News & Updates
Trump signs orders to speed up oil and gas pipeline construction
HOUSTON — President Trump signed two executive orders on Wednesday that he says will speed up construction of pipelines and other projects to enhance the production and transport of oil and natural gas between states and across international borders. The actions are...
For the first time, researchers find captive-bred horny toads that survived winter in the wild
For the first time ever, researchers have found captive-bred Texas horned lizard hatchlings alive after winter hibernation. It's a big win for the state reptile, which has vanished from Texas landscapes over the past several decades. New technology has allowed Texas...
Commentary: Texas will have taller billboards unless Legislature acts
The state of Texas has drawn a line in the sky that limits the height of billboards along our highways. Unfortunately, many billboard owners have ignored it. A significant number of the billboards across our state, which are regulated by the Texas Department of...
Reality of drought: Sausages, laws and a water district
Part One of a Two-Part Series - Friday, Mar 29, 2019 From a 1933 textbook “Government in the United States” the author invokes the sage advice of Otto von Bismarck: “The man who wishes to keep his respect for sausages and laws should not see how either is made.” Never...
CWD sampling effort leads to proposed containment zone expansion
AUSTIN – Texas remains vigilant in monitoring and testing for chronic wasting disease, with no reported spread beyond existing containment zones over the last 12 months. However, the discovery of CWD in a free-ranging whitetail near the perimeter of the disease...
State lawmakers look to protect landowners against proposed pipeline project
KYLE, Texas -- A multi-billion dollar natural gas pipeline project could change the landscape of Central Texas, but some state lawmakers are doing what they can to make sure landowners in their district are protected. Bill Johnson of Kyle grew up on the 3,800-acre...
The Legislative outlook for Hill Country water resources
This edition of the Texas Water Symposium features lawmakers and analysts looking at current and proposed legislation that will affect water resources and property rights in Texas. Topics addressed include the Kinder Morgan pipeline project, flooding, water well...
White Nose Syndrome is a ‘looming disaster’ for bats in Texas
In the eastern United States, millions of bats have died over the past few years from a disease called white nose syndrome. Biologists across the country are racing to find a cure, or at least slow it down. So far there’s no evidence of white nose syndrome infecting...
In suit filed by state, judge rules for newly incorporated city of Double Horn
BURNET — With a stern admonishment to the Texas attorney general’s office, state District Judge Evan Stubbs ruled Wednesday for the newly incorporated city of Double Horn in a lawsuit that challenged the validity of the city’s status. “Your motion for summary...