TEXAS NEWS
Texas Railroad Commission primary: Who is running and what to know
Read full article: Texas Railroad Commission primary: Who is running and what to knowThe Railroad Commission regulates energy infrastructure across Texas. Here’s a look at who’s running in the 2026 Democratic and Republican primaries and where they stand.
“A disaster waiting to happen”: How the fracking boom put an oil field in the Guadalupe River floodplain
Read full article: “A disaster waiting to happen”: How the fracking boom put an oil field in the Guadalupe River floodplainLack of a state floodplain policy enabled oil companies to build in parts of Texas hit by an epic inundation less than 30 years ago.
Two cases of tuberculosis detected at El Paso ICE facility
Read full article: Two cases of tuberculosis detected at El Paso ICE facilityEighteen cases of COVID-19 were also identified. U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar on Friday visited the 5,000-bed tent facility on the Fort Bliss Army base and said she saw many "chronic issues."
Family of still-missing camper sues to shut down Camp Mystic
Read full article: Family of still-missing camper sues to shut down Camp MysticThe lawsuit by Catherine and Will Steward, parents of Cecilia “Cile” Steward, argues the family who owns and operates the camp should “never be responsible for children again.”
These maps show how Latino voters helped Democrats flip a reliably red Texas Senate seat
Read full article: These maps show how Latino voters helped Democrats flip a reliably red Texas Senate seatDemocrat Taylor Rehmet’s stunning upset victory is explained in part by the massive swing by Latino voters toward his campaign compared to other Democrats in recent elections.
After years of silence, Texas Medical Board issues training for doctors on how to legally provide abortions
Read full article: After years of silence, Texas Medical Board issues training for doctors on how to legally provide abortionsThe course includes examples of when abortion is permitted to protect the life of the patient, but many experts say the complications women face in pregnancy are impossible to capture in a brief presentation.
“Tolerance for criminality”: Why top Republicans are turning on Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller
Read full article: “Tolerance for criminality”: Why top Republicans are turning on Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid MillerThe three-term incumbent is effectively the underdog in the primary race for his own seat, lagging in fundraising and under attack by members of his own party.
In fiercely competitive Democratic Senate race, social media influencers increasingly drive the conversation
Read full article: In fiercely competitive Democratic Senate race, social media influencers increasingly drive the conversationThe near-constant stream of takes from content creators has come to frame the primary between Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico as a referendum on identity politics in the Democratic Party.
Lecturer no longer teaching at Texas State University after expletive-filled message goes public
Read full article: Lecturer no longer teaching at Texas State University after expletive-filled message goes publicThe Facebook message derided its recipient as a “leftist” and “whore” whom he hoped would be deported. The message gained widespread attention when it was shared online.
This East Texas town wants to capitalize on the state’s growth. Can it break 1,000 residents?
Read full article: This East Texas town wants to capitalize on the state’s growth. Can it break 1,000 residents?In Pineland, a fresh batch of local elected officials and an expansion of the town’s biggest employer have created the conditions for an economic renaissance. A dearth of housing could slow growth.
Briscoe Cain, Alex Mealer lead crowded pack vying for Houston’s new red congressional district
Read full article: Briscoe Cain, Alex Mealer lead crowded pack vying for Houston’s new red congressional districtCain, a state lawmaker, and Mealer, a former Harris County judge candidate, have consolidated much of the fundraising and endorsements in the 9th Congressional District’s Republican primary.
Texas law barring state investment in firms boycotting fossil fuels declared unconstitutional
Read full article: Texas law barring state investment in firms boycotting fossil fuels declared unconstitutionalA judge ruled Senate Bill 13, passed in 2021, violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments. The law prevented state investments in firms it deemed as boycotting oil and gas companies.
Despite court win, Texas dementia fund still paused from going into effect
Read full article: Despite court win, Texas dementia fund still paused from going into effectA Travis County judge on Wednesday ruled against a request to stop the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, but because the lawsuit is still in play, the fund can’t go into effect.
Patrick Mahomes’ father arrested after authorities say he violated DWI probation
Read full article: Patrick Mahomes’ father arrested after authorities say he violated DWI probationThe father of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been arrested in Texas after authorities said he violated his probation from a conviction for driving while intoxicated.
Fired after gender identity lesson, professor sues Texas A&M, arguing her free speech rights were violated
Read full article: Fired after gender identity lesson, professor sues Texas A&M, arguing her free speech rights were violatedMelissa McCoul, arguing she was fired to appease political critics, is seeking to get her job back and other restitution.
Texas Tech struggles with new rules that changed what students learn about race, gender, sexuality
Read full article: Texas Tech struggles with new rules that changed what students learn about race, gender, sexualityThe system’s chancellor said he meant to instill clarity and accountability, but three weeks into the spring semester, some instructors say the standards are vague and have led to censorship.
Texas Education Agency warns districts of potential state takeovers for “encouraging” student protests
Read full article: Texas Education Agency warns districts of potential state takeovers for “encouraging” student protestsThe state education agency issued guidance to districts after Gov. Greg Abbott directed its commissioner to investigate the student protests of killings by federal agents.
After El Paso’s ME ruled migrant’s death a homicide, ICE sent the next body to an Army hospital
Read full article: After El Paso’s ME ruled migrant’s death a homicide, ICE sent the next body to an Army hospitalICE bypassed the county medical examiner in favor of a military facility for the autopsy of a Nicaraguan man and won’t release a ruling to the public.
TribCast: Did the winter storm show our grid is fixed?
Read full article: TribCast: Did the winter storm show our grid is fixed?In this week’s episode of The Texas Tribune’s podcast, our hosts speak with Matt Boms about the Texas electrical grid's strong performance during the recent winter storm. Does that mean the problems of 2021 are behind us?
Texas jails have more than 400 pregnant inmates monthly. The state is trying to understand what happens to them.
Read full article: Texas jails have more than 400 pregnant inmates monthly. The state is trying to understand what happens to them.As a part of a yearlong study, Texas county jails are collecting data about pregnant inmates’ prenatal care, mental health indicators, pregnancy outcomes and more.
Texas Supreme Court primaries: Who is running and what to know
Read full article: Texas Supreme Court primaries: Who is running and what to knowThe high court, currently made up entirely of Republicans, decides some of the most consequential cases impacting everyday Texans’ lives. Here’s a look at who’s running for the court’s four seats on the 2026 ballot.
Galveston man sues California doctor under new Texas law allowing lawsuits over abortion pills
Read full article: Galveston man sues California doctor under new Texas law allowing lawsuits over abortion pillsUnder House Bill 7, a private citizen who successfully sues an abortion pill provider can receive up to $100,000 from the defendant.
Colin Allred blasts James Talarico over TikTok allegation that he called him a “mediocre Black man”
Read full article: Colin Allred blasts James Talarico over TikTok allegation that he called him a “mediocre Black man”Allred also urged Democrats to vote for Talarico’s opponent, Jasmine Crockett. The former Dallas congressman was Talarico’s main rival in the Senate primary before dropping out the day Crockett entered the race. Talarico called the allegation a “mischaracterization of a private conversation."
Texas’ social studies shakeup creates divide over whose histories to teach, and how
Read full article: Texas’ social studies shakeup creates divide over whose histories to teach, and howConcerned about Texas’ social studies overhaul, Democrats on the State Board of Education used a recent meeting to push for the inclusion of more Black and Indigenous perspectives and for young children to learn about the horrific nature of slavery.
Two cases of measles detected at Dilley immigrant family detention center
Read full article: Two cases of measles detected at Dilley immigrant family detention centerThe cases come amid renewed nationwide scrutiny of the facility following the transfer there of Liam Conejo Ramos, a 5-year-old Ecuadorian boy who federal agents arrested along with his father in Minneapolis.
In the West Texas oil patch, companies plan gas power plants to run new data centers
Read full article: In the West Texas oil patch, companies plan gas power plants to run new data centersThe developer of one project, in Pecos County, calls it the largest power project in the U.S. Data centers are sparking a surge of gas power plant construction in Texas.
After two Houston Congress members died in office, Al Green defends his seniority to voters
Read full article: After two Houston Congress members died in office, Al Green defends his seniority to votersThe 78-year-old Democrat is up against two younger opponents, including Rep.-elect Christian Menefee, in a district left vacant for 11 months after the death of Sylvester Turner.
Texas land commissioner primary: Who is running and what you need to know
Read full article: Texas land commissioner primary: Who is running and what you need to knowThe General Land Office oversees investments that earn billions of dollars for public education, manages state lands, operates the Alamo and distributes benefits to Texas veterans. Here’s a look at who’s running in the 2026 Democratic and Republican primaries and where they stand.
How Taylor Rehmet upset a MAGA candidate to flip a North Texas Senate district Trump carried by 17 points
Read full article: How Taylor Rehmet upset a MAGA candidate to flip a North Texas Senate district Trump carried by 17 pointsRepublicans dismissed the result as a one-off explained by the unpredictability of special elections. Others cited Rehmet’s working-class appeal and Latino and suburban backlash to GOP policies.
Two CBP agents identified in Alex Pretti shooting are from South Texas
Read full article: Two CBP agents identified in Alex Pretti shooting are from South TexasBorder Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez fired on Pretti during a protest in Minneapolis last month, according to government records viewed by ProPublica.
Houston Democrat Christian Menefee wins special election to complete Sylvester Turner’s term in Congress
Read full article: Houston Democrat Christian Menefee wins special election to complete Sylvester Turner’s term in CongressThe former Harris County attorney defeated Amanda Edwards in Texas’ 18th Congressional District. The two will face off again in the March 3 primary for a redrawn version of the district.
Talarico began 2026 with bigger war chest than Crockett in Democratic Senate primary awash in cash
Read full article: Talarico began 2026 with bigger war chest than Crockett in Democratic Senate primary awash in cashCrockett raised about $2 million between her Dec. 8 campaign launch and year’s end, about one-third of Talarico’s haul over the first three weeks of his Senate bid.
Texas’ long love affair with wrestling could be getting serious
Read full article: Texas’ long love affair with wrestling could be getting seriousThe sport’s been in Texas for nearly a century, but has yet to achieve the recognition other industries have. Its recent successes in the state could change all that.
Cornyn continues to lead Texas Senate GOP field in fundraising, cash reserves as primary hits homestretch
Read full article: Cornyn continues to lead Texas Senate GOP field in fundraising, cash reserves as primary hits homestretchDespite dominating the airwaves, Texas’ senior senator has been neck and neck with Attorney General Ken Paxton in public polling, both falling well short of the support needed to avoid a runoff.