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September 17, 2026      3:48 PM

Polls after Labor Day show Hinojosa leading Abbott and Talarico leading or tied with Paxton

In the poll from ReconMR/Siena: US Senate: Talarico leading Paxton 49 to 43; Gov: Hinojosa leading Abbott 49 to 45. In the Emerson poll Talarico leads Paxton 47 to 46

The ReconMR/Siena poll is here. The Emerson/Nexstar poll is here.

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September 17, 2026      3:30 PM

Services for Clint Smith

A celebration of his life will be held at 10am this Saturday Sept 19 at LifeFamily Austin 8901 Hwy 71 West in Austin

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September 16, 2026      10:02 AM

Insurance Commissioner Crawford lays out proposals in response to Abbott directive on reducing costs

Her proposals are here.

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September 15, 2026      3:00 PM

An angry Chairman Darby blasts Commissioner Christian for declining to appear before Energy Resources committee about new public comment policy

Christian said the timing was too close to the election for the seat Rep. Rosenthal is running for. Darby threatens reforms and compelling Christian to attend future hearings

Texas House Energy Resources Committee Chair Drew Darby on Tuesday blasted Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian for refusing to testify before the committee about the agency’s controversial new public comment policy.

In a letter today, Christian accused Darby of intentionally rescheduling the initial meeting from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., which was also during the commission’s monthly meeting. He noted that committee member Rep. Jon Rosenthal is the Democratic nominee for the RRC and argued that appearing before Rosenthal for questioning now wouldn’t be appropriate.

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By James Russell

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September 15, 2026      2:54 PM

TXOGA condemns French remarks on UT students but stops short of pulling endorsement

"TXOGA PAC unequivocally and without reservation condemns the recent tweet posted September 13th on X by Bo French. Respect is a cornerstone of our industry's core values" - TXOGA President Todd Staples

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September 15, 2026      12:40 PM

Kronberg argues Bo French comments on South Asian UT students and a muted response from Gov. Abbott alienates voters needed by the GOP in their coalition

QR Publisher Harvey Kronberg and James Barragan got into the controversy on Spectrum News' Texas Capital Tonight

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September 15, 2026      12:32 PM

New cigar lounge in Austin pays tribute to legendary WW2 veteran Richard Overton

The family of Overton, who during his life was honored at the Texas Capitol on numerous occasions, will join the new owners to pay tribute to him with the new name of the store bringing cigars, culture, and the city together on the East Side

Many of y’all know that since 2020, my favorite place for an afternoon cigar has been on the Austin’s East Side. Daniel White, Luis Parra, and the crew at the store became like family under their old banner and now something new is just getting started. Those of you who have joined me for a cigar there know that what first caught my eye was the mural on the store’s side of the late Richard Overton, who well past his 100th birthday was still smoking a dozen cigars a day.

A new owner, John Thomas, recently took over and has a new vision and plans and a perfect tribute to a man who’s been honored at the Texas Capitol more times than I can remember.

“Mr. Overton used to sit on his porch, smoke cigars, and invite people up to smoke with him,” said JT, the new owner. “That’s the kind of community and culture we’re looking to foster.”

Members of Overton’s family plan to join in the festivities during the Grand opening next week. Full info here.

Hope to see y’all there for a smoke during session.

By Scott Braddock

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September 15, 2026      10:42 AM

Patrick up on TV attacking Goodwin over girls sports

"The Dan Patrick Campaign is now on the air in all 20 Texas media markets and will remain on the air through Election Day. The comprehensive media buy includes broadcast television, cable, digital, and streaming advertisements in both English and Spanish," per Patrick's campaign

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September 15, 2026      9:37 AM

Pointing to the election, Railroad Commissioner Christian says he will not appear before Texas House Energy Resources today

Commissioner Christian told Chair Darby he will not testify, noting that committee member Rep. Rosenthal is running for RRC in the general election

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September 14, 2026      6:12 PM

Sources say DPS investigating threats against lawmakers who condemned Bo French's post about UT students

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September 14, 2026      3:15 PM

Updated: Some Texas GOP lawmakers condemn anti-immigrant rhetoric from RRC Nominee Bo French

State Reps with large South Asian populations in their districts are quick to join Sen. Cornyn in condemning French's words; Abbott barely says anything though

While party leadership including Speaker Dustin Burrorws preach “One Party, One Mission” during the campaign, Texas Railroad Commissioner nominee Bo French on Sunday earned a wave of condemnation from fellow Republicans over his description of brown University of Texas students after their football team won over Ohio State this weekend.

Posting a picture on social media of students of South Asian descent at Darrell K Royal Stadium, French said “I heard UT graduation this year looked like this. I didn’t believe it. The problem is now obviously far worse than anyone imagined.”

That drew immediate criticism from Sen. John Cornyn, who said "This is the Republican nominee for statewide office. Are other Republican elected officials going to condemn the intolerance and racism, or look the other way while it becomes normalized.”

“This is how great political parties self-destruct,” Sen. Cornyn said. “Sad.”

French defended and doubled down on what he had said, though.

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By Scott Braddock

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September 14, 2026      3:08 PM

Abbott tells Water Development Board to crack down on data centers

Despite reports that Abbott’s consultant has said this issue is starting to dissipate, the governor today said “Data centers must share the duty to protect Texas water…I direct the Texas Water Development Board to use its enforcement authority to penalize past failures and to impose legal consequences for any future failure to comply.”

 

Abbott’s sternly worded letter to the TWBD can be found right here.

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September 14, 2026      2:57 PM

President Trump nominates Rep. Wesley Hunt for Ambassador to Saudi Arabia

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September 11, 2026      4:41 PM

After Abbott direction to TDI, Chair Geren and others encourage Texas Department of Insurance to take a wholistic view

Chair Geren wants the actions of insurance companies to be reviewed; advocacy groups ask that the increasing role of AI be examined and that consumers have representation in the process

After Gov. Greg Abbott late last month directed the Texas Department of Insurance to take steps to reduce home insurance costs, GOP Texas House Administration Committee Chairman Charlie Geren and others are encouraging to agency to take a wholistic view.

That would include looking at the insurance companies themselves, said Chair Geren.

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By Scott Braddock

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September 11, 2026      10:34 AM

Senate Leadership Fund plans to spend $50 million on behalf of Paxton

Between campaigns and affiliated groups in the US Senate race here, ad spending booked so far is at $80 million on the Republican side, $47 million for the Democrats

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September 10, 2026      3:32 PM

AARP Poll of Texas shows Talarico and Abbott leading in their races

Talarico leads Paxton 48 to 44; Abbott leading Hinojosa 49 to 46

The survey is here.

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