Republican lawmakers seem to have agreed on a plan to replace the STAAR exam with three through-year tests for public school students.

A new poll shows Beto O’Rourke has a 20-point lead over Colin Allred in a hypothetical Democratic primary showdown for U.S. Senate. The Texas Southern University survey reflects O’Rourke’s popularity among Democratic voters,

Midland, announced his reelection bid for District 31, which includes parts of the Permian Basin and the Panhandle.

In just a few days, the Texas Senate passed all but four bills on the special session agenda. The second special session was called on Friday, by Tuesday, 14 bills of 18 on the call had already passed.

The Texas Senate passed a bill Tuesday night that would ban transgender people from using restrooms in government-owned buildings.

The survey also showed former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke, not yet a declared candidate, leading former Congressman Colin Allred by double digits in a hypothetical Democratic primary matchup.

Senators moved fast on Gov. Greg Abbott’s agenda for the second special session. With House Democrats back in Texas, bills can now move through that chamber.

The dueling efforts by the two most populous states mark an unusual mid-decade showdown over election maps that has erupted across the country and exacerbated tensions between the