The Austin lawmaker, first elected in 2004, chaired the influential House Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security committees. He is the second Texas Republican this week to bow out of Congress.

Thomas Alter’s lawyer said the professor would seek legal action for being fired after allegedly violating university policy in a video posted on social media.

Texas’ governor issued an executive order Wednesday mandating age restrictions on consumable hemp products containing THC. This comes after Abbott’s veto earlier this year of legislation that would have banned the products outright.

“There is a deep hunger in this state and in this country for a different kind of politics,” said Texas House Rep. James Talarico at a rally in Round Rock Tuesday evening, just hours after the Austin Democrat announced his candidacy for Texas’ 2026 U.S. Senate race.

The executive order comes after the Texas Legislature ended a special session without the House, Senate and governor agreeing on THC restrictions.

The Democrat's district covers North Austin, but he’s gained nationwide support through Instagram and TikTok. Clips of Talarico condemning Republican policies have gone viral on both platforms, where he’s amassed 1.2 million followers.

The Austin Democrat has made a name for himself with his viral social media presence. His entry to the race pits him against former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred in the increasingly crowded primary.

The legislation was crafted in response to July's historic flooding in Texas that killed more than 130 people, including nearly 40 children.

A lawyer for the students says the law restricting "expressive activities" at certain times could ban anything from playing music to wearing a political T-shirt.

When the governor called the Texas Legislature into special session after July’s historic floods, he topped his priority list with passing bills to better prepare the state for future natural disasters. Here’s a look at six new measures lawmakers just passed.