Abortion is already illegal in Texas, but Republican and Democratic lawmakers have filed a slew of abortion-related bills as they return to Austin for a new legislative session that starts tomorrow.

Why it matters: Abortion restrictions are likely to expand under a GOP majority that has strengthened its hold on the Legislature.

Driving the news: Republicans have turned their attention to abortion pills, which are involved in most abortions.

• House Bill 1339 would reclassify abortion pills as controlled substances, which is similar to a Louisiana law enacted last year.
• HB 991 would allow lawsuits against websites that provide information about how to obtain an abortion or abortion pills.

State of play: It remains to be seen whether the bills will gain traction, but they're sure to be challenged in the courts even if they pass.

• In 2021, the Legislature barred shipment of abortion medication by mail in the state, but shield laws in blue states where abortion is legal have allowed Texans to still receive the medication.
• Shield laws provide legal protections for patients and health care providers in states where abortion is legal from the reach of states where it is illegal.

The intrigue: Attorney General Ken Paxton sued a New York doctor last month for allegedly sending abortion medication to a woman in Collin County.

• The lawsuit, one of the first of its kind, tests the future of shield laws.

By the numbers: Roughly 2,800 abortions in Texas were provided monthly via telehealth under shield law protections from April to June 2024, according to the latest available data from the Society of Family Planning's #WeCount report.

The other side: Democrats will wield little power this session but hope to clarify when a medically necessary abortion is allowed under the state's ban.

• Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, filed HB 395 to allow abortions in the case of rape or incest.

Reality check: It's unlikely bills from Democrats will even receive a committee hearing.

Share this story

Republicans are set to control the legislative process in far more states than Democrats will control in 2025.

Why it matters: State laws can have an even greater impact on your life than those passed by Congress.

• Democratic lawmakers and governors, meanwhile, could be a bulwark against some of the incoming Trump administration's policies in states they control.

By the numbers: Republicans will control the legislative process in 24 states to Democrats' 15, per Cook Political Report.

• The process is split in 10 others, most of them swing states.
• Nebraska, meanwhile, has a unicameral legislature unique among U.S. states — though the Cornhusker State has a Republican-leaning supermajority.

The bottom line: All politics, as they say, are local.

First Baptist Dallas plans to spend $27 million to reconstruct its 134-year-old sanctuary that was destroyed in a four-alarm fire in July.

Why it matters: Established in 1868, First Baptist is the only downtown Dallas church still on its original site. The church has a large downtown footprint, taking up several blocks.

State of play: The demolition process was close to being finished last week, and crews were removing pieces of stone from the sanctuary's northern wall, senior executive pastor Ben Lovvorn said in a video.

• The new sanctuary will move to the second floor, and a multipurpose venue will be built on the ground floor.
• The church hopes to feature the original walls and stained glass in the new structure, which will be oriented north-south to allow the preserved stained glass to glimmer more prominently.
• "We are excited to kick off 2025, as we don't just survive through this, but we thrive," Lovvorn said in the new video.

Between the lines: The megachurch is led by Robert Jeffress, who has been a strong supporter of President-elect Trump for years.

• "President Trump is a friend of our church — a valued friend," Jeffress told chron.com before the November election.

By the numbers: First Baptist is seeking $95 million as part of a two-year campaign to upgrade its fellowship space and pay for the new sanctuary.

Fun fact: The church will work with a Waco stained-glass studio to design new windows, per WFAA.

🏈 Ohio State advanced to the college football championship after defeating the Texas Longhorns 28-14 in Arlington on Friday. (NBC News)

🛍️ Macy's will have clearance sales this month as part of the company's plan to close 66 stores nationwide, including five in North Texas. (Axios)

📍 Sports celebrities CeeDee Lamb, Bryson DeChambeau and Tom Brady appeared in a YouTube video unveiling Dude Perfect's new Frisco headquarters. (WFAA)

Become an Axios Dallas member and fuel our mission to make readers smarter and faster on the news unfolding here.

Why it's important: The generosity of our members supports our newsroom as we work on the daily newsletter.

What's in it for you: Insider notes from the local reporters and other perks.

Thank you for trusting us.

Children's artwork adorns the walls and plants fill the windows of this neighborhood coffee shop in Fort Worth, creating a cozy cafe you want to hang out in for a while.

The intrigue: The cafe is a renovated bail bonds building on a rebranded and revitalized Race Street. Pictures of the coffee shop's past life hang on the bathroom walls.

• The business is a partnership between a longtime resident of the neighborhood and the owner of Oak Cliff Coffee.

What to order: Purple Rain, aka lavender latte.

Where: Race Street Coffee, 3021 Race St. in Fort Worth.

Cost: $6

Six word review: Perfectly balanced nutty espresso, comforting lavender.

😋 Have a favorite coffee shop we should try? Hit reply and let us know.