‘License plate flippers’ help drivers evade police, tickets and tolls
A few states and cities are cracking down on the devices, which obscure or conceal license plates.
Few states require foster homes to respect LGBTQ youths' identities
The lack of explicit anti-discrimination policies around gender and sexuality can have dire consequences for children and teens, advocates say.
A fifth of U.S. green hydrogen projects eyed for water-stressed areas
As the federal government pours billions into hydrogen production to lower greenhouse gas emissions, critics worry water shortages in the Southwest could worsen.
Guaranteed income programs might improve people's lives, but not their health
A new study examining cash transfer programs' effects on participants' health found limited impact.
Stuck bridges, buckling roads—extreme heat is wreaking havoc on America’s aging infrastructure
COMMENTARY | The rate at which a bridge or road deteriorates depends not only on the materials and construction methods used but also on the climate during the structure’s life span.
The Rio Grande Valley’s pet population is out of control. Will a proposed limit in one city help?
Local leaders began debating a household limit on the number of pets after two residents were arrested for having 93 dogs and a cat in their home.
Texas is once more flirting with expanding passenger rail
The state’s booming population, congestion problems and billions of federal dollars on the table have officials eyeing ways to boost passenger rail.
The results of the biggest study on guaranteed income programs are finally in
For three years, 1,000 people received $1,000 per month—no strings attached. They took better jobs. Some went back to school. Others started opening businesses.
A federal utility assistance program favors cold-weather states, giving less money to hot places
A federal program helps people in poverty cover the costs of heat and cooling. But advocates say it disadvantages states like Texas and Arizona, even though extreme heat is a key cause of weather-related deaths.
Splash pads make waves across communities, replacing public pools
Observers say public pools are necessary community infrastructure and save lives. Splash pads have become a more affordable option.
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High-speed rail needs national direction to get rolling, report says
A New York University professor emphasizes the need to pay attention to the nuts and bolts—or, in this case, the rail profiles and cross ties—of high-speed rail projects to keep costs down and construction on time.
Is age verification technology an ‘undue burden’? The Supreme Court will decide.
The high court has agreed to take up a case that focuses on legislation passed to prevent minors in Texas from accessing pornography. A decision could have implications for state efforts to limit children’s access to social media as well.
Texas adopts guidance for how doctors should interpret abortion ban
The guidance lays out what the Texas Medical Board will consider when investigating allegations of illegal abortions.
Financiers plan to launch a Texas-based stock exchange
The group announced Wednesday it raised $120 million in capital to start a CEO-friendly stock exchange that aims to capitalize on discontent over new rules and rising compliance costs at Nasdaq and NYSE.
Generative AI steps up as a ‘facilitator’
The Texas Department of Public Safety now uses a generative AI-powered chatbot to streamline procurement. And Polco is rolling out a tool to connect city leaders with survey data so they can see how they stack up against others.
School vouchers continue momentum in state legislatures
2023 was considered a landmark year for school choice. It’s a trend that is showing no sign of slowing down, as lawmakers push proposals with fewer restrictions and costly price tags.
A transparent, open-source vision for U.S. elections
Voting technology in the U.S. is secretive and often expensive. Can an open-source alternative take its place?
10 lessons learned from the Justice Department's review of the Uvalde school shooting
COMMENTARY | The critical review of the Uvalde, Texas, school shooting offers key takeaways to help policymakers, practitioners and schools avoid the same failures if faced with a similar situation.
San Antonio plans to tackle violence with a public health approach. Here’s what that looks like.
Several cities use the "beyond-policing" approach that aims to reduce gun-related violence, sexual assaults and other crimes against people.
Mental health funding is fast becoming “the bipartisan issue of our time”
States from California to Texas are increasingly investing in mental health as a recognition takes hold that the status quo isn’t working.
