Texas will begin requiring emissions inspections for certain vehicles in Bexar County starting November 1, 2026, under a federal Clean Air Act mandate. Gasoline-powered vehicles between 2 and 24 years old must pass the test before renewing registration, with some exemptions for electric, diesel, and motorcycles.
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The Deep East Texas Council of Governments launched the Pineywoods Broadband Coalition to promote technology education and workforce development as the region receives federal broadband grants. The coalition will focus on digital navigation training and coordinating infrastructure impacts.
$roughly a billion dollars for federal broadband grants
Deep East Texas Council of Governments, launched the Pineywoods Broadband Coalition; Connor Sadro, broadband director for the council
Pasture mealybugs, tiny white pests that weaken grass by injecting toxins and sucking sap, first appeared in South Texas in 2022 and have since spread across the state. Farmers have experimented with various pesticides and soap to control infestations.
$$2 billion per year for estimated annual cost to farmers and ranchers
Danielle Sekula, Texas A&M AgriLife pest specialist; David Kerns, Associate head of entomology department with Texas A&M University; Stephen Biles, Senior extension program specialist with Texas A&M entomology department and 2 more
Samsung SDI America signed a contract with Alpha Omega Power (AOP) to supply 1 gigawatt-hour of energy storage system batteries. Combined with an earlier 0.5 GWh contract, total Samsung SDI supply to AOP reaches 1.5 GWh. AOP plans to deploy the batteries in a large-scale power project in Texas beginning next year.
$in the hundreds of billions of won for energy storage battery contract value
Samsung SDI, battery supplier; Samsung SDI America (SDIA), subsidiary signing contract; Alpha Omega Power (AOP), energy company receiving batteries and 2 more
Students from the United States and Mexico participated in Día del Río, an annual environmental initiative organized by the Rio Grande International Study Center. Participants tested water quality, collected trash, and conducted water monitoring along the Rio Grande and its tributaries.
Rio Grande International Study Center, organizer of Día del Río; Abraham De Leon, M.B. Lamar Middle School student participant; Sharone Muñoz, coordinator of the initiative through Rio Grande International Study Center
President Donald Trump said at a Georgia rally that U.S. oil and gas companies are profiting from higher oil prices tied to Middle East disruptions, dismissing concerns about rising gasoline costs for consumers.
$hundreds of billions of dollars for U.S. oil and gas revenues from high oil prices
Texas faces trade-offs between air quality and economic growth from expanding data center industry. Houston Advanced Research Center analyzed how data center electricity demand could affect state air pollution and emissions, while economists report data center construction and operation are creating jobs for electricians, welders, and other skilled trades.
$$110 million for annual pay per 100 megawatts of data center capacity
Houston Advanced Research Center, analyzed power generation impacts from data center growth; Maria Flynn, president and CEO of Jobs for the Future; Justin Sinkovich, faculty at Columbia College Chicago and 1 more
El Paso City Council is considering a proposal to review and evaluate possible restrictions on heavy truck traffic on Transmountain Road following a fatal semitrailer crash on October 19. The proposal directs city staff to work with the Texas Department of Transportation on potential measures including alternative truck routes.
Alejandra Chavez, West Side city representative; El Paso City Council, legislative body considering the proposal; Texas Department of Transportation, state agency to collaborate on truck restrictions review and 1 more
Hemp industry representatives filed a lawsuit challenging Texas' ban on smokable hemp-derived THC products. The plaintiffs claim state health officials exceeded their authority in establishing the rules and imposing higher licensing fees, and argue only state lawmakers had authority to create them.
Texas Hemp Constitutional Alliance, plaintiff in lawsuit; Green Nation, hemp business plaintiff in lawsuit; Stephanie Muth, executive director of Texas Health and Human Services, named as defendant and 1 more