With little in local tax revenue to help pay staff, rural Texas sheriffs are often forced to do more with less. Lawmakers hope a new grant program will help rebuild the ranks of rural law enforcement.

A new study says if you want to brainstorm during a meeting, it works better in person than over remote video conferencing.

Former State Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, spoke during a Texas Tribune panel in 2019. Greg Abbott has selected Jan. 23 as the date of the special election to fill the seat of state Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, who recently won a promotion to the Texas Senate. At least two Republicans have already announced campaigns for the House seat. State law gives Abbott the power to order a sped-up special election when a vacancy occurs within 60 days of the session. The special election for Springer's House seat is the latest development in a game of political dominoes that began when former U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe, R-Heath, was named director of national intelligence earlier this year.

State Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, spoke during a Texas Tribune panel in 2019. Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas TribuneState Rep. Drew Springer of Muenster prevailed over fellow Republican Shelley Luther in a special election runoff for a state Senate seat that was animated by Gov. Luther is the Dallas salon owner who was jailed earlier this year over her refusal to close her business due to coronavirus restrictions. While not as bombastic, Springer also expressed disagreement with some of the governor's coronavirus handling, even after earning Abbott's endorsement. Luther and Springer finished neck and neck in the initial six-way special election in late September, with Luther leading Springer by 115 votes. He loaned Luther $1 million before the September election and directly gave her $700,000 in the runoff.

Dallas salon owner Shelley Luther and state Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster. Greg Abbott announced Saturday that Dec. 19 will be the date for the special election runoff to succeed state Sen. Pat Fallon, R-Prosper. The runoff in Fallon's solidly red district pits state Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, against fellow Republican Shelley Luther, the Dallas salon owner who was jailed earlier this year over her refusal to close her business due to coronavirus restrictions. Luther and Springer finished close together in the Sept. 29 special election, which included three other Republicans and a Democrat. Luther edged out Springer, 32.17% to 31.93%, ahead by 164 votes out of 68,807 total.