AUSTIN — The 89th legislative session began Tuesday with members of the Texas House electing Rep. Dustin Burrows as their new speaker after a month-long divisive battle among Republicans. Burrows won the speaker's race by a vote of 85-55.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who heads the Texas Senate, opposed Burrows’ run for Speaker. He has since released a statement saying both the house and senate are required to pass legislation and he’s “counting” on Burrows to pass conservative legislation.

The Texas GOP has been divided since the state House impeached Attorney General Ken Paxton, who was acquitted in the Senate.

Will Texas House Republicans pay for supporting Dustin Burrows for speaker? Passage of conservative priorities could remove the sting for primary voters

Dustin Burrows is elected Speaker of the Texas House, signaling potential bipartisanship in addressing state issues.

Texas GOP Representative-elect Shelley Luther wrote on X: "Today, the RINO (anti-MAGA) Establishment laughed in the faces of our Republican grassroots. They chose Democrat chairs and Lobbyist buddies over their voters. I look forward to seeing if they're still laughing after the next round of primaries. The fight starts today."

TEXAS, USA — Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, was elected Texas House speaker Tuesday, shortly after the 89th Texas Legislative session started. Burrow was selected as the next Texas House Speaker over Reps. David Cook, R-Mansfield and Rep. Ana-María Rodríguez Ramos, D-Dallas. Ramos was eliminated in the first runoff.

Rep. Romero, a Democrat from Fort Worth, explains why he voted for Speaker Dustin Burrows.

A Livingston man accused in the death of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham has pleaded guilty and accepted a life without parole sentence. The trial for a man accused of murdering a pregnant Kilgore woman has been delayed by nearly a year.

The Odessa American is the leading source of local news, information, entertainment and sports for the Permian Basin.

The number of homes sold in December 2024 compared to December 2023 increased in all but two of the market’s 12 ZIP codes, according to data from the Austin Board of Realtors.