Texas Politics & News
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- Opinion
Why I Pray, Even After the Texas Shooting
When I was growing up, my parents almost daily rounded up my four siblings and I for family prayer, the seven of us—albeit with differing degrees of attention—reciting out loud the Catholic prayers of the rosary, while meditating on different events in Jesus Christ’s life. At the end of the rosary, after my dad had…Katrina Trinko -
- News
Air Force Error Allowed Texas Shooter to Pass Firearm Background Check
The U.S. Air Force failed to report Texas church shooter Devin Kelley’s misdemeanor domestic violence charge to the FBI, allowing him to legally purchase firearms. The U.S. armed forces are required to report dishonorable discharges and misdemeanor assault charges to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System, that in turn would alert a firearms seller to deny…Saagar Enjeti -
- Opinion
Current Gun Laws Should Have Made It Impossible for Texas Shooter to Buy Gun
On the morning of Sunday, Nov. 5, Devin Patrick Kelley opened fire on the congregants of First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. The attack killed 26 people, including a pregnant woman and a number of children. A man living nearby heard the shots, grabbed his own firearm, and pursued Kelley. Kelley was found dead…Amy Swearer -
- News
Church Leaders Highlight Hope in Wake of Texas Massacre
The Southern Baptist Convention showed sorrow and strength over the tragedy that befell one of its churches in Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Sunday. According to CNN, members of the First Baptist Church were shot and killed by Devin Kelley over a “domestic situation” with his in-laws. Leaders of the convention expressed sympathy for the victims…Ian Snively -
- News
Texas Gun Owner Stopped Church Shooting Rampage
A church shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas, was stopped after a local gun owner grabbed his rifle and began returning fire at the shooter, police announced Sunday. Police say the shooter, who has been identified as 26-year-old Devin P. Kelley of New Braunfels, Texas, walked inside the church and opened fire just before 11:30 a.m. local time. Kelley…Anders Hagstrom -
- News
Texas Church Massacre Leaves at Least 26 Dead
A gunman shot and killed 26 people during a Sunday service at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. The unidentified man walked inside the church and opened fire just before 11:30 a.m. local time, witnesses said, according to CBS affiliate KENS 5. Police have not officially confirmed the number of casualties, but Texas…Will Racke -
- Opinion
Federal Judge Forces Government to Facilitate Abortion for Illegal Minor in Texas
The U.S. government helped facilitate the abortion of an illegal minor’s unborn child early Wednesday morning, after the Trump administration had fought to prevent such a scenario. The abortion came after a tragic ruling from the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday, which ordered the government to allow the woman to obtain the abortion….Melanie Israel -
- Opinion
Texas Wins the Second Round on Sanctuary Cities
Texas has just won the second (procedural) round in the fight over the state Legislature’s attempt to punish cities that implement sanctuary policies. A three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily stayed on Monday key portions of the injunction issued in September by a federal judge in San Antonio that prevented the…Hans von Spakovsky -
- News
Texas to Fight on After Federal Judge’s Sanctuary Ruling
A Texas case, in which a federal judge halted the state’s crackdown on sanctuary cities, could serve as a test case for federal sanctions on such municipalities, an immigration law expert said. U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia ruled Wednesday that the part of the Texas law requiring cities to assist federal immigration officials was unconstitutional,…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
A Biased Judge Tosses a Texas Voter ID Law, Again
Some judges are determined to strike down election integrity laws, no matter what. How else can you explain last week’s irrational decision handed down by federal District Court Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos? A President Barack Obama appointee, Ramos is at least consistent. This was the fifth time she has rejected a voter ID law for…Hans von Spakovsky -
- Opinion
Hurricane Harvey Is Racing Toward Texas. Here’s What You Need to Know.
Meteorologists have upgraded Hurricane Harvey to a Category 2 storm with 110 mph winds and expect that it will grow to a Category 3 hurricane before landfall tonight or tomorrow. If it does continue to strengthen, this will be the most powerful storm in almost 12 years. Hurricane Wilma was the last Category 3 storm,…David Inserra -
- News
Texas Officials Say Human Smuggling Deaths Show Need for Anti-Sanctuary Law
The discovery of nine dead bodies and more than 30 injured people inside a sweltering tractor trailer in San Antonio shows that a tough anti-sanctuary city law is needed more than ever, top Texas officials said Sunday. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wrote on Facebook that sanctuary cities “entice” people to come to the U.S. illegally and place…Will Racke -
- Opinion
We Hear You: Friction Over Texas Fracking and Russian Fighter Jet Action
Editor’s note: Stories sometimes raise eyebrows not just because of controversial subject matter but because some readers question their actual newsworthiness. Please keep letting us know what you think.—Ken McIntyre Dear Daily Signal: The very contamination of water wells by hydraulic fracturing seemingly denied in the first part of Fred Lucas’ story was affirmed in the…Ken McIntyre -
- News
Study Finds Fracking Doesn’t Harm Drinking Water in Texas
Hydraulic fracturing hasn’t contaminated groundwater in Texas, isn’t an earthquake hazard, and has been a boon for the state’s economy, according to a study released Monday. The new study’s conclusions on drinking water are in line with multiple other studies of hydraulic fracturing, popularly known as fracking. Hydraulic fracturing is the process of drilling into…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
This Altercation in Texas Exposes the Heart of Fake News
“Fake news” has become a widespread accusation, but what does it actually mean? Is it something that’s been invented out of whole cloth, like H.G. Wells’ planetary invaders? Different definitions abound, but I submit that fake news, at its core, is reporting in which the journalist selectively chooses and ignores facts, and interprets or paraphrases…Merrie Spaeth -
- News
Bill Protecting Faith-Based Adoption Agencies in Texas on Way to Governor’s Desk
The Texas Senate early Monday passed a bill to allow faith-based adoption and foster care providers to operate based on their religious beliefs. By a final vote of 21-10, state senators agreed with their counterparts in the Texas House of Representatives that society should continue to make room for adoption and foster care services associated…Rachel del Guidice -
- News
Texas Takes Steps to Protect Religious Convictions of Adoption, Foster Care Providers
Texas lawmakers are debating a bill that shows how states can protect faith-based adoption and foster care providers from religious discrimination, proponents of the legislation say. The Texas House of Representatives voted 93-49 Wednesday to pass a bill that would make room in a changing society for adoption and foster care providers associated with a…Rachel del Guidice -
- News
Texas Files Lawsuit Against Potential Opponents of New Anti-Sanctuary Law
Texas lodged a preemptive lawsuit Monday against local officials considered hostile to the state’s new anti-sanctuary cities law, the first salvo in an expected legal fight over the controversial measure. State Attorney General Ken Paxton said the federal lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, is necessary to protect…Will Racke -
- Opinion
Texas Takes Strong and Needed Action on Sanctuary Cities
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott acted to protect the citizens of Texas on Sunday when he signed into law SB 4, a bill to punish (and deter) local cities and counties like Austin from implementing sanctuary policies. Abbott and the legislators who sponsored this bill are trying to stop the Lone Star State from being a…Hans von Spakovsky -
- News
Texas Concealed Carry Holder Thwarts Potential Mass Shooting
Police in Texas say a concealed carry holder is a hero for shooting a crazed attacker Wednesday and preventing what could have been a slaughter inside a crowded sports bar. The man, who was dining with his wife at Zona Caliente in Arlington, Texas, sprang into action when he saw a gunman shoot and kill the bar…Will Racke