Texas

The law bans abortions after cardiac activity is detected, usually about six weeks into pregnancy and well before many people even know they are pregnant. The ruling is at odds with court precedents.

The law also allows private citizens to sue abortion providers and anyone else who helps a woman obtain an abortion, including those who give a woman a ride to a clinic.

The sudden influx means resettlement agencies are rushing to secure a range of services for evacuees as they begin a new chapter of their lives.

The Republican Texas governor, who has been fully vaccinated and has no symptoms, "will isolate in the Governor's Mansion and continue to test daily," his office announced.

Mexican fishermen are illegally plundering tons of red snapper from the lower Texas Gulf, raising the ire of the U.S. Coast Guard, Texas fishermen, marine biologists and the federal government.

One Black geocacher writes about harrowing encounters, such as being called "boy" and finding a cache hidden inside a flagpole flying the Confederate flag.

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott says on Twitter that he will veto funding for the state legislature after Democratic lawmakers walked out, blocking passage of new voting restrictions.

The new law prohibits abortion the moment a fetal heartbeat has been detected, before many women are even aware that they are pregnant. Enforcement of the law relies on private citizens.

The legislation was criticized by Democrats, progressive groups and voting rights advocates as "voter suppression." Republicans view it as "sensible election integrity legislation."

"If we get to a point in any case, no matter who the defendant is ... that we feel there is insufficient probable cause, we have to alert the defense and alert the court," prosecutors said Wednesday.

American Airlines and Dell are directly criticizing Republican-sponsored legislation in the state legislature that would curb expanded voter access.

The massive storm spread ice, snow and freezing temperatures over huge swaths of Texas, but power grid problems left millions weathering conditions in the dark in uninsulated homes.