TEXAS NEWS
Texas labor unions are increasingly divided on which candidate to endorse for governor
Read full article: Texas labor unions are increasingly divided on which candidate to endorse for governorGov. Greg Abbott was endorsed by Texas Teamsters, a labor union that has historically supported Democrats. Other large unions still back his Democratic opponent.
Texas’ GOP Senate nominee will lead the Republican ticket. Who would have the longest coattails?
Read full article: Texas’ GOP Senate nominee will lead the Republican ticket. Who would have the longest coattails?Both John Cornyn and Ken Paxton argue they’re best equipped to carry the torch for Republicans and fight off Democratic headwinds in local races.
A Texas county rejects a moratorium on data center development amid AI boom
Read full article: A Texas county rejects a moratorium on data center development amid AI boomThe 3-2 vote from Hood County commissioners Tuesday came after they received a letter from a state senator saying they did not have the power to issue a moratorium.
TribCast: Online influencers and the 2026 Texas primaries
Read full article: TribCast: Online influencers and the 2026 Texas primariesOur hosts are joined by Democratic strategist and content creator Olivia Julianna and political reporter Kayla Guo to unpack what all the recent social media drama means about the Democratic party.
Houston-area developer Colony Ridge reaches $68 million settlement with Texas, feds
Read full article: Houston-area developer Colony Ridge reaches $68 million settlement with Texas, fedsThe agreement seeks to remedy a variety of concerns raised by government officials, who accused the development’s owners of targeting Latino homebuyers with predatory loans and false promises.
We’ve leveled up our voter guides to help Texans make informed decisions
Read full article: We’ve leveled up our voter guides to help Texans make informed decisionsOur newsroom is trying new things to help Texans vote with confidence this spring. We want to demystify the process, the candidates and the offices of this year’s Texas primaries.
Former MLB player Mark Teixeira is heavy favorite in GOP primary to succeed Chip Roy in Congress
Read full article: Former MLB player Mark Teixeira is heavy favorite in GOP primary to succeed Chip Roy in CongressThe former Texas Rangers first baseman has poured $2.5 million of his own money into the race and recently scooped up the key endorsement of President Donald Trump.
Immigrants challenging their detention have hit a historic high. Here’s a look at the increase.
Read full article: Immigrants challenging their detention have hit a historic high. Here’s a look at the increase.ProPublica is tracking the historic rise in challenges filed by immigrants claiming their detention is illegal.
Texas court district leads U.S. in immigrants challenging legality of federal detention
Read full article: Texas court district leads U.S. in immigrants challenging legality of federal detentionThe administration’s push for mass deportations has resulted in more than 18,000 habeas petitions, a historic high. Texas and California account for about 40% of cases this year.
Attorney general sues Bastrop factory after residents complain about noxious odors
Read full article: Attorney general sues Bastrop factory after residents complain about noxious odorsThe state’s environmental regulator has issued multiple environmental violations and the lawsuit states the company has failed to fix the problems.
Amanda Edwards drops out of Houston race for 18th Congressional District
Read full article: Amanda Edwards drops out of Houston race for 18th Congressional DistrictThe Democrat's announcement comes a week after she lost to Christian Menefee in a special election runoff for the seat that had been vacant since the death of Sylvester Turner.
Texas attorney general candidate says if he wins, he’d try to revoke Democratic leader Gene Wu’s citizenship
Read full article: Texas attorney general candidate says if he wins, he’d try to revoke Democratic leader Gene Wu’s citizenshipAaron Reitz, who is running for Texas attorney general, issued the threat after an interview of Wu was shared online of him discussing non-white voting strength.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
Kindergarten readiness varies widely by income, new data shows. How San Antonio and other cities are stepping in to help
Read full article: Kindergarten readiness varies widely by income, new data shows. How San Antonio and other cities are stepping in to helpSan Antonio offers a free preschool program for infants and toddlers, helping set them up for success in elementary school.
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.
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 families can now apply for private school vouchers. Here’s what to know.
Read full article: Texas families can now apply for private school vouchers. Here’s what to know.Families filed applications for more than 61,000 students by Friday afternoon. The application period will close March 17.
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.