BREAKING NEWS
Trump nominates former Texas lawmaker Scott Turner to lead Housing and Urban Development
Read full article: Trump nominates former Texas lawmaker Scott Turner to lead Housing and Urban DevelopmentTurner served in the Texas House for four years and was also executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council in the first Trump administration.
Ken Paxton can’t be deposed under oath in whistleblower lawsuit, Texas Supreme Court says
Read full article: Ken Paxton can’t be deposed under oath in whistleblower lawsuit, Texas Supreme Court saysThe attorney general has agreed not to contest a lawsuit brought by former employees accusing him of retaliation after they said he abused his office.
A tuition freeze without more state aid could leave Texas universities strapped
Read full article: A tuition freeze without more state aid could leave Texas universities strappedRegional colleges rely more on tuition revenue to operate than flagship campuses. Gov. Greg Abbott’s desire to pause increases could create tight financial conditions.
Despite back-to-back deals on water from Mexico, relief for South Texas farmers is far from certain
Read full article: Despite back-to-back deals on water from Mexico, relief for South Texas farmers is far from certainTexas agreed to take 120,000 acre-feet of water from Mexico this month, only after the U.S. and Mexico agreed to an updated treaty.
A year into the job, Texas A&M president performs balancing act with growth, tuition, faculty and state leaders
Read full article: A year into the job, Texas A&M president performs balancing act with growth, tuition, faculty and state leadersStaff relations continue to be important for Mark Welsh III as he rebuilds trust after a hiring controversy and universities brace for legislation targeting faculty senates.
State Board of Education says it wants more control over public school library books
Read full article: State Board of Education says it wants more control over public school library booksA majority of the panel voted to call on the Texas Legislature to pass a state law giving members the authority to determine age-appropriate books for students.
Ken Paxton adds Dallas to list of cities he's sued over marijuana decriminalization
Read full article: Ken Paxton adds Dallas to list of cities he's sued over marijuana decriminalizationDallas is the sixth Texas city the attorney general has sued this year over marijuana decriminalization measures that he says conflicts with state law.
Why a West Texas county is building a new courthouse even after voters rejected the proposal
Read full article: Why a West Texas county is building a new courthouse even after voters rejected the proposalOfficials took the extraordinary step of taking on new debt to replace the old courthouse, which has been plagued by rats and other pests, elevator breakdowns and flooding.
Could Texas do for Alzheimer’s research what it did for cancer?
Read full article: Could Texas do for Alzheimer’s research what it did for cancer?Modeled after the state’s $6 billion cancer research fund, the dementia fund — a legislative priority for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick — could pump hundreds of millions of dollars into Texas researchers.
Texas hospitals are now required to ask for patients’ citizenship. Here’s what you should know.
Read full article: Texas hospitals are now required to ask for patients’ citizenship. Here’s what you should know.Gov. Greg Abbott wants to know how much hospitals spend caring for undocumented immigrants. Hospitals should not deny care based on how patients respond.
Los hospitales en Texas ahora deben preguntarle a sus pacientes sobre su ciudadanía. No tienes que responder.
Read full article: Los hospitales en Texas ahora deben preguntarle a sus pacientes sobre su ciudadanía. No tienes que responder.El gobernador Greg Abbott quiere saber cuánto gastan los hospitales en el cuidado de inmigrantes indocumentados. Los hospitales no deben negar atención en ningún caso.
Approval of Texas' Bible-infused curriculum will likely depend on Abbott appointee
Read full article: Approval of Texas' Bible-infused curriculum will likely depend on Abbott appointeeTiffany Clark, who was elected to fill a vacant State Board of Education seat in January, said she would have voted against the curriculum.
UT System expands free tuition and fees to all undergraduates whose families make $100,000 or less
Read full article: UT System expands free tuition and fees to all undergraduates whose families make $100,000 or lessThe Board of Regents is lifting the income threshold to expand eligibility across all nine of its UT System campuses.
Texas Tech wants permission to pay college athletes as a part of its recruitment efforts
Read full article: Texas Tech wants permission to pay college athletes as a part of its recruitment effortsState law prohibits schools from making direct name, image and likeness deals with athletes. Texas Tech says it puts them at a disadvantage as the university recruits athletes for fall 2025.
UNT faculty slam university for removing references to race and equity in course names
Read full article: UNT faculty slam university for removing references to race and equity in course namesProfessors and instructors say the university is preemptively censoring itself after administrators removed references to race and equity in dozens of College of Education course titles and descriptions.
A West Texas lawmaker wants to redirect millions of tax dollars to plug abandoned wells, curb emissions
Read full article: A West Texas lawmaker wants to redirect millions of tax dollars to plug abandoned wells, curb emissionsThe proposal comes after the state’s oil and gas regulatory agency said it needs more money to plug wells that are in some instances erupting.
How some Texas parents and historians say a new state curriculum glosses over slavery and racism
Read full article: How some Texas parents and historians say a new state curriculum glosses over slavery and racismEducation officials say the materials were designed to be age appropriate but critics argue they repeatedly omit key context and oversimplify history.
Texas can schedule Robert Roberson’s execution — but lawmakers still expect his testimony first
Read full article: Texas can schedule Robert Roberson’s execution — but lawmakers still expect his testimony firstRoberson was convicted of killing his 2-year-old daughter in a “shaken baby” case that many say led to an innocent man’s death sentence.
Texas’ top elected officials signal Texas could cut border spending after Trump takes office
Read full article: Texas’ top elected officials signal Texas could cut border spending after Trump takes officeWith Donald Trump returning to the White House, Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick have both recently signaled new openness to winding down the state’ border security operation.
Brazos County election officials feel the strain of unrelenting scrutiny from right-wing skeptics
Read full article: Brazos County election officials feel the strain of unrelenting scrutiny from right-wing skepticsVoting went well in the presidential election, but Trudy Hancock and her staff are still fielding questions. And the answers don’t seem to matter.
“Actually innocent”: Judge recommends overturning death row inmate Melissa Lucio’s conviction, sending case to Texas high court
Read full article: “Actually innocent”: Judge recommends overturning death row inmate Melissa Lucio’s conviction, sending case to Texas high courtThe Cameron County judge also found the state relied on false testimony during her capital murder trial, according to court documents.
Why Democrats’ abortion messaging failed to resonate in Texas, despite unpopular bans
Read full article: Why Democrats’ abortion messaging failed to resonate in Texas, despite unpopular bansTexas’ strict abortion bans made it “ground zero” for Democrats hoping to rile up their base, but voters prioritized economic issues.
Texas’ uneven population boom is creating ghost towns in many rural counties
Read full article: Texas’ uneven population boom is creating ghost towns in many rural countiesLocal leaders and rural revitalization experts say Texas’ smallest towns can survive — despite a shift to urban and suburban counties — but it will take investments.
Texas colleges pitch quick credentials as a first step toward higher wages. But students often fall off the path.
Read full article: Texas colleges pitch quick credentials as a first step toward higher wages. But students often fall off the path.Short-term certificates can only take a few weeks to get but don’t always lead to better earnings or higher degrees.
U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul briefly detained after appearing intoxicated at airport
Read full article: U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul briefly detained after appearing intoxicated at airportA nervous flier, the House Foreign Affairs chief said he made a “poor decision” to mix Ambien and alcohol before his flight home to Texas on Nov. 4.
Gov. Greg Abbott wants to freeze tuition at Texas colleges and universities for another two years
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott wants to freeze tuition at Texas colleges and universities for another two yearsThe governor’s directive extends a tuition freeze for Texas’ public universities that was approved in the last legislative session.
John Cornyn loses longtime bid to be next Senate Majority Leader to John Thune
Read full article: John Cornyn loses longtime bid to be next Senate Majority Leader to John ThuneCornyn has for years signaled he wanted to succeed his close ally GOP leader Mitch McConnell. He lost in a vote decided by the Republican members of the Senate.
A push to change a 2019 Texas law that bars certain felons from becoming social workers
Read full article: A push to change a 2019 Texas law that bars certain felons from becoming social workersTexas prohibits people with assault convictions, among other felonies, from becoming social workers. A new lawsuit says the ban is unconstitutional.
Texas lawmakers target property taxes, abortion and gender transition care in first bills for the 2025 session
Read full article: Texas lawmakers target property taxes, abortion and gender transition care in first bills for the 2025 sessionTuesday marked the first day lawmakers could file bills for next year’s legislative session.
Texas Supreme Court removes temporary block to Robert Roberson’s execution
Read full article: Texas Supreme Court removes temporary block to Robert Roberson’s executionThe state’s highest civil court ruled that legislators can’t use subpoenas to block death row inmates’ executions, but suggested there’s still time for Roberson to testify before a Texas House panel.
Texas’ 90,000 DACA recipients can sign up for Affordable Care Act coverage — for now
Read full article: Texas’ 90,000 DACA recipients can sign up for Affordable Care Act coverage — for nowThose enrolled in the federal program shielding them from deportation can enroll through Jan. 15, but a lawsuit and Trump’s anti-immigration stance threaten to eliminate eligibility.
A growing and aging population is forcing Texas counties to seek state EMS funding
Read full article: A growing and aging population is forcing Texas counties to seek state EMS fundingAlthough Texas counties are not required to provide ambulance services, many are digging deep to pay for their own fleet or to contract out services.
U.S.-Mexico water agreement might bring relief to parched South Texas
Read full article: U.S.-Mexico water agreement might bring relief to parched South TexasThe amendment to a 1944 treaty will help Mexico catch up with its water deliveries to the U.S. and might help Rio Grande Valley farmers devastated by low rainfall.
Donald Trump and Ted Cruz scored big wins in Texas, but the president-elect outperformed the senator on his own turf
Read full article: Donald Trump and Ted Cruz scored big wins in Texas, but the president-elect outperformed the senator on his own turfCruz beat his challenger by 9 points, while Trump prevailed over his by 14 points. Still, Cruz performed better this year than he did in 2018
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick names private school vouchers as his top legislative priority
Read full article: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick names private school vouchers as his top legislative prioritySchool voucher supporters say they have the votes to get a bill across both the Texas Senate, led by Patrick, and the House, which has repeatedly blocked such proposals.
Texas Democratic Party chair steps down after dismal election performance
Read full article: Texas Democratic Party chair steps down after dismal election performanceGilberto Hinojosa’s resignation ends a 12-year run leading the state party, dating back to his election at the 2012 Texas Democratic Convention.
Texas A&M regents overrule faculty, cut 52 “low-producing” programs including LGBTQ+ studies minor
Read full article: Texas A&M regents overrule faculty, cut 52 “low-producing” programs including LGBTQ+ studies minorAfter conservative criticism over the LGBTQ+ minor, university officials started looking at all its programs. Faculty say they were excluded from the process.
How zebra mussels and a Lake Texoma pump station spurred Texas to redraw its border with Oklahoma
Read full article: How zebra mussels and a Lake Texoma pump station spurred Texas to redraw its border with OklahomaThe two states agreed to a land swap to ensure that a Dallas-area water district’s pump station lies wholly within Texas. Neither state gained in size from the small change.
Texas State University condemns demonstrators who brought offensive signs to campus
Read full article: Texas State University condemns demonstrators who brought offensive signs to campusThe university is exploring potential legal responses after two men came on campus the day after the election with misogynistic and homophobic signs.
How to stay politically engaged in between election cycles
Read full article: How to stay politically engaged in between election cyclesFrom engaging with representatives to joining advocacy groups, there are numerous ways to continue participating in democracy and shaping policy after the polls close.
“Uncharted territory”: Trump’s anti-immigration plans could take center stage in Texas
Read full article: “Uncharted territory”: Trump’s anti-immigration plans could take center stage in TexasTexas is positioned better than any state to help Trump carry out his ambitious anti-immigration agenda. But it is also vulnerable to those policy’s impacts.
Trump’s near sweep of Texas border counties shows a shift to the right for Latino voters
Read full article: Trump’s near sweep of Texas border counties shows a shift to the right for Latino votersThe former president captured 55% of Latino voters in the state, according to exit polls. He also won 14 out of the 18 counties within 20 miles of the border, a number that doubled his 2020 performance in the Latino-majority region.
Texas Democrats underperformed yet again. Now what?
Read full article: Texas Democrats underperformed yet again. Now what?Tuesday was another electoral blowout in which Democrats underperformed expectations, weakening their case that Texas is a battleground state worthy of investment and attention from the national party.
Texas Legislature will approve school vouchers and boost public education funds next year, Abbott says
Read full article: Texas Legislature will approve school vouchers and boost public education funds next year, Abbott saysLast year, Abbott refused to give public schools a major raise without passing a voucher program. His tone was more conciliatory after Election Day.
Texas voter turnout falls in 2024 election despite record registration numbers
Read full article: Texas voter turnout falls in 2024 election despite record registration numbersA historic 18.6 million Texans were registered to vote in the 2024 election, and 61% cast ballots, a nearly 6% drop from the 2020 presidential race.
Adam Hinojosa flips Texas Senate seat, becomes first Republican to represent Rio Grande Valley district since Reconstruction
Read full article: Adam Hinojosa flips Texas Senate seat, becomes first Republican to represent Rio Grande Valley district since ReconstructionHinojosa won the only competitive seat in the Texas Senate this cycle, besting Sen. Morgan LaMantia two years after she narrowly defeated him.
Republicans maintain majority on the Texas State Board of Education
Read full article: Republicans maintain majority on the Texas State Board of EducationRepublicans Tom Maynard, Pam Little, Aaron Kinsey and Brandon Hall prevailed in contested races. Democrat Gustavo Reveles won in the District 1 race.
Republicans win Tarrant County, moving local government further to the right
Read full article: Republicans win Tarrant County, moving local government further to the rightFormer state Rep. Matt Krause’s win may push the commissioners court even further away from the bipartisanship on which it once prided itself.
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar secures another term as criminal trial looms
Read full article: U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar secures another term as criminal trial loomsThe longtime Laredo congressman fended off Republican challenger Jay Furman despite a federal indictment accusing the incumbent of bribery and money laundering.
Vicente Gonzalez defeats Mayra Flores to hold onto South Texas congressional district
Read full article: Vicente Gonzalez defeats Mayra Flores to hold onto South Texas congressional districtBoth major parties poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into winning the seat, a rematch between Mayra Flores and Vicente Gonzalez.
Cal Hendrick wins Odessa mayor’s race, beating incumbent who focused on faith
Read full article: Cal Hendrick wins Odessa mayor’s race, beating incumbent who focused on faithOdessa City Council critics have worried Joven and his allies have focused too much on social issues and not enough on infrastructure.
Amarillo voters reject abortion “travel ban,” a rare rebuke of anti-abortion movement in Texas
Read full article: Amarillo voters reject abortion “travel ban,” a rare rebuke of anti-abortion movement in TexasTuesday’s vote was a rare chance for Texans to vote directly on abortion restrictions. The state already has a near-total abortion ban.
Republican Christi Craddick reelected to Railroad Commission, the state’s oil and gas regulatory agency
Read full article: Republican Christi Craddick reelected to Railroad Commission, the state’s oil and gas regulatory agencyThe three-member board oversees Texas’ oil and gas industry. The agency has faced criticism over safety concerns linked to fracking, well blowouts and groundwater protection.
Election Day updates: South Texas continues dramatic shift toward Donald Trump, GOP
Read full article: Election Day updates: South Texas continues dramatic shift toward Donald Trump, GOPTexas might not be a swing state, but many of its races will have major consequences to the national political landscape and on the lives of everyday Texans.
Abortion, the economy, immigration and transgender rights: Voters across Texas explain their vote
Read full article: Abortion, the economy, immigration and transgender rights: Voters across Texas explain their voteTexans from across the state went to the polls early with plenty on their mind. The Texas Tribune partnered with other news organizations to hear from a diverse cross-section of voters.
9 million Texans voted early in 2024. Here’s how that compares to previous years.
Read full article: 9 million Texans voted early in 2024. Here’s how that compares to previous years.The turnout rate dropped more than 8 percentage points compared to four years ago — a high-water mark for the Lone Star State.
An election about elections: A South Texas town asks itself who should run voting operations
Read full article: An election about elections: A South Texas town asks itself who should run voting operationsThe Rio Grande City mayor and two of his fellow commissioners proposed the changes, claiming the city secretary mishandled their election.
In final days of Senate race, Cruz courts Latino voters along the border and Allred rallies in his hometown
Read full article: In final days of Senate race, Cruz courts Latino voters along the border and Allred rallies in his hometownBoth candidates are making their closing arguments at the culmination of a heated and expensive race which could decide control of the U.S. Senate.
Texas OB-GYNs urge lawmakers to change abortion laws after reports on pregnant women's deaths
Read full article: Texas OB-GYNs urge lawmakers to change abortion laws after reports on pregnant women's deathsThe group of 111 doctors cited recent ProPublica reporting on two pregnant women who died because doctors did not provide lifesaving care.
Dan Patrick debunks claims about Texas voting machines switching votes
Read full article: Dan Patrick debunks claims about Texas voting machines switching votesRepublican National Committee Co-Chair Lara Trump said Texas had fixed an error with voting machines, but Patrick quickly said there was no problem to fix.
Texas withdraws request to block U.S. Justice Department from monitoring state’s elections
Read full article: Texas withdraws request to block U.S. Justice Department from monitoring state’s electionsThe federal agency agreed their monitors would remain outside polling locations and wouldn’t interfere with voting.
State oil regulator requests $100 million to tackle West Texas well blowouts
Read full article: State oil regulator requests $100 million to tackle West Texas well blowoutsAbandoned wells in the Permian Basin are increasingly erupting with briney, polluted water. The Texas Railroad Commission says it needs emergency money to respond.
Terlingua’s tourist season has started. Here’s why and how you can help conserve water on your visit.
Read full article: Terlingua’s tourist season has started. Here’s why and how you can help conserve water on your visit.It’s unclear how much water resides underneath this booming West Texas tourist haven. That makes conservation critical.
A West Texas pecan farm fights to save its water supply as neighbors sell it to growing cities
Read full article: A West Texas pecan farm fights to save its water supply as neighbors sell it to growing citiesA yearslong dispute over exporting water to growing Texas cities offers a hint at the battles to come as the state’s population booms and water supply dwindles.
In Texas, criminal charges and misdemeanor convictions don’t automatically take away people’s voting rights
Read full article: In Texas, criminal charges and misdemeanor convictions don’t automatically take away people’s voting rightsTexans serving time for misdemeanor offenses or who are in jail awaiting trial are eligible to vote but only two counties offer voting in jail.
When will Texas election results come in? Here’s how the process unfolds.
Read full article: When will Texas election results come in? Here’s how the process unfolds.By state law, Election Day totals must be submitted to the state within 24 hours after polls close. Meeting that deadline requires careful but quick work.
Texas buys two ranches near the border, including a huge property next to Big Bend National Park
Read full article: Texas buys two ranches near the border, including a huge property next to Big Bend National ParkA Starr County property was purchased to build border wall, while Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham said the state has many options for a sprawling ranch in West Texas.
In South Texas, university students accuse Democratic county officials of suppressing their votes
Read full article: In South Texas, university students accuse Democratic county officials of suppressing their votesThe county decided to not have an early voting site at a Laredo university because of historic low turnout. It will have one on Election Day.
Colin Allred courts Black voters in the final days of his bid to unseat Sen. Ted Cruz
Read full article: Colin Allred courts Black voters in the final days of his bid to unseat Sen. Ted CruzWith stops in Houston and the Rio Grande Valley, Allred hopes to make the race competitive by running up the tally with the core of the Democratic base.
There are warring depictions of Robert Roberson’s murder case. Here’s what to know.
Read full article: There are warring depictions of Robert Roberson’s murder case. Here’s what to know.Even before the Texas man’s death sentence became a political lightning rod, law enforcement and medical experts had differing opinions on the evidence that convicted him.
Ken Paxton calls on Rep. Jeff Leach to resign over texts to judge in Robert Roberson case
Read full article: Ken Paxton calls on Rep. Jeff Leach to resign over texts to judge in Robert Roberson caseThe AG also said he’d make a criminal referral against the lawmaker, who apologized for texting a Court of Criminal Appeals judge about a new trial for the death row inmate.
Republicans dominate fundraising in final weeks of Texas House battles
Read full article: Republicans dominate fundraising in final weeks of Texas House battlesAcross a dozen of the most competitive House races, Republicans raked in more than $11 million over the last month, compared to the nearly $3.5 million collectively raised by their Democratic counterparts.
Ken Paxton resisting Texas House members’ bid to hear Robert Roberson’s testimony
Read full article: Ken Paxton resisting Texas House members’ bid to hear Robert Roberson’s testimonyMembers of a Texas House committee say in a Texas Supreme Court filing that Paxton’s office is blocking the death row inmate from complying with a legislative subpoena.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sues Biden administration over listing freshwater mussels as endangered
Read full article: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sues Biden administration over listing freshwater mussels as endangeredThe lawsuit claims the endangered designation for six mussel species is a misuse of environmental law that threatens Texas’ economy.