TEXAS NEWS
Corpus Christi is scrambling to ward off a water crisis. Here’s a guide to its water projects.
Read full article: Corpus Christi is scrambling to ward off a water crisis. Here’s a guide to its water projects.From drilling groundwater wells to recycling wastewater, Corpus Christi has launched a host of projects as it races against the clock to find more water.
Texas will ban smokeable hemp cannabis on March 31. Here’s what you need to know.
Read full article: Texas will ban smokeable hemp cannabis on March 31. Here’s what you need to know.New rules from state health officials ban smokeable intoxicating hemp products, including pre-rolled joints and hemp flower.
Taylor Goldenstein and Lomi Kriel join Texas Tribune’s revamped investigative team
Read full article: Taylor Goldenstein and Lomi Kriel join Texas Tribune’s revamped investigative teamThe Texas Tribune has added some new faces to the roster who will be digging deep and investigating some of the state’s most urgent and interesting storylines.
Texas Education Agency orders public schools to remove mentions of Cesar Chavez from lessons
Read full article: Texas Education Agency orders public schools to remove mentions of Cesar Chavez from lessonsSchools were also directed to cancel or change celebrations of the late civil rights leader amid allegations of sexual abuse.
Dead gardens, dusty cars: Frustrated Corpus Christi residents take precautions as water crisis nears
Read full article: Dead gardens, dusty cars: Frustrated Corpus Christi residents take precautions as water crisis nearsThe city’s water supply has been nearly depleted by a prolonged drought and a recent boon of oil refineries in the area. Locals have been limiting outdoor watering, shower time and car washes.
Feds plan to install 536 miles of floating barriers on Rio Grande to deter migrants
Read full article: Feds plan to install 536 miles of floating barriers on Rio Grande to deter migrantsThe government is installing the first 17 miles of industrial-grade buoys in Brownsville. Experts warn the buoys could intensify flooding and change the river’s course.
Blocked from Texas vouchers, this private Islamic school wants a chance to prove its pro-America values
Read full article: Blocked from Texas vouchers, this private Islamic school wants a chance to prove its pro-America valuesSeveral Islamic schools sued Texas for excluding them from the voucher program. Iman Academy is instead calling for fairness while hoping to be judged by its work — not stereotypes.
Corpus Christi says two new developments will buy it more time before reaching water crisis
Read full article: Corpus Christi says two new developments will buy it more time before reaching water crisisThe city manager said the city received permits to pump more groundwater and will avoid water reductions from a shrinking reservoir for now, pushing a potential water crisis to July.
University of North Texas to cut more than 70 programs and minors to trim $45 million deficit
Read full article: University of North Texas to cut more than 70 programs and minors to trim $45 million deficitDegrees in linguistics and Latin American and women’s and gender studies will be phased out. LGBTQ, Mexican American, Africana and Asian studies are among 25 undergrad minors that will also be cut.
Texas has taken over issuing permits to store carbon underground. Here’s what to know.
Read full article: Texas has taken over issuing permits to store carbon underground. Here’s what to know.The move of authority to the Texas Railroad Commission from the federal government now makes it easier for energy companies to apply for permits to store carbon underground.
Corpus Christi’s crucial refineries look for alternate water supplies amid looming water crisis
Read full article: Corpus Christi’s crucial refineries look for alternate water supplies amid looming water crisisThe city produces 5% of the nation’s refined products like gas and jet fuel, and experts say a serious water shortage could force production down and push fuel prices up even further.
Texas inmate seeks to stop looming execution after codefendant confesses to double murders
Read full article: Texas inmate seeks to stop looming execution after codefendant confesses to double murdersIn his appeal, James Broadnax, who also wants a new trial, included a signed confession by his cousin saying he committed the 2008 Garland murders.
Texas school superintendents making more than the governor? Check out these salaries
Read full article: Texas school superintendents making more than the governor? Check out these salariesSome Texas school superintendents are making salaries that exceed pay for high elected officials, according to Texas Education Agency (TEA) 2025-26 salary data. Several leaders of the state’s largest districts report base pay above $350,000, with some figures surpassing $460,000.
Texas jails aren’t meeting deadlines to free inmates, costing some counties thousands in settlements
Read full article: Texas jails aren’t meeting deadlines to free inmates, costing some counties thousands in settlementsThe state does not track the prevalence or provide guidance on the issue, leaving inmates to languish in jail and eventually sue counties for damages.
Court approves new manager for Dallas-area foster care program after deaths of 2 infants
Read full article: Court approves new manager for Dallas-area foster care program after deaths of 2 infantsAn experienced child welfare manager was appointed to take over case management after “systemic failures” placed children in danger, court records said.
Texas cities, state government cancel Cesar Chavez Day in wake of report on activist
Read full article: Texas cities, state government cancel Cesar Chavez Day in wake of report on activistThe New York Times on Wednesday published allegations that the labor rights leader had sexually abused women and girls.
Here’s how to vote in Texas’ May 26 primary runoff elections
Read full article: Here’s how to vote in Texas’ May 26 primary runoff electionsVoters will decide over 30 races, including a nationally watched battle between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton. The registration deadline is April 27, and early voting is May 18–22.
Corpus Christi water emergency may be just two months away, city leaders say
Read full article: Corpus Christi water emergency may be just two months away, city leaders sayTwo out of the five projections city leaders presented Tuesday showed water shortages beginning in May. The city has yet to detail plans for how to reduce water use for residents and businesses.
147 measles cases reported in Texas so far this year, most of them in federal detention centers
Read full article: 147 measles cases reported in Texas so far this year, most of them in federal detention centersThe state health department reports that 99 of the cases originated in a contracted detention facility in Hudspeth County.
Dallas County GOP will agree to countywide voting sites after primary election chaos
Read full article: Dallas County GOP will agree to countywide voting sites after primary election chaosVoters in the May 26 primary runoff will be allowed to again cast ballots at countywide voting sites on election day.
Jace Yarbrough is GOP nominee in North Texas congressional district after second-place finisher bows out
Read full article: Jace Yarbrough is GOP nominee in North Texas congressional district after second-place finisher bows outAfter finishing a distant second in the March 3 primary, Ryan Binkley dropped out of the runoff. Yarbrough is favored to win the general election for the redrawn 32nd District.
Harris County to vote on means for labor groups to represent employees for salary, policy talks
Read full article: Harris County to vote on means for labor groups to represent employees for salary, policy talksIf passed, the policy would be the first for a Texas county. Some cities and school districts have similar policies.
Ex-Uvalde schools police chief sues CBP, seeking agents’ testimony in his criminal trial
Read full article: Ex-Uvalde schools police chief sues CBP, seeking agents’ testimony in his criminal trialProsecutors and attorneys for Pete Arrendondo, who faces charges over the shooting’s botched response, have repeatedly requested U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents to testify. The agency has refused.
Cornyn, Paxton decline to withdraw from Texas Senate runoff ballot as deadline passes
Read full article: Cornyn, Paxton decline to withdraw from Texas Senate runoff ballot as deadline passesThe day after the March 3 primary, President Donald Trump pledged to endorse either John Cornyn or Ken Paxton “soon,” and call on the other to drop out. He has yet to make an endorsement.
Judge orders Texas to extend school voucher deadline in response to lawsuit from Islamic schools
Read full article: Judge orders Texas to extend school voucher deadline in response to lawsuit from Islamic schoolsThe application period, set to close Tuesday night, must now remain open until March 31, according to an attorney representing Islamic schools.
As Corpus Christi water shortage worsens, residents and businesses may soon have to cut their usage 25%
Read full article: As Corpus Christi water shortage worsens, residents and businesses may soon have to cut their usage 25%The City Council will discuss the looming crisis Tuesday. One model predicted a water emergency in November. Other scenarios show that happening in May.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett confirms security team member killed by Dallas police in standoff
Read full article: Rep. Jasmine Crockett confirms security team member killed by Dallas police in standoffDiamon Mazairre Robinson impersonated a federal agent and had two active felony warrants for years, officials say, but was hired by Crockett and police agencies under an alias.
Why an East Texas rancher donated part of his water rights to the state
Read full article: Why an East Texas rancher donated part of his water rights to the stateAs Texas faces growing water challenges, the donation to the Texas Water Trust — a little-known conservation tool created nearly 30 years ago — was the first in two decades.
Trump’s DOJ is pushing prosecutors to pursue “fatally flawed” cases against Texas border crossers
Read full article: Trump’s DOJ is pushing prosecutors to pursue “fatally flawed” cases against Texas border crossersFederal prosecutors, who can face discipline for not advancing the Trump administration’s priorities, are bringing military trespassing charges against immigrants with little evidence.
After Monica De La Cruz helps migrant teen in ICE custody, Texas man seeks similar aid for fiancée
Read full article: After Monica De La Cruz helps migrant teen in ICE custody, Texas man seeks similar aid for fiancéeThe Republican in Congress helped a migrant teenager she previously knew get released from federal custody. Scores of migrants are in similar situations with no clear exit.
In the Rio Grande Valley, soaring Democratic turnout fuels party’s hope of turning the Trump tide
Read full article: In the Rio Grande Valley, soaring Democratic turnout fuels party’s hope of turning the Trump tideDemocratic enthusiasm in the Valley’s four counties could foreshadow a November reversal of Trump’s historic 2024 sweep there — and signal that Latino voters have become swing voters.
Texas clarifies voucher rules to help more families access future special ed support
Read full article: Texas clarifies voucher rules to help more families access future special ed supportAfter reporting from The Texas Tribune, the office tasked with handing out vouchers clarified that families who do not complete a special education evaluation this year may have a chance to qualify for more funding in future years.
“God is nonbinary”: GOP activates over Talarico’s past comments characterizing him as too radical for Texas
Read full article: “God is nonbinary”: GOP activates over Talarico’s past comments characterizing him as too radical for TexasTalarico has suggested he would communicate some of his views differently today, but stood by the principles behind the comments Republicans are using to tar him as an extreme liberal.
Surviving a deadly shooting: An Austin mother and daughter learn how trauma lingers
Read full article: Surviving a deadly shooting: An Austin mother and daughter learn how trauma lingersSeven months after escaping the Target shooting, an Austin mother and daughter navigate trauma, fear and unexpected growth.
A plan to get more electricity to West Texas may come undone
Read full article: A plan to get more electricity to West Texas may come undoneOil and gas companies have said the region needs more power. Environmentalists and a conservative think tank worry the state is moving too fast — and ratepayers will see the costs in their bills.