Senate Bill 7] prevents a religious person from saying any part of this bill impinges on my religious freedom." While many Catholics and evangelicals believe that abortions should never be allowed, a number of Christian denominations do support legal access to abortion for certain cases;

Texas Democrats ended their walkout and returned as Republicans advance a redistricting plan that would likely create five new GOP congressional seats.

"Our children's lives were cut short because the safeguards in place were not enough," a Campaign for Camp Safety spokesperson is quoted as saying in a press release. "We are asking lawmakers to make sure no other family ever has to endure the pain we have lived with every day since July 4."

After the regular legislative session this year, additional anti-abortion measures have become law or will become law Sept. 1.

Texas senators approved several bills Monday, one of which included another attempt at blocking hemp-derived THC products.

The Texas Senate passed several items on the special session agenda late Monday. They included nearly $300 million in flood relief.

The Odessa American is the leading source of local news, information, entertainment and sports for the Permian Basin.

House Bill 4, the redistricting legislation, is the only item on the lawmakers' agenda when they reconvene on Wednesday.

Roughly 4 million Texas retirees are expected to benefit from a new federal deduction that eliminates taxes on most Social Security income starting in 2026. The One Big Beautiful Bill could