Wildfires raged on as severe drought, record temperatures and high winds combined to spark two fires near Amarillo, destroying homes and forcing whole neighborhoods to evacuate. More than 1,000 acres were reported burned, though there were no serious injuries.

It’s Texas versus the feds on another environmental front. This one pits oil and gas exploration against an endangered species of lizard. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wants to list the dunes sagebrush lizard as a protected endangered species and protect its natural habitat. Unfortunately, its natural habitat is in the sand dunes of oil-producing land in West Texas and New Mexico. Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson has filed objections with federal officials — he calls this episode "reptile dysfunction" — and four congressmen from the affected areas are lobbying their colleagues to prevent the listing. They claim voluntary conservation agreements between property owners and state governments are the best way to protect the lizard and the economy.

A strict anti-texting bill cleared the Senate before the regular session adjourned and now needs the governor’s signature to become law. Unlike a previous bill that only outlawed sending texts, this one prohibits sending and reading texts and emails while driving.

A bill, passed by the Legislature, that would tax Internet sales won’t become law — at least not yet. Gov. Rick Perryvetoed the measure, but the same language is attached to the fiscal matters bill that’s still on the Legislature’s plate. If the bill passes in its current form, Perry will have to veto the entire thing to prevent the so-called Amazon provision from becoming law.

Controversy about the state’s most storied landmark could be drawing to a close — legislatively, at least. The Daughters of the Republic of Texas have been named as custodians of the Alamo in new legislation, with the General Land Office gaining control of the site. The bill, which still needs the governor’s signature, allows the land office to form an advisory board that could work with a nonprofit entity to raise money for the Alamo, an ongoing issue for the complex and its constant need for maintenance and repairs.

Environmental groups, encouraged by the passage of a bill requiring comprehensive disclosure of the fluids used in hydraulic fracturing, may have to wait a while to see any action. The Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates the oil and gas industry, still has to write the rules and receive public comment on the policy, and that could take up to two years.

The Medina Valley Independent School District has filed an appeal to overturn a ruling by U.S. District Judge Fred Biery banning official prayer at a graduation ceremony. Attorney General Greg Abbott jumped into the fray and filed an amicus brief with the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, where the case will be heard. The restraining order bans the use of the word “prayer” and directs students not to ask guests at the ceremony to join in prayer, bow their heads or use the word “amen” at the end of their remarks. Abbott expressed confidence that the decision would be overturned.