To celebrate the opening of their newest emergency air medical base in Lockhart, AirLIFE TEXAS is holding a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 20. Join guest speakers and area first responders as they welcome the helicopter and crew to the Lockhart community and learn more about the AirLIFE TEXAS ecosystem, which also includes a fixed-wing aircraft available to support patient transports across the entire state.  

"Through these new laws, homeowners now have an efficient means of evicting squatters from their property... Texas Private property rights are a cornerstone of our values,” said Gov. Abbott, joined by House Speaker Dustin Burrows, Senators Bryan Hughes & Senator Paul Bettencourt, Rep. Katrina Pierson, Texas Association of Business President & CEO Glenn Hamer and Greystar Managing Director of Real Estate Renee Zahn. 

The Trade, Transportation, and Utilities industry had the largest over-the-month increase in July after adding 5,500 jobs. Professional and Business Services added 3,800 jobs over the month while Construction added 2,800. In addition, the Construction industry grew by 3.2 percent over the year in Texas and outperformed the industry’s growth rate nationally by two percentage points.

Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock is joining the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST) in recognizing today as the second annual Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Savings Day and reminding Texans with disabilities and their families about the advantages ABLE plans can offer people living with disabilities. According to NAST, more than 195,000 Americans with disabilities have collectively saved $2.3 billion in ABLE accounts. ​​​​​​​

The United States Department of Justice and the United States Department of State have officially increased the reward for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Nicolás Maduro. The new offer stands at "up to $50 million." For over a decade, Maduro has led Cartel de los Soles, which is responsible for trafficking drugs into the United States. On July 25, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Cartel de Los Soles as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).

According to the National Weather Service, beginning Friday an incoming tropical weather system is expected to bring heavy rainfall, strong winds and the potential for flooding to portions of the Gulf Coast & South Texas. The impacts may lead to hazardous travel and dangerous flash flooding in some areas. Texans are urged to take precautions now by preparing an emergency plan and following the directions of local officials.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued the following statement upon the Texas Senate’s unanimous passage of Senate Bill 1, Natural Disaster Preparation and Recovery, by Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock; Senate Bill 2, Flood Emergency Communication and Warning, by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston; and Senate Bill 3, Relief Funding for Hill Country, by Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston.“The Texas Senate will continue passing these essential bills each legislative session until House Democrats return from their ‘vacation’ and get back to work for the people of Texas.”

Congressman Tony Gonzales joined Terrell County Sheriff Thad Cleveland, a d Texas DPS Helicopter pilots Morris & Chavez, to see President Trump’s border security policies in action. Gonzales represents the largest border district in the U.S. House of Representatives, and through his seat on the House Homeland Security Committee advanced Mr. Trump’s border provisions in the "One Big Beautiful Bill" Act. 

“As a former resident of Galveston Island, preserving the health & beauty of its Coastal Waters is a mission close to my heart. The safe removal of abandoned boats is essential to the GLO’s efforts to protect marine life and our coastal communities," said Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, following the boat removals – and approximately 21,040 pounds of debris – from South Galveston County.

“Today – with a week remaining in the Special Session – the Texas Senate completed work on all the items on Gov. Abbott’s call. ​​​In one day, the Senate passed 10 bills, including a new Congressional Map, disaster preparedness and July 4th Flood Relief, and more. House Democrats face a simple choice: return to the Capitol and do the job they were elected to do, or continue their ‘vacation’ staging a media circus."

The Texas A&M Forest Service has raised the Wildland Fire Preparedness Level to Level 2, indicating that elevated fire danger is observed in some regions of the state. Texans are urged to implement wildfire prevention measures, including avoiding activities that may cause sparks or flames, making an emergency plan, following instructions from local officials, and keeping emergency supplies easily available.

The Mission is Clear: Return to the moon, go on to Mars – and do it fast, first & right. President Trump recognized this from the start. Early in his first term he signed the "NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017" and the "Space Policy Directive-1," directing NASA to return to the moon – and go beyond. His actions reignited America. If China plants their flag first, they will set the rules for the moon and beyond, a scenario we cannot allow.

Miller said that other tools like the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), which was used in fighting against the screwworm threat from the 1930s to the 1970s, will still play an important role, but it’s no longer enough. Miller said that relying only on sterile flies is outdated and that new and improved approaches are required. He said TDA Swormlure marks a new chapter in prevention, supported by science, intended for widespread use, and created with smarter tools and a stronger defense.

Senator Adam Hinojosa announced today that his office has secured Ten Commandments posters for every public school classroom in Senate District 27 to support full compliance with Senate Bill 10, recently signed into law by Governor Abbott during the 89th Texas Legislature. SB 10 requires public schools to display a framed or poster-sized copy of the Ten Commandments in each classroom.

Governor Greg Abbott joined the Vaqueros del Mar Texas Flood Relief Fund earlier today as they presented $25,000 checks – raised during last month’s “Strait to the Heart” benefit concert by Country Music Legend and Texas resident George Strait – to help assist families who suffered severe storm damage or lost their homes during the catastrophic Hill Country floods. The concert raised over $6 million dollars.

Since the devastating floods that swept through Central & West Texas on July 4th, my office and I have been working closely with local leaders and officials to ensure that residents in Texas's 11th Congressional District have access to the resources and assistance they need.  If you were impacted by the floods, there are just under 30 days left to apply for FEMA assistance. The deadline on Thursday, September 4th.

State Representative Carrie Isaac (R-District 73) has filed House Bill 250 during the 89th Texas Legislature’s First Special Session to address the urgent need for meaningful property tax reform. HB 250 promotes truth in taxation, reins in unchecked appraisal growth, and strengthens voter oversight of local spending, all while preserving essential services provided by local taxing districts.

“In 2017, Sen. Lois Kolkhorst and I were ahead of our time in addressing the issue of women’s privacy, passing legislation out of the Senate to keep men out of women’s restrooms and boys out of girls’ locker rooms and showers in schools. Unfortunately, under previous speakers, the bill never cleared the House.

U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) introduced the Facilitating Useful Loss Limitations to Help Our Unique Service Economy (FULL HOUSE) Act. This bipartisan bill restores professional gamblers ability to deduct 100% of their gambling losses, ensuring they are not unfairly taxed on phantom income.

Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock is reminding shoppers they can save money on clothes and school supplies during the state’s sales tax holiday, which runs Friday, Aug. 8, through midnight Sunday, Aug. 10. During the three-day event, Texans can purchase a wide range of items tax-free, including most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks priced under $100.