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.
Appeals court rejects Attorney General Ken Paxton’s effort to overturn Texas State Fair gun ban
Read full article: Appeals court rejects Attorney General Ken Paxton’s effort to overturn Texas State Fair gun banThe fair banned firearms in 2024 after a shooting at Fair Park. Paxton’s lawsuit has faced multiple setbacks, the latest from a court appointed entirely by Gov. Greg Abbott.
Lack of broadband service, funding gives rise to telehealth services in rural clinics
Read full article: Lack of broadband service, funding gives rise to telehealth services in rural clinicsClinics with better internet connections are now offering telehealth services to patients who can’t do it from their homes.
A border agent killed a migrant who crossed into Starr County. Eight months later, it’s still under investigation.
Read full article: A border agent killed a migrant who crossed into Starr County. Eight months later, it’s still under investigation.The federal agent said he shot the man in self defense last December amid a fight that erupted after agents tried to arrest the migrants who were retreating to Mexico.
James Talarico rolls out economic agenda that takes aim at “false Gospel of trickle-down economics”
Read full article: James Talarico rolls out economic agenda that takes aim at “false Gospel of trickle-down economics”Like his U.S. Senate rival, Ken Paxton, the Austin state lawmaker introduced a plan to address what he called an “affordability crisis.” But they differed on who is to blame for rising costs.
Criminal defense attorney warns of felony risk as Texas ban on synthetic THC products takes effect
Read full article: Criminal defense attorney warns of felony risk as Texas ban on synthetic THC products takes effectA new Texas law banning several popular synthetic THC products is now in effect, and items such as gummies and vapes that were legal to buy a few days ago could potentially turn into felony cases.
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.
James Talarico accused Ken Paxton of voter fraud. His own voter registration is raising questions.
Read full article: James Talarico accused Ken Paxton of voter fraud. His own voter registration is raising questions.After hitting his GOP foe for voting under an address where he no longer lived, the Tribune and ProPublica found the Democratic Senate candidate also appears to have done so.
Families brace for change as Third Future takes over more struggling Texas schools
Read full article: Families brace for change as Third Future takes over more struggling Texas schoolsThe Waco school district is one of the latest to partner with the Third Future charter network as a last-ditch effort to stave off state intervention.
Most Black Texas voters back Talarico over Paxton, poll finds, despite Senate primary tensions
Read full article: Most Black Texas voters back Talarico over Paxton, poll finds, despite Senate primary tensionsIn the survey released Tuesday, just 7% of Black Texans who voted in recent elections said they are less likely to vote in November due to Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s Democratic primary loss.
Following ban, Texas hemp reps sue state for violating commerce protections
Read full article: Following ban, Texas hemp reps sue state for violating commerce protectionsMembers of the hemp industry are suing Texas, claiming that the ban on hemp-derived THC products impose an unconstitutional burden on interstate commerce.
Data center approvals in Texas halted until audits completed, Gov. Greg Abbott says
Read full article: Data center approvals in Texas halted until audits completed, Gov. Greg Abbott saysOn Monday, the governor ordered the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas to audit all data centers wanting to connect to the state’s power grid.
Which families are using ESAs? Here’s what we know about Texas’ first school vouchers
Read full article: Which families are using ESAs? Here’s what we know about Texas’ first school vouchersThe number of Texas students using taxpayer money for private school or home-school could increase as more families accept invites.
Cornyn reaches deal to scrap DOJ anti-weaponization fund, ending Blanche standoff
Read full article: Cornyn reaches deal to scrap DOJ anti-weaponization fund, ending Blanche standoffCornyn said he will vote to advance Todd Blanche’s nomination after the acting attorney general formally rescinded the fund and clarified the scope of a tax audit shield for President Trump and his circle.
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.
Texas cracks down on synthetic THC products, hemp shops adjust
Read full article: Texas cracks down on synthetic THC products, hemp shops adjustTexas has taken a significant step to regulate hemp-derived THC products, banning all synthetically created forms of THC under a new law that went into effect Friday.
Texas lawmakers want to halt plan to build high-voltage transmission lines across the state
Read full article: Texas lawmakers want to halt plan to build high-voltage transmission lines across the stateAmid a backlash, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and a chorus of state senators said the process of building new high-voltage transmission lines — which they created in 2023 — needs to be changed as the oil and gas industry faces an electricity shortage.
Texas land commissioner orders feds to stop “illegally” clearing state border tract
Read full article: Texas land commissioner orders feds to stop “illegally” clearing state border tractDawn Buckingham said a contractor hired by U.S. Customs and Border Protection trespassed and significantly altered land in Presidio County without permission.
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.
Texas businesses bracing for a financial hit from U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade limbo
Read full article: Texas businesses bracing for a financial hit from U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade limboRising uncertainty has led businesses that depend on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) pact to pull back on investment in Texas, experts say.
For Texas DACA recipients, a fearful present and an uncertain future as protected status expires
Read full article: For Texas DACA recipients, a fearful present and an uncertain future as protected status expiresMany of the roughly 80,000 Texas residents in the program are facing renewal delays that can leave them undocumented, unable to legally work and exposed to possible deportation.
ACLU launches legal claims in 17 states against immigration detention conditions, including Texas
Read full article: ACLU launches legal claims in 17 states against immigration detention conditions, including TexasA $10 million claim by Elton Purvis, who was held in Texas for seven months before his deportation, is part of the group’s allegations that immigrants’ medical and other needs were neglected.
Trump says he will pull Blanche’s attorney general nomination until Cornyn leaves office
Read full article: Trump says he will pull Blanche’s attorney general nomination until Cornyn leaves officeThe president suggested Cornyn was holding up Todd Blanche’s nomination because he endorsed Ken Paxton over the senior senator. Cornyn said it has nothing to do with their political history.
Texas is banning several THC products. Find out what will still be legal on July 31.
Read full article: Texas is banning several THC products. Find out what will still be legal on July 31.Although several synthetically derived cannabis products will be banned on July 31, delta-9 THC products will still remain legal.
Dream Con brought Black nerd culture to Texas, but to keep it, founders say support is needed
Read full article: Dream Con brought Black nerd culture to Texas, but to keep it, founders say support is neededDream Con, one of the country’s largest Black-owned pop culture conventions, is at risk of looking elsewhere to find financial support and resources.
Texas could send a record four GOP women to Congress — if they make it through November
Read full article: Texas could send a record four GOP women to Congress — if they make it through NovemberDespite sending more Republicans to Congress than any other state, Texas has elected only five GOP women to the U.S. House in its history. Redistricting and retirements could change things.
Small plots of land fuel big suspicions among Lubbock residents, who fear it’s for a data center
Read full article: Small plots of land fuel big suspicions among Lubbock residents, who fear it’s for a data centerDespite community concerns, the president of the Lubbock Economic Development Alliance said neither piece of land would be conducive for a data center.
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.
Paxton lawsuit prompts end of federal endangered species protection for Texas lizard
Read full article: Paxton lawsuit prompts end of federal endangered species protection for Texas lizardThe state’s attorney general sued the Biden administration in 2024, citing incomplete data for the updated endangered status of the Permian Basin’s native dunes sagebrush lizard.
John Cornyn’s unmet demands imperil Trump’s U.S. attorney general nomination
Read full article: John Cornyn’s unmet demands imperil Trump’s U.S. attorney general nominationTexas’ outgoing senator has insisted on written assurance that President Trump’s “anti-weaponization fund” is dead as a condition for voting to advance Todd Blanche’s nomination.
“Where are all the volunteers?” Kerr County faces worse flood damage with fewer resources
Read full article: “Where are all the volunteers?” Kerr County faces worse flood damage with fewer resourcesThe Federal Emergency Management Agency hasn’t started helping local governments or individuals, while philanthropic response lags compared to last year’s flood.
Energy agencies want more authority over Texas data centers
Read full article: Energy agencies want more authority over Texas data centersThe request comes after Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Public Utility Commission of Texas and Electric Reliability Council of Texas to further regulate data centers’ use of the power grid.
TribCast: Should we be worried about Dallas?
Read full article: TribCast: Should we be worried about Dallas?The Dallas-Fort Worth region is growing as fast as anywhere in the country. But the city of Dallas itself lost residents last year. The TribCast crew speaks with urban affairs reporter Joshua Fechter about the challenges and opportunities for the city.
Why lawmakers are concerned about where billions in broadband funding is going
Read full article: Why lawmakers are concerned about where billions in broadband funding is goingTexas lawmakers accuse the state broadband office of favoritism and sweetheart deals after satellite internet providers received most of the funding.
Talarico leads Paxton by 5 points in new poll of Texas’ U.S. Senate race
Read full article: Talarico leads Paxton by 5 points in new poll of Texas’ U.S. Senate raceThe poll found the Austin Democrat with a commanding lead among independents and a surprising edge with non-college-educated voters, who have consistently favored Republicans.
Witness to Houston ICE shooting released from immigration detention
Read full article: Witness to Houston ICE shooting released from immigration detentionA federal judge on Monday ordered that Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego be released within 48 hours. He was one of three passengers in the van Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was driving when he was fatally shot by ICE.
U.S. House Ethics Committee is investigating GOP Rep. Lance Gooden
Read full article: U.S. House Ethics Committee is investigating GOP Rep. Lance GoodenThe panel did not say why it was looking into the Terrell Republican, noting only that the matter was referred last month by the Office of Congressional Conduct.
Thousands of apartments going up thanks to new Texas housing laws. But resistance lingers in the suburbs.
Read full article: Thousands of apartments going up thanks to new Texas housing laws. But resistance lingers in the suburbs.The laws, which make it easier to build apartments, face stiff resistance from North Texas suburbs. State lawmakers vow to force cities to comply.
U.S. will begin limited imports of Mexican cattle as screwworm outbreak continues
Read full article: U.S. will begin limited imports of Mexican cattle as screwworm outbreak continuesThe limited resumption will allow a southern port of entry in Arizona to reopen in phases. The move comes after 41 of 42 cases of screwworm have been reported in Texas.
Substance found in van after Houston ICE shooting wasn’t drugs, DA and U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia say
Read full article: Substance found in van after Houston ICE shooting wasn’t drugs, DA and U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia sayThe FBI suggested plastic bags in the van contained methamphetamine. The agency hasn’t released official test results.
Floodwater starts arriving in Corpus Christi reservoirs, sparking hope for a water crisis delay
Read full article: Floodwater starts arriving in Corpus Christi reservoirs, sparking hope for a water crisis delayChoke Canyon has almost doubled its supply of water this week, although the reservoir is still at 15% capacity.
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.
Ken Paxton has long crusaded against voter fraud. His Senate rival now accuses him of committing it.
Read full article: Ken Paxton has long crusaded against voter fraud. His Senate rival now accuses him of committing it.James Talarico’s comments come after ProPublica and The Texas Tribune found that the attorney general may have broken state law by voting using an address where he no longer appears to live.
The legal fight over “Robin Hood” renews Texas’ public school funding debate. Here’s what to know.
Read full article: The legal fight over “Robin Hood” renews Texas’ public school funding debate. Here’s what to know.Property-wealthy districts say recapture gives the state too much control over local finances. But advocates warn that without it, underserved students could end up worse off.
South Texas nun detained by ICE faces uncertain future in U.S.
Read full article: South Texas nun detained by ICE faces uncertain future in U.S.After being detained by ICE last month, Sister Leticia “Letty” Ugboaja, a 56-year-old nun from Nigeria, could be detained again or subjected to constant monitoring.
“We didn’t know it would end up this way”: South Texas community grapples with flood’s aftermath
Read full article: “We didn’t know it would end up this way”: South Texas community grapples with flood’s aftermathIn Chula Vista, south of Crystal City, residents of the Hispanic community searched through the debris after a flood caught them off-guard.
Appeals court overturns order closing Texas midwife clinics accused of illegal abortions
Read full article: Appeals court overturns order closing Texas midwife clinics accused of illegal abortionsThe ruling says Attorney General Ken Paxton didn’t prove his allegations that the Houston-area clinics performed abortions when a lower court’s injunction forced them to close.
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 crime rate continues to drop, with McAllen seeing its lowest levels in decades
Read full article: Texas crime rate continues to drop, with McAllen seeing its lowest levels in decadesDespite ICE crackdowns, experts say immigrants are less likely to commit crimes. Deportation fears might also make them less likely to report them.
Texas’ longstanding “Robin Hood” school finance system will face a new legal challenge
Read full article: Texas’ longstanding “Robin Hood” school finance system will face a new legal challengeMidland school trustees argue they have minimal control over local taxes and can’t properly serve students as a recapture system redistributes millions of the district’s revenue.
Student success should mean more state money for universities, Texas agency suggests
Read full article: Student success should mean more state money for universities, Texas agency suggestsThe state’s higher education agency recommends Texas lawmakers revamp funding for public universities that rewards schools for student success.
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.
James Talarico calls for tighter regulations on data center development
Read full article: James Talarico calls for tighter regulations on data center developmentGina Hinojosa, the Democratic nominee for governor, unveiled her own plan this week and called on Gov. Greg Abbott to take executive action to pause data center development.
Community colleges beat student outcome predictions. Now Texas can’t afford related incentives.
Read full article: Community colleges beat student outcome predictions. Now Texas can’t afford related incentives.A formula designed to reward colleges for student success generated larger payouts than budgeted. Now, Texas’ higher education agency may limit how schools receive such funding.
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.
Texas invested billions to fight cancer. Abbott’s H-1B visas restrictions may stall research, some warn
Read full article: Texas invested billions to fight cancer. Abbott’s H-1B visas restrictions may stall research, some warnMD Anderson is a global leader in cancer research, tapping hundreds of foreign-born scientists. Now Gov. Greg Abbott’s restrictions on H-1B visas may limit the talent pool.
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.
Last year’s Hill Country floods traumatized Texas first responders. Then the skies opened again.
Read full article: Last year’s Hill Country floods traumatized Texas first responders. Then the skies opened again.“We were all thinking to ourselves, this is déjà vu. Is it really happening, and can I deal with it?” a Center Point Volunteer Fire Department chaplain said.
Passengers in Houston ICE shooting say agents rammed their van before firing
Read full article: Passengers in Houston ICE shooting say agents rammed their van before firingThe newly released, handwritten statements by two men who saw Lorenzo Salgado Araujo’s shooting say he never threatened ICE agents.
Texas foster care agency cancels troubled provider’s contract
Read full article: Texas foster care agency cancels troubled provider’s contractThe Department of Family and Protective Service’s action comes four months after it placed EMPOWER into receivership in the wake of the deaths of two children under its care and staffing problems.
Judge blocks feds from deporting witness to Houston ICE shooting
Read full article: Judge blocks feds from deporting witness to Houston ICE shootingThe order applies to one of the three passengers in the van Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was driving when he was fatally shot by ICE. Lawyers are seeking the men’s release from detention.
ICE is arresting relatives who come forward to take custody of migrant children in federal shelters
Read full article: ICE is arresting relatives who come forward to take custody of migrant children in federal sheltersAttorneys say the federal agencies are using children as “bait” to detain sponsors, leaving kids waiting in shelters for months.
Tracking the money raised and spent in the U.S. Senate race between James Talarico and Ken Paxton
Read full article: Tracking the money raised and spent in the U.S. Senate race between James Talarico and Ken PaxtonSee the latest fundraising totals, where the money is coming from and how super PACs are spending in what’s poised to be Texas’ most expensive Senate race.
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.”
Texas’ bite of the microchip industry is growing thanks to public grants, incentives
Read full article: Texas’ bite of the microchip industry is growing thanks to public grants, incentivesFor years, the state has been the leading exporter of semiconductor chips. After the Legislature invested more than $1.5 billion into incentives since 2023, the industry has been booming.
Dallas birthed the booming DFW region. It’s now bleeding people, arenas and companies to the suburbs.
Read full article: Dallas birthed the booming DFW region. It’s now bleeding people, arenas and companies to the suburbs.North Texas is growing and Dallas’ financial sector is booming. But the city is losing residents and businesses — and two major sports franchises are departing the urban core.
How a man once ordered to pay libel damages helped launch an investigation into Islamic private schools
Read full article: How a man once ordered to pay libel damages helped launch an investigation into Islamic private schoolsA man convicted of libel in Britain helped spur investigations into Islamic private schools applying to Texas’ voucher program, legal filings say.
Uvalde residents shocked by rare flooding that ripped through homes
Read full article: Uvalde residents shocked by rare flooding that ripped through homesThe week’s prolonged flooding hit Uvalde harder than almost anywhere else in the state, Gov. Greg Abbott said. Homeowners never imagined they’d have to deal with a flood in the South Texas city.
Houston police worked with ICE on at least 103 occasions since April, report shows
Read full article: Houston police worked with ICE on at least 103 occasions since April, report showsThe first report on police-ICE interactions required by the City Council shows Houston transferred 18% of people with immigration-related warrants to ICE custody.
Anti-immigrant buoys that went adrift amid Rio Grande flooding force closure of key bridge to Mexico
Read full article: Anti-immigrant buoys that went adrift amid Rio Grande flooding force closure of key bridge to MexicoThe buoys had forced the closure of two bridges near Eagle Pass for about three hours on Thursday when Rio Grande levels rose.
Robert Howden, Abbott aide, to succeed Jane Nelson as Texas’ top election official
Read full article: Robert Howden, Abbott aide, to succeed Jane Nelson as Texas’ top election officialHowden’s appointment follows weeks of speculation over who would take over running Texas’ elections before the November midterms.
At a Houston funeral home, a community comes together to pay respects to Lorenzo Salgado Araujo
Read full article: At a Houston funeral home, a community comes together to pay respects to Lorenzo Salgado AraujoAs his sons greeted visitors near the casket of their father, who was killed in an ICE operation, some at the public visitation said they knew him well — even if they’d never met him.
Paxton and Talarico open battle for South Texas with dueling rallies, diverging pitches
Read full article: Paxton and Talarico open battle for South Texas with dueling rallies, diverging pitchesPaxton rallied in McAllen while Talarico toured the border this week, offering an early look at how each will vie in the coming months for the Latino voters who swung to Trump in 2024.
As flooded Texas towns recover, downstream river levels haven’t yet peaked
Read full article: As flooded Texas towns recover, downstream river levels haven’t yet peakedWhile Gov. Greg Abbott declared “the worst of the rain is behind us,” he cautioned that rivers in the hardest-hit counties still pose a danger.
Trump administration revives rule that could deny green cards to immigrants who use public benefits
Read full article: Trump administration revives rule that could deny green cards to immigrants who use public benefitsThe rule allows the federal government to deny green cards to immigrants who use a public program, such as Medicaid, food stamps and housing vouchers.
Texas Democrats ask for investigation into Ken Paxton voter registration
Read full article: Texas Democrats ask for investigation into Ken Paxton voter registrationThe complaint comes after The Texas Tribune and ProPublica found the Texas attorney general repeatedly voted while registered at an address where he appears to no longer live.
Billionaire Reid Hoffman gives $10 million to super PAC backing Talarico’s Senate bid in Texas
Read full article: Billionaire Reid Hoffman gives $10 million to super PAC backing Talarico’s Senate bid in TexasThe LinkedIn co-founder’s donation was nearly 80% of the pro-Talarico super PAC’s second-quarter haul. It comes as the Austin Democrat wages a campaign focused on keeping big money out of politics.
FBI suggests migrants’ van in fatal Houston shooting had meth. A lawyer says it was salt.
Read full article: FBI suggests migrants’ van in fatal Houston shooting had meth. A lawyer says it was salt.Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare, whose office is running an investigation into the shooting, also expressed doubt that there were drugs in Lorenzo Salgado Araujo’s van.
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.
Brownsville lands $3.2B AI drone tech company. Community members question the impact it could bring.
Read full article: Brownsville lands $3.2B AI drone tech company. Community members question the impact it could bring.Saronic Technologies accepted a tax incentive deal on the promise of bringing 10,000 jobs in 10 years. Critics say this deal comes with a caveat.
East Texas counties move to protect groundwater with new conservation district
Read full article: East Texas counties move to protect groundwater with new conservation districtMore than a dozen counties in Northeast Texas have signed resolutions to create a groundwater conservation district in a bid to protect local groundwater.