State of Texas

Speaking to a Republican convention audience, Ken Paxton highlighted what he calls the "Protecting the Texas Promise" plan, including proposed tax deductions for homebuyers, medical expenses, and healthy living expenses. He also outlined his case against James Talarico and framed the Senate race as a choice between two very different futures for Texas. In a one-on-one interview, Talarico discusses affordability, border security, health care costs, and the national debt. While making his case as an alternative to Paxton, he also identifies issues where he says he could work with President Trump, including housing affordability, and prescription drug costs.  We examine a noticeable shift in Governor Greg Abbott's approach toward Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa.  The changing campaign approach could alter the race for Governor. The race for campaign cash - Daniel Marin breaks down how a recent Supreme Court ruling could reshape campaign fundraising in Texas and potentially give Paxton access to new sources of political support as Talarico continues to hold a significant fundraising advantage.  State of Texas is a statewide, in-depth program focused on Texas politics. Produced at KXAN in Austin and airing in 14 markets across the state, the show gives viewers greater perspective on the Texas Legislature, state policy and elections.

What started as a local debate over surveillance technology has become a national conversation. We speak with Texas Congressman Keith Self, who's pushing federal legislation that would require warrants before federal agencies can access surveillance data. We examine the growing privacy concerns, the argument from law enforcement that the cameras help solve crimes, and the broader debate over how much surveillance is too much. While data centers have sparked concern across much of Texas, one Panhandle community sees potential benefits. Dylan McKim looks closer at developments in Turkey, Texas, where a proposed $10 billion data center project could help fund long-overdue water and wastewater upgrades. City leaders say the partnership could provide critical infrastructure improvements while supporting future growth. New polling shows Governor Greg Abbott holding a one-point lead over Democrat Gina Hinojosa, marking the third poll in five weeks to show a highly competitive race. Adam Schwager breaks down the numbers, the role President Donald Trump's approval ratings may be playing, and how issues like data centers are emerging as factors in the campaign. A new survey projects the largest increase in employer health care costs in more than two decades, raising concerns that many Texans could be paying more for coverage next year. We look at the factors driving the increase and explore the bipartisan ideas lawmakers are considering to improve transparency and affordability. State of Texas is a statewide, in-depth program focused solely on Texas politics. Produced at KXAN in Austin and airing in 14 markets across the state, the show gives viewers greater perspective on the Texas Legislature, state policy and elections.

Texas has reached a $1 billion settlement with Meta over allegations that Facebook and Instagram harmed children's mental health. Dylan McKim examines the new safety measures Meta has agreed to implement, the limits of those changes, and why some psychologists and lawmakers argue the biggest concerns surrounding social media still haven't been addressed. New polling from the Texas Politics Project shows broad skepticism toward data center development, with opposition spanning both political parties and extending beyond rural communities into the suburbs. We break down what voters are concerned about, how those concerns could influence the November elections, and why even supporters of data center growth are adjusting their message. Texas' new Education Freedom Account program is already having a measurable impact on schools. Dylan McKim visits a private school that has doubled enrollment since the rollout and explores how rising participation is affecting both private school expansion plans and nearby public school districts losing students to the program. A new Texas 2036 report estimates child care challenges cost Texas employers nearly $8 billion annually. Adam Schwager looks at the growing economic impact, how businesses are adapting, and why lawmakers are being urged to treat child care as a workforce issue rather than simply a family issue. State of Texas is a statewide, in-depth program focused solely on Texas politics. Produced at KXAN in Austin and airing in 14 markets across the state, the show gives viewers greater perspective on the Texas Legislature, state policy and elections.

The Trump administration has temporarily halted a border infrastructure project in Big Bend National Park after bipartisan backlash over construction activity inside the iconic landscape. Josh speaks with State Senator César Blanco about his meeting with the head of Customs and Border Protection, concerns about environmental impacts, and what happens next as federal officials decide whether work will resume. Corpus Christi narrowly avoided a major water crisis earlier this year, but a new report argues the state's long-term water planning process failed to anticipate the shortage. Jeremy Mazur of Texas 2036 joins us to explain how Texas forecasts water needs, why the system missed warning signs, and what reforms lawmakers should consider as they prepare to invest billions in new infrastructure. Governor Abbott's audit of proposed data center projects is putting a spotlight on water use, power demand, tax incentives, and local impacts. Matt Grant examines the growing pushback from residents and elected officials, the calls for stronger guardrails, and how Texas is grappling with balancing AI-driven growth against concerns from communities hosting these facilities. Landowners are escalating their battle against a proposed network of high-voltage transmission lines by urging Governor Abbott to call a special session. Eric Henrikson reports on the latest effort to stop the project, the concerns property owners are raising, and why the controversy is becoming one of the most closely watched infrastructure fights in Texas. State of Texas is a statewide, in-depth program focused solely on Texas politics. Produced at KXAN in Austin and airing in 14 markets across the state, the show gives viewers greater perspective on the Texas Legislature, state policy and elections.

Attorney General Ken Paxton holds a narrow one-point lead over State Representative James Talarico in the race for U.S. Senate, according to new polling from Emerson College/Nexstar Media. Adam Schwager speaks with Talarico to discuss his strategy heading into the final stretch, while we also examine how both campaigns are framing the race and what the latest numbers reveal about key voting blocs.  A complex custody battle involving a baby born through a surrogacy arrangement is raising questions about the future of surrogacy in Texas. Dylan McKim examines the legal dispute, why some families are concerned about potential legislative changes, and how the case intersects with a growing debate among Republican lawmakers over commercial surrogacy.  As artificial intelligence systems become more powerful, Congressman Nathaniel Moran is leading a bipartisan effort to require certain large AI models to include mechanisms that allow developers to shut them down or limit their capabilities if they pose public safety or national security risks. We speak one-on-one with Moran to discuss the proposal and the broader debate over regulating rapidly evolving AI technology.  Texas lawmakers are being warned that advances in drone technology could create serious risks to public safety and critical infrastructure. Daniel Marin reports on testimony from security experts who say Texas must invest in detection and counter-drone systems to protect everything from border communities to major events and energy facilities.  State of Texas is a statewide, in-depth program focused solely on Texas politics. Produced at KXAN in Austin and airing in 14 markets across the state, the show gives viewers greater perspective on the Texas Legislature, state policy and elections.