Texas House lawmakers debated gun rights and voter protections Wednesday afternoon related to a bill that would allow election judges to carry a weapon inside a polling place at a

The Texas Republican wants lawmakers to bar pretrial release to defendants accused of several violent offenses, which would need a constitutional amendment.

Attorney General Ken Paxton indicted six people – including five public officials – for an alleged ballot harvesting scheme in Frio County, a part of his yearslong election integrity investigation, his office announced Wednesday.

Republican AG Ken Paxton has led an effort to probe alleged voter fraud. Latino leaders and others have criticized his investigation as politically motivated.

Texas school districts have banned hundreds of titles over the past few years, leading the country in banning books.

Six Frio County officials, including the county judge, have been indicted and arrested for election fraud crimes related to a vote harvesting scheme.

Many counties and cities in the Lone Star State hold elections in May of odd-numbered years. On May 3, North Texans will cast their votes for local leaders and initiatives. Early voting ends April 29; hours vary by location.