Texas
Area educators discuss top issues as new Texas Legislature begins
AUSTIN, Texas – As the 89th Texas Legislature begins in Austin on Tuesday, lawmakers will again resume debate around familiar topics gaining steam across the state.
The Texas Legislature consists of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber with 150 members, and the Senate, which is the upper chamber with 31 members.
KSAT sat down with two political science professors in San Antonio to discuss some of the top issues likely to permeate throughout the Republican-led session.
Jon Taylor, department chair of political science and geography at the University of Texas at San Antonio, pointed to similarities in the dysfunction between lawmakers in Austin and Washington, D.C.
“It’s almost as though Austin has turned into a mini version of Washington, DC, particularly in terms of the US House versus the Texas House in the sense of they seem to be dysfunctional in trying to find a speaker, massive fights over that (and) factionalism within the Republican party,” Taylor said.
Electing a speaker is likely to be one of the first things on lawmakers’ agendas in the Texas House.
Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont), pushed out by other party members, will soon give up the gavel.
Two candidates have drawn near-constant conversation in legislative circles as ideal candidates: David Cook (R-Mansfield) and Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock). A third candidate, Ana-María Rodríguez Ramos (D-Richardson) has not garnered as much attention.
While it is more than likely that a Republican will assume Phelan’s role, Trinity University Political Science Professor Juan Sepulveda said the question is much more about what kind of Republican will take charge and what they would want to push forward.
“This is really a battle within the Republican Party,” Sepulveda said. “This is not a question of ideology. This is not about being conservative or moderate or liberal. They are both very conservative leaders. But this is really about power.”
After a speaker is elected, members of the House will offer amendments to and vote on House rules that will define governance for the body’s work.
In a slight decrease from the last legislative session, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar projected Monday state lawmakers would have about $195 billion for the 2026-2028 budget, according to reporting by the Texas Tribune.
Throughout the session, lawmakers are constitutionally required to pass a balanced budget without overspending what is available.
Governor Greg Abbott will announce his list of priority items later, determining which legislation can be moved in the session’s first 60 days.
As the session begins and committees begin to hear bills, we can expect familiar topics around school vouchers, immigration and property taxes.
Tayor thinks some of San Antonio’s needs will be at the forefront, too.
“There is a real need to push and to think long-term, planning for things such as water, “Taylor said. ”Additionally, I think an area for at least an issue for San Antonio is to look for state support for in particular for transportation, public transportation, not just building freeways, but to build public transit systems.”
Another piece of legislation that could affect us locally is a bill filed by San Antonio Senator José Menéndez to address dangerous dog incidents.
“This is not a Democratic Party political issue. This is something we’ve been kind of seeing as a community. So. And he’s got and he’s been there long. He’s got good relationships. So it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s able to kind of get something done.
Related coverage on KSAT:
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Texas
No. 23 Texas A&M Drops Home SEC Opener To No. 7 Georgia
The No. 23 Texas A&M Aggies baseball team saw another game of struggles to start an SEC conference matchup Friday night in College Station, except this one wasn’t as close as the games last week in Norman, dropping Game 1 of their series against the Georgia Bulldogs, 9-4.
The Aggies posted a seven-run inning earlier in the week against the Texas State Bobcats, but were unfortunately unable to produce that same firepower with their bats three days later.
With the loss, the Aggies drop to 17-4 on the year, and 1-3 against SEC opponents.
Texas A&M Bats Struggle in Loss to No. 7 Georgia Bulldogs
Shane Sdao took the loss for the Aggies despite striking out 11 batters in 5.2 innings pitched while also allowing nine hits and five earned runs on 112 pitches.
With the Aggies against their second top 10-ranked SEC team in a row, the Bulldogs wasted no time making their presence felt in College Station as Henry Allen blasted a three-run home run off of Sdao in the top of the first inning.
Georgia second baseman Tre Phelps would follow up in the second inning with an RBI single to give the visiting team a 4-0 lead after two innings.
The Aggies would find a spark in the bottom half of that same inning, with first baseman Gavin Grahovac smashing a single into center to give A&M their first hit and first two runs of the contest, scoring Jake Duer and Terrence Kiel II, cutting Georgia’s lead in half.
Unfortunately, that’s really where the good times stopped for Texas A&M.
Bulldogs third baseman Michael O’Shaughnessy rocketed a solo home run in the top half of the third, left fielder Cole Johnson would rope a two-RBI single into the outfield in the eighth inning, and designated hitter Jordy Oriach came on to pinch hit in the ninth and smacked a towering two-run homer over the wall in right center.
Aside from RBI singles by Grahovac and Chris Hacopian in the bottom half of the frame, the Aggies were unable to duplicate their stellar offense from Tuesday in the ninth inning, and they took their second straight conference loss on the year.
Both Boston Kellner and Terrence Kiel II were able to draw walks in the contest, allowing them to extend their streak as the only two Aggies to get on base in all 21 games this year.
Game 2 between the two SEC schools is scheduled for 2:00 PM on Saturday.
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Texas
Box of parrots seized from SUV crossing Texas border
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to the Brownsville Port of Entry recently intercepted three live parrots hidden within a vehicle during an alleged wildlife smuggling attempt. (CBP)
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized a box of live parrots apparently being smuggled across the border from Mexico into Texas.
CBP seizes live parrots
The parrots were found in an SUV crossing at the Brownsville Port of Entry on March 13, the CBP said in a Friday release.
The 2007 GMC Yukon was flagged for a secondary inspection, at which point a box with three live parrots was discovered.
Homeland Security Investigations special agents initiated a criminal investigation into the seizure. CBP says they worked with partner agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to safeguard the birds at a local zoo.
Parrots are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora regulated by FWS.
What they’re saying:
“Parrots are protected species and our frontline officers work diligently to prevent suspected attempts to smuggle them as part of the illegal animal trade,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry. “Exotic birds may carry various diseases not known to exist in the U.S. that could endanger native wildlife and U.S. agriculture, resulting in potential economic harm as well.”
The Source: Information in this article comes from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Texas
How to buy Houston vs. Texas A&M 2026 March Madness tickets
The Houston Cougars reminded the college basketball world they are a force to be reckoned with in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday night.
No. 2 Houston dispatched No. 15 Idaho 78-47 and is heading to the Round of 32 on Saturday.
Led by freshman guard Kingston Flemings, the Cougars routed the Vandals and secured an intra-state matchup in the second round of March Madness.
SHOP: Houston vs. Texas A&M March Madness tickets
Now, Houston will take on No. 10 Texas A&M on Saturday, March 21. The Aggies pulled off the minor upset beating St. Mary’s earlier on Thursday evening.
Here is everything you need to know in order to buy Houston vs. Texas A&M March Madness basketball second round tickets.
Shop Houston vs. Texas A&M tickets
Shop Houston vs. Texas A&M March Madness tickets
When is March Madness 2026?
The First Four tipped off the 2026 March Madness tournament on Tuesday, March 17. The two rounds run between Thursday, March 19 and Sunday, March 22. The tournament concludes with the Final Four on Saturday, April 4 and the National Championship game on Monday, April 6.
Houston March Madness next opponent
Houston earned a No. 2 seed in the South regional. They team defeated Idaho in the its opening game and have advanced to the Round of 32, where they will play the No. 10 Texas A&M on Saturday. Tickets to Houston’s Round of 32 game start at $192 and includes entry to see No. 4 Nebraska take on No. 5 Vanderbilt as well.
Limited tickets for the first weekend of March Madness in Oklahoma City. are still available. Get your Houston vs. Texas A&M NCAA Tournament tickets now.
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Houston vs. Texas A&M March Madness schedule, game time
After defeating Idaho on Thursday, Houston will compete against the Aggies of Texas A&M on Saturday, March 21. Tip off is set for 6:10 p.m ET. Shop Houston Round of 32 tickets now.
More March Madness: Everything fans need to know about the 2026 NCAA Tournament
Shop Houston basketball tickets
Houston March Madness basketball tickets
Limited Houston NCAA Tournament tickets are still available for the Round of 32. Get your Houston March Madness tickets now.
Illinois March Madness game locations
Illinois will play its Round 32 game at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Saturday, March 21. Tip off is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. ET
Limited tickets for the first weekend of March Madness in Oklahoma City. are available. Shop your Houston NCAA Tournament tickets now.
Shop ALL Houston basketball tickets
Houston Sweet 16 tickets
If the Cougars were to advance to the Sweet 16, they’d travel back home to Houston. Sweet 16 tickets in Houston are already available starting at $207.
Shop Houston Sweet 16 tickets
March Madness 2026 full schedule for the men’s tournament
- April 6: National Championship
- March 19-20: First round
- March 21-22: Second round
- March 26-27: Sweet 16
- March 28-29: Elite 8
- April 4-5: Final Four
Shop ALL March Madness tickets
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