A year after Donald Trump won the Rio Grande Valley, South Texans navigate changes big and small
Read full article: A year after Donald Trump won the Rio Grande Valley, South Texans navigate changes big and smallResidents in the southernmost part of Texas want to remind themselves — and the nation — that the region is more than a political battleground. It’s their home.
After blocking redistricting map, Judge Jeffrey Brown draws fire from Texas Republicans who once praised him
Read full article: After blocking redistricting map, Judge Jeffrey Brown draws fire from Texas Republicans who once praised himUntil being labeled as the "radical left," Brown was widely supported by Texas Republicans, including Gov. Greg Abbott, who previously hired him as his clerk. Abbott called the ruling “clearly erroneous.”
Texas Republicans started a national redistricting arms race. They may be losing.
Read full article: Texas Republicans started a national redistricting arms race. They may be losing.With Texas’ new map blocked by a federal court, California Democrats are emerging victorious — though the Supreme Court has yet to weigh in.
What’s next after a court blocked Texas’ gerrymandered maps
Read full article: What’s next after a court blocked Texas’ gerrymandered mapsThe state is expected to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to temporarily pause the ruling, which would allow Texas to use the more recent map while the appeal plays out.
A small Texas think tank cultivated COVID dissidents. Now they’re running U.S. health policy.
Read full article: A small Texas think tank cultivated COVID dissidents. Now they’re running U.S. health policy.People with ties to Brownstone Institute have significant authority over access to vaccines and scientific research.
Gov. Greg Abbott was ordered to release emails with Elon Musk. Most of the 1,400 pages are blacked out.
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott was ordered to release emails with Elon Musk. Most of the 1,400 pages are blacked out.The heavily redacted emails reveal little of the two men’s relationship.
Court order striking down Texas redistricting map upends plans for candidates across the state
Read full article: Court order striking down Texas redistricting map upends plans for candidates across the stateRepublicans who were planning to run for newly gerrymandered districts may have to reassess, while Democrats who were drawn out of their seats could suddenly have a path back to Congress.
Entire Texas congressional delegation votes to release Epstein files
Read full article: Entire Texas congressional delegation votes to release Epstein filesAfter months of resisting calls to release the files, President Donald Trump signaled this week that he will sign the bill if it reaches his desk.
Federal court blocks Texas from using new congressional gerrymander in 2026 midterms
Read full article: Federal court blocks Texas from using new congressional gerrymander in 2026 midtermsThe decision is a major blow for Republicans, in Texas and nationally, who pushed through this unusual mid-decade redistricting at the behest of President Donald Trump.
Gov. Greg Abbott seeks to ban two Muslim groups and their members from owning land in Texas
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott seeks to ban two Muslim groups and their members from owning land in TexasAbbott shows “his top priority is advancing anti-Muslim bigotry, not serving the people of Texas,” one of the groups said in a statement.
Why some Texas teachers are being forced to “deadname” trans students under a new state law
Read full article: Why some Texas teachers are being forced to “deadname” trans students under a new state lawThe law requires school employees to use names and pronouns that conform to students’ sex at birth.
Former Alamo Trust president sues board, land commissioner and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick for reinstatement
Read full article: Former Alamo Trust president sues board, land commissioner and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick for reinstatementKate Rogers resigned from her position after Patrick criticized a 2023 dissertation in which she asserted the importance of Indigenous people’s history at the Alamo.
Trump administration considers moving FEMA to Texas and tapping state’s top emergency official, report says
Read full article: Trump administration considers moving FEMA to Texas and tapping state’s top emergency official, report saysAccording to Politico, federal officials could relocate the agency here and tap Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd to lead it.
Abbott sets Jan. 31 special election runoff for North Texas Senate seat
Read full article: Abbott sets Jan. 31 special election runoff for North Texas Senate seatDemocrat Taylor Rehmet and Republican Leigh Wambsganss will face off to succeed Kelly Hancock after winning the most votes in the Nov. 4 election.
LGBTQ+ Texans fought to be recognized. That work is eroding under a conservative pressure campaign.
Read full article: LGBTQ+ Texans fought to be recognized. That work is eroding under a conservative pressure campaign.Conservative activists argue they’re protecting women and rebalancing the law that Democrats tilted in favor of LGBTQ+ people.
Texas National Guard troops to be recalled from Illinois soon, according to reports
Read full article: Texas National Guard troops to be recalled from Illinois soon, according to reportsSeveral media outlets, quoting anonymous federal officials, reported that hundreds of Texas troops could be coming home soon from the Chicago area after their activation was halted by a federal court.
Sanjay Gupta says Americans have unique “disdain for pain” and should turn to brain’s natural painkillers for relief
Read full article: Sanjay Gupta says Americans have unique “disdain for pain” and should turn to brain’s natural painkillers for reliefDuring The Texas Tribune Festival’s closing keynote, the neurosurgeon said that for decades, pain management wrongly treated the body “as totally separate from the brain.”
Texas superintendents say school takeovers aren’t a sustainable way to boost student learning
Read full article: Texas superintendents say school takeovers aren’t a sustainable way to boost student learningThree school district leaders at The Texas Tribune Festival said the Texas Education Agency’s reliance on state takeovers to improve academic performance threatens local control.
Google to build three new data centers in Texas in $40 billion investment
Read full article: Google to build three new data centers in Texas in $40 billion investmentThe announcement by Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai is the latest multi-billion dollar investment in Texas by tech companies racing to build infrastructure that can support advanced artificial intelligence.
Meet the candidates vying to be Texas attorney general in the post-Paxton era
Read full article: Meet the candidates vying to be Texas attorney general in the post-Paxton eraAt the Texas Tribune Festival, Republican and Democratic candidates made their case for why they should be the state’s top lawyer.
U.S. Senate hopeful Colin Allred criticizes rival James Talarico for accepting billionaire donations
Read full article: U.S. Senate hopeful Colin Allred criticizes rival James Talarico for accepting billionaire donationsAllred’s comments at The Texas Tribune Festival marked the first time either leading Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate publicly criticized the other.
Joaquin Castro on why a Democratic Senate logjam stopped him from running for AG
Read full article: Joaquin Castro on why a Democratic Senate logjam stopped him from running for AGThe San Antonio Democrat said at The Texas Tribune Festival that he hoped to form a statewide slate with Colin Allred, Beto O’Rourke and James Talarico, but the group couldn’t find consensus.
Democrats “defined everything by identity,” Pete Buttigieg says in critique of his party
Read full article: Democrats “defined everything by identity,” Pete Buttigieg says in critique of his partyThe former U.S. transportation secretary said the Democratic Party should focus more on issues gripping the country, such as health care and housing affordability.
Texas State Board of Education advisers signal push to the right in social studies overhaul
Read full article: Texas State Board of Education advisers signal push to the right in social studies overhaulSome advisers have criticized diversity efforts, questioned the historical contributions of people of color, and promoted debunked beliefs.
Voters in Texas’ 18th District waited months for an election. They’ll soon have two more.
Read full article: Voters in Texas’ 18th District waited months for an election. They’ll soon have two more.The race to fill Texas’ long-vacant 18th Congressional District seat is headed to a runoff, just before the start of a new election cycle.
Texas still needs a plan for its growing water supply issues, experts say
Read full article: Texas still needs a plan for its growing water supply issues, experts sayPanelists at The Texas Tribune Festival shared their opinions on what the state should do after voters approved a historic investment in water infrastructure.
Former Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan says he’s “not a MAGA Republican” and couldn’t carry Trump’s agenda
Read full article: Former Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan says he’s “not a MAGA Republican” and couldn’t carry Trump’s agendaAt a Texas Tribune Festival event on Thursday, the Beaumont Republican said his opposition to Trump and his agenda informed his decision to give up the speaker’s gavel last year.
Texas A&M system approves policy to restrict faculty from advocating “race and gender ideology”
Read full article: Texas A&M system approves policy to restrict faculty from advocating “race and gender ideology”Faculty are also prohibited from teaching material inconsistent with approved syllabi. The changes come in response to a recent controversy over gender identity classroom discussions.
Watch: Tim Walz speaks at the 2025 Texas Tribune Festival
Read full article: Watch: Tim Walz speaks at the 2025 Texas Tribune FestivalThe Democratic Minnesota governor and 2024 vice presidential nominee sits down with Jennifer Palmieri, contributing editor at Vanity Fair and co-host of Showtime’s The Circus at 2:30 p.m. Thursday.
Texas House Democrats say they are keeping their options open for speaker in 2027
Read full article: Texas House Democrats say they are keeping their options open for speaker in 2027Speaking at the Texas Tribune Festival, Democratic Rep. Donna Howard acknowledged that Republicans have unified around Speaker Dustin Burrows to the point that he “may not need us” to retain the gavel.
KPRC 2 Investigates finds truancy data not proactively monitored
Read full article: KPRC 2 Investigates finds truancy data not proactively monitoredKPRC 2 Investigates has found that truancy data reported to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) is not proactively monitored, despite a state law requiring school districts to engage in and report truancy prevention efforts.
Texas oil and gas regulators win new power to approve projects that shoot carbon underground
Read full article: Texas oil and gas regulators win new power to approve projects that shoot carbon undergroundThe EPA handed over power to the Railroad Commission after a two-year review. Critics say the commission has been too lax with the industry.
Fresh off defeating state THC ban, Texas hemp industry faces wipeout under federal deal to end shutdown
Read full article: Fresh off defeating state THC ban, Texas hemp industry faces wipeout under federal deal to end shutdownThe issue roiled Texas politics earlier this year when Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed a ban on THC products spearheaded by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
How building a new hospital cost this rural Texas town a place to deliver babies
Read full article: How building a new hospital cost this rural Texas town a place to deliver babiesOlney Hamilton Hospital joins the nearly 60% of rural Texas hospitals that do not deliver babies, leaving large swaths of the state without a nearby place to give birth.
U.S. House OKs funding deal to reopen government with support from Texas Republicans
Read full article: U.S. House OKs funding deal to reopen government with support from Texas RepublicansThe spending package includes a provision that will criminalize the sale of almost all consumable hemp products nationwide, restoring a similar ban to the one vetoed by Gov. Greg Abbott.
Former state Rep. Chris Paddie fined $105,500 for violating revolving door lobbying law
Read full article: Former state Rep. Chris Paddie fined $105,500 for violating revolving door lobbying lawThe Marshall Republican began lobbying less than two years after donating campaign funds to other state lawmakers, according to a Texas Ethics Commission order.
Texas lawmakers say colleges have to balance free speech with duty to keep discourse civil
Read full article: Texas lawmakers say colleges have to balance free speech with duty to keep discourse civilLegislative panels were created after Republican leaders criticized students mocking or celebrating conservative activities Charlie Kirk’s death.
Tarrant County GOP Chair Bo French announces run for Texas Railroad Commission
Read full article: Tarrant County GOP Chair Bo French announces run for Texas Railroad CommissionFrench will face commission Chair Jim Wright in the Republican primary. The three-person panel is in charge of the agency that oversees Texas’ oil and gas industry.
Texas Head Start closures during government shutdown add to state’s child care woes
Read full article: Texas Head Start closures during government shutdown add to state’s child care woesHundreds of families lost child care when certain programs weren’t funded earlier this month, and scores more may be affected if Congress doesn’t fund the government by Dec. 1.
Older Texans among those facing the largest price hikes for Affordable Care Act insurance
Read full article: Older Texans among those facing the largest price hikes for Affordable Care Act insuranceAbout 1 million Texans with ACA health plans are over the age of 45, and many of them will pay monthly premiums that are more than $1,000.
Former U.S. Rep. Chris Bell joins Texas Democrats seeking to unseat Gov. Greg Abbott
Read full article: Former U.S. Rep. Chris Bell joins Texas Democrats seeking to unseat Gov. Greg AbbottThe one-time congressman faces an uphill battle against Abbott, who has amassed a nearly $90 million war chest for his reelection campaign.
President Donald Trump endorses Gov. Greg Abbott for reelection
Read full article: President Donald Trump endorses Gov. Greg Abbott for reelectionThe president praised Abbott for leading this year’s effort to redraw the state’s congressional maps to favor Republicans during the 2026 midterm elections.
Paxton sues Harris County over legal support for undocumented immigrants
Read full article: Paxton sues Harris County over legal support for undocumented immigrantsThe county recently allocated $1.3 million to groups that provide immigration legal services amid an uptick in federal enforcement. Paxton called the program “evil and wicked.”
Pro-gambling interests struggling to gain foothold in Texas after Senate special election loss
Read full article: Pro-gambling interests struggling to gain foothold in Texas after Senate special election lossJohn Huffman was the best-funded candidate in the Senate District 9 special election thanks to casino interests, but failed to make the runoff. Gambling proponents still have millions more to spend on Texas races.
Cash-strapped Texas city defies AG warning not to raise taxes
Read full article: Cash-strapped Texas city defies AG warning not to raise taxesCiting a new state law, Attorney General Ken Paxton told four cities to cancel planned tax hikes. But La Marque leaders say their tax increase is critical to keeping the city afloat financially.
Texas Sens. Cornyn, Cruz vote for funding deal to end government shutdown
Read full article: Texas Sens. Cornyn, Cruz vote for funding deal to end government shutdownIf approved by the House, the agreement would fund the government through the end of January, with certain agencies funded through September, including those that provide food assistance.
Texas A&M faculty panel report says professor’s firing violated her academic freedom
Read full article: Texas A&M faculty panel report says professor’s firing violated her academic freedomUniversity officials dispute the faculty council’s conclusion. Melissa McCoul lost her job after a video of a classroom debate went viral.
AG Ken Paxton sues Texas Latino civic group, alleging ‘unlawful voter registration scheme’
Read full article: AG Ken Paxton sues Texas Latino civic group, alleging ‘unlawful voter registration scheme’The nonprofit Jolt, which was targeted by Paxton in 2024, said it is again asking the court to dismiss the "meritless" lawsuit.
Parents of flood victims suing Camp Mystic for negligence
Read full article: Parents of flood victims suing Camp Mystic for negligenceFour lawsuits that were filed separately Monday allege Camp Mystic officials’ lack of planning and stalled evacuation contributed to the deaths of several children and counselors.
Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick call for DPS to investigate Texas Southern University over financial mismanagement findings
Read full article: Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick call for DPS to investigate Texas Southern University over financial mismanagement findingsState Auditor Lisa Collier said university staff vacancies for “critical” financial responsibilities have contributed to delays in financial reporting, as well as poor asset oversight and weak contracting processes.
Heart O’ the Hills summer camp moving away from Guadalupe River after July 4 flood
Read full article: Heart O’ the Hills summer camp moving away from Guadalupe River after July 4 floodHeart O’ the Hills Camp for Girls will construct new facilities out of the Guadalupe River floodplain, according to its new operators Elisabeth and John Hay.
Texas A&M System to vote on requiring prior approval for lessons that advocate “race and gender ideology”
Read full article: Texas A&M System to vote on requiring prior approval for lessons that advocate “race and gender ideology”The proposal appears to mark the first time a Texas university system offers definitions of what kind of instruction related to race and gender should not be permitted.
Car-dominant Texas needs more public transit to meet mobility demands, TxDOT report says
Read full article: Car-dominant Texas needs more public transit to meet mobility demands, TxDOT report saysAs the state’s population grows, more travel options are needed in rural and smaller urban areas and between major cities, according to a draft of the first-of-its-kind plan.
A Fort Worth church’s online class trains Christians to run for office. Now it may go national.
Read full article: A Fort Worth church’s online class trains Christians to run for office. Now it may go national.At the core of the program is the idea that there is no separation between what happens within the church and what happens in the government.
Gov. Greg Abbott launches reelection campaign for fourth term
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott launches reelection campaign for fourth termAbbott framed his campaign as a means to keep Texas as a conservative bastion, touting efforts to lower property taxes, bolster education and strengthen public safety.
“You woke us up”: California Gov. Gavin Newsom, energized by Prop 50 redistricting win, thanks Texas
Read full article: “You woke us up”: California Gov. Gavin Newsom, energized by Prop 50 redistricting win, thanks TexasThe Democrat took a victory lap on rival Gov. Greg Abbott’s home turf Saturday and called on other blue states to push back on a GOP effort to retain control of the U.S. House.
Rep. Al Green switches congressional districts in bid for reelection
Read full article: Rep. Al Green switches congressional districts in bid for reelectionThe veteran lawmaker whose current district was redrawn to benefit Republicans would face the winner of the 18th Congressional District special election runoff.
Texas AG Ken Paxton sues three school districts for not displaying Ten Commandments in classrooms
Read full article: Texas AG Ken Paxton sues three school districts for not displaying Ten Commandments in classroomsThe suits against Galveston, Round Rock and Leander ISDs come after Texas passed a law requiring the commandments be posted in classrooms. The law is being challenged in federal court.
Longtime GOP state Rep. John Smithee of Amarillo will not see reelection
Read full article: Longtime GOP state Rep. John Smithee of Amarillo will not see reelectionSmithee has represented the Panhandle in the Texas House for 40 years. He ran for speaker last year and most recently served as chair of the criminal jurisprudence committee.
Dan Patrick pledges $1 million in campaign funds to install Turning Point USA at every Texas college and high school
Read full article: Dan Patrick pledges $1 million in campaign funds to install Turning Point USA at every Texas college and high schoolTurning Point USA was founded by the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Texas sues Roblox, alleging the online gaming platform endangers children
Read full article: Texas sues Roblox, alleging the online gaming platform endangers childrenTexas is the third state to sue the platform, alongside dozens of private plaintiffs who say Roblox didn’t do enough to protect their kids from sexually explicit content.
Cruz, Cornyn push new retaliatory legislation that blocks U.S. water from going to Mexico
Read full article: Cruz, Cornyn push new retaliatory legislation that blocks U.S. water from going to MexicoThe bill is the latest effort from the Texas delegation that demands the U.S. get tougher with Mexico for failing to honor a 1944 treaty that in part governs Rio Grande water.
Will Texas actually run out of water? Your questions about the state’s water supply answered.
Read full article: Will Texas actually run out of water? Your questions about the state’s water supply answered.You asked our AI chatbot about Texas’ water supply. We answered some of the questions that it couldn’t.
Cornyn “open to” changing Senate filibuster, Hunt and Paxton back Trump’s call to scrap it
Read full article: Cornyn “open to” changing Senate filibuster, Hunt and Paxton back Trump’s call to scrap itThe president has sharpened his calls for Senate Republicans to kill the longstanding legislative maneuver, saying the GOP’s electoral success could hinge on it.
Texas voters said no to property tax hikes this week, as Republican leaders signal more cuts ahead
Read full article: Texas voters said no to property tax hikes this week, as Republican leaders signal more cuts aheadEven voters in Austin, one of the state’s most liberal cities, shot down a measure to raise property taxes.
A near upset in North Texas Senate race jolts frayed Democratic hopes ahead of 2026
Read full article: A near upset in North Texas Senate race jolts frayed Democratic hopes ahead of 2026Democrat Taylor Rehmet came within three percentage points of winning Senate District 9 — which voted for Donald Trump by over 17 points in 2024 — over his two Republican opponents.
Billionaire Jeff Yass gives $100 million to University of Austin for free tuition
Read full article: Billionaire Jeff Yass gives $100 million to University of Austin for free tuitionYass, a school voucher supporter and an influential figure in Texas politics, said the only condition for the gift was for the school not to receive government funding.
North Texas community votes against forming a city to regulate a noisy Bitcoin mine
Read full article: North Texas community votes against forming a city to regulate a noisy Bitcoin mineSome Hood County residents wanted the same power that cities have to set noise limits, but did not secure enough votes.
“We don’t know what we’re going to eat”: Texans are still waiting for November SNAP benefits
Read full article: “We don’t know what we’re going to eat”: Texans are still waiting for November SNAP benefitsAlthough the federal government has said it will deposit half of November benefits, Texans are still unsure when money will land in their accounts.
Christian Menefee, Amanda Edwards advance to runoff in special election for Houston congressional seat
Read full article: Christian Menefee, Amanda Edwards advance to runoff in special election for Houston congressional seatThe runoff winner will serve out the term of U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner, who died in office earlier this year. The seat will immediately be up for election again in 2026 for a full two-year term.
Texans approve $850 million endowment for Texas State Technical College
Read full article: Texans approve $850 million endowment for Texas State Technical CollegeThe funds will help the workforce training institution fix campus infrastructure and expand its footprint at a time when the state has seen a decline in skilled workers in some fields.