SUMMARY: A Texas advocate is urging the incoming Trump administration and Congress to reevaluate federal policies that use taxpayer funds for abortions for unaccompanied alien children (UACs). The U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) has faced scrutiny for issues like trafficking, sexual abuse, and poor oversight of UACs. Advocates for abortion access argue UACs should receive taxpayer-funded abortions, citing exceptions under the Hyde Amendment. Critics, like Sheena Rodriguez of Alliance for a Safe Texas, demand transparency on the number of abortions performed on UACs, the costs, and the involvement of abortion-related organizations.

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SUMMARY: In October, Texas continued its trend of job growth, adding 274,600 jobs over the year and surpassing the national rate by 0.6%. The state’s civilian labor force reached a record high of 15,497,100, marking ten consecutive months of growth. Texas’ unemployment rate stood at 4.1%, slightly above the national average of 3.9%. The Financial Activities sector led job increases with 6,200 new positions, followed by Leisure and Hospitality with 4,900. Governor Greg Abbott emphasized the state’s commitment to workforce development and training for high-demand jobs, contributing to more than 2.4 million jobs added since he took office.

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SUMMARY: After years of water shortages in south Texas, the U.S. and Mexico signed an agreement on Nov. 7, 2024, to ensure regular water deliveries to the Rio Grande Valley, addressing a long-standing issue under the 1944 U.S.-Mexico water treaty. The agreement followed a U.S. bill that withheld foreign aid to Mexico until water obligations were met. Texas farmers, particularly sugar growers, had struggled due to insufficient water from the Rio Grande, impacting agriculture. The new deal aims to improve water management, with provisions to address water quality and environmental concerns, while promoting transparency and accountability in water delivery.

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