Texas

Republicans poised to narrowly increase majorities in Texas Legislature

Published

2 years ago

November 9, 2022

Republicans poised to narrowly increase majorities in Texas Legislature

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Republicans had been poised to narrowly increase their legislative majorities in each the Home and Senate early Wednesday morning, although they fell wanting taking some seats they focused on this yr’s midterm election.

The Republicans’ leads had been being felt prominently in South Texas, the place the GOP gained key races after focusing on the traditionally Democratic area of Texas after Democratic President Joe Biden underperformed there in 2020.

A number of of the races had not been referred to as by Resolution Desk HQ early Wednesday morning.

In Home District 37, anchored in Brownsville, Republican Janie Lopez was on monitor to seize an open seat as she led Democrat Luis Villareal Jr. The seat is presently held by Democratic state Rep. Alex Dominguez, who unsuccessfully ran for state Senate relatively than search reelection.

Lopez could be the primary Latina Republican to characterize the Rio Grande Valley within the Home.

In one other main South Texas victory, Rep. Ryan Guillen of Rio Grande Metropolis, who defected from the Democratic Celebration and ran this cycle as a Republican, appeared destined to win reelection handily.

In one other essential battle in southern Bexar County, which has historically been dominated by Democrats, Republican incumbent John Lujan regarded as if he would prevail over Democrat Frank Ramirez, a former San Antonio Metropolis Council member.

Republicans appeared to bolster their probabilities to hold on to that Home District 118 seat by reconfiguring it throughout final yr’s legislative session to have a a lot narrower benefit for Democrats. Biden gained the district by 14 factors two years in the past, however would have solely gained by 3 factors underneath the brand new boundaries.

Republicans additionally poured huge cash into the race, with Lujan outraising Ramirez practically 5 to 1 within the newest marketing campaign finance stories.

However Democrat Morgan LaMantia was in a decent race with Republican Adam Hinojosa in Senate District 27, an open seat vacated by Eddie Lucio Jr., a conservative Democrat who typically bucked his occasion within the Legislature on main points like abortion and LGBTQ rights. LaMantia was forward early Wednesday morning with all precincts reporting, however the Democrat’s lead was lower than 600 votes, placing it squarely in recount territory.

Whereas LaMantia is a well known Democrat within the Rio Grande Valley, Republicans added extra conservative voters from Bee and San Patricio counties throughout final yr’s redistricting course of, making the district extra aggressive for his or her occasion. Democratic President Joe Biden gained the district by 15.7 factors in 2020, however would have gained it by solely 4.7 factors underneath the brand new boundaries.

Texas Democratic Celebration Chair Gilberto Hinojosa tried to pour chilly water on any Republican celebrations in South Texas. The GOP set its sights on flipping three congressional seats within the space, however Democrats held them off in two of them.

“Republicans in Austin and D.C. ought to perceive that if they might barely eke out this one win right here, they need to in all probability pack up their luggage and get the hell out of our area,” he mentioned on Twitter.

Democrats fared properly in different races the place Republicans had been bullish on pulling off upsets. Incumbent Democrat Eddie Morales was properly on his solution to keeping off a problem from Katherine Parker in Home District 74, which incorporates Eagle Move and far of the Texas-Mexico border.

And Democrats additionally seem to have gained some seats that had been drawn to be extra favorable to them throughout final yr’s redistricting cycle. Democrat Mihaela Plesa was on monitor to flip an open seat in Home District 70 in fast-growing Collin County, which has lengthy been managed by Republicans.

And in Home District 34, Democratic incumbent Abel Herrero was well-positioned to beat again a problem from Republican Carolyn Vaughn to earn a sixth time period representing the Nueces County district.

In Home District 52, Republican Caroline Harris, a former legislative staffer, defeated Democrat Luis Echegaray, in a district previously held by Democrat James Talarico. The district was redrawn final yr to present Republicans a bonus and Talarico moved to close by Home District 50, anchored in Austin, the place he gained the seat over Republican Victor Johnson. That seat was open after Democrat Celia Israel determined to run for Austin mayor.

In Harris County, Republican Mano DeAyala appeared to cruise over Democrat Mohamad Maarouf in Home District 133. The seat had been vacated by longtime Republican Rep. Jim Murphy.

With districts that had been drawn to be extra favorable to the GOP, the Republican incumbents in Dallas County appeared to have gained rather more snug reelections than they did two years in the past. Morgan Meyer was on monitor to defeat Democrat Elizabeth Ginsberg in Home District 108, anchored in Highland Park and College Park, whereas Angie Chen Button regarded as if she had prevailed over Democrat Elva Curl in Home District 112 in northeast Dallas County.

Within the Senate, Republicans prolonged their majority by at the least one after state Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, gained election to Senate District 10, previously held by Democrat Beverly Powell. The district was previously anchored totally in Tarrant County, however was dispersed to the west and south in final yr’s redistricting course of and made extra advantageous for Republicans.

Powell, who had filed for reelection finally stop the race claiming it was unwinnable after the GOP redrawing.

King’s victory implies that Republicans now maintain at the least 19 of the Senate’s 31 seats.

The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit statewide information group devoted to holding Texans knowledgeable on politics and coverage points that affect their communities. This election season, Texans across the state will flip to The Texas Tribune for the data they want on voting, election outcomes, evaluation of key races and extra. Get the newest.

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Texas A&M vs Oklahoma: Preview, prediction, how to watch men’s basketball game

Published

4 hours ago

January 8, 2025

Press Room

Texas A&M vs Oklahoma: Preview, prediction, how to watch men’s basketball game

For the first time since December of 2017, Texas A&M basketball is ranked inside the top 10 in national polls.

The Aggies manhandled the rival Texas Longhorns on Saturday and surged up the rankings. They sit ninth in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll and 10th in the AP Poll, released Sunday.

Despite national recognition, the Aggies know they have a lot of work to do if they’re going to stay there, and the next challenge will be daunting. Wednesday night, the Aggies travel to Norman to take on the No. 16 Oklahoma Sooners (13-1, 0-1) in their first SEC road test of the year.

WATCH MULTIPLE TEXAS A&M GAMES HERE

No. 9 Texas A&M (12-2, 1-0) won eight games in a row and will put the streak to the test against a good Sooners team looking to bounce back from a 107-79 loss to the No. 5 Alabama Crimson Tide.

Now, the Aggies are fully entrenched in a grueling conference schedule. Can Texas A&M continue their winning ways Wednesday on the road against Oklahoma? Here’s what you need to know for the matchup:

Texas A&M vs Oklahoma time

Day: Wednesday

Start time: 8 p.m.

Location: Lloyd Noble Center in Norman.

How to watch Texas A&M vs Oklahoma

TV channel: SEC Network

Livestream: Fubo, ESPN+, SEC+

Aggies capitalizing on ‘mature group’

Texas A&M entered the season returning 78% of last year’s total production. That familiarity in Buzz Williams’ sixth season has allowed the Aggies to flourish early this year. With experience a clear advantage for A&M, the team’s maturity has allowed them to get off to the start they’ve had.

“We have a very mature group. We have a group that has really good character, and that’s important. When we’re together, our ideas have to be based on the truth,” Williams said on his weekly radio show Monday.

A&M’s starting five against Texas (Wade Taylor, Zhuric Phelps, Hayden Hefner, Solomon Thomas, Henry Coleman III) have combined to play 460 games for the program, and that familiarity has helped the Aggies play well together when it matters most.

“The margins are just so thin. You always have to figure out a way to get better,” Williams said Monday. “We’re thankful for Saturday. There’s very little margin over the next nine weeks.”

Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma prediction

Twenty-point wins will be hard to come by in the SEC this season, and the Aggies know it. Wednesday against the Sooners will provide A&M with another measuring stick game, a test they’ve continued to pass. I expect it will be much closer than the Longhorns game was, with Texas A&M finding a way to grind out a one-possession road win over Oklahoma, 77-74.

Reach Texas A&M Beat Reporter Tony Catalina via email at ACatalina@gannett.com. Follow the American-Statesman on Facebook and X for more. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Get access to all of our best content with this tremendous offer.

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Texas suicide-prevention hotlines buckle as mental health crisis increases

Published

12 hours ago

January 7, 2025

Press Room

Texas suicide-prevention hotlines buckle as mental health crisis increases

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Two years ago, when the suicide prevention hotline launched, it was called a “game-changer.”

However, 988 systems in Texas are now beginning to buckle under the weight of a multi-million dollar budget deficit.

The Texas Tribune’s mental health reporter, Stephen Simpson, joined Eyewitness News to break down what caused this deficit and the impact on health care across the state.

Most of the money comes from a federal grant but was never meant to support the system long-term.

“This was just to get the 988 systems up and running until the state stepped in to take over the funding,” Simpson said.

The state of Texas has not dedicated any funds to the suicide prevention hotline.

Texas only has five centers dedicated to answering calls for help, compared to Florida, which has 13. As a result, 20% of calls from Texans in crisis in Texas are answered by out-of-state counselors.

“The more you’re transferred out of state, the more likely you are going to drop the call. Currently, Texas has the 5th highest number of dropped calls in the nation. Without the number of crisis counselors, the text and chat features we have here don’t really work,” Simpson said.

Texas has one of the highest numbers of calls into 988 centers across the country, mental health resources are low, and the suicide rate is climbing. The suicide rate in Texas jumped 37% from 2000 to 2022.

Senator José Menéndez, D-San Antonio, has filed a bill to create a state trust fund for the upcoming legislative session, which begins Jan. 14.

The 911 call centers are funded similarly. A surcharge on cellphone bills would support the 988 trust fund. Other states use money from Medicaid expansion to fund their 988 centers.

For updates on this story, follow Briana Conner on Facebook, X and Instagram.

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Texas declares state emergency over polar vortex

Published

20 hours ago

January 7, 2025

Press Room

Texas declares state emergency over polar vortex

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of emergency in response to the polar vortex, which is bringing snow, ice and freezing rain across the nation.

According to a Monday statement from the governor’s office, emergency response resources, including transportation crews, the National Guard and medical teams, have been activated.

Governor Abbott urged Texans to stay weather-aware, avoid unnecessary travel and locate nearby warming centers through state-provided resources.

Newsweek has contacted the governor’s office via phone and the Texas Division of Emergency Management via email for comment.

Snow covers the road on Interstate 45 in The Woodlands, Texas, in September 2021. Texas has declared a state emergency over plunging temperatures nationwide.

Brett Coomer/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Why It Matters

The polar vortex has triggered freeze warnings and advisories across Texas, threatening human safety and infrastructure.

The freezing temperatures can cause frostbite and hypothermia as well as damage to crops, vegetation and homes. In the past, the state’s transportation and electricity infrastructure has been severely affected by extreme cold events.

With similar conditions forecast, the state’s proactive measures aim to mitigate risks to residents and critical infrastructure. Texans are bracing for potential power outages and dangerous travel conditions.

What To Know

The National Weather Service has forecast sub-freezing temperatures across central, eastern and northern Texas, with wind chills as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas.

Houston and coastal regions may experience 40 mph wind gusts, while Dallas-Fort Worth faces a possibility of single-digit wind chills.

More than 700 Texas Department of Transportation personnel have pre-treated roads, bridges and overpasses with brine and granular materials to improve safety.

Emergency teams from multiple state agencies, including the Texas National Guard, have been deployed to assist stranded motorists, monitor power outages and support with medical emergencies.

The Texas power grid failed in 2021 as a frigid storm left more than 4 million without power or access to food and water. The storm also killed hundreds.

What People Are Saying

Governor Abbott on X: “Today, I activated state emergency response resources ahead of severe winter weather expected to impact the state this week. As Texas faces snow, ice, and freezing rain, we’re working around-the-clock to ensure Texans have necessary resources.”

Dylan Federico, meteorologist for Fox 4 Dallas-Fort Worth, on X: “Dangerous situation with wind chills already in the teens in North Texas. It will feel like the single digits tomorrow morning. Stay safe!”

National Weather Service advice on cold weather safety: “Extremely cold air comes every winter into at least part of the country and affects millions of people across the United States. The arctic air can be dangerous. Combined with brisk winds, dangerously cold wind chill values can result.”