The 5 biggest Texas news stories in 2025
Texas was no stranger to news — from a contentious legislative cycle, to ongoing immigration control efforts, to natural disasters, the Lone Star State was a leading location in the U.S. for headlines.
Texas was no stranger to news — from a contentious legislative cycle, to ongoing immigration control efforts, to natural disasters, the Lone Star State was a leading location in the U.S. for headlines.
19 states sue HHS over push to ban transgender care for minors
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s push to limit gender-affirming care for young people is being challenged by 19 Democratic states and Washington, DC.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s push to limit gender-affirming care for young people is being challenged by 19 Democratic states and Washington, DC.
San Antonio to remove rainbow crosswalks, replace with sidewalk treatments
The change follows a request from the city to be exempt from the department's order, which was denied late last month.
The change follows a request from the city to be exempt from the department's order, which was denied late last month.
SCOTUS won't rule on Texas library's book banning case
It all started in 2021, when a community in a small county near Austin decided to rid their public library's shelves of “inappropriate” literature.
It all started in 2021, when a community in a small county near Austin decided to rid their public library's shelves of “inappropriate” literature.
Texas' controversial 'bathroom bill' targeting transgender people goes into effect
Here's a look at how the new bathroom bill affects the average Texan, as well as how the steep fines for breaking the rules will work.
Here's a look at how the new bathroom bill affects the average Texan, as well as how the steep fines for breaking the rules will work.
Texas Tech joins A&M in restricting race, LGBTQ+ course content
The move comes after the Texas A&M system's similar set of rules were put in place, following a controversy that ended in demotions, a firing and a resignation.
The move comes after the Texas A&M system's similar set of rules were put in place, following a controversy that ended in demotions, a firing and a resignation.
Texas AG Paxton investigates US Tennis Association for possible violation of state gender law
The Texas attorney general said that it was a matter of “the radical left" “crushing the dreams" of women.
The Texas attorney general said that it was a matter of “the radical left" “crushing the dreams" of women.
Texas A&M tightens restrictions on professors teaching race, gender topics
At the end of a two-day-long meeting of the board of regents, Texas A&M leaders voted in favor of strengthening regulation of race and gender studies.
At the end of a two-day-long meeting of the board of regents, Texas A&M leaders voted in favor of strengthening regulation of race and gender studies.
Supreme Court rejects call to overturn decision legalizing same-sex marriage in US
The Supreme Court turned away an appeal from a former Kentucky court clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples after the high court's ruling in 2015.
The Supreme Court turned away an appeal from a former Kentucky court clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples after the high court's ruling in 2015.
Texas judges can now refuse to perform same-sex marriages
While the Texas Supreme Court's addition to the judicial conduct code does not include reasoning for the change, it follows a years-long debate over whether judges within the state are obligated to perform same-sex ceremonies.
While the Texas Supreme Court's addition to the judicial conduct code does not include reasoning for the change, it follows a years-long debate over whether judges within the state are obligated to perform same-sex ceremonies.
Mayor Watson: "We're going to comply with the law" on removing rainbow crosswalk, other street art
The City of Austin will move forward with removing street art like the rainbow crosswalk on 4th Street and the Black Artists Matter mural on 11th Street. However, Mayor Kirk Watson says he is thinking of other ways to highlight diversity in Austin.
The City of Austin will move forward with removing street art like the rainbow crosswalk on 4th Street and the Black Artists Matter mural on 11th Street. However, Mayor Kirk Watson says he is thinking of other ways to highlight diversity in Austin.
North Dakota ban on gender-affirming care for children upheld by judge
North Dakota's ban on gender-affirming care for children was upheld by a judge on Wednesday.
North Dakota's ban on gender-affirming care for children was upheld by a judge on Wednesday.
Texas cities with 'political agendas' on roads could now be stripped of funding
While the directive does not specify the "political ideologies" that could yank road project funding from cities, the move comes days after a rainbow crosswalk was repainted in a prominent Texas "gayborhood."
While the directive does not specify the "political ideologies" that could yank road project funding from cities, the move comes days after a rainbow crosswalk was repainted in a prominent Texas "gayborhood."
Canada updates US travel advisory, cautions 2SLGBTQI+ citizens
The guidance highlights changes in U.S. federal processes and notes that laws affecting travelers can vary widely across states.
The guidance highlights changes in U.S. federal processes and notes that laws affecting travelers can vary widely across states.
Texas A&M president to step down in midst of LGBT course content controversy
The move comes after pressure from Texas legislators to reshape school leadership in response to LGBT content being taught on campus.
The move comes after pressure from Texas legislators to reshape school leadership in response to LGBT content being taught on campus.
Texas A&M fires professor over LGBT course content, orders audit of all classes
After Texas A&M University leaders were stripped of administrative positions due to LGBT content in at least one course, a professor has been terminated. The board of regents has also called for an audit on all courses across the school system.
After Texas A&M University leaders were stripped of administrative positions due to LGBT content in at least one course, a professor has been terminated. The board of regents has also called for an audit on all courses across the school system.
Texas A&M admins demoted over LGBT courses; lawmakers call for terminations
"Key leaders" in the Texas A&M College of Arts and Sciences have been removed from their department positions, school President Mark A. Welsh III announced Monday night. At least one politician wants Welsh gone, too.
"Key leaders" in the Texas A&M College of Arts and Sciences have been removed from their department positions, school President Mark A. Welsh III announced Monday night. At least one politician wants Welsh gone, too.
NRA speaks out as Trump administration mulls possible trans firearms ban
Department of Justice officials are reportedly considering placing gun restrictions on trans people in the wake of Annunciation School shooting.
Department of Justice officials are reportedly considering placing gun restrictions on trans people in the wake of Annunciation School shooting.
Justice Department considers possible ban on transgender people owning guns
Several DOJ officials reportedly held meetings to discuss gun restrictions for transgender individuals since the Minneapolis school shooting last month.
Several DOJ officials reportedly held meetings to discuss gun restrictions for transgender individuals since the Minneapolis school shooting last month.
Texas House passes 'bathroom bill' aimed at trans people, now with quintupled penalties
The Texas House has passed a bill that would bar transgender people from using bathrooms in government buildings that align with their gender identities.
The Texas House has passed a bill that would bar transgender people from using bathrooms in government buildings that align with their gender identities.