The Texas forest and logging industry is growing strong. In 2021, the forest sector had an economic impact of $41.6 billion and supported over 170,000 jobs. Read more: https://www.kxan.com/news/forestry-expert-aims-to-fortify-laws-on-timber-theft/

A four-foot American eel was found washed up on the Texas Gulf Coast.

Anti-abortion advocates marched Saturday afternoon in the 2023 Texas Rally for Life - the first to take place since Roe v. Wade was overturned.

Who Owns Texas? - New bills have been filed in the legislature to limit people from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea from buying land in Texas. Supporters say it's a matter of security to limit the influence of foreign rivals. Opponents call the plans racist and warn about the potential effect on people seeking citizenship. Ryan Chandler looks closer at the bill and the controversy over the plan.

Teacher Pay - A State Representative is bringing forward a plan to give Texas teachers a 15-thousand dollar pay raise. That would be the largest teacher pay raise in Texas history. Jala Washington reports on the legislation and how it could shape the debate this session. The bill comes after preliminary budget proposals show additional money going toward schools - but not necessarily for salaries.

Limiting Lessons - There are new efforts to limit how lessons about race are taught in schools. Texas already has a ban on Critical Race Theory in public schools. Now one Texas lawmaker is pushing to expand that ban to public colleges and universities in the state. It comes after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called for more accountability from universities over what's in the curriculum. Monica Madden reports on the proposal and the response.

Border Policy Criticism – A change in border policy has the Biden Administration taking heat from Texans on both sides of the immigration debate: Republicans say the President is not doing enough to stop illegal immigration, Democrats criticize his move to expand Title 42 restrictions. We look at how the debate could affect negotiations over the debt ceiling.

The 2023 Texas Rally for Life, hosted by Texas Alliance for Life, began at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Texas Capitol. This was the group’s first rally since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade decision and Senate Bill 8 went into effect in Texas. Read more: https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/2023-texas-rally-for-life-to-begin-saturday-at-texas-capitol/

Dr. Matthew Geck joined KXAN News Today to discuss idiopathic scoliosis and a new technology to correct the problem. Geck, an orthopedic surgeon at Ascension Texas Spine & Scoliosis, shared more about Dell Children's Medical Center's program—the second hospital in the nation activated for the research study.

Volunteers with the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO) will traverse the city Friday night passing out care packages and hand counting the number of people experiencing homelessness in Austin. Read more https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/echo-count-of-homeless-population-happening-friday-for-first-time-since-2020/

Other users reported feeling unnerved by the figures and raised concerns the scarecrows could be distracting and pose a safety risk. Read more https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/the-mystery-of-the-north-austin-scarecrows-remains-unsolved/

Hutto ISD tries to keep up with growth with proposed bond, breaks ground on new school

Three Austin Police Department officers shot at a man they believed had fired shots in downtown Austin, seconds after he jumped off a porch during a chase, the department revealed Friday as it released several videos related to the deadly officer-involved shooting that occurred Jan. 15. Read more https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/video-apd-officers-shot-suspect-seconds-after-jumping-off-downtown-porch/