Texas has been making headlines with a mix of significant developments across various sectors. On November 25, 2024, Governor Greg Abbott amended and renewed the drought disaster proclamation for numerous counties in Texas, citing persistent exceptional drought conditions that pose a threat of imminent disaster[1]. This move underscores the ongoing challenges the state faces in managing its water resources and ensuring the well-being of its residents and agricultural sectors.

In health news, Texas recorded its first locally transmitted case of dengue fever in 2024, with the case reported in Cameron County, the southernmost county in the state[2][4]. The Texas Department of State Health Services noted that this year has seen the highest annual case count of dengue fever in Texas since 2002, with 106 travel-associated cases, including one death. The agency emphasized the importance of taking precautions against mosquito bites, both in Texas and while traveling internationally to countries where dengue is endemic.

On the legal front, Attorney General Ken Paxton is defending a Texas law requiring age verification measures for pornography companies at the Supreme Court of the United States[3]. The law, known as House Bill 1181, aims to protect children from obscene online material by mandating that pornography companies implement reasonable age-verification measures. Paxton has been successful in enforcing the law while litigation continues, with several companies opting to stop doing business in Texas rather than comply with the regulations.

In business and infrastructure news, Balfour Beatty has been awarded a $746-million contract by the Texas Department of Transportation to construct 2.5 miles of the Interstate 35 Capital Express Central project[5]. The project, which will start in the first half of 2025 and be completed by 2033, includes reconstructing a bridge over Lady Bird Lake, adding high-occupancy-vehicle management lanes, and enhancing bike and walking paths. This development is part of a larger effort to ease congestion on a roadway that is traveled by roughly 200,000 vehicles daily.

Additionally, Archer Western Construction has been selected to build a $50-million renewable natural gas plant in San Antonio for Synthica Energy. The facility will process up to 250,000 tons of industrial organic waste into renewable natural gas annually, contributing to the state's efforts in sustainable energy production.

In education, the University of Texas is set to begin a $70-million renovation of its 27-story tower, a multiyear effort to restore, revitalize, and reimagine the nearly 90-year-old structure[5]. The first phase, focusing on the tower's exterior, is scheduled to be completed by summer 2027 and includes restoring the stone, windows, lighting, clock face, and historical gilding.

Looking ahead, Texas residents and policymakers will be closely watching the developments in the drought situation, with the hope that conditions will improve. The Supreme Court's decision on the age verification law for pornography companies will also be a significant event to watch, as it could set a precedent for similar laws across the country. Furthermore, the progress of major infrastructure projects like the Interstate 35 Capital Express Central project and the renewable natural gas plant in San Antonio will be crucial in shaping the state's economic and environmental future. As Texas continues to navigate these challenges and opportunities, it remains a dynamic and evolving state with a wide range of stories and developments to follow.