Immigration & Courts: Texas is in the middle of a widening fight over migrant children’s legal representation, with a Houston law firm tied to the Trump administration declining a major contract while New York moves to fund counsel for about 1,400 children facing deportation proceedings. Border Security & Federal Land: Big Bend opposition is escalating as federal border plans move forward, with critics warning contractors may need blasting and heavy bulldozing near Mariscal Mountain inside the national park. Data Centers & Grid/Water Rules: Gov. Greg Abbott’s data-center standards are getting traction as more operators pledge compliance, while Hut 8 says it will align with Abbott/PUCT/ERCOT guardrails and Fermi America inks a deal to power a major Amarillo-area data center campus. Elections & Voting Access: A federal appeals court action keeps Texas mail-ballot ID requirements in place, shaping 2026 race dynamics. Public Safety Tech Backlash: Flock license-plate cameras remain a flashpoint, with new reporting highlighting how widespread searches can be across agencies and renewed local questions about where cameras are aimed. Surrogacy & Abortion Law: A Texas court order and AG involvement are again at the center of a multistate surrogacy dispute after a baby with a severe heart defect was born, underscoring how treatment decisions collide with abortion-related legal fights. Energy & Industry: The IEA forecasts weaker global oil demand amid higher gas prices and Strait of Hormuz disruptions, adding pressure to an already volatile energy market.