Stories | Hill Country News

Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows wears a protective mask as he departs the Senate Republican policy luncheon in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on Oct. 21, 2020, in Washington, D.C. The Jan. 6 committee will vote Monday on whether to recommend that Meadows be held in contempt of Congress. (Stefani Reynolds/Getty Images/TNS)

Ex-Trump aide Meadows faces contempt citation next week

The House panel investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol will vote Monday night to recommend holding former President Donald Trump’s last chief of staff, Mark … more

Billy House, Bloomberg News (TNS) | 12/13/01

Wind turbines, part of a large wind farm near Milford, Utah.

Replacing US coal plants with solar and wind is cheaper than running them

Replacing coal power plants across the United States with renewable energy projects would reduce carbon emissions and require less water.Add to the list: It would also save money. Nearly all … more

By Carly Wanna, Bloomberg News (TNS) | 4/29/23

Tourists take a walk on the beach at Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Only 48% of U.S. workers say they use all their vacation days, according to a new survey from Pew Research Center.

Fewer than half of US workers use all their vacation days

Spring break is just over and summer vacations are just around the bend. But while increasingly stressed-out U.S. workers say having paid time off is critical, many still don’t even take all … more

By Matthew Boyle, Bloomberg News (TNS) | 4/29/23

'Yard to Habitat' topic of May 8 master gardener meeting

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office sets master gardener monthly meeting for May 8. "While the rapid growth of our county has been a boon to so many, the unfortunate flip side is the loss of … more

Contributed Report | 4/28/23

Texas law also allows a person to use deadly force to protect life and property under certain specific circumstances.

Analysis: When can people use deadly force to defend themselves in Texas?

DALLAS — A spate of cases in which people who went to the wrong place were shot has renewed criticism over the number of guns in the U.S. — and sparked debates about when people should be able to … more

By Zaeem Shaikh, The Dallas Morning News (TNS) | 4/27/23

May 8 is Military Spouse Appreciation Day in Texas

Veterans and active duty military are invited to show appreciation to their spouses on Military Spouse Appreciation Day, May 8."Military Spouse Appreciation Day honors the contributions, support and … more

Contributed Report | 4/30/23

Two girls were shot last week in an H-E-B parking lot in Elgin after one of them mistakenly got into the wrong car. Pictured is the H-E-B at Hancock Center in Austin.

Round Rock teen recovering after mistaken-car shooting in Elgin H-E-B parking lot

A cheerleader from Round Rock who was shot after a friend mistakenly got into the wrong car in a grocery store parking lot in Elgin is recovering from surgery.Payton Washington was shot in the leg … more

By Sarah Bahari, The Dallas Morning News (TNS) | 4/26/23

Job seekers fill out applications during a job fair in Chicago. Unemployment benefit claims jumped to the highest level since November 2021.

US recurring jobless claims jump to highest since November 2021

Recurring U.S. unemployment benefit claims jumped to the highest level since November 2021, indicating some softening in the labor market.Continuing claims, or the number of people who have already … more

By Reade Pickert, Bloomberg News (TNS) | 4/28/23

Melissa Ladd, chapter leader with Maryland Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, gets a hug from Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Jan. 31 2023, in Annapolis.

Commentary: Drop the gun, and nobody gets hurt

Roman Welzant, who claimed to have been tormented for years by neighborhood teenagers, shot two of them one winter night in 1980 as they threw snowballs at his house in Eastwood, just over the city … more

By Dan Rodricks, Guest Columnist | 4/26/23

4/26/23

House Speaker Dade Phelan, left, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.

House-Senate animosity bubbles over with clashes on property taxes, education

As legislative leaders quarrel over some of the session’s biggest issues, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has taken to flashing two wads of cash in a series of TV interviews: $1,060 in one hand and $800 … more

By James Barragán, The Texas Tribune | 4/26/23

Students learn about Martin Luther King Jr. in Rosa Ramirez's second grade class at Linder Elementary School in Austin on Jan. 14, 2022.

Texas House advances $4.5 billion school funding bill

In a promising sign for cash-strapped Texas schools, the Texas House on Wednesday gave preliminary approval to a school finance bill that would increase the amount of state money that schools get per … more

By Brian Lopez, The Texas Tribune | 4/26/23

Media outlets worry that a bill would make them more vulnerable to frivolous lawsuits.

Journalists fear Texas Legislature could weaken law designed to protect free speech

Journalists and free speech advocates are raising alarms about a bill moving through the Texas Legislature that they worry would make news organizations and regular Texans more susceptible to … more

By Matthew Watkins, The Texas Tribune | 4/26/23

$Jessica Lemmer went over a fraction problem with her third grade math class Jan. 14, 2018, at Edward Titche Elementary School in the Pleasant Grove area of Dallas.$

Texas lawmakers hope an investment in teacher training will help keep new educators in the classroom longer

As the state struggles with retaining teachers, the Texas House gave preliminary approval Wednesday to a bill that would boost training programs for aspiring teachers and offer other incentives with … more

By Brian Lopez, The Texas Tribune | 4/26/23

U.S. Speaker of the House Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., is followed by members of the media as he walks in the U.S. Capitol on April 25, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Alex Wong/Getty Images/TNS)

House passes $1.5 trillion debt limit increase, spending cuts

House Republicans narrowly passed legislation Wednesday pairing nearly $4.8 trillion in deficit reduction measures with a debt limit increase into next year — a move they argue … more

By Aidan Quigley, Laura Weiss and Lindsey McPherson, CQ-Roll Call (TNS) | 4/26/23

Lawmakers on the House floor at the state Capitol on April 6, 2023.

Proposed ban on corporal punishment in Texas schools fails again

Texas lawmakers on Wednesday voted against a bill that would prohibit public school employees from using corporal punishment on students. House Bill 772 received a 58-86 vote in the lower chamber. … more

By Pooja Salhotra, The Texas Tribune | 4/27/23

Ryan Shea has become one of the best defenders in the AHL this season, setting a new Texas Stars franchise record and leading the league with a +37 plus/minus rating.

Ryan Shea developing into elite defenseman for Texas Stars

Ryan Shea didn’t like the view from the stands.The Texas Stars defenseman didn’t miss a game in his four years at Northeastern, so when he was a healthy scratch more often than not in his first … more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 4/27/23

Texas pitcher Lebarron Johnson Jr. (57) on the mound during an NCAA college baseball game between Texas and LSU on Feb. 28, 2023, in Austin.

Texas baseball reaches new low after getting swept by Oklahoma

In one weekend, Texas baseball went from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows. more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 4/27/23

The Atlanta Falcons drafted Texas running back Bijan Robinson with the eighth overall pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday night.

Atlanta Falcons select Texas running back Bijan Robinson with 8th pick

Hopefully they like their mustard extra spicy in Atlanta. more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 4/27/23

Austin FC midfielder Ethan Finlay (13) is fouled by San Jose Earthquakes defender Paul Marie (3) during a Major League Soccer match on August 6, 2022 in Austin, Texas.

Austin FC fighting through tough times as scoring drought continues

Josh Wolff doesn’t believe in luck. Ethan Finlay is not superstitious. more

By Zach Smith, HCN Sports Editor | 4/28/23

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