Your weekend is here, Texas, and it’s time to take a look back at some of the stories that were in our headlines this week.

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The Week in Review

1. Contractors continue to lose immigrant labor force to ICE arrests

At a recent public meeting hosted by the South Texas Builders Association, Victor Garza with VMK Concrete took to the mic to tell a crowd of about 200 people that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arresting suspected illegal immigrants at active construction projects is damaging the regional and national economy.

2. Meta data center in East El Paso concerns local residents

A new AI-optimized Meta data center is taking shape in far East El Paso. While supporters tout billions in investment and hundreds of new jobs, residents nearby are voicing serious concerns about water usage, electricity and the effects on their neighborhoods.

3. Texas THC back under legal gray area; congressional provision takes effect next year

In the spending bill Congress passed to reopen the government after the longest shutdown in history, there was a hemp provision that redefined the crop. The old definition from the 2018 Farm Bill defined hemp as any part of the Cannabis Sativa L plant that does not exceed 0.3% of Delta-9 THC by dry weight.

The new definition, however, now defines hemp as any part of the Cannabis Sativa L plant whose total cannabinoids do not exceed the 0.3% threshold. This also includes THCA, the acid precursor to THC.

4. Notable turnover expected in Texas Legislature

With the candidate filing deadline inching closer, it’s becoming clearer that there will be a shakeup in the makeup of the Texas Legislature.

Fourteen Republicans announced they are leaving the lower chamber, many for higher office or national advisory boards. But after 40 years, state Rep. John Smithee, R-Amarillo, will retire along with state Rep. Stan Lambert, R-Abilene, and state Rep. Sam Harless, R-Spring.

5. Jasmine Crockett schedules announcement Monday, hinting at Senate bid

U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, might be closer to putting her name in the hat for U.S. Senate next year. She scheduled a “special announcement” for Monday at 4:30 p.m., just 90 minutes before the deadline to file for candidacy.

Around the Nation

1. U.S. vaccine advisers say not all babies need hepatitis B shot at birth

A federal vaccine advisory committee voted on Friday to end the longstanding recommendation that all U.S. babies get the hepatitis B vaccine on the day they’re born. For decades, the government has advised that all babies be vaccinated against the liver infection right after birth. The shots are widely considered to be a public health success for preventing thousands of illnesses.

But Kennedy’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices decided to recommend the birth dose only for babies whose mothers test positive, and in cases where the mom wasn’t tested.

A Look Ahead  

Guests arrive at the annual Trail of Lights at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas on Dec. 16, 2023. (Spectrum News 1/Christine Sanchez)

Austin’s Trail of Lights returns to Zilker Park on Dec. 10.