Governor Abbott Signs Child Online Safety, Phone-Free Classroom Laws In Amarillo
August 4, 2025 | Austin, Texas | Governor Greg Abbott ceremonially signed Senate Bill 2420 and House Bill 1481 into law to create phone-free learning environments in classrooms and protect the safety and online privacy of Texas children. “Educators and researchers have raised concerns about the impact that smartphones have on student learning and student engagement,” said Governor Abbott. “Experts have explained that smartphones and...
Governor Abbott Signs Vital Pro-Veteran Laws In Houston
August 3, 2025 | Austin, Texas | Recently, Governor Greg Abbott ceremonially signed Senate Bill 1814, Senate Bill 1818, and House Bill 114 to make the lives of our nation’s heroic veterans easier. “Texas is home to more veterans than any other state,” said Governor Abbott. “We owe every member who serves our country the deepest appreciation that we have. America would not be America, we would not be the freest and strongest,...
Attorney General Ken Paxton Announces Launch of New Modernized Child Support System to Strengthen Services for Texas Families
August 1, 2025 – Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the successful launch of ChAMP—short for Children Are My Priority—a new case management and customer service system designed to modernize the operations of the Office of the Attorney General’s Child Support Division (“OAG-CSD”). The new system officially launched on June 12, 2025, replacing a 30-year-old legacy platform with a secure, cloud-based solution that improves...
Texas Classrooms Will Have 10 Commandments on Display
July 31, 2025 – Senate Bill 10 mandates that all Texas public school classrooms display the Ten Commandments on a 16-by-20-inch poster that is clearly legible and visible. Schools are not required to spend public funds to comply with the law, they are permitted to purchase or print the posters if they choose. Posters, that comply with requirements, can be donated as well. Numerous legal challenges have been brought against SB...
In School Suspension No Longer Capped at Three Days
July 31, 2025 – Under House Bill 6 (HB 6), Texas schools now have expanded authority to assign students to in-school suspension (ISS) for extended periods. Previously, ISS was capped at three consecutive days. With the new law, students can remain in ISS for as long as school officials determine appropriate, provided the placement is reviewed every 10 school days. Supporters of the measure argue that it gives schools more...
Latest THC Bill Moves to Texas House
July 31, 2025 – Senate Bill 5, authored by State Senator Charles Perry (R–Lubbock), aims to significantly restrict the availability of THC-containing hemp products in Texas. Passed by the Senate on a 20-9 vote, the bill would ban the manufacture, sale, and possession of consumable hemp products containing any form of THC, including delta-8 and delta-9 variants. However, it would still permit the sale and use of products...
August 2nd Marked Down Market Boasts Huge Vendor List
July 30, 2025 – Marked Down Market on Saturday, August 2, 2025, in downtown Sulphur Springs brings together a huge roster of vendors from across Northeast Texas. Hosted between Alliance Bank and CNB on Gilmer Street, the event runs from 9 AM to 4 PM CDT. Marked Down Market will be a great opportunity for back-to-school shopping, especially for families looking to stretch their budgets. Expect over 10 boutiques, local artisans,...
TAX-FREE Weekend Coming Soon
July 30, 2025 – In Texas, the annual back-to-school tax‑free weekend is scheduled for August 8–10, 2025. During this three-day period, qualifying purchases like most clothing, footwear, backpacks, and school supplies priced under $100 per item are exempt from both state (6.25%) and local (up to 2%) sales tax. Eligible items include everyday wear, shoes, book bags, and standard school supplies—though high-cost accessories like...
Why Does the US Import So Much ‘Lean Trim’?
July 29, 2025 – The U.S. imports lean beef trim primarily to meet consumer demand for ground beef with specific fat-to-lean ratios—most commonly the 80/20 blend. Domestic cattle, particularly grain-fed steers raised for premium cuts, produce beef with higher fat content. This means U.S. processors often lack enough naturally lean trimmings to blend into ground beef at the desired consistency and price point. To solve this, the...
Area Public School Start Dates for 2025
July 28, 2025 – Public school start dates in the U.S. vary widely, typically falling between late July and early September, depending on the region and district. Southern and Southwestern states, including Texas, generally begin their school year earliest—most students return between August 7 and August 18. In San Antonio, for example, many districts start between August 4–14 for the 2025–26 school year. Northeastern states,...
