The anti-abortion advocacy group Texas Right to Life will lobby for new legislation that would expand aspects of 2021's Heartbeat Act, which incentivizes individuals to sue anyone who assists in an abortion, a spokesperson for the organization tells Axios.

Why it matters: The proposed bill would allow anyone to file a civil lawsuit against someone allegedly violating the state's abortion laws, no matter the age of the fetus.

• It would include an option to sue out-of-state organizations that mail abortion-inducing drugs directly to Texas patients.

The big picture: Texas has been a leader in anti-abortion legislation, passing the uniquely structured Heartbeat Act — which doesn't have exceptions for rape and incest — and a trigger law that makes performing an abortion a felony punishable by fines up to $100,000 and life in prison.

• The Heartbeat Act has been mimicked in other states, including Florida and Ohio.
• California recently passed a gun control bill modeled on the Texas law.

Of note: A majority of Texas voters — 54% — oppose a total ban on abortions, per polling this year from the Texas Politics Project at UT.

Details: The proposed legislation doesn't have a name yet, but Texas Right to Life has been calling it "Hold Abortionists Accountable."

Flashback: Texas' law allowing people to file civil lawsuits over abortions was the subject of copious litigation in multiple jurisdictions — there's an entire Wikipedia page dedicated to it — but the bill was ultimately allowed to stand.

• Texas Right to Life organized a whistleblower reporting system allowing people to anonymously report anyone violating the law.

What they're saying: "We're still in the stage of having conversations with legislators, but there is an interest in making sure the abortion industry is held accountable and assessing different legislative strategies for accomplishing that goal," Kimberlyn Schwartz, Texas Right to Life's media director, tells Axios.

Texas public school teachers get paid 21.5% less than other college graduates, according to the Economic Policy Institute, which advocates for fair pay for low- and middle-income workers.

Why it matters: Schools are already struggling with teacher shortages, and this pay gap can exacerbate the conditions and discourage college students from entering the profession, the new report says.

The big picture: The national pay gap between teachers and similarly educated non-teachers grew to a record 23.5% in 2021.

• Inflation-adjusted weekly wages for teachers have remained essentially flat since 1996, increasing just $29 compared to 2021 figures, the institute found.
• College graduates in other professions saw wages increase by $445 in the same period.

Yes, but: The Texas teacher pay gap is not the absolute worst — Colorado's is a stunning 35.9%!

• The smallest pay gap is in Rhode Island at 3.4%.

Details: The Texas Education Agency's minimum salary for teachers with zero experience is $33,660 in the 2021-22 school year.

• Dallas ISD raised the starting teacher salary this year to $60,000.
• Fort Worth ISD gave teachers a 4% pay raise. The starting salary is $60,000.

The bottom line: Though the wage gap varies by state, teachers make less compared to their college-educated counterparts in all states.

While Texans make a big deal over bluebonnet pics every spring, and locals know about the best tulip farm, even hot, arid summers like the one we're experiencing this year provide us with another beautiful flower, ripe for family photos.

Driving the news: A lot of empty lots and walkable green spaces have become accidental sunflower fields over the last few weeks.

• Here are a few spots where you can pause and gaze upon the sun-facing Helianthus annuus:

🛤️ Santa Fe Trestle Trail: Just south of the Trinity — if you look under the power lines not far from the old railroad tracks, there's usually a massive field of sunflowers.

🫐 Wild Berry Farm: About an hour north of Dallas, in the town of Sadler, you can pick a bundle. There's a $5 entrance fee and each sunflower stem costs $2.

🎻 Fiddlers Road: In Whitewright, just north of Collin County. Drive around until you see a field of yellow.

🛣️ Just about any highway: But seriously, use caution.

🚔 A 53-year-old man died after Dallas police used gas during a SWAT standoff. Police referred to the incident as a death "in custody." (DMN)

🐅 A tiger cub was seized by law enforcement while officers served an arrest warrant on Dallas rapper Trapboy Freddy. (WFAA)

🛩️ The Fort Worth woman who flew to Washington, D.C., ahead of the Jan. 6 riot on a private jet and threw media equipment outside the U.S. Capitol during the insurrection has pleaded guilty to knowingly entering a restricted building. (Axios)

💰 UNT's newly approved budget won't raise tuition. This is the seventh year in a row that the cost of classes will stay the same. (CBS11)

🧑‍🎨 An Addison art show, named "The Divine Beauty," features works from North Texas Muslims. (KERA)

💬 Quote du jour:

"I pray my death will bring you peace."

💼 See who's hiring around the city.

1. Capital Markets Management Consulting Sell-Side Senior Manager at Accenture.
2. Manager, Loyalty Marketing at Neiman Marcus.
3. Oracle Merchandising Manager at Accenture.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

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Head north from the busy-ness of Lowest Greenville to this Italian restaurant with an approachable wine list, shareable plates and high-end cocktails.

• Vibe check: With a cozy quirky interior, Sister is a perfect spot for a date night or a meeting of close friends.

What to order: Barbi — gin, Aperol, lemon.

Where: Sister, 2808 Greenville Ave.

Cost: $15

Six-word review: Surprisingly smooth aperitif before delicious courses.

📭 Know a drink we should try? Hit reply and tell us.