87th LegislatureState HouseState House Approves Texas Pandemic Response Act
Daniel Friend2 hours ago
The Texas House approved a bill to outline how the state government can handle a pandemic disaster in the future.
HomeAuthorDaniel Friend, Reporter For The Texan
Daniel Friend is a reporter for The Texan. He participated in a Great Books program at Azusa Pacific University and graduated in 2019 with a degree in Political Science. He has studied C.S. Lewis’s science fiction trilogy and in his spare time you might find him writing his own novel partly inspired by the series.
87th LegislatureElections 2020IssuesState HouseTexas House Approves Election Integrity Bill After 17 Hours of Deliberation
Hayden SparksMay 7, 2021
After a long night of deliberation, the state House passed an amended version of the GOP priority election integrity bill.
Statewide NewsEight Weeks After Texas COVID-19 Restriction Rollback, Case Numbers Stay Low
Daniel FriendMay 6, 2021
The number of new coronavirus cases and hospitalizations has steadily declined without any significant upticks since Gov. Abbott lifted his restrictions in March.
87th LegislatureGunsState SenateTexas Senate Approves Amended House Constitutional Carry Bill
Daniel FriendMay 5, 2021
Now one step closer to becoming law, the Texas Senate approved a constitutional carry bill to allow the carry of handguns in public without a License to Carry.
Local NewsStatewide NewsLamar County Democrats Reject Resignation of Chairman After He Called Sen. Tim Scott an ‘Oreo’
Daniel FriendMay 4, 2021
The northeast Texas Democrats rejected the resignation of Gary O’Connor, who submitted it after calling Sen. Tim Scott an “oreo.”
FederalGunsTexas License to Carry Applications Ahead of Last Year as Legislature Mulls Constitutional Carry
Daniel FriendMay 4, 2021
Based on background check data, the number of Texans applying for a License to Carry is outpacing the amount of previous years.
87th LegislatureState SenateTexas Senate Ends Mask Mandate, COVID-19 Testing Still Required for Public
Daniel FriendMay 4, 2021
Masks are now optional for senators, staff, and members of the public, but a COVID-19 test is still required for entrance to the Senate Gallery and committee meetings.
87th LegislatureState HouseState SenateTexas GOP Priority Legislation Lingers With One Month Left in Session
Daniel FriendMay 3, 2021
With only until the end of the month for lawmakers to pass bills, here’s where the progress on the Texas GOP’s legislative priorities currently stands.
Elections 2021FederalRepublicans Susan Wright, Jake Ellzey Advance to Runoff in North Texas Congressional Special Election
Daniel FriendMay 1, 2021
The jungle special election in the North Texas congressional district has resulted in two Republicans moving on to a runoff, Susan Wright and Jake Ellzey.
Elections 2021FederalTrump Lauds Susan Wright Ahead of Heated Special Congressional Election
Daniel FriendApril 30, 2021
Ahead of the special election on Saturday, May 1, former President Donald Trump joined a call to urge voters to support Susan Wright in the race.
87th LegislatureGunsState SenateTexas Senate to Advance Constitutional Carry Legislation to Floor Next Week
Daniel FriendApril 29, 2021
The lieutenant governor said that the House constitutional carry bill will be headed to the Senate floor after it was approved by a new special committee.
87th LegislatureFederalGunsState HouseState SenateCompeting Second Amendment Sanctuary Bills Approved by Texas House, Senate
Daniel FriendApril 29, 2021
Texas is on its way to designating itself as a “Second Amendment sanctuary,” but the state House or Senate must first consider legislation passed by the other chamber.
Gina Ortiz Jones, the former Democratic nominee in one of the state’s most competitive congressional districts, may be headed to a new role in the Pentagon.
87th LegislatureGunsState HouseState SenateGov. Abbott Pledges to Sign Constitutional Carry Bill if Passed by State Legislature
Daniel FriendApril 27, 2021
Governor Greg Abbott clarified his position on constitutional carry during a radio interview, stating that he would sign the bill when it gets to his desk.
FederalImmigration & BorderHarris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez Nominated as Biden’s ICE Director
Daniel FriendApril 27, 2021
The nomination of Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez to be the new head of ICE will need to be approved by the U.S. Senate.
87th LegislatureGunsState SenateTexas Senate Takes Unusual Steps on Constitutional Carry, Hearing Likely Next Week
Daniel FriendApril 23, 2021
The permitless carry bill passed by the House was referred to a new special committee that has a majority of its members publicly in favor of the pro-Second Amendment proposal.
87th LegislatureGunsState SenateHere’s a List of Where Texas State Senators Stand on Constitutional Carry
Daniel FriendApril 22, 2021
The Texan contacted every Texas state senator for their position on the constitutional carry legislation recently passed by the state House. See their responses here.
Elections 2021Special Election Heats Up for North Texas’ 6th Congressional District
Daniel FriendApril 20, 2021
With the May 1 election day less than two weeks away, candidates from both parties are trying to garner enough support to be one of the top two to make it to a runoff.
FederalHealthcareTexas Health Department Pushes COVID-19 Vaccinations with $1.5 Million Ad Buy
Daniel FriendApril 19, 2021
The state agency announced its plans to launch a $1.5 million television and radio ad buy to encourage Texans to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
87th LegislatureGunsState HouseState SenateLt. Gov. Dan Patrick Says Texas Senate Does Not ‘Have the Votes’ for Constitutional Carry
Daniel FriendApril 19, 2021
The legislation to allow Texans to carry handguns without a permit does not currently have the 18 votes needed to be brought to the floor, according to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.