State of Texas

State of Texas - May 24, 2026

President Donald Trump has officially endorsed Attorney General Ken Paxton in the final stretch of the high‑profile Senate runoff against Senator John Cornyn.  Adam Schwager looks at what early voting turnout could signal ahead of Election Day and whether the late endorsement is enough to shift momentum in one of the most expensive primaries in U.S. history. While record-breaking spending is driving this Senate runoff, a significant share of campaign funding is coming from outside Texas. Texas Tribune Washington Correspondent Gabby Birenbaum joins us to take a closer look at how national money is influencing races with implications far beyond the state. Texas is rolling out new warning sirens in vulnerable flood‑prone areas following last year's deadly disasters. Lawmakers say the requirement is aimed at closing gaps in emergency alerts and improving response times. Matt Grant looks closer at the plan that aims to save lives in future flooding events. A high school student detained by ICE just weeks before graduation has now been ordered released. Investigator Kelly Wiley examines the case, the legal questions surrounding detention and due process, and how it's resonating within the student's school community. A major power line project is drawing scrutiny as Texas works to meet growing energy demand. Eric Henrikson reports on  concerns from landowners and lawmakers about land use and infrastructure expansion, and how the state is navigating the balance between grid reliability and local impact. State of Texas is a statewide, in-depth program focused solely on Texas politics. Produced at KXAN in Austin and airing in 14 markets across the state, the show gives viewers greater perspective on the Texas Legislature, state policy and elections.

State of Texas - May 17, 2026

Early voting begins Monday in one of the most consequential races on the Texas ballot — the fight to replace Ken Paxton as attorney general. We go one‑on‑one with all four candidates in the runoff, giving voters a chance to hear directly from each in their own words about their priorities, experience, and how they would shape the office. Congressman Chip Roy and State Senator Mayes Middleton are locked in a high‑stakes runoff to lead the GOP ticket. Adam Schwager breaks down the clash over experience, conservative credentials, and ties to Donald Trump as both candidates make their closing pitch to voters. While much of the attention is on the Republican runoff, Democrats face their own decision between State Senator Nathan Johnson and former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski. Adam Schwager speaks with both candidates about how they differ on strategy, electability, and how they would take on the Trump administration if elected statewide. With no endorsement yet in the Cornyn‑Paxton Senate runoff, President Donald Trump instead turned attention toward Democrat James Talarico. Josh looks at how a visit with Barack Obama — and a seemingly simple taco order — became a political flashpoint, and what it says about messaging in the campaign for U.S. Senate.

State of Texas - May 10, 2026

New polling shows the Republican runoff between Senator John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton within the margin of error, with early voting set to begin in just days. Adam Schwager breaks down how both candidates are positioning themselves as they await a potential endorsement from Donald Trump — and how that decision could still shape the outcome of the race. Texas is temporarily backing off a controversial requirement that would have forced camps to install fiber optic connections ahead of this summer's season. Dylan McKim explains how the change came after pushback and legal pressure from camp operators, and what it means for licensing and safety oversight moving forward. An Austin-area high school community is rallying around a senior detained by ICE just weeks before graduation. Kelly Wiley reports on the case, the broader impact of expanding immigration enforcement agreements, and how similar situations are affecting students and families across Texas. Thousands of Texans say they were misled by solar panel contracts that failed to deliver promised savings, leaving some locked into costly long‑term agreements. Investigator Arezow Doost examines the growing number of complaints, ongoing investigations, and new legislative efforts aimed at cracking down on deceptive sales practices. A $30 million private-sector investment aims to train thousands of new electricians across Texas as demand surges from data centers and population growth. Adam Schwager reports on how the program will expand training capacity at technical schools and help address a growing workforce shortage that's already delaying major projects. State of Texas is a statewide, in-depth program focused solely on Texas politics. Produced at KXAN in Austin and airing in 14 markets across the state, the show gives viewers greater perspective on the Texas Legislature, state policy and elections.

State of Texas - May 3, 2026

* Dueling Hemp Lawsuits - Two lawsuits with very different potential outcomes came down for the Texas hemp industry this week. The Texas Supreme Court ruled that the Department of State Health Services can ban Delta-8 THC. On the same day, a district judge granted an injunction against the total THC definition change blocking four new DSHS hemp rules. That case will be decided in a trial scheduled for July.   * Heart Wrenching Hearing - Family members shared emotional testimony at a special legislative hearing to investigate Camp Mystic's response to the deadly July 4th floods this week. A day later, the owners of the camp announced they will not re-open this summer.   * Driverless Car Concerns - As more driverless cars hit the road in Texas, city officials search for solutions to the real-world safety issues unique to autonomous vehicles. At the same time, law enforcement faces challenges as they try to evolve old enforcement methods to hold the autonomous vehicle industry accountable. We sit down with the Austin Police Department to learn why so few citations have been issued for driverless cars and talk to Waymo about how they're working to play by the rules of a new game.

State of Texas - April 26, 2026

The Justice Department's move to reclassify medical marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug marks a major federal policy shift with potential ripple effects in Texas. Dylan McKim breaks down what the change means for research and public health, what stays the same, and why some experts warn the move opens the door to profit‑driven expansion without enough safeguards. School districts across Texas are spending tens of thousands of dollars fighting lawsuits brought by the attorney general's office, even as many face mounting budget crises. Investigator Kelly Wiley examines the growing volume of litigation, the culture‑war issues driving these cases, and how legal costs are forcing districts to weigh classroom needs against court battles. The legal fight over in‑state tuition for undocumented students is heading back to court, with June arguments scheduled at the Fifth Circuit. Adam Schwager reports on how student organizations are joining the case, what's at stake for current and future college students, and how a 25‑year‑old Texas law could ultimately end up before the U.S. Supreme Court. State of Texas is a statewide, in-depth program focused solely on Texas politics. Produced at KXAN in Austin and airing in 14 markets across the state, the show gives viewers greater perspective on the Texas Legislature, state policy and elections.