POLITICS
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.
You can end a shutdown overnight — but you can’t reopen a government that fast
Read full article: You can end a shutdown overnight — but you can’t reopen a government that fastThe longest government shutdown in U.S. history may be officially over, but getting everything back up and running won't happen all at once.
Trump administration says it has trade frameworks with Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador and Guatemala
Read full article: Trump administration says it has trade frameworks with Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador and GuatemalaThe Trump administration has announced trade frameworks with Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Guatemala.
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.
British billionaire Joe Lewis is pardoned by Trump for insider trading and conspiracy crimes
Read full article: British billionaire Joe Lewis is pardoned by Trump for insider trading and conspiracy crimesBritish billionaire Joe Lewis, whose family trust owns the Tottenham Hotspur soccer club, has been pardoned by President Donald Trump.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell concedes reelection fight to progressive activist Katie Wilson
Read full article: Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell concedes reelection fight to progressive activist Katie WilsonFirst-term Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell conceded his reelection fight to progressive activist Katie Wilson on Thursday, handing another victory to leftist Democrats around the country frustrated with unaffordability, homelessness, public safety and the actions of President Donald Trump’s administration.
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.
TSA workers get $10,000 bonus for service during government shutdown
Read full article: TSA workers get $10,000 bonus for service during government shutdownTSA workers who went above and beyond during the 43-day government shutdown will receive $10,000 bonus checks, recognizing their dedication to keeping airports safe and operations running smoothly.
Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman hospitalized after fall, his office says
Read full article: Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman hospitalized after fall, his office saysU.S. Sen. John Fetterman had what his office says was a “ventricular fibrillation flare-up” that caused him to feel light-headed and fall during an early morning walk.
Trump administration designates 4 left-wing European networks as terrorist organizations
Read full article: Trump administration designates 4 left-wing European networks as terrorist organizationsPresident Donald Trump's administration is designating four left-wing European networks as terrorist organizations.
Republicans promised health care negotiations after the shutdown, but Democrats are wary
Read full article: Republicans promised health care negotiations after the shutdown, but Democrats are waryNow that the government shutdown is over, House and Senate Republicans say they'll negotiate with Democrats on whether to extend COVID-era tax credits that help tens of millions of Americans afford their health care premiums.
Justice Department sues to block California US House map in clash that could tip control of Congress
Read full article: Justice Department sues to block California US House map in clash that could tip control of CongressThe Justice Department has sued to block new congressional district boundaries approved by California voters, joining a legal battle that could determine which party wins control of the U.S. House in 2026.
Watch: Bishop Michael Curry speaks at the 2025 Texas Tribune Festival
Read full article: Watch: Bishop Michael Curry speaks at the 2025 Texas Tribune FestivalThe former presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church sits down with Ruth Graham of The New York Times at 12:45 p.m. Thursday.
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.
THC and hemp advocates warn about consequences of ban tucked in spending bill
Read full article: THC and hemp advocates warn about consequences of ban tucked in spending billA federal spending bill could ban many THC-containing hemp products nationwide. Texas store owners warn the move would devastate businesses and families who rely on these products for health and income.
States scramble to send full SNAP food benefits to millions of people after government shutdown ends
Read full article: States scramble to send full SNAP food benefits to millions of people after government shutdown endsState officials are working to restore full SNAP benefits to millions of people after the long U.S. government shutdown has finally ended.
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.
Federal workers question whether the longest government shutdown was worth their sacrifice
Read full article: Federal workers question whether the longest government shutdown was worth their sacrificeFederal workers are expressing relief and frustration as the longest government shutdown has come to an end.
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.
Bangladesh braces for disruptions as former ruling party calls for lockdown to protest Hasina trial
Read full article: Bangladesh braces for disruptions as former ruling party calls for lockdown to protest Hasina trialClasses in schools and colleges have been disrupted and transportation has been halted across Bangladesh as the former ruling Awami League party headed by ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina calls for a nationwide protest.
From gowns to pantsuits, Michelle Obama explains her iconic fashion picks in a new book, 'The Look'
Read full article: From gowns to pantsuits, Michelle Obama explains her iconic fashion picks in a new book, 'The Look'Michelle Obama says that on any day during the eight years she was first lady of the United States, she could go from giving a speech to meeting with a foreign counterpart to digging in her vegetable garden with schoolchildren.
James Comey and Letitia James press for dismissal of their cases, challenge prosecutor's appointment
Read full article: James Comey and Letitia James press for dismissal of their cases, challenge prosecutor's appointmentLawyers for two of President Donald Trump’s foes who've been charged by the Justice Department have asked a federal judge to dismiss the cases against them, saying the prosecutor who secured the indictments was illegally installed.
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.
California revokes 17,000 commercial driver's licenses for immigrants
Read full article: California revokes 17,000 commercial driver's licenses for immigrantsCalifornia state officials say they plan to revoke 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses given to immigrants after discovering the expiration dates went past when the drivers were legally allowed to be in the U.S. The announcement follows harsh criticism from the Trump administration about California and other states granting licenses to people in the country illegally.
Ex-aide to California governor indicted for alleged theft of campaign funds from ex-health secretary
Read full article: Ex-aide to California governor indicted for alleged theft of campaign funds from ex-health secretaryA former top aide to California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been indicted on federal charges alleging her involvement in a scheme to steal campaign money from former federal Health Secretary Xavier Becerra.
At 'Make America Healthy Again' summit, Vance praises RFK Jr. for defying convention
Read full article: At 'Make America Healthy Again' summit, Vance praises RFK Jr. for defying conventionVice President JD Vance has praised Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for questioning established science and embracing nontraditional voices in health care.