Texas news is in the news across the country.

A Texas signPhoto byEnrique MaciasonUnsplash

The Border

Texas has always been a hot topic because it is close to Mexico. However, the dispute reached a critical point when political leaders designated the situation as a crisis. The border issue is likely to remain in national headlines as the election season nears.

People crossing the Rio Grand.Photo byKCPR2

Governor Greg Abbott has given an outline of the initiatives undertaken by his administration in response to the border crisis.

These efforts contain an elevated amount of funds and recruitment of law enforcement personnel, the proposal of a border wall, and attempts to address the issue of human trafficking in the border region.

Governor Greg AbbottPhoto byKRPC2

Abbott also discussed what the state of Texas is doing also protect the border under President Joe Biden’s policies.

The issue reached national headlines, in particular, as Haitian migrants gathered at the border in Del Rio, Texas.

Local leaders have recently pleaded for federal aid in response to the escalating situation at the growing encampment beneath the international bridge, where thousands of migrants have amassed.

Voting

Following the 2020 election and questions put forth by former President Donald Trump about the electoral processes, multiple states, including Texas, implemented updated voting laws.

The passing of Senate Bill 1 introduced new rules regarding mail-in voting, improved safeguards for biased poll watchers, and reversed certain local voting programs aimed at easing voting access, especially those spearheaded by Harris County and mostly used by voters from minority communities.

The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against the State of Texas and the Texas Secretary of State over voting practices it feels restrictive that have been put into place by Texas Senate Bill 1, which was signed into law in September 2021. Department has

Critical race theory/books

In June, Governor Greg Abbott approved legislation that imposes limitations on the way recent events and America's legacy of racial discrimination are addressed in educational curricula across Texas. Despite often being dubbed the "critical race theory" bill, the actual text of the legislation does not explicitly include the term "critical race theory."

But in signing the bill, Abbott said “more must be done” to “abolish critical race theory in Texas,” and announced that he would ask the Legislature to address the issue during a special session this summer.

A national debate around "critical race theory" has strengthened, sparked by conservative activist Christopher Rufo last year. Critics argue that the theory, promoted in schools, labels children as inherently racist and condemns the U.S. for its racist roots. Conservative figures and parents have expressed worries about its impact on education.

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KRPC2 Houston