With early voting just weeks away and no debate on the schedule, Texas voters are finally getting an apples-to-apples comparison between Ken Paxton and James Talarico. Both agreed to separate interviews with the U.S. Hispanic Business Council - answering the same questions on topics like affordability, immigration, health care, and the economy. This week's program puts Paxton and Talarico's responses side by side to highlight similarities, differences, and how each hopes to win over undecided voters. State of Texas is a statewide, in-depth program focused solely on Texas politics. Produced at KXAN in Austin and airing in 14 markets across the state, the show gives viewers greater perspective on the Texas Legislature, state policy and elections.

President Donald Trump returns to Texas to rally Republicans and boost Ken Paxton's Senate campaign, while also making a push for GOP candidates in competitive congressional races. Dylan McKim examines whether Trump's support will help Republicans in tight contests or create challenges with independent voters. Renzo Downey and Brad Johnson join us to break down the congressional and Texas House battlegrounds and what they'll be watching on election night. A growing number of Texas school districts have shifted to four-day school weeks, but lawmakers are questioning whether the change is hurting student achievement. Dylan McKim examines the research, one district's experience abandoning the approach, and possible guardrails lawmakers could consider as they weigh whether Texas students need more days in the classroom. Women's health experts tell Texas lawmakers that menopause remains a major blind spot in medical training, with patients sometimes struggling to get appropriate diagnosis and treatment. The hearing highlights concerns over physician training, access to hormone therapy, insurance restrictions and research funding as lawmakers consider possible changes in the upcoming legislative session. Texas lawmakers are exploring the unusual possibility of moving counties in southeastern New Mexico into Texas. Dylan McKim looks at how a dispute over regulation of produced water in the Permian Basin is driving the conversation, what it would legally take to change the state boundary, and why lawmakers on both sides acknowledge the proposal faces major hurdles. State of Texas is a statewide, in-depth program focused solely on Texas politics. Produced at KXAN in Austin and airing in 14 markets across the state, the show gives viewers greater perspective on the Texas Legislature, state policy and elections.

The race for U.S. Senate remains tight as Ken Paxton and James Talarico make their case to supporters before early voting. We hear from both candidates on the campaign trail and dig deeper into new Texas Politics Project polling that shows where each is drawing support. The program also looks at another close statewide contest, as Greg Abbott and Gina Hinojosa make their case to voters in the governor's race. Texas' new billion-dollar Education Freedom Accounts program is now a central issue in the race for comptroller, the office responsible for administering it. Dylan McKim examines how Republican Don Huffines and Democrat Sarah Eckhardt differ over the program's future, including efforts to expand it and calls for additional auditing and oversight. Republicans redrew Congressional District 34 with the goal of flipping the seat from blue to red, but the result is now one of the closest House races in the country. Brian Svendsen profiles Democratic incumbent Vicente Gonzalez and Republican challenger Eric Flores, examining how redistricting reshaped the district and why the contest could help determine control of Congress. The race for Texas Railroad Commission puts competing approaches to regulation of the state's oil and gas industry before voters. Dylan McKim looks at Republican Bo French and Democrat Jon Rosenthal's priorities for the powerful commission, from industry regulation and abandoned wells to natural gas reliability, while polling shows a tight statewide contest. State of Texas is a statewide, in-depth program focused solely on Texas politics. Produced at KXAN in Austin and airing in 14 markets across the state, the show gives viewers greater perspective on the Texas Legislature, state policy and elections.