Texas lawmakers want fixes to statewide voter registration system ahead of midterms
Read full article: Texas lawmakers want fixes to statewide voter registration system ahead of midtermsThe system has been riddled with problems since it was updated last year. Some lawmakers and election officials want it fixed by November.
Texas officials say rodents and other small wildlife could be to blame for New World Screwworm infestations
Read full article: Texas officials say rodents and other small wildlife could be to blame for New World Screwworm infestationsUntil now, cattle were believed to be the main screwworm carriers. Investigations continue.
TribCast: What a new secretary of state could mean for Texas elections
Read full article: TribCast: What a new secretary of state could mean for Texas electionsWith the midterms fast approaching, Texas' top elections administrator is out the door. Who will be next ā and what awaits them in the role?
Austin-area hospitals denied miscarriage care despite clarification to Texasā abortion ban, federal complaint alleges
Read full article: Austin-area hospitals denied miscarriage care despite clarification to Texasā abortion ban, federal complaint allegesLynn Callaway says she was sent home from two hospitals, despite an infection, due to healthcare providersā fear of the stateās abortion ban.
A Houston drowning tests whether Texas law gives the right to deny brain death testing
Read full article: A Houston drowning tests whether Texas law gives the right to deny brain death testingState leaders and pro-life groups are siding with 2-year-old Annelise Campās family, who are suing to stop Texas Childrenās Hospital from testing her for brain death.
More Bible stories for public schools given initial approval by Texas education board
Read full article: More Bible stories for public schools given initial approval by Texas education boardThe State Board of Education will vote on incorporating more Christian stories into public classrooms as well as on deemphasizing race and cultural diversity in history lessons.
From an indictment to an alleged affair, Ken Paxtonās controversies hang over his Senate bid
Read full article: From an indictment to an alleged affair, Ken Paxtonās controversies hang over his Senate bidThe attorney general has won statewide elections twice since his legal woes began. This time he will be at the top of the ticket, facing a fundraising juggernaut in James Talarico.
Texas Supreme Court rejects attempt to block beach closures for SpaceX launches
Read full article: Texas Supreme Court rejects attempt to block beach closures for SpaceX launchesThe state constitution preserves public access to Texas beaches, but it doesn't give private groups the right to sue to enforce that access, the court ruled.
Which Bible passages are in Texasā proposed student reading list? Hereās what the selections reveal.
Read full article: Which Bible passages are in Texasā proposed student reading list? Hereās what the selections reveal.The chosen readings, to be voted on soon by the State Board of Education, draw heavily from Christian perspectives.
Texas college watchdog received nearly 70 complaints, opened one investigation, records show
Read full article: Texas college watchdog received nearly 70 complaints, opened one investigation, records showAllegations filed in the first five months of the new ombudsmanās work challenged course content, DEI, academic freedom and employment disputes.
āSurvival of the fittestā: Insiders say screwworm could improve the Texas cattle industry, beef
Read full article: āSurvival of the fittestā: Insiders say screwworm could improve the Texas cattle industry, beefAs cases of screwworm infections in the state rise, sellers and buyers believe heightened precautions will benefit consumers.
An old well began gushing oilfield wastewater in a West Texas church parking lot, sparking a costly cleanup
Read full article: An old well began gushing oilfield wastewater in a West Texas church parking lot, sparking a costly cleanupBy the time the Texas Railroad Commission shut down nearby oilfield injection wells to control the leak, 1.5 million gallons of toxic wastewater had spilled to the surface.
Former Texas Tribune board member killed in Laredo plane crash
Read full article: Former Texas Tribune board member killed in Laredo plane crashThe plane carrying Joshua Baer, who was also the CEO of Austin-based startup accelerator Capital Factory, was on its way to Austin from San JosƩ del Cabo in Mexico.
Texas students saw slight gains in math, stalled progress in reading, STAAR results show
Read full article: Texas students saw slight gains in math, stalled progress in reading, STAAR results showElementary and middle school students attending Texas public schools showed small gains on state math exams but remained relatively flat in reading.
Texas Railroad Commission race pits oil field engineer against energy trader running on culture wars
Read full article: Texas Railroad Commission race pits oil field engineer against energy trader running on culture warsRepublican Bo French is keeping Islam, immigration and LGBTQ+ issues at the fore of his campaign for Texasā oil regulatory agency. Democratic foe Jon Rosenthal is betting on his technical expertise.
UT fires public radio station leader who challenged university statements about festival security
Read full article: UT fires public radio station leader who challenged university statements about festival securityKUTās Debbie Hiott believes University of Texas officials terminated her because she publicly pushed back against administration claims that the stationās security plans for an inaugural festival were insufficient.
Texas stopped funding gambling addiction programs years ago. A surprising donor is helping fill the void.
Read full article: Texas stopped funding gambling addiction programs years ago. A surprising donor is helping fill the void.A $100,000 donation from Las Vegas Sands will help a nonprofit address treatment needs in Texas, where a state law set up a ācompulsive gambling programā that is no longer funded.
Texas agency to set rules for using treated fracking wastewater on farmland
Read full article: Texas agency to set rules for using treated fracking wastewater on farmlandThe stateās environmental regulator will hold a public hearing June 15 on its proposed rules for how the toxic wastewater can be reused. Hereās what you should know.
Texas Tech QB who placed bets will not play amid Big 12 lawsuit, legal threat from Paxton
Read full article: Texas Tech QB who placed bets will not play amid Big 12 lawsuit, legal threat from PaxtonA Lubbock judge blocked the NCAA from banning quarterback Brendan Sorsby despite an acknowledged gambling addiction.
Corpus Christiās delayed water response bubbles up to Texas governorās race
Read full article: Corpus Christiās delayed water response bubbles up to Texas governorās raceFrustrated by a lack of progress, Gov. Greg Abbott threatened state action. Gina Hinojosa, his Democratic opponent, accused him of backing industry over people.
East Texas county judge urges state lawmakers to help locals combat data center proliferation
Read full article: East Texas county judge urges state lawmakers to help locals combat data center proliferationA proposed data center in Angelina County will occupy more than 1,000 acres outside of Lufkin. The county judge says there's nothing he can do to stop it.
TribCast: How big of a threat is screwworm?
Read full article: TribCast: How big of a threat is screwworm?In this weekās episode, the TribCast team talks to Phillip Kaufman, head of Texas A&Mās entomology department, and Josh Winegarner from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association about the arrival of screwworm in Texas.
Screwworm outbreak hits vacant Texas congressional district, as leading candidates scramble to assist
Read full article: Screwworm outbreak hits vacant Texas congressional district, as leading candidates scramble to assistGov. Greg Abbott has not yet scheduled a special election for the 23rd Congressional District, which was previously represented by disgraced ex-Rep. Tony Gonzales.
Local Texas election officials await appointment of new secretary of state as midterm preparations ramp up
Read full article: Local Texas election officials await appointment of new secretary of state as midterm preparations ramp upAfter Jane Nelsonās unexpected resignation, local election leaders worry her successor could complicate midterm election administration. Gov. Greg Abbott hasnāt yet named a replacement.
Second screwworm case in Texas confirmed as Abbott expands state disaster declaration
Read full article: Second screwworm case in Texas confirmed as Abbott expands state disaster declarationA screwworm outbreak would threaten the stateās cattle industry and potentially increase already high beef prices nationwide.
Texas lawmakers put limits on citiesā abilities to enact progressive policies. Some want to go further.
Read full article: Texas lawmakers put limits on citiesā abilities to enact progressive policies. Some want to go further.Some Republican Texas House members floated want to give more power to the attorney general to sue cities and issue financial penalties.
Texas now requires cities to do an audit before raising property taxes. Some small towns canāt afford it.
Read full article: Texas now requires cities to do an audit before raising property taxes. Some small towns canāt afford it.More than 130 cities, most with fewer than 10,000 residents, were blocked from increasing their property tax revenue because they had broken the law.
Big Tech finds a foe in Texasā robust consumer protection laws and AG Ken Paxton
Read full article: Big Tech finds a foe in Texasā robust consumer protection laws and AG Ken PaxtonPaxton is banking on his recent lawsuits against tech and social media companies like Meta, WhatsApp and Discord to win a Senate seat, building on notable victories in years past.
National Democrats aim to flip 12 Texas House seats under newly expanded target list
Read full article: National Democrats aim to flip 12 Texas House seats under newly expanded target listRepublicans would have just a 76-74 majority in the Texas House if the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee succeeds in flipping its targeted GOP districts.
Eight data centers threaten to transform this small Texas county. Local officials say they have no power to stop them.
Read full article: Eight data centers threaten to transform this small Texas county. Local officials say they have no power to stop them.At least 248 data centers are planned to be built in Texas. Of those, nearly half will be built in unincorporated areas, where county officials are limited in their ability to regulate development, according to a Texas Tribune analysis.
New details released on Texas Childrenās Hospitalās planned detransition clinic
Read full article: New details released on Texas Childrenās Hospitalās planned detransition clinicThe Houston hospital must set up the facility within 90 days of the $10 million settlement it reached with the Texas attorney general and create a list of potential gender affirming patients.
Texas lifts commercial drivers license ban for temporary agricultural workers
Read full article: Texas lifts commercial drivers license ban for temporary agricultural workersThe policy change was announced hours after the Department of Public Safety removed the Spanish language option for commercial driverās license tests to align with federal guidance.
Paxton sues Denton to block gender-neutral changing rooms at Pride pool party
Read full article: Paxton sues Denton to block gender-neutral changing rooms at Pride pool partyTwo LGBTQ+ groups called the lawsuit āfrivolous,ā saying plans for the event at a public pool had already changed to comply with a new Texas law.
Texas schools say they still face budget difficulties despite $8.5 billion boost
Read full article: Texas schools say they still face budget difficulties despite $8.5 billion boostPublic school leaders told lawmakers how they're navigating finances, teacher quality and special education after last yearās state funding overhaul.
Austin ISDās bid to avoid state takeover rejected by Texas Education Agency
Read full article: Austin ISDās bid to avoid state takeover rejected by Texas Education AgencyTEA officials on Thursday denied the districtās request to approve a partnership to run its three chronically failing schools that would have put a pause on the campuses' accountability rating.
East Texas could be the key to developing critical lithium supply for the U.S. military
Read full article: East Texas could be the key to developing critical lithium supply for the U.S. militaryTexas lawmakers proposed a bill to allow private-sector lithium mining companies to work on certain military bases.
Camp Mystic chief health officer barred from direct patient care by Texas nursing board
Read full article: Camp Mystic chief health officer barred from direct patient care by Texas nursing boardMary Liz Eastland failed to develop proper emergency plans or properly respond to the flood that killed 25 campers and two counselors last year, the order states.
Tala-freak-o vs. Ken the Criminal: Texas candidates sharpen attacks as U.S. Senate race locks in
Read full article: Tala-freak-o vs. Ken the Criminal: Texas candidates sharpen attacks as U.S. Senate race locks inTexas' Ken Paxton and James Talarico focus their energies ā and attack ads ā on each other as the fight for U.S. Senate narrows to two.
Hill Country ranch with caves, cliffs and lake will become Texasā second-largest state park
Read full article: Hill Country ranch with caves, cliffs and lake will become Texasā second-largest state parkThe 54,000-acre Silver Lake Ranch, straddling Kinney and Edwards counties, has a 30-acre spring-fed lake. An opening date hasnāt been determined.
Vikki Goodwin defeats Houston union leader in lieutenant governor Democratic runoff
Read full article: Vikki Goodwin defeats Houston union leader in lieutenant governor Democratic runoffThe Austin lawmaker now faces an uphill battle against Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the stateās second-highest executive, in November.
Paxton-backed Thomas Smith defeats Alison Fox in GOP runoff for Texasā highest criminal court
Read full article: Paxton-backed Thomas Smith defeats Alison Fox in GOP runoff for Texasā highest criminal courtThe all-Republican Court of Criminal Appeals has undergone extensive turnover since AG Ken Paxton began targeting incumbent judges.
Texasā raucous primary runoffs end today. Hereās what to watch.
Read full article: Texasā raucous primary runoffs end today. Hereās what to watch.John Cornyn is trying to fend off Ken Paxton. Both parties are picking attorney general nominees. And an oil and gas regulatory race has become uncharacteristically costly.
House Democratic runoff heats up in the Rio Grande Valley, where the party hopes to reverse GOP gains
Read full article: House Democratic runoff heats up in the Rio Grande Valley, where the party hopes to reverse GOP gainsTexas House District 41 was opened by the retirement of Rep. Bobby Guerra, a Democrat. Donald Trump carried the district with 50.3% of the vote in 2024.
Texas sues Discord, arguing online messaging platform endangered children, misled users
Read full article: Texas sues Discord, arguing online messaging platform endangered children, misled usersThe lawsuit comes after a Galveston County family said their 13-year-old daughter was sexually assaulted by a person she interacted with on the platform.
WhatsApp, Meta can access Texansā private messages, AG Ken Paxton says in lawsuit
Read full article: WhatsApp, Meta can access Texansā private messages, AG Ken Paxton says in lawsuitThe attorney generalās office argues WhatsApp and parent company Meta are deceiving users by claiming the companies canāt view their encrypted messages.
Camp Mystic chief health officerās nursing license temporarily suspended
Read full article: Camp Mystic chief health officerās nursing license temporarily suspendedThe agency said Mary Liz Eastland failed to develop adequate emergency plans before a flood killed 25 campers and two counselors last year.
Mock funeral mourns death of academic freedom before UT System updates rule on cutting programs
Read full article: Mock funeral mourns death of academic freedom before UT System updates rule on cutting programsCollege students and professors are protesting with mock funerals across Texas, saying universities are dying from political interference. School officials say theyāre responding to shifting needs.
500,000 fewer Texans are on SNAP as participation slips nationally
Read full article: 500,000 fewer Texans are on SNAP as participation slips nationallyAdvocates say the federal governmentās new work requirements and immigration crackdown has limited food stamp participation. The state says the recent decline is part of normal fluctuations in enrollment.
Election for oil regulator becomes battleground for wealthy donors
Read full article: Election for oil regulator becomes battleground for wealthy donorsIn the GOP runoff for Texas Railroad commissioner, billionaires, big oil companies and trade groups flood the campaign pockets of candidates Jim Wright and Bo French.
In GOP attorney general runoff, two hard-right conservatives spar over experience, Trump loyalty
Read full article: In GOP attorney general runoff, two hard-right conservatives spar over experience, Trump loyaltyState Sen. Mayes Middleton says Rep. Chip Roy betrayed the MAGA movement, while Roy says Middleton isn't qualified to work at the attorney generalās office, let alone lead it.
Texas American Muslim University sued by Paxton, accused of misleading would-be students
Read full article: Texas American Muslim University sued by Paxton, accused of misleading would-be studentsTexAM is accused of misrepresenting itself as a university and adopting branding too similar to Texas A&M. Its leaders say they were already complying with state demands.
Texas Childrenās Hospital must create countryās first ādetransition clinicā under legal settlement with state
Read full article: Texas Childrenās Hospital must create countryās first ādetransition clinicā under legal settlement with stateAttorney General Ken Paxton said on Friday that Texas Childrenās must also pay $10 million to the state because it illegally provided transgender care to kids.
Seesaw rulings on Texasā smokeable hemp ban is bad for business, retailers say
Read full article: Seesaw rulings on Texasā smokeable hemp ban is bad for business, retailers saySome smoke shops say the flurry of court actions since March 31 has already forced them to scale back hours, cut staff and prepare to shut down.
Abbottās public safety wish list includes statewide prosecutor, more bail restrictions
Read full article: Abbottās public safety wish list includes statewide prosecutor, more bail restrictionsSome items on Abbott's agenda would require amending the Texas Constitution, meaning they would need supermajority support in the Legislature.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton blocks more than 130 cities from raising property taxes
Read full article: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton blocks more than 130 cities from raising property taxesAttorney General Ken Paxton accused the cities, most of them small, of violating a state law aimed at preventing cities from unduly raising property taxes.
Former Texas lottery director re-indicted for abuse of office by grand jury
Read full article: Former Texas lottery director re-indicted for abuse of office by grand juryGary Grief, former executive director of the now-dissolved Texas Lottery Commission, is alleged to have used his position to defraud the state during a 2023 Lotto Texas drawing.
Parts of Texas immigration law are likely unconstitutional, federal judge signals
Read full article: Parts of Texas immigration law are likely unconstitutional, federal judge signalsThe law, which gives state law enforcement and judges a role in immigration enforcement, is set to go into effect in two days.
Former Texas lottery director was indicted by grand jury before case got dismissed
Read full article: Former Texas lottery director was indicted by grand jury before case got dismissedThe indictment accused Gary Grief of misusing his position to defraud the state in a highly scrutinized $95 million 2023 Lotto Texas drawing.
Companies moving their legal homes to Texas is good PR, but donāt expect many new jobs
Read full article: Companies moving their legal homes to Texas is good PR, but donāt expect many new jobsA companyās legal home determines which state taxes and laws governing corporations it will be subject to. Some are fleeing Delaware in search of a friendlier environment in Texas.
Teachers with national certification earn more, but Texas is questioning its worth
Read full article: Teachers with national certification earn more, but Texas is questioning its worthThe National Board Certification is widely considered the most demanding for teachers. Texas leaders are examining whether it fits the stateās merit-based system.
Feds investigate Houston ISD for plans to separate students with disabilities
Read full article: Feds investigate Houston ISD for plans to separate students with disabilitiesHouston school administrators say the move would give children who need the support more focused attention. But the U.S. Department of Education worries the plan amounts to segregation.
By threatening public safety grants, Greg Abbott exerts control over Texas cities
Read full article: By threatening public safety grants, Greg Abbott exerts control over Texas citiesThe governorās threats have produced quick wins on hot-button issues important to the GOP base ā immigration and perceived threats posed by Islam.
Texasā 35th Congressional District primary runoffs: Who is running and what to know
Read full article: Texasā 35th Congressional District primary runoffs: Who is running and what to knowTwo Democrats and two Republicans advanced to May runoffs for the open San Antonio-area seat, which was drawn to favor the GOP yet is considered winnable for Democrats in a wave year.
In parched Texas, a state fund to boost water projects falls almost $3 billion short of demand
Read full article: In parched Texas, a state fund to boost water projects falls almost $3 billion short of demandTen water projects received initial approval to split $1.28 billion in state money this year, but 13 others didnāt make the cut ā including one that may supply drought-stricken Corpus Christi.
Texas agency that inspects jails doesnāt go far to find its new director
Read full article: Texas agency that inspects jails doesnāt go far to find its new directorRicky Armstrong had been interim director of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, which monitors county lockups that mainly hold people awaiting trial, since February.
Texas Tech cautions broadcasting research restrictions to prospective students
Read full article: Texas Tech cautions broadcasting research restrictions to prospective studentsExperts worry graduate students will learn too late about universityās ban on research work related to sexual orientation and gender identity.
World Cup hotel bookings short of expectations in Texas amid anti-U.S. sentiment abroad
Read full article: World Cup hotel bookings short of expectations in Texas amid anti-U.S. sentiment abroadA recent survey of hoteliers in the Dallas area and Houston found anticipated demand is not translating into strong hotel bookings less than 40 days from the start of the tournament.
More green, less steel: Laredo proposes alternative border fencing for Rio Grande waterfront
Read full article: More green, less steel: Laredo proposes alternative border fencing for Rio Grande waterfrontLaredo is working with federal officials to minimize the disruptions a potential wall could pose.
Texasā 33rd Congressional District Democratic runoff: Who is running and what to know
Read full article: Texasā 33rd Congressional District Democratic runoff: Who is running and what to knowThe primary between predecessor and successor arose from a combination of redistricting and Allredās move to exit the U.S. Senate race to make way for Rep. Jasmine Crockett.
Texas lifts safety rule enacted after deadly flood, clearing the way for some summer camps to reopen
Read full article: Texas lifts safety rule enacted after deadly flood, clearing the way for some summer camps to reopenNineteen camps had sued over a regulation that required fiber optic connectivity. An agreement with the state allows sites to operate with other broadband internet service.
āClassic unfunded mandateā: San Antonio school districts reveal costs of new seat belt requirements
Read full article: āClassic unfunded mandateā: San Antonio school districts reveal costs of new seat belt requirementsTexas wants all school buses to have 3-point seat belts by 2029-30. But the price tag is high for local districts also facing budget challenges.
Texasā 18th Congressional District Democratic runoff: Who is running and what to know
Read full article: Texasā 18th Congressional District Democratic runoff: Who is running and what to knowThe Democratic runoff for the Houston-based seat ā a longtime bastion of Black political power ā pits the Texas delegationās newest member, Christian Menefee, against one of its longest-tenured, Al Green.
Texans can continue to mail-order abortion pills for now, Supreme Court says
Read full article: Texans can continue to mail-order abortion pills for now, Supreme Court saysThe 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that mifepristone must be obtained in person, a decision the countryās highest court has temporarily blocked.
UNT approves buyouts for professors, faculty as it tackles budget shortfalls
Read full article: UNT approves buyouts for professors, faculty as it tackles budget shortfallsA drop in international student enrollment and state funding contributed to financial woes at the University of North Texas. Other state colleges face similar challenges.
Dan Patrick eyes closing āgambling loopholeā for prediction markets. The feds stand in Texasā way.
Read full article: Dan Patrick eyes closing āgambling loopholeā for prediction markets. The feds stand in Texasā way.A Trump administration agency has sued other states that sought to regulate Kalshi, Polymarket and other prediction operations under their gambling laws.
ICE warrants were central to Abbottās immigration dispute with Texas cities. Hereās how they work.
Read full article: ICE warrants were central to Abbottās immigration dispute with Texas cities. Hereās how they work.Unlike criminal warrants, ICE administrative warrants donāt require approval from an independent judge. ICE defends the practice, but legal experts say they can have errors and risk wrongful detention.