Agriculture
Statewide water funding breakthrough: Texas lawmakers approved a $20 billion package (via Senate Bill 7 and related legislation) aimed at upgrading drought resilience and water infrastructure—focusing on storage, delivery, and groundwater recharge projects.
Technology + Innovation
Tesla has officially initiated a pilot deployment of its driverless “robotaxi” fleet in Austin, Texas, scheduled between June 22 and the end of the month. The initial rollout includes 10–20 fully autonomous Model Y vehicles, running on updated software with no hardware modifications.
Politics
This week, Texans for Lawsuit Reform (TLR)—the state’s largest political donor—publicly criticized key lawmakers after failing to secure the passage of its flagship proposal, Senate Bill 30, which aimed to reduce medical costs in personal-injury lawsuits.
Public Safety
Houston Mayor John Whitmire has launched a targeted traffic safety campaign to combat reckless driving, speeding, and road rage on Interstate 45 and U.S. 59.
Lone Star Enterprise
Whether it’s transforming a personal passion into a full-fledged business, capitalizing on digital tools to monetize everyday skills, or diversifying income streams across multiple platforms, the side hustle economy in Texas is booming—and it's reshaping the way people work, live, and build wealth.
Technology + Innovation
Texas lawmakers have approved a $50 million investment via House Bill 500 to establish a new military cybersecurity campus at Port San Antonio.
Real Estate + Housing
San Antonio’s housing landscape is evolving rapidly: a former airport motel is being redeveloped into 117 affordable studio apartments through a $9.9 million project led by New York–based GoodHomes Communities LLC and the San Antonio Housing Trust.
Sports
The Houston Texans entered a wave of uncertainty this week as veteran safety Jimmie Ward was arrested on June 12 in Magnolia, Texas, facing a third-degree felony charge for alleged family assault after impeding breathing during an altercation.
Agriculture
Texas wheat farmers are making tough decisions as worsening drought forces them to reduce wheat acreage. With projected 2025 season-average prices around $5.50/bushel, just below safety nets, many expect little to no profit and are shifting toward corn or other crops
Health + Human Services
Texas is bracing for massive federal and state cuts to public health funding, on the heels of pandemic-era grant rollbacks and proposed budget reductions.
Public Safety
On June 12, Governor Greg Abbott ordered the deployment of more than 5,000 Texas National Guard troops and 2,000 DPS troopers across major cities in Texas in anticipation of large-scale protests against federal immigration enforcement operations.
Business + Economy
CPS Energy, San Antonio’s municipally owned energy utility, warned that federal proposals to eliminate tax credits for renewable energy—covering solar, wind, and battery storage—won’t stop green projects in Texas.
