Abbott Hints at Third Texas Special Session After Unfinished Business
“Stay tuned. Something may be happening soon.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is signaling he may call lawmakers back to Austin for a third special legislative session after key priorities remain unaddressed following two previous special sessions in 2025.
Abbott hinted Thursday that he might call lawmakers back to Austin for a third special session after they failed to pass a law banning the sale of THC products in the state. When asked about the possibility, Abbott told reporters on Friday that he may call state lawmakers back to Austin to work on issues like THC and property tax relief.
Unfinished Business from Previous Sessions
The governor has already convened two special sessions in 2025, addressing various legislative priorities. The first special session began July 21 with 18 agenda items, while the second special session started August 15 with 19 agenda items. However, several key issues remain unresolved.
One of the most prominent unfinished items is THC regulation. The upcoming special session will focus on enacting a regulatory framework for consumable hemp products that contain THC.
This issue emerged after Abbott vetoed an outright THC ban during the regular legislative session, preferring a more nuanced regulatory approach instead.
Additionally, redistricting and disaster response were at the top of the governor’s priorities during the second special session, though progress on these items faced challenges due to legislative gridlock.
Political Complications
The previous special sessions faced significant obstacles. Both chambers signaled they would sine die on Friday, August 15, 2025 if a quorum was not reached due to Texas House Democrats abandoning the current special session. Abbott vowed to immediately call lawmakers back to work if the special session ended without new maps, while threatening to add more items to his agenda.
On Thursday, state Rep. Matt Shaheen, R-Plano, told KVUE-TV he thought it was unlikely.
“Ultimately, [Abbott] has the power,” Shaheen said. “But I think it’s time to move on and let us live our lives.”
State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt (D-Austin):
What’s Next
While Abbott has not officially announced a third special session, his comments suggest he remains determined to address these outstanding issues. The governor’s “stay tuned” message to reporters indicates he is actively considering his options as unfinished legislative priorities continue to mount.
Under the Texas Constitution, the governor has broad authority to call special sessions lasting up to 30 days each, with the agenda limited to topics he designates. This gives Abbott significant leverage to keep bringing lawmakers back until his priorities are addressed.
The potential third special session would represent an unusually active period of special legislative activity, underscoring the governor’s determination to advance his policy agenda despite legislative resistance and political complications.
University of Texas police responded to reports of a “possible deceased individual” on the eastern edge of the campus by Trinity Street and Robert Dedman Drive on Friday, officials said in a statement.
This incident marks the third time this year a body has been discovered on or near the UT Austin campus. Back in April, there were two separate incidents. On April 5, a dead body was found at the Perry-Castaneda Library and a second body was found on campus overnight Wednesday, April 9, into early Thursday morning, April 10.
Last month, a body was discovered near campus at 23rd & Guadalupe but it was determined that the victim succumbed to injuries from a scooter accident.
A woman has been charged with intoxication manslaughter after a crash on Labor Day.
This week’s Crime Watch from FOX 7 Austin:
A new trend in Austin crime. (FOX 7 Austin)
An innocent bystander has filed a civil lawsuit alleging she was permanently injured after a shooting that happened on 6th Street downtown between an armed man and Austin police.
Austin unveiled its first-ever unified city logo this week, but what was intended to promote unity across city services has instead sparked widespread criticism and calls for its replacement. The green and violet logo takes on the shape of an A with Austin written underneath, launched as part of a $1.1 million rebranding initiative that took seven years to complete.
A former Austin city council member has launched a petition calling for the city council to put the logo design to a citywide vote and pause the rollout, stating “I started this petition because $1.1M on a logo without public input isn’t right”. The petition represents growing grassroots opposition to what many see as an expensive misstep by city leadership.
Despite the backlash, city officials have defended the initiative. The branding reset, officially launching in October, was aimed at consistency and public recognition.
As the October rollout approaches, it remains to be seen whether public pressure will force city officials to reconsider their costly rebrand or whether Austin residents will eventually embrace their new visual identity.
A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) shows finer details of what happened when a Leander Independent School District bus veered off Nameless Road, resulting in a crash that injured more than sixteen children and the driver. (KXAN-TV)
The second phase of the $900 million Capitol Complex expansion project continues. The Texas Capitol Complex is getting so big planners need to pull out all the stops to allow state government employees to move freely. Work continues underground. (Austin Business Journal)
A $3.8 million mobility project, part of the city’s broader corridor improvement program, is roughly 80% complete. Crews have been working steadily over the past year along Airport Boulevard to enhance accessibility and safety along the busy North Austin corridor. (Community Impact)
Austin’s unemployment rate is well below Texas’s rate of 4.1% and the national rate of 4.2%.
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The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office says it has arrested a man in connection to a four-day crime spree of thefts of UTVs, trailers and vehicles.
Authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating 52-year-old Ruben Enriquez, who was discovered missing from a federal prison in Seagoville. He was serving a 210-month sentence for meth-related drug charges.
A Dallas/Fort Worth-area pastor and Christian social media influencer is under fire after being arrested and charged earlier this week. (Chron)
The Austin Democrat has made a name for himself with his viral social media presence. His entry to the race pits him against former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred in the increasingly crowded primary. (Texas Tribune)
The powerful GOP fundraising arm of the Senate is urging Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Houston, to stop teasing a primary challenge for U.S. Senate and to back incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in a scathing memo calling his speculative bid a “vanity project.” (Texas Tribune)
Meanwhile, the Texas Republican Party is suing the Texas Secretary of State to close the state’s primary elections to only voters from the Republican party. (FOX 7 Austin)
Tonight’s $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot is the second-largest in history,
After the 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary, school leaders in Uvalde initially planned to publicly defend district Police Chief Pete Arredondo, but officials instead chose to remain silent as investigations into police actions unfolded, newly released records show. Arredondo is now facing criminal charges over law enforcement’s delayed confrontation with the gunman. (Texas Public Radio)
Texans will soon be able to sue anyone who provides, manufactures, or mails abortion pills to or from the state. The Legislature passed House Bill 7 in the closing days of the second special session, and it is now headed for Governor Greg Abbott’s desk.
As Texas lawmakers return home, what are the big takeaways from six weeks of overtime at the Capitol? We’ll take a closer look at what happened – and what didn’t.
Why some think Collin County could become one of the nation’s most highly contested political battlegrounds.
Antone’s, known as Austin’s home of the blues, celebrates its 50th birthday with a new box set with deep Texas ties.
Plus: A recap of the week in politics with The Texas Tribune.
(Episode from September 5, 2025)
SPORTS
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: It’s gameday in Austin.
Texas Longhorns – San Jose State Spartans Pregame Show! | LIVE | 9/6/25
ON THE SCHEDULE
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL:
Akins 41, Cedar Creek 13
Anderson 42, Elgin 0
Bastrop 48, China Spring 34
Belton 34, Georgetown 26
Blanco 63, Universal City Randolph 7
Brentwood Christian 27, St. Dominic Savio 24
Bryan Brazos Christian 59, Hill Country 17
Buda Hays 35, Pflugerville 31
Canyon Lake 49, Crockett 7
Connally 42, Taylor 28
Copperas Cove 35, Glenn 21
Dripping Springs 55, SA Wagner 0
East View 42, Burnet 28
Harker Heights 56, Manor 0
Houston Lutheran South 38, Hyde Park 17
Hutto 28, Converse Judson 17
Jarrell 41, Marble Falls 7
Lake Travis 28, Rockwall 20
Lampasas 43, Salado 12
Llano 62, Comanche 23
Marble Falls Faith Academy 83, Valor North Austin 13
SA Jay 30, Kyle Lehman 10
Schertz Clemenss 39, Del Valle 20
St. Michael’s 56, Katy St. John XXIII 12
St. Stephen’s 67, Snook 2
Temple 35, Round Rock 28
Regents 23, Houston Kinkaid 20
Rouse 49, Liberty Hill 43 (OT)
Vandegrift 35, Cedar Park 14
Waco Connally 22, Lago Vista 6
Westlake 66, San Benito 0
Westwood 39, Austin High 9
Wimberley 28, Fredericksburg 21
MLB: A 12-th inning walkoff for the Texas Rangers.
Dustin Harris hit a game-ending double in the 12th inning and the Texas Rangers beat the AL West-leading Houston Astros 4-3 on Friday night to close within a half-game of a playoff position. (Yahoo! Sports)
ON THE SCHEDULE
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America’s first National Preserve, the Big Thicket National Preserve in South East Texas.
