Texas state government

A group of parents whose children died in the July 4 floods claim in a federal lawsuit that Camp Mystic's emergency instructions directed kids to stay in cabins even though state law requires evacuation plans for camps.

The sudden and surprising airspace closure over El Paso, Texas, stemmed from the Pentagon's plans to test a laser for use in shooting down drones used by Mexican drug cartels. That's according to three people familiar with the situation who were granted anonymity to share sensitive details.

The Texas Education Agency has named former Assistant Attorney General Levi Fuller as the state's first Inspector General of Educator Misconduct – this as Texas toughens education policies.

As a part of a yearlong study, Texas county jails are collecting data about pregnant inmates' prenatal care, mental health indicators, pregnancy outcomes and more.

The move comes as the state's education agency unveils a new enforcement role to oversee investigations into alleged misconduct by Texas teachers.

A new comprehensive analysis of state data shows Texas prisons get so hot in summer that temperatures there would routinely violate state standards for other types of lockups. The state will be back in federal court to defend the conditions behind bars.

The demographic makeup of the "trigger" schools raises questions about whether Texas' accountability system fairly considers historic inequities tied to race and poverty.

Among other things, the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee is tasked with developing new dietary and nutrition guidelines and new educational requirements. The committee has less than a year to produce a report that could effect all levels of education — including Texas medical schools.

In a letter sent to state officials Friday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he wants state agencies to investigate the Medicaid program after the Trump administration identified potential fraud in other states. He directed the agencies to implement several additional anti-fraud measures in the program.

Hemp advocates say raising annual licensing fees for retailers from $150 to $20,000 and for manufacturers from $250 to $25,000 would shutter small businesses.