Texas Democrats Who Stayed Behind Locked in Capitol Building

Earlier this week, over 50 Texas Democrats fled the state on chartered planes bound for Washington D.C. in order to stall passage of a controversial voting bill. Now, the few who stayed behind are under lock and key.

Those Who Stayed Behind

KTRK-TV reports that four House Democrats who stayed in Texas have been locked inside the House chamber. State Rep. Eddie Morales told the news outlet that he and his peers must ask permission to leave the chamber, whether it's to grab something to eat or use the restroom.

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House Arrest

Meanwhile, the Austin American-Statesman reports that the House voted Tuesday to authorize arrest warrants for Democrats upon their return to Texas. The lawmakers would be forced to return to the state capitol building and carry out their duties.

Show of Solidarity

While the House Democrats who fled the state have grabbed all the headlines, the Statesman reports that nine Senate Dems left this week as well in a show of solidarity. However, NBC News reports that there were still enough state senators present to hold a vote on the Senate's version of the voting bill.

Texas Senate Passed the GOP Bill

Senate Bill 1 was passed by the state senate Tuesday evening. It's a a voting reform bill that restricts voting hours and methods, and provides expanded access and protections for partisan poll watchers.

Further action on this and the House version of the bill will have to wait until the absent Democratic lawmakers return.

What Are They Doing in Washington?

Aside from running down the clock on the current special session, Texas Democrats are throwing their support behind the passage of federal voting rights legislation, including the For The People Act, which call for an end to Congressional gerrymandering, clean up federal campaign finance laws, tighten defenses against foreign interference, reform ethics rules, and more.

Will This Tactic Work?

It's seems unlikely that Texas Democrats can prevent passage of voting reform bills in Texas. Governor Greg Abbott recently told Fox News he'll just call for more special sessions until it's done. Meanwhile, the absent Democratic lawmakers will be making fundraising efforts to pay for what the Texas Tribune calls their "decampment".

It's Time to 'Stuff the Bus' for Central Texas Students

The new school year is just around the corner, and Central Texas students will face unique challenges as we put the pandemic behind us and look to the future.

One challenge no child should face is being without the essential school supplies they'll need to live up to their potential and achieve academic success.

That's where you and I come in. From July 19 to August 15, you can donate school supplies at the following locations. Donated supplies will benefit students in need in Belton ISD, Killeen ISD, and Temple ISD. (Click each district to view their 2021-2022 school supply lists.)

Test Your Texas: How Many of These Jeopardy! Questions Can You Answer?

Jeopardy! as we know it has been on the air since 1984, but the show got its start way back 1964.

Over the decades, the writers have managed to keep coming up with challenging questions to test the intellectual might of America's best and brightest (and sometimes softball questions for celebrities).

Texas is a place packed with personality, culture, and history, and there've been hundreds of questions/answers about the Lone Star State. Let's take a look at a few recent ones, and keep an eye out because we'll add more soon to test your Texas trivia skills and challenge newcomers.

How many of these can you get right without Googling?