
Polls show Senate, governor races tightening in Texas ahead of midterm elections
Read full article: Polls show Senate, governor races tightening in Texas ahead of midterm electionsNew polling averages show Democrat James Talarico leading Republican Ken Paxton by about three points in the U.S. Senate race. In the governor’s race, incumbent Greg Abbott holds a slim lead over Democrat Gina Hinojosa — but it’s within the margin of error.

Texas’ maternal health report delay is political and puts pregnant women at risk, lawmakers say
Read full article: Texas’ maternal health report delay is political and puts pregnant women at risk, lawmakers sayThe highly anticipated report, which includes deaths that occurred after Texas banned abortions, has recommendations on how to reduce pregnancy risks.

Jon Rosenthal says he and Bo French agreed to first major debate between Texas statewide candidates
Read full article: Jon Rosenthal says he and Bo French agreed to first major debate between Texas statewide candidatesThe debate, which has not been confirmed by French, would be his first major public event since he attracted criticism over racist posts about UT students.

Texas governor 2026: Who is running and what to know
Read full article: Texas governor 2026: Who is running and what to knowThe governor is Texas’ chief executive, with a hand in everything from enforcing laws to setting budget priorities and responding to crises. Here’s a look at where GOP candidate Gov. Greg Abbott and Democratic candidate Gina Hinojosa stand.

Hinojosa seeks to expand the Democratic tent with ad featuring support from Jan. 6 protester
Read full article: Hinojosa seeks to expand the Democratic tent with ad featuring support from Jan. 6 protesterAt the Texas Tribune Festival, Hinojosa rejected the “progressive” label in favor of a populist branding in her race against Gov. Greg Abbott.

Texas agriculture commissioner 2026: Who is running and what you need to know
Read full article: Texas agriculture commissioner 2026: Who is running and what you need to knowAgriculture is the state's second largest industry. Here’s a look at the 2026 midterm candidates to oversee the agriculture department and where they stand on the issues.

Republicans see warning signs for Paxton in the Dallas-Fort Worth suburbs
Read full article: Republicans see warning signs for Paxton in the Dallas-Fort Worth suburbsThe area’s Republican voters are typically reliable, but Paxton’s political baggage has some contemplating skipping his race or voting for the Democrat.

ICE shootings prompt different reactions from longtime Democrats leading Austin, Houston
Read full article: ICE shootings prompt different reactions from longtime Democrats leading Austin, HoustonMayor Kirk Watson ordered Austin police to investigate, saying he didn’t trust the feds. Mayor John Whitmire initially said Houston lacked jurisdiction.

Republicans dump cash into red states as they try to hold the line against Democrats in the midterms
Read full article: Republicans dump cash into red states as they try to hold the line against Democrats in the midtermsRepublicans are growing increasingly grim about their election chances in November.

TribCast: Bo French, the Railroad Commission and other downballot races
Read full article: TribCast: Bo French, the Railroad Commission and other downballot racesIn this week’s episode, we talk about how French’s tweet has brought turmoil to the Republican Party and assess whether other statewide races are really competitive.

Federal judge pauses Texas Republicans’ bid to close primaries
Read full article: Federal judge pauses Texas Republicans’ bid to close primariesU.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk said in his ruling that he expects Republicans to succeed in restricting primaries to voters registered with the party during the next legislative session.

Top Texas Republicans knew Bo French’s history of racist comments. They supported him anyway.
Read full article: Top Texas Republicans knew Bo French’s history of racist comments. They supported him anyway.The Railroad Commission candidate is under fire from fellow Republicans for a post that said a picture of college students celebrating a football victory shows “how many Americans have been displaced by foreigners.”

Texas land commissioner 2026: Who is running and what you need to know
Read full article: Texas land commissioner 2026: 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 administers disaster recovery funds and benefits to Texas veterans. Here’s a look at who’s running in the 2026 race and where they stand.

One group has stayed mostly mum on Bo French’s racist post — Texas’ oil and gas industry
Read full article: One group has stayed mostly mum on Bo French’s racist post — Texas’ oil and gas industryOne of the state’s largest oil and gas industry groups condemned French’s comments about South Asian students. They have not pulled their endorsement.

“Uncharted territory”: Two months from Election Day, Democrats in Texas are truly competitive
Read full article: “Uncharted territory”: Two months from Election Day, Democrats in Texas are truly competitiveDemocrat James Talarico is consistently leading in the polls over Ken Paxton, which is unheard of in recent decades. National forecasters are calling Texas a tie, or else giving the advantage to the Democrat.

There's one issue where Republicans and Democrats are unified before the midterms, a new poll finds
Read full article: There's one issue where Republicans and Democrats are unified before the midterms, a new poll findsA new AP-NORC poll shows Americans are growing more concerned about the environmental impacts of AI.

Texas Railroad Commission 2026: What it does and who’s running in the race
Read full article: Texas Railroad Commission 2026: What it does and who’s running in the raceThe commission doesn't have anything to do with railroads. It regulates Texas’ oil and gas industry. Here’s where 2026 candidates Bo French, Jon Rosenthal and Arthur DiBianca stand.

Rep. Drew Darby tears into oil and gas commissioner for defying order to appear at Capitol
Read full article: Rep. Drew Darby tears into oil and gas commissioner for defying order to appear at CapitolWayne Christian said his agency’s meeting kept him from addressing lawmakers about eliminating some public comments at the Texas Railroad Commission.

Trump downplays the need to check AI development and says he doesn't want to cede edge to China
Read full article: Trump downplays the need to check AI development and says he doesn't want to cede edge to ChinaPresident Donald Trump is playing down the need for his administration to check the development of artificial intelligence.

Trump and Vance team up at GOP convention as party faces midterm risks, and eyes what’s next
Read full article: Trump and Vance team up at GOP convention as party faces midterm risks, and eyes what’s nextPresident Donald Trump and his Vice President JD Vance teamed up Thursday to close out the second and final night of the Republicans’ midterm convention in Dallas, imploring voters to stick together to save their party’s majorities in Congress.

Trump wants to send Americans money. Congress and economists don't seem thrilled with the idea
Read full article: Trump wants to send Americans money. Congress and economists don't seem thrilled with the ideaDonald Trump’s pitch to send Americans $5,000 checks should Republicans prevail in the November midterms is drawing scorn from some members of Congress — the very people who have constitutional authority over federal spending.

Trump and Vance team up at GOP convention as party faces midterm risks, and eyes what's next
Read full article: Trump and Vance team up at GOP convention as party faces midterm risks, and eyes what's nextPresident Donald Trump and his Vice President JD Vance teamed up to close out the second and final night of the Republicans’ midterm convention in Dallas.

At midterm convention, Trump vows to campaign hard for Paxton after mocking his speech and looks
Read full article: At midterm convention, Trump vows to campaign hard for Paxton after mocking his speech and looksThe president used his winding, nearly two-hour keynote address to try to boost Republicans around the country, telling his supporters to “pretend that I’m on the ballot” this fall.

Texas prisons seek $298 million for air conditioning. That’s a fraction of what’s needed.
Read full article: Texas prisons seek $298 million for air conditioning. That’s a fraction of what’s needed.It would cost $1.5 billion to fully cool all prisons, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice estimates.

GOP to open first-ever midterm convention in Dallas as Texas’ U.S. Senate race hangs in the balance
Read full article: GOP to open first-ever midterm convention in Dallas as Texas’ U.S. Senate race hangs in the balanceThe two-day gathering, informally dubbed “Trumpapalooza,” will put Texas at the center of the political world as it hits the homestretch of its most competitive election cycle in years.

Texas cities say Abbott’s proposal to disband their electric companies won’t lower costs
Read full article: Texas cities say Abbott’s proposal to disband their electric companies won’t lower costsOn the campaign trail, the governor said dismantling city-owned utilities will save customers money by introducing competition.

MAGA Inc. cavalry arrives for Paxton in Texas Senate as Trump’s PAC places $10 million ad buy
Read full article: MAGA Inc. cavalry arrives for Paxton in Texas Senate as Trump’s PAC places $10 million ad buyThis is the first buy that Trump’s well-heeled political operation has made for a general election, underscoring how critical Texas’ Senate race is to the GOP’s hopes.

AG Ken Paxton hasn’t challenged the Trump administration over Texas’ $10-billion Medicaid cut even though he sued Biden
Read full article: AG Ken Paxton hasn’t challenged the Trump administration over Texas’ $10-billion Medicaid cut even though he sued BidenThe attorney general won a lawsuit against the feds for withholding a Medicaid funding stream three years ago. Texas faces the same cut, but Paxton has stayed quiet.

School librarians hesitant to discuss books, order more amid Texas battles to restrict titles, they say
Read full article: School librarians hesitant to discuss books, order more amid Texas battles to restrict titles, they sayLt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s latest push to restrict what students can access adds to Texas school librarians’ angst, the educators said.

With voters squeezed by high costs, Texas candidates race to claim affordability mantle
Read full article: With voters squeezed by high costs, Texas candidates race to claim affordability mantleIf not carefully vetted, candidates’ proposals to lower costs could exacerbate future affordability issues, experts say.

After years of hardship, Texas agriculture faces a new threat
Read full article: After years of hardship, Texas agriculture faces a new threatData centers and agriculture depend on many of the same resources, such as water, land and electricity, which has some in the industry worried about the future.

Talarico campaign asks court to unseal Paxton’s depositions in energy investing dispute
Read full article: Talarico campaign asks court to unseal Paxton’s depositions in energy investing disputeThe petition, to be filed in Collin County, seeks the transcripts from two rounds of testimony Paxton gave as part of a legal clash that entangled his financial adviser and former business associates.

Democrats narrow their list of 2028 presidential convention sites to Boston, Denver and Philadelphia
Read full article: Democrats narrow their list of 2028 presidential convention sites to Boston, Denver and PhiladelphiaDemocrats have narrowed the list of potential host cities for their 2028 presidential convention to Boston, Denver and Philadelphia as their party looks ahead to a wide-open primary to succeed Republican President Donald Trump.

Talarico floods Texas airwaves in U.S. Senate race as Paxton, GOP stay quiet
Read full article: Talarico floods Texas airwaves in U.S. Senate race as Paxton, GOP stay quietWith early voting about two months away, the Democrat has had TV nearly to himself, outspending his Republican rival more than 200-to-1 on advertising as GOP groups weigh when — or whether — to get involved.

TribCast: Should we believe the polls about Paxton and Talarico?
Read full article: TribCast: Should we believe the polls about Paxton and Talarico?In this week's episode, Matthew speaks with James Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin about the polls showing a tight race for U.S. Senate. Are they reliable? Is Talarico really in the lead?

Feds pausing Big Bend border construction while CBP commissioner visits the park
Read full article: Feds pausing Big Bend border construction while CBP commissioner visits the parkIt was not immediately clear how long CBP plans to implement the pause. The Trump administration had announced plans to build an access road and vehicle barriers in the park.

Democrats' 2028 presidential calendar gives Black and Latino voters and union members an early say
Read full article: Democrats' 2028 presidential calendar gives Black and Latino voters and union members an early sayDemocrats seeking the party’s presidential nomination in 2028 will need to prove themselves early on in states where Black and Latino voters and union members are key supporters.

Data center audit lacks specifics even as Gov. Abbott, industry leaders tout it
Read full article: Data center audit lacks specifics even as Gov. Abbott, industry leaders tout itWithout key details on the audits but the eagerness to support them, policy watchers question how impactful these audits will be in curbing data center growth.

Rio Grande Valley residents are feeling more negative about their lives. That could spill into the voting booth.
Read full article: Rio Grande Valley residents are feeling more negative about their lives. That could spill into the voting booth.Rio Grande Valley residents are unhappy with the economy, salaries, and other factors. That could sway their political views, according to political watchdogs.

Paxton, Talarico tap contrary versions of God and Christianity in appeal to Texas voters
Read full article: Paxton, Talarico tap contrary versions of God and Christianity in appeal to Texas votersCampaigning for the U.S. Senate, Paxton says he was “delivered by God” to protect Texas from leftists. Talarico’s focus

Democrats are gathering to give final approval to their 2028 presidential primary calendar
Read full article: Democrats are gathering to give final approval to their 2028 presidential primary calendarDemocrats are gathering to finalize their 2028 presidential primary calendar this week, setting the stage for a wide-open contest to succeed President Donald Trump and chart a path ahead as the party’s voters oscillate between progressive and more moderate candidates.

Broadband grants paused as critics allege favoritism toward Elon Musk’s Starlink
Read full article: Broadband grants paused as critics allege favoritism toward Elon Musk’s StarlinkThe Texas Broadband office made the announcement after facing scrutiny from lawmakers for changing the rules to seemingly favor companies such as Elon Musk’s Starlink.

Trial lawyers, once a force for Democrats, reclaim political clout in Texas GOP’s MAGA wing
Read full article: Trial lawyers, once a force for Democrats, reclaim political clout in Texas GOP’s MAGA wingTexas plaintiffs’ lawyers are bankrolling populist GOP insurgents. Tort reform groups like Texans for Lawsuit Reform are aghast.

Texas governor candidate Gina Hinojosa discusses economy, data centers, energy and more with KSAT
Read full article: Texas governor candidate Gina Hinojosa discusses economy, data centers, energy and more with KSATDuring a one-on-one with State Rep. Gina Hinojosa, she addressed several key issues during the interview, including public schools, data centers, energy and the economy.

Trump media company announces a massive loss and new turnaround effort
Read full article: Trump media company announces a massive loss and new turnaround effortThe president’s media company posted a massive loss in the latest quarter and plans to ditch new business lines and refocus as a forum for users to post their views.

Democrats in Congress, able to visit ICE lockups in Texas, describe grim conditions
Read full article: Democrats in Congress, able to visit ICE lockups in Texas, describe grim conditionsImmigration officials denied the allegations, but Reps. Joaquin Castro and Veronica Escobar said they’ve come across numerous problematic examples.

Sid Miller says Republicans will lose statewide elections due to rapid data center development, backlash
Read full article: Sid Miller says Republicans will lose statewide elections due to rapid data center development, backlashThe Texas agriculture commissioner has openly criticized Gov. Greg Abbott for not taking a stronger stand against data center development. The governor has ignored him.

Former state Rep. Lon Burnam eyes lawsuit after arrest during meeting on voting site cuts
Read full article: Former state Rep. Lon Burnam eyes lawsuit after arrest during meeting on voting site cutsThe former Democratic lawmaker was accused of disrupting a Tarrant County Commissioners Court meeting and spent hours in jail before his release.

National Democrats add former GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales’ district to Texas congressional target list
Read full article: National Democrats add former GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales’ district to Texas congressional target listThe sprawling district, vacated by former GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales earlier this year, went for President Trump by 15 points. But Democrats see an opening to win its Hispanic-majority electorate.

Flock license plate cameras are surging in Texas. So is an anti-surveillance backlash.
Read full article: Flock license plate cameras are surging in Texas. So is an anti-surveillance backlash.More than 200 local law enforcement agencies have data-sharing agreements with DPS, providing wide access to vehicle information.

Ken Paxton unveils economic plan centered on tax breaks in U.S. Senate race
Read full article: Ken Paxton unveils economic plan centered on tax breaks in U.S. Senate raceThe Republican attorney general is starting a tour next week to promote the plan, which would create new housing and healthcare tax write-offs.

South Texas builders warn of voter backlash in November if aggressive ICE tactics continue
Read full article: South Texas builders warn of voter backlash in November if aggressive ICE tactics continueRepublican business leaders said immigration raids on the Latino community would be top of mind at the ballot box in the midterm elections.

After the Houston ICE shooting, Sylvia Garcia demanded answers. Alex Mealer urges patience.
Read full article: After the Houston ICE shooting, Sylvia Garcia demanded answers. Alex Mealer urges patience.Mealer, the GOP nominee in Texas’ 9th Congressional District, would represent Houston’s Magnolia Park, where an ICE agent fatally shot Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, under the GOP’s new redistricting map.

Border residents wanted crossings reined in. Now Paxton and Talarico face voters wary of deportations
Read full article: Border residents wanted crossings reined in. Now Paxton and Talarico face voters wary of deportationsResidents along the U.S.-Mexico border said they want crossings under control and the state’s next senator to actually do something on immigration policy.

Texas faith leaders condemn ICE-related deaths, demand end to “terror campaign” against migrants
Read full article: Texas faith leaders condemn ICE-related deaths, demand end to “terror campaign” against migrantsChristian and Jewish leaders urged limits on using force as well as accountability for immigration agents who go too far.

House Republicans adopt $95 billion package for the Iran war and Trump's priorities
Read full article: House Republicans adopt $95 billion package for the Iran war and Trump's prioritiesThe House adopted a Republican-only $95 billion budget proposal, a long-shot effort to fund the Iran war and other White House priorities.

Millionaires could dominate Texas’ crop of new Congress members
Read full article: Millionaires could dominate Texas’ crop of new Congress membersA Texas Tribune analysis found Texas' incoming U.S. House delegation stands to get wealthier, with a $3.34 million median net worth among the crop of potential new members.

Federal cuts threaten a Houston soccer club for at-risk youth. One state leader hopes to save it.
Read full article: Federal cuts threaten a Houston soccer club for at-risk youth. One state leader hopes to save it.State and community leaders are working to keep the reVision soccer nonprofit alive after it was featured at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

House passes temporary government funding bill months early to avoid election season shutdown
Read full article: House passes temporary government funding bill months early to avoid election season shutdownThe House has moved to head-off a potential government shutdown before this fall’s critical midterm elections.

Talarico pledges $25 million for Black voter outreach at sometimes tense Houston town hall
Read full article: Talarico pledges $25 million for Black voter outreach at sometimes tense Houston town hallThe Democratic Senate nominee faced pointed questions from some Black voters and was confronted by a political content creator who said “you cannot win without us.”

Ken Paxton’s campaign says he will debate James Talarico in Texas’ U.S. Senate race
Read full article: Ken Paxton’s campaign says he will debate James Talarico in Texas’ U.S. Senate racePaxton's campaign said he plans to debate after Talarico challenged him to do so, though it did not commit to a specific host.

Texas Tech chair donated $275K to Ken Paxton day before AG intervened in Brendan Sorsby saga
Read full article: Texas Tech chair donated $275K to Ken Paxton day before AG intervened in Brendan Sorsby sagaCody Campbell, a major Texas Tech booster and GOP megadonor, has vocally defended Brendan Sorsby’s right to play amid a legal battle stemming from his betting scandal.

Abortion not a focus in Texas race for U.S. Senate as neither candidates emphasize the issue
Read full article: Abortion not a focus in Texas race for U.S. Senate as neither candidates emphasize the issueAbortion isn’t polling as high as other issues that matter to women voters, and Democrats have also retreated on the topic.

Texas officials are cracking down on “illegal birth tourism.” Here’s what that means.
Read full article: Texas officials are cracking down on “illegal birth tourism.” Here’s what that means.Texas officials have sued a Houston area postpartum center as well as investigated Rio Grande Valley hospitals over allegations of soliciting foreigners to have babies on U.S. soil.

Reports: ICE halting some vehicle stops in wake of Texas, Maine shootings
Read full article: Reports: ICE halting some vehicle stops in wake of Texas, Maine shootingsImmigration and Customs Enforcement will suspend the use of most vehicle stops in the wake of deadly shootings of immigrants in vehicles in both Texas and Maine in the past week, according to media reports.

How suing Biden more than 100 times fueled Ken Paxton’s rise and reshaped Texans’ lives
Read full article: How suing Biden more than 100 times fueled Ken Paxton’s rise and reshaped Texans’ livesAs attorney general, Paxton threw unprecedented resources into stopping Biden’s agenda. That record is his sword and shield as he runs for U.S. Senate.

“Who do I vote for?”: Cornyn voters weigh Paxton, Talarico or sitting out in November
Read full article: “Who do I vote for?”: Cornyn voters weigh Paxton, Talarico or sitting out in NovemberThe Tribune spoke with nine people who voted for the senior senator in the primary, offering a window into how that key voting bloc is thinking about the general election.

Days after fatal ICE shooting, Texas GOP leaders remain silent about calls for independent probes
Read full article: Days after fatal ICE shooting, Texas GOP leaders remain silent about calls for independent probesAlmost none of the state’s major Republican officials have weighed in on the killing of a Houston man by federal agents, and U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia of Houston said she had not spoken with Gov. Greg Abbott.

Houston mayor vows local investigation into ICE shooting but says feds aren’t sharing information
Read full article: Houston mayor vows local investigation into ICE shooting but says feds aren’t sharing information"They control the scene, the deceased, the van, the witnesses. So yes, they control the investigation," Mayor John Whitmire said.

Harris County prosecutor will investigate ICE shooting but cautions that feds control access to evidence
Read full article: Harris County prosecutor will investigate ICE shooting but cautions that feds control access to evidenceDistrict Attorney Sean Teare said he is in contact with prosecutors in Minnesota who are investigating the January shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents.

What to know about Austin ICE shooting and migrant deaths in Texas
Read full article: What to know about Austin ICE shooting and migrant deaths in TexasMost migrant deaths in Texas have occurred while they were detained since President Donald Trump began his immigration crackdown. Several were from natural causes.

Texas’ ACA enrollment shrinks by 4% after tax credit expiration, new federal data shows
Read full article: Texas’ ACA enrollment shrinks by 4% after tax credit expiration, new federal data showsAs of February, 21% of Texans who enrolled in a plan through the federal marketplace did not pay their first premium.

Crowd demands justice at vigil for Houston man killed in ICE shooting
Read full article: Crowd demands justice at vigil for Houston man killed in ICE shootingSpeakers at the vigil and a statement from Lorenzo Salgado Araujo’s family elevated calls for an independent investigation into his death and raised doubts about ICE’s description of events.


























