WEATHER ALERT
Social media has us in its grip and won't let go. The Charlie Kirk killing is a case study
Read full article: Social media has us in its grip and won't let go. The Charlie Kirk killing is a case studyCharlie Kirk's mastery of social media was key to him becoming a force in conservative politics.
James Talarico’s progressive take on Christianity made him an online sensation. Will it translate to his Texas Senate bid?
Read full article: James Talarico’s progressive take on Christianity made him an online sensation. Will it translate to his Texas Senate bid?The Austin lawmaker says his faith fuels his vision of a Democratic Party that “fights back” against billionaires. Republican critics say his stances are at odds with Scripture.
Democratic voters favor undeclared candidates O’Rourke and Crockett in hypothetical Senate primary, poll finds
Read full article: Democratic voters favor undeclared candidates O’Rourke and Crockett in hypothetical Senate primary, poll findsThe survey found many Texas voters are either undecided or would support candidates who haven’t actually entered the race. It also showed GOP Sen. John Cornyn leading Attorney General Ken Paxton.
In U.S. Senate bid, Rep. James Talarico promises to take on GOP billionaires and bridge political divides
Read full article: In U.S. Senate bid, Rep. James Talarico promises to take on GOP billionaires and bridge political dividesA former public school teacher, Talarico has emerged as one of Texas Democrats’ strongest communicators. He joins Colin Allred and Terry Virts in the primary.
Texas Rep. James Talarico to launch Democratic primary bid for U.S. Senate
Read full article: Texas Rep. James Talarico to launch Democratic primary bid for U.S. SenateThe Austin Democrat has made a name for himself with his viral social media presence. His entry to the race pits him against former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred in the increasingly crowded primary.
TribCast: How will Texas protect its campers from future floods?
Read full article: TribCast: How will Texas protect its campers from future floods?In this week’s episode, Matthew and Eleanor talk to Texas Tribune climate reporter Emily Foxhall about the emotional pleas Camp Mystic parents made to state lawmakers and analyze the proposed new laws in response to the Kerrville floods.
Texas redistricting fight shakes up battle lines for both parties in key US Senate race
Read full article: Texas redistricting fight shakes up battle lines for both parties in key US Senate raceThe push to redraw congressional maps in Texas is shifting the dynamics of the state’s 2026 Senate campaign.
TribCast: Will 13 Democrats be expelled from the Texas House?
Read full article: TribCast: Will 13 Democrats be expelled from the Texas House?In this week’s episode, Matthew and Eleanor ask University of Houston law professor David Froomkin to help them break down the legal cases seeking to remove 13 Democrats from the Texas House.
TribFest lineup adds CNN’s Abby Phillip, former AG Eric Holder, and new generation of Texas leaders
Read full article: TribFest lineup adds CNN’s Abby Phillip, former AG Eric Holder, and new generation of Texas leadersReps. Caroline Fairly and James Talarico, along with Texas attorney general candidate Aaron Reitz, also join us to talk Texas’ future this November
Colin Allred wants voters to know “I’m just as angry as they are” in new Senate bid
Read full article: Colin Allred wants voters to know “I’m just as angry as they are” in new Senate bidAllred says he has learned to show up more in his attempt at a Senate do-over. But critics contend he’s not generating enough attention.
Rep. James Talarico mulls U.S. Senate bid as his profile rises amid Texas Democrats’ redistricting standoff
Read full article: Rep. James Talarico mulls U.S. Senate bid as his profile rises amid Texas Democrats’ redistricting standoffThe Democratic state lawmaker has inquired about Senate television ad rates, two sources told the Tribune.
Texas Democrats know they may lose redistricting protest, but hope to spark a national fight
Read full article: Texas Democrats know they may lose redistricting protest, but hope to spark a national fightDemocrats concede there’s only so much they can do to keep Texas from redrawing its maps. But they want to encourage blue states to retaliate.
Texas Democrats plea for donations to extend their walkout and block Trump's redistricting plan
Read full article: Texas Democrats plea for donations to extend their walkout and block Trump's redistricting planTexas Democratic lawmakers who left the state to block a Republican plan for congressional redistricting are pleading for donations to help cover their costs.
Texas governor asks court to remove House Democratic leader, escalating efforts to end walkout
Read full article: Texas governor asks court to remove House Democratic leader, escalating efforts to end walkoutTexas Gov. Greg Abbott has asked the state Supreme Court on Tuesday to remove from office a top state lawmaker he called the “ringleader” of Democrats who left the state to block a vote on a new congressional voting map pushed by President Donald Trump.
Top Texas Democrats ponder the state’s future at forum amid questions about what’s next for their party
Read full article: Top Texas Democrats ponder the state’s future at forum amid questions about what’s next for their partyFormer U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke was joined at his San Antonio town hall by U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro and state Rep. James Talarico, whose names have been floated for statewide office.
Here are some of the Texas Democrats eyeing statewide runs in 2026
Read full article: Here are some of the Texas Democrats eyeing statewide runs in 2026Democrats will need to sort through a pileup of potential candidates who see an opportunity to harness backlash to the Trump administration in next year’s midterms.
Texas will require public school classrooms to display Ten Commandments under bill signed by governor
Read full article: Texas will require public school classrooms to display Ten Commandments under bill signed by governorGov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 10, even though a similar Louisiana law was deemed unconstitutional. Supporters say Christianity is core to U.S. history.
In private school voucher push, Gov. Abbott breaks through by playing hardball
Read full article: In private school voucher push, Gov. Abbott breaks through by playing hardballAnti-voucher Republicans said they voted for the bill so they could fight to improve it, and also to fend off political retribution.
Texas bill increasing public school funding and teacher pay gets final House approval
Read full article: Texas bill increasing public school funding and teacher pay gets final House approvalThe lower chamber overwhelmingly voted in favor of House Bill 2, a sweeping $8 billion piece of legislation that would also limit schools’ reliance on teachers without formal classroom training.
Texas is a young state with older elected officials. Some young leaders are trying to change that.
Read full article: Texas is a young state with older elected officials. Some young leaders are trying to change that.The average age of Texans last year was 37, while the Legislature’s average age was 55. Hurdles to voting and the unique challenges young candidates encounter fuel the mismatch.
Republicans’ budding interest in Texas’ housing crisis could create strange political bedfellows
Read full article: Republicans’ budding interest in Texas’ housing crisis could create strange political bedfellowsRepublican lawmakers may try to force Texas cities to allow greater housing density as the state faces a housing crunch.
Vouchers return this special session — and school funding might be left out. Here’s what you need to know.
Read full article: Vouchers return this special session — and school funding might be left out. Here’s what you need to know.Gov. Greg Abbott called lawmakers back to Austin to try again to pass education savings accounts, which would let families use state funds to pay for their children’s private schooling. Teacher pay was not part of his agenda.
‘They just tried to scare us’: Anti-abortion centers teach sex ed inside some Texas public schools
Read full article: ‘They just tried to scare us’: Anti-abortion centers teach sex ed inside some Texas public schoolsThe groups work in dozens of school districts across the state, but some public health experts say their curricula can be misleading and biased.
Compromise or pick a side? Texas House members offer preview of school vouchers debate ahead of special session
Read full article: Compromise or pick a side? Texas House members offer preview of school vouchers debate ahead of special sessionLawmakers at a Texas Tribune Fest panel found common ground on school funding and teacher pay but took starkly different stances on “school choice.”
Gov. Greg Abbott is turning up the pressure on passing school choice. Will it pay off?
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott is turning up the pressure on passing school choice. Will it pay off?Passage of a school choice measure is anything but a sure bet, as there is little evidence that the governor has been able to convince rural Republicans in the Texas House — who have for years been a reliable firewall — to drop their opposition.
Texas lawmakers’ attempts to ban school library books deemed inappropriate for kids spur confusion — and concerns
Read full article: Texas lawmakers’ attempts to ban school library books deemed inappropriate for kids spur confusion — and concernsThe authors of bills in both legislative chambers say their bills’ aim is simple: keeping sexually explicit content off school bookshelves. But opponents say the legislation is vague and broad enough to wreak havoc.
Lawmakers offer stark choices for ending the crisis in Texas’ youth prisons — shut them all down, or build more
Read full article: Lawmakers offer stark choices for ending the crisis in Texas’ youth prisons — shut them all down, or build morePlagued by decades of scandals over sexual and physical abuse of children, the Texas Juvenile Justice Department is at a crossroads.
With full state coffers and bipartisan support, Texas teachers are hopeful they’ll get a raise this year
Read full article: With full state coffers and bipartisan support, Texas teachers are hopeful they’ll get a raise this yearThe COVID-19 pandemic, inflation and burnout have pummeled teachers in the last few years. Lawmakers from both parties agree they should get a pay bump — but it won’t happen without some negotiation.
Why Texas is unlikely to let voters decide on abortion access
Read full article: Why Texas is unlikely to let voters decide on abortion accessA Texas Democrat is proposing a constitutional amendment stopping future abortion restrictions. Voters would have to approve it — but Republican lawmakers aren’t likely to put it in front of them.
Lawmakers decry collapsing Texas juvenile prison system, ask Abbott to call special session
Read full article: Lawmakers decry collapsing Texas juvenile prison system, ask Abbott to call special sessionWithout a jolt of funding, the Texas Juvenile Justice Department will struggle to hire workers and regain control over the safety and treatment of almost 600 incarcerated youth, its acting director told lawmakers at a hearing.
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After his Round Rock district was redrawn to help Republicans, state Rep. James Talarico says he’ll move to Austin to run in 2022
Read full article: After his Round Rock district was redrawn to help Republicans, state Rep. James Talarico says he’ll move to Austin to run in 2022“Republicans have gerrymandered me out of my district,” Talarico tweeted. “If they think they can keep me off the House floor, they better think again.”
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More pressure on Texas Democrats as GOP moves to end holdout
Read full article: More pressure on Texas Democrats as GOP moves to end holdoutTexas Republicans have again authorized using law enforcement to find Democrats who are still refusing to come back to the state Capitol in a bid to stop new voting restrictions.
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Texas Democrats at odds with one another as some return to Legislature and others stay in Washington, D.C.
Read full article: Texas Democrats at odds with one another as some return to Legislature and others stay in Washington, D.C.While the quorum-busting Democrats were able to maintain a largely united front during the first special session, which ended Friday, it was clear they reached a fork in the road when the second special session began a day later.
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Texas House, just shy of a quorum, issues order to lock members inside the chamber
Read full article: Texas House, just shy of a quorum, issues order to lock members inside the chamberThis is the second time in recent weeks the majority Republican House has voted to issue a “call of the House,” though members on Monday did not offer or debate a motion to enable law enforcement to track down members still missing from the chamber.
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A tale of two capital cities: Texas Democrats continue fight for voting rights in Washington as Republicans push them to return
Read full article: A tale of two capital cities: Texas Democrats continue fight for voting rights in Washington as Republicans push them to returnBoth Republicans in Austin and Democrats in D.C. have engaged in the political drama over the past two weeks, with the two camps battling it out on cable news interviews and social media over the quorum bust and who is to blame for it.
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Texas bill to ban the teaching of "critical race theory" spiked at the last minute on a technicality
Read full article: Texas bill to ban the teaching of "critical race theory" spiked at the last minute on a technicalityTexas educators worried the bill would have a chilling effect on tough conversations about race and racism. GOP lawmakers said they wanted to ensure teachers' personal biases stay out of their lessons
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Texas Democrats urge Abbott to call special session as details emerge showing Javier Ambler’s death at the hands of sheriff’s deputies
Read full article: Texas Democrats urge Abbott to call special session as details emerge showing Javier Ambler’s death at the hands of sheriff’s deputiesLocal and state leaders are calling for the resignation of Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody and for the deputies involved in Javier Ambler’s death to be fired. Last year, Williamson County deputies pursued Ambler in a car chase for 22 minutes, after trying to pull him over for not dimming his headlights. Williamson County sheriff’s department maintains that its deputies did nothing wrong, according to an internal affairs investigation obtained by the Statesman. Moore needs to focus on completing her 16-month-old Ambler investigation. Instead, she is trying to blame her own failures on the Williamson County Sheriff's Department,” Chody tweeted.