Category: Austin Watch
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Policing Taste or Policing Thought? Texas, Teachers, and the Free Speech Line
A lawsuit against the Texas Education Agency over teacher discipline following Charlie Kirk’s assassination raises a difficult but necessary question for conservatives: where does condemning political violence end—and where does government overreach into protected speech begin?
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Texas 2026: Five Political Fights That Will Define the State’s Future
Texas enters 2026 as a Republican-leaning state facing volatility. Key issues include a contentious GOP Senate primary, controversial redistricting, rising economic anxiety, the introduction of school vouchers, and renewed Democratic optimism. The outcomes of upcoming primaries and the general election could reshape Texas’s political landscape significantly.
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Texas Authorities Bust $14 Million Gift Card Fraud Ring, Highlighting New State Law
Authorities in Texas arrested three Latvian nationals for a $14 million gift card fraud scheme affecting retail stores across the state. The suspects cloned and drained gift card balances, often within minutes. This case highlights a growing trend in organized retail fraud, prompting Texas lawmakers to implement tougher laws on such crimes.
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Top 5 Biggest Scandals and News Stories That Rocked Texas in 2025
In 2025, Texas faced significant challenges, including devastating floods, political turmoil, and controversies surrounding key figures. Despite these issues, conservative victories emerged in election integrity, higher education reforms, and redistricting efforts. The events highlighted Texas’ resilience as a conservative stronghold amid adversity, emphasizing accountability and ideological shifts in governance.
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Federal Judge Blocks Texas App Store Child Safety Law, Raising Free Speech and Government Overreach Questions
A federal judge has temporarily blocked Texas’s App Store Accountability Act, ruling the child-safety law likely violates the First Amendment by sweeping too broadly. The decision highlights a growing tension between protecting kids online and limiting government overreach into speech, privacy, and parental choice.
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Texas Attorney General’s Office: Powerhouse Defender or Overstretched Political Weapon?
The Texas Attorney General’s Office, under Ken Paxton, evolved into a significant national political entity focused on conservative activism. As he departs for the U.S. Senate, Texas faces an open race for his successor. Candidates diverge on maintaining Paxton’s confrontational approach, while Democrats advocate for a return to nonpartisan governance.
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Supreme Court Green-Lights Texas’s 2025 Congressional Map Despite Racial-Gerrymandering Concerns
The Supreme Court allowed Texas to utilize its redrawn congressional map for the 2026 elections, despite a lower court’s concerns about racial discrimination. Critics argue the map undermines minority voting power, potentially increasing Republican seats. Ongoing legal challenges signify a contentious redistricting landscape ahead, impacting minority representation in Congress.
Texas Bay News 