Fifth Circuit blocks key Texas online-safety mandate
A divided Fifth Circuit kept Texas from enforcing a broad monitoring mandate for minors against platform groups, while leaving other H.B. 18 rules separate.
Texas
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Corpus Christi’s Projected Water Emergency Moves to 2028, but the Supply Problem Remains
Floodwater has pushed Corpus Christi’s projected Level 1 water emergency to September 2028, but low western reservoirs and uncertain inflows leave conservation and supply projects urgent.
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Texas election officials enter the formal preparation window for the November 3 general election
Texas counties are entering election-administration appointment periods ahead of the Nov. 3, 2026 general election, including an Aug. 1 to Oct. 1 recommended window for early-voting ballot-board appointments in smaller counties.
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Austin city manager presents proposed $6.6 billion budget for Council review
Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax presented a proposed $6.6 billion operating budget for fiscal year 2026–27 on July 16. The plan remains under City Council review, with discussion and adoption decisions expected during the August budget cycle.
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Texas leaders direct agencies, courts and universities to plan for 3% budget cuts
Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows directed Texas state agencies, appellate courts and public universities to reduce spending requests by 3% for the next two-year budget cycle.
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Briscoe museum opens major bilingual exhibition on Tejano legacy
The Briscoe Western Art Museum opened “Tejano Legacy: Another American Origin Story” on July 24, a bilingual exhibition examining nearly 400 years of Tejano history, culture and identity.
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Texas seeks federal disaster aid after severe flooding across the state
Gov. Greg Abbott requested a presidential disaster declaration for 28 Texas counties after severe weather and flooding. The request had not been shown as approved in the materials available as of Aug. 3.
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Austin council advances charter-amendment package for Nov. 3 election
Austin City Council approved proposed charter amendments at its July 30 budget meeting, advancing measures on redistricting, recalls, city attorney authority, campaign finance and tax-rate reviews for a planned Nov. 3 special election.
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Austin advances $6.6 billion budget toward August adoption and tax-rate decision
Austin City Council has completed a public hearing on a proposed $6.6 billion fiscal 2026–27 budget and is scheduled to begin final adoption and consider a maximum property-tax rate Aug. 12.
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Texas DPS launches Operation Safe Summer patrols in five major cities
The Texas Department of Public Safety says its Operation Safe Summer initiative will add coordinated patrols in high-volume pedestrian corridors in Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth.
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San Antonio mayor asks council to send proposed $489 million arena contribution to voters
Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is asking San Antonio City Council to call a November 2026 vote on the city’s proposed contribution of up to $489 million for a new Spurs arena and Project Marvel development.
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Houston breaks ground on South Central patrol station serving East End, Third Ward and Medical Center
Houston officials held a July 9 groundbreaking for a new HPD South Central Patrol Station, planned through the conversion of the Cape Learning & Development Center.
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Toyota announces $3.6 billion San Antonio expansion and 2,000 new Texas jobs
Toyota plans to add a second vehicle-assembly line at its San Antonio operation in a $3.6 billion expansion expected to create 2,000 jobs, with state incentives totaling $20.05 million announced alongside the project.
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San Antonio seeks bids for 2026 transportation construction package due Aug. 11
The City of San Antonio is seeking bids for its 2026 Task Order Contract Transportation Construction Contract Package 3. Submissions are due Aug. 11 at 2 p.m. Central time through CivCast.
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Houston City Council adopts $7.5 billion FY2027 budget with new $5 monthly solid-waste fee
Houston City Council approved the city’s $7.5 billion FY2027 budget in a 15–1 vote on June 10, 2026. The plan took effect July 1 and includes a new $5 monthly solid-waste administrative fee.
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Texas expands flood-recovery assistance as catastrophic flooding continues to affect communities statewide
Texas requested additional federal disaster assistance for Real County and extended the deadline for flood-affected SNAP recipients to seek replacement benefits for lost or destroyed food.
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Austin opens public comment on proposed City Charter amendments
The City of Austin says public comment is open on proposed City Charter amendments following the Austin City Council’s July 28, 2026, meeting. The available city notice does not describe the proposals or list a final action date.
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Austin lifts waterways ban after floodgate-related restrictions
Austin lifted its waterways ban effective immediately July 27, ending an emergency restriction that had changed in scope as floodgate operations and water conditions evolved.
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Harris County Fresh Start registration opens Aug. 3 for eligible outstanding court matters
Registration for Harris County’s Fresh Start program opens at noon Aug. 3, offering eligible participants a coordinated process to address outstanding criminal-court matters.
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Houston’s FY2027 budget takes effect with new $5 monthly solid-waste fee
Houston City Council approved Mayor John Whitmire’s FY2027 budget in a 15-1 vote June 10, creating a $5 monthly administrative fee for municipal solid-waste collection and disposal services that the city said would begin appearing on August water bills.
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San Antonio seeks public input for hazard-mitigation plan
San Antonio opened a community survey and scheduled three virtual meetings as part of its hazard-mitigation planning process. The survey was scheduled to close July 31, 2026.
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San Antonio schedules Aug. 13 consideration of $41,637 CDBG reallocation
San Antonio is accepting public comment through Aug. 12 on a proposed $41,637 transfer of federal Community Development Block Grant money from housing-support public services to financial education. City Council consideration is scheduled for Aug. 13.