BREAKING NEWS
School choice, vouchers and the future of Texas education
Read full article: School choice, vouchers and the future of Texas educationVouchers would let parents use public funds to pay for their kidsā private education. Learn about how they could work and the political battle around them.
Texas budget writers prioritize school vouchers, teacher raises and border security in early drafts
Read full article: Texas budget writers prioritize school vouchers, teacher raises and border security in early draftsBoth chambers set aside $1 billion for a voucher-like education savings account program ā double what was on the table two years ago ā in a sign that supporters are emboldened after recent electoral gains.
Chicago prepares for deportation arrests targeting hundreds next week after Trump takes office
Read full article: Chicago prepares for deportation arrests targeting hundreds next week after Trump takes officeA U.S. official says immigration officers will target more than 300 people with histories of egregious, violent crimes next week after President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
Trump to tap Texas āborder czarā to lead U.S. Border Patrol, report says
Read full article: Trump to tap Texas āborder czarā to lead U.S. Border Patrol, report saysMike Banks, a former Border Patrol agent, has served in his current role as a special advisor to Gov. Greg Abbott since January 2023.
Governor Abbott fights to keep price tag of international border campaign private
Read full article: Governor Abbott fights to keep price tag of international border campaign privateA month after launching an international billboard campaign to deter illegal migrant crossings, Governor Greg Abbottās office is trying to keep the projectās cost a secret from taxpayers.
Speaker Johnson orders US Capitol flags raised to full height for Trump's inauguration
Read full article: Speaker Johnson orders US Capitol flags raised to full height for Trump's inaugurationHouse Speaker Mike Johnson has ordered that flags at the U.S. Capitol be raised to their full height on Inauguration Day.
Gov. Greg Abbott threatens Texas A&M presidentās job over claim that university broke DEI ban
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott threatens Texas A&M presidentās job over claim that university broke DEI banAbbott's comments came after A&M invited staffers and students to attend a conference that a conservative activist said broke the stateās ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Area educators discuss top issues as new Texas Legislature begins
Read full article: Area educators discuss top issues as new Texas Legislature beginsKSAT sat down with two political science professors in San Antonio to discuss some of the top issues likely to permeate throughout the Republican-led session.
Gov. Greg Abbott orders all US flags on state buildings raised for Inauguration Day
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott orders all US flags on state buildings raised for Inauguration DayGovernor Greg Abbott, citing a federal statute, ordered all flags to be raised at full mast at the Texas Capitol and on all state buildings for Inauguration Day.
The Texas Legislature is back. Hereās what weāre watching.
Read full article: The Texas Legislature is back. Hereās what weāre watching.From debating school vouchers and improving the stateās water supply to reining in property taxes, the GOP-led body will look to pass its conservative priorities amid fighting within the party.
āThis is devastation beyond anything Iāve ever seen': Texas firefighter reflects on first day battling California fires
Read full article: āThis is devastation beyond anything Iāve ever seen': Texas firefighter reflects on first day battling California firesTexas Governor Greg Abbott has since directed the deployment of 135 Texas first responders to help fight the West Coast fires and respond to emergencies.
āWeāre trying to send a messageā: San Antonio state Senator discusses dangerous dog legislation
Read full article: āWeāre trying to send a messageā: San Antonio state Senator discusses dangerous dog legislationAfter several dog bites over recent months, a San Antonio state senator introduced a bill with hopes of increasing the consequences for irresponsible dog owners.
āGulf of Texasā: Trumpās āGulf of Americaā remark sparks wave of name ideas
Read full article: āGulf of Texasā: Trumpās āGulf of Americaā remark sparks wave of name ideasAfter President-elect Trump proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico to āGulf of Americaā on Tuesday, others have offered their alternative names.
Powerful winter storm dumps heavy snow, causing flight delays, slick roads and school closings
Read full article: Powerful winter storm dumps heavy snow, causing flight delays, slick roads and school closingsA powerful winter storm that dumped heavy snow and glazed roads with ice across much of Texas and Oklahoma has lumbered eastward into the Deep South and elsewhere.
A powerful winter storm's heavy snow and sleet cancels flights and closes schools across US South
Read full article: A powerful winter storm's heavy snow and sleet cancels flights and closes schools across US SouthAnother blast of winter storms is closing schools, snarling flights and putting millions of residents on alert across parts of the Deep South and south-central U.S. The storm started dumping a mix of sleet and heavy snow Thursday in north Texas and Oklahoma, where schools canceled classes for more than 1 million students.
Texas Medical Board director retires after uproar over his Planned Parenthood employment
Read full article: Texas Medical Board director retires after uproar over his Planned Parenthood employmentConservative lawmakers claimed credit for Dr. Robert Bredtās retirement after it came out he also worked at a Planned Parenthood-affiliated lab.
āI just donāt really recognize the Republican Partyā: Ousted state Rep. Steve Allison goes down swinging
Read full article: āI just donāt really recognize the Republican Partyā: Ousted state Rep. Steve Allison goes down swingingAllison lost his primary last year, after being targeted by his party over his vote to kill school vouchers.
Traveling to the Cotton Bowl to watch Texas vs Ohio State? Hereās what to know about winter conditions
Read full article: Traveling to the Cotton Bowl to watch Texas vs Ohio State? Hereās what to know about winter conditionsThe Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic comes as a cold front makes its way across Texas.
Jimmy Blacklock named new chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court
Read full article: Jimmy Blacklock named new chief justice of the Texas Supreme CourtBlacklock replaces Nathan Hecht, the longest serving justice on the high court. Gov. Greg Abbott also appointed his general counsel, James Sullivan, to the bench.
Texas has a housing affordability crisis. Hereās how state lawmakers may tackle it in 2025.
Read full article: Texas has a housing affordability crisis. Hereās how state lawmakers may tackle it in 2025.A likely fight over how much power to take away from local governments may dominate the debate.
Border shelters relieved the pressure during migrant surges. Under Trump, they could become a target
Read full article: Border shelters relieved the pressure during migrant surges. Under Trump, they could become a targetRepublicans are stepping up their scrutiny of dozens of shelters run by aid groups on the U.S. border with Mexico.
4 suspected Tren de Aragua gang members arrested after attempting to cross border into Texas illegally, Abbott says
Read full article: 4 suspected Tren de Aragua gang members arrested after attempting to cross border into Texas illegally, Abbott saysFour men believed to be members of the Tren de Aragua gang were arrested for attempting to cross the border into Texas illegally on New Yearās Eve, according to a press release from Governor Greg Abbottās Office.
Rep. Mihaela Plesa survived a heated GOP challenge. Hereās how she thinks Democrats can prevail.
Read full article: Rep. Mihaela Plesa survived a heated GOP challenge. Hereās how she thinks Democrats can prevail.Plesa, a Dallas Democrat, said the party should embrace bipartisanship, and start talking about economic issues.
Deadly attack in New Orleans prompts Texas Gov. Abbott to direct DPS to investigate
Read full article: Deadly attack in New Orleans prompts Texas Gov. Abbott to direct DPS to investigateA devastating attack in New Orleansā French Quarter on New Yearās Day has prompted Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to order state police to investigate because the attacker was a Texas resident.
Powerful thunderstorms threaten Texas and Louisiana, delaying holiday travel
Read full article: Powerful thunderstorms threaten Texas and Louisiana, delaying holiday travelParts of Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas are under severe weather watches as the National Weather Service predicts a storm system in the Gulf of Mexico could bring high winds, hail and possible tornadoes to the region.
Gov. Abbott lanza campaƱa internacional de anuncios publicitarios para disuadir cruces ilegales
Read full article: Gov. Abbott lanza campaƱa internacional de anuncios publicitarios para disuadir cruces ilegalesEl gobernador de Texas, Greg Abbott, anunciĆ³ el lanzamiento de una campaƱa internacional de relaciones pĆŗblicas para intentar prevenir que los migrantes crucen la frontera ilegalmente.
Texasā latest effort to deter migrants is a billboard campaign in Mexico, Central America
Read full article: Texasā latest effort to deter migrants is a billboard campaign in Mexico, Central AmericaGov. Greg Abbott announced the new strategy, which will cost an estimated $100,000, during a press conference in Eagle Pass.
As landowners resist, Texasā border wall is fragmented and built in remote areas
Read full article: As landowners resist, Texasā border wall is fragmented and built in remote areasAt least a third of landowners approached by state officials have refused to let wall be built on their properties. Thatās forced the state to largely build on ranchland in remote areas, or erect sections that are full of gaps.
Gov. Greg Abbott announces more than $500 million in public safety grants
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott announces more than $500 million in public safety grantsThe grants will go to private and public sector recipients in Texas for a variety of public safety priorities, including securing the southern border.
Gov. Abbott launches international billboard campaign to deter illegal crossings in Maverick County
Read full article: Gov. Abbott launches international billboard campaign to deter illegal crossings in Maverick CountyTexas Gov. Greg Abbott announced the rollout of an international public relations campaign to try to prevent migrants from crossing the border illegally.
A school voucher program in Texas is more likely than ever. Can lawmakers craft a bill they agree on?
Read full article: A school voucher program in Texas is more likely than ever. Can lawmakers craft a bill they agree on?Some voucher opponents are ready to compromise; others are hoping supporters will fumble over the program's size, eligibility and accountability.
After learning hard lessons in Austin, Greg Casar to take Congressional Progressive Caucus in new direction
Read full article: After learning hard lessons in Austin, Greg Casar to take Congressional Progressive Caucus in new directionThe freshman congressman will lead the influential progressive caucus next year with plans to focus on working class and economic issues instead of culture wars.
Focus on higher education system featured in early bill filings for next Texas legislative session
Read full article: Focus on higher education system featured in early bill filings for next Texas legislative sessionIf early bill filings for the next Texas Legislative Session are anything to go by, then one thing is clear: Lawmakers are again hyperfocusing on the stateās higher education institutions.
Gov. Greg Abbott signals support for David Cook over Dustin Burrows in GOP fight for House speaker
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott signals support for David Cook over Dustin Burrows in GOP fight for House speakerDays after the Texas House GOP caucus backed Cook, Abbott made clear that he expects Republican representatives to do the same.
Republican-led states are rolling out plans that could aid Trump's mass deportation effort
Read full article: Republican-led states are rolling out plans that could aid Trump's mass deportation effortGovernors and lawmakers in Republican-led states are rolling out plans that could aid President-elect Donald Trump's effort to deport millions of people living in the U.S. illegally.
Texas House Democratic Caucus elects new chair to replace Trey Martinez Fischer
Read full article: Texas House Democratic Caucus elects new chair to replace Trey Martinez FischerTrey Martinez Fischer, a San Antonio representative in the Texas House, was replaced on Wednesday as chair of the Democratic caucus.
Henry Cuellar pitched adding buoys in Rio Grande to deter migrants years ago
Read full article: Henry Cuellar pitched adding buoys in Rio Grande to deter migrants years agoThe congressman said he joined other Democrats in opposition to the use of the floating barriers and razor wire at Texasā border because of the lack of permits.
Texas has billions pledged to expand broadband. Spending it is taking a while.
Read full article: Texas has billions pledged to expand broadband. Spending it is taking a while.Despite the efforts of local governments and others, the move to provide internet access to millions of Texans has been slow and faces new challenges.
Court backs Texas over razor wire installed on US-Mexico border
Read full article: Court backs Texas over razor wire installed on US-Mexico borderA federal appeals court has ruled that Border Patrol agents cannot cut razor wire that Texas installed on the U.S.-Mexico border in the town of Eagle Pass.
Feds canāt destroy razor wire Texas installed near Eagle Pass, appeals court rules
Read full article: Feds canāt destroy razor wire Texas installed near Eagle Pass, appeals court rulesTexas Attorney General Ken Paxton had sued the Biden administration after Border Patrol agents had cut the razor wire.
Steven McCraw bids farewell after leading Texas DPS for 15 years
Read full article: Steven McCraw bids farewell after leading Texas DPS for 15 yearsAfter 15 years of leading the Texas Department of Public Safety, Col. Steven C. McCraw departed the DPS Headquarters in Austin for the final time on Wednesday. His retirement marks the conclusion of a law enforcement career spanning more than four decades.
Texas offers Trump administration more land and support for mass deportations
Read full article: Texas offers Trump administration more land and support for mass deportationsTwo events in the Rio Grande Valley on Tuesday made clear Texas officials will work with the Trump administration on immigration.
Texas General Land Office unveils proposed 1,402-acre site for immigrant detention, border wall
Read full article: Texas General Land Office unveils proposed 1,402-acre site for immigrant detention, border wallOfficials with the Texas General Land Office on Tuesday outlined plans for a 1,402-acre ranch it has offered to the incoming Donald Trump administration for housing undocumented immigrants before deportation.
A tuition freeze without more state aid could leave Texas universities strapped
Read full article: A tuition freeze without more state aid could leave Texas universities strappedRegional colleges rely more on tuition revenue to operate than flagship campuses. Gov. Greg Abbottās desire to pause increases could create tight financial conditions.
Texas hospitals are now required to ask for patientsā citizenship. Hereās what you should know.
Read full article: Texas hospitals are now required to ask for patientsā citizenship. Hereās what you should know.Gov. Greg Abbott wants to know how much hospitals spend caring for undocumented immigrants. Hospitals should not deny care based on how patients respond.
Approval of Texas' Bible-infused curriculum will likely depend on Abbott appointee
Read full article: Approval of Texas' Bible-infused curriculum will likely depend on Abbott appointeeTiffany Clark, who was elected to fill a vacant State Board of Education seat in January, said she would have voted against the curriculum.
Texas Tech wants permission to pay college athletes as a part of its recruitment efforts
Read full article: Texas Tech wants permission to pay college athletes as a part of its recruitment effortsState law prohibits schools from making direct name, image and likeness deals with athletes. Texas Tech says it puts them at a disadvantage as the university recruits athletes for fall 2025.
Gov. Greg Abbott issues executive order targeting Chinese government operatives in Texas
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott issues executive order targeting Chinese government operatives in TexasGov. Greg Abbott has issued an executive order directing the Texas Department of Public Safety to target and arrest people trying to execute influence operations on behalf of the Chinese government to return dissidents to China.
Texasā top elected officials signal Texas could cut border spending after Trump takes office
Read full article: Texasā top elected officials signal Texas could cut border spending after Trump takes officeWith Donald Trump returning to the White House, Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick have both recently signaled new openness to winding down the stateā border security operation.
Gov. Greg Abbott wants to freeze tuition at Texas colleges and universities for another two years
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott wants to freeze tuition at Texas colleges and universities for another two yearsThe governorās directive extends a tuition freeze for Texasā public universities that was approved in the last legislative session.
Texas Supreme Court removes temporary block to Robert Robersonās execution
Read full article: Texas Supreme Court removes temporary block to Robert Robersonās executionThe stateās highest civil court ruled that legislators canāt use subpoenas to block death row inmatesā executions, but suggested thereās still time for Roberson to testify before a Texas House panel.
Judge says New York can't use 'antiquated, unconstitutional' law to block migrant buses from Texas
Read full article: Judge says New York can't use 'antiquated, unconstitutional' law to block migrant buses from TexasA judge has ruled that New York City canāt use a two-century-old āanti-pauperā law to block the state of Texas from offering migrants free bus rides to the city.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick names private school vouchers as his top legislative priority
Read full article: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick names private school vouchers as his top legislative prioritySchool voucher supporters say they have the votes to get a bill across both the Texas Senate, led by Patrick, and the House, which has repeatedly blocked such proposals.
āUncharted territoryā: Trumpās anti-immigration plans could take center stage in Texas
Read full article: āUncharted territoryā: Trumpās anti-immigration plans could take center stage in TexasTexas is positioned better than any state to help Trump carry out his ambitious anti-immigration agenda. But it is also vulnerable to those policyās impacts.
Texas Legislature will approve school vouchers and boost public education funds next year, Abbott says
Read full article: Texas Legislature will approve school vouchers and boost public education funds next year, Abbott saysLast year, Abbott refused to give public schools a major raise without passing a voucher program. His tone was more conciliatory after Election Day.
State Representative election results in Texas on Nov. 5, 2024
Read full article: State Representative election results in Texas on Nov. 5, 2024Among the most competitive races on the Bexar County ballot for Texas House include District 118, which features Republican incumbent John Lujan and Democrat Kristian Carranza. The other Texas House race thatās expected to be competitive is District 121 between Marc LaHood and Laurel Jordan Swift.
State Rep. 121 candidates LaHood, Swift host dueling rallies in San Antonio
Read full article: State Rep. 121 candidates LaHood, Swift host dueling rallies in San AntonioThe candidates in the running for Texas House of Representatives District 121. will have dueling rallies on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the Nov. 5 election.
There are warring depictions of Robert Robersonās murder case. Hereās what to know.
Read full article: There are warring depictions of Robert Robersonās murder case. Hereās what to know.Even before the Texas manās death sentence became a political lightning rod, law enforcement and medical experts had differing opinions on the evidence that convicted him.
Ken Paxton and Texas House members accuse each other of mischaracterizing Robert Robersonās case
Read full article: Ken Paxton and Texas House members accuse each other of mischaracterizing Robert Robersonās caseAfter the attorney general insisted on the death row inmateās guilt in a graphic press release, four lawmakers issued a point-by-point rebuttal.
Robert Robersonās case spotlights Texasā GOP divide on criminal justice
Read full article: Robert Robersonās case spotlights Texasā GOP divide on criminal justiceTexasā junk science statute has remained hamstrung for the last decade. So too have other criminal justice reforms, despite efforts from the Texas House.
Republican Marc LaHood declares victory in Texas House District 121 election
Read full article: Republican Marc LaHood declares victory in Texas House District 121 electionRepublican Marc LaHood declared victory on Tuesday night over Democrat Laurel Jordan Swift in the race for State Representative District 121.
Texas man whose execution was halted by subpoena wonāt testify in person before lawmakers
Read full article: Texas man whose execution was halted by subpoena wonāt testify in person before lawmakersA Texas man whose execution was halted because of a last-ditch subpoena won't testify in person before lawmakers.
Texas' junk science law is getting another look over Robert Roberson's case
Read full article: Texas' junk science law is getting another look over Robert Roberson's caseA man whose execution was halted will testify at a legislative hearing about a ājunk scienceā law in Texas that many say should have saved him long ago.
As Robert Robersonās execution neared, Gov. Greg Abbott stuck to silence
Read full article: As Robert Robersonās execution neared, Gov. Greg Abbott stuck to silenceItās rare for governors to step in to halt executions. In the case of Robert Roberson, it ended up being state lawmakers who took extraordinary steps.
Texas was about to execute Robert Roberson. Then a last-ditch tactic bought him more time
Read full article: Texas was about to execute Robert Roberson. Then a last-ditch tactic bought him more timeRobert Roberson, who had been set to be the first person in the U.S. to be put to death for a murder conviction tied to a diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome, had his execution delayed after a dramatic few hours of legal wrangling among three different Texas courts.
āMore than our wombsā: Women in conservative Texas cities mobilizing to end GOP dominance
Read full article: āMore than our wombsā: Women in conservative Texas cities mobilizing to end GOP dominanceDemocrats in Lubbock and Amarillo hope Kamala Harrisā candidacy and a backlash to abortion laws will help make their long-held vision of a blue wave a reality.
With little say over Robert Robersonās fate, Texas lawmakers take extraordinary steps to buy him more time
Read full article: With little say over Robert Robersonās fate, Texas lawmakers take extraordinary steps to buy him more timeWith Robersonās options dwindling, a House panel used its bully pulpit to prove his case and excoriate the failures of the stateās junk science law.
Texasā order to ask hospital patientsā citizenship status renews focus on the stateās large uninsured population
Read full article: Texasā order to ask hospital patientsā citizenship status renews focus on the stateās large uninsured populationOn Nov. 1, hospitals will begin asking patients their citizenship status. But data suggests uninsured citizens, not immigrants, cost Texas hospitals more.
Texas Supreme Court halts execution of man in shaken baby case after lawmakers' last-minute appeal
Read full article: Texas Supreme Court halts execution of man in shaken baby case after lawmakers' last-minute appealThe Texas Supreme Court has halted the scheduled execution of a man who would have become the first person in the U.S. put to death for a murder conviction tied to a diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome.
Texas lawmakers signal push to require proof of citizenship from voters
Read full article: Texas lawmakers signal push to require proof of citizenship from votersGov. Greg Abbott gave an inflated number of noncitizens removed from the stateās voter rolls, officials acknowledged, confirming findings by ProPublica, The Texas Tribune, and Votebeat.
Governor Abbott issues disaster declaration for 143 Texas counties as wildfire threat intensifies
Read full article: Governor Abbott issues disaster declaration for 143 Texas counties as wildfire threat intensifiesTexas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a disaster declaration and deployed state firefighting resources as a wildfire threat grows across the state.
Texas Supreme Court temporarily stops Robert Robersonās execution
Read full article: Texas Supreme Court temporarily stops Robert Robersonās executionThe stateās highest civil court said it wants a lower court to resolve a separation-of-powers issue raised by a group of Texas lawmakers who subpoenaed the death row inmate the night before he was set to be put to death.
Watch: Texas lawmakers discuss noncitizens on the voter rolls
Read full article: Watch: Texas lawmakers discuss noncitizens on the voter rollsHereās what you need to know after a ProPublica, The Texas Tribune and Votebeat investigation found that Gov. Greg Abbott likely inflated the number of noncitizens on voter rolls.
A Texas board rejects clemency plea from a man facing execution in shaken baby syndrome case
Read full article: A Texas board rejects clemency plea from a man facing execution in shaken baby syndrome caseThe Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has denied a request for clemency for a man who this week could be the first person in the U.S. executed for a murder conviction tied to the diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome.
What to know about shaken baby syndrome as a Texas man could be first in US executed over it
Read full article: What to know about shaken baby syndrome as a Texas man could be first in US executed over itA Texas man this week could become the first person executed in the U.S. under a murder conviction tied to the diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome.
Texas leaders, moms who lost kids to fentanyl unite for second awareness walk
Read full article: Texas leaders, moms who lost kids to fentanyl unite for second awareness walkA handful of mothers who lost their children to fentanyl poisoning created an enormous movement, which led to a long line of local, state, and federal leaders vowing to do their part in stopping fentanyl poisoning.
Moms who lost kids to fentanyl gearing up for second awareness walk Sunday
Read full article: Moms who lost kids to fentanyl gearing up for second awareness walk SundayMoms who have lost their kids to fentanyl poisoning have turned their pain into action. For Americans age 18-45, the leading cause of death is fentanyl overdose, and they want to stop that.
Texas students can now see which state public universities would accept them before they apply
Read full article: Texas students can now see which state public universities would accept them before they applyStudents can enter their class rank, grade point average, and standardized test scores to get a list of universities to which theyād be admitted.
Here are the Texas House races that Democrats and Republicans think they can flip
Read full article: Here are the Texas House races that Democrats and Republicans think they can flipDemocrats ā riding a wave of enthusiasm sparked by Kamala Harrisā nomination ā think they can flip just enough House seats to stop Republicans from passing school vouchers.
āWe need to make our community saferā: San Antonio state Senator plans to refile dangerous dog bill
Read full article: āWe need to make our community saferā: San Antonio state Senator plans to refile dangerous dog billSome state politicians said they are not giving up on addressing dangerous dog cases in Texas.
Republicans raise $1 million targeting South Texas House races as Democrats invest elsewhere
Read full article: Republicans raise $1 million targeting South Texas House races as Democrats invest elsewhereDemocrats have long held an edge in South Texas, but Republicans see an opening there to expand their House majority.
San Antonio organizations to deploy to Florida to assist in preparation of Hurricane Milton
Read full article: San Antonio organizations to deploy to Florida to assist in preparation of Hurricane MiltonSeveral San Antonio organizations will deploy to Florida to help with the potential impact of Hurricane Milton.
Governor Greg Abbott deploys aid to Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton landfall
Read full article: Governor Greg Abbott deploys aid to Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton landfallMembers of the Texas Division of Emergency Management will be going to Florida to help with the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.
A Texas execution is renewing calls for clemency. It's rarely granted
Read full article: A Texas execution is renewing calls for clemency. It's rarely grantedTexas rarely grants clemency for death row inmates, but that's not stopping a group of bipartisan lawmakers from showing their support for a man scheduled to be executed in October.