March primary ensures record turnover for Texas congressional delegation
Read full article: March primary ensures record turnover for Texas congressional delegationTwelve House incumbents from Texas are set to leave Congress after this year, with the possibility of additional turnover in the May runoffs and November general election.
Pro-gambling interests fail to gain ground in Texas primaries as legislative roadblocks remain
Read full article: Pro-gambling interests fail to gain ground in Texas primaries as legislative roadblocks remainDespite slow progress, casino empire Las Vegas Sands promised to continue investing in candidates who support bringing destination resort casinos to Texas.
School districts can set aside prayer time under a new Texas law. Few have done so.
Read full article: School districts can set aside prayer time under a new Texas law. Few have done so.School boards had until March 1 to decide whether to establish a daily period for students and staff to pray or read religious texts.
Texas refineries see opportunity in Venezuelan oil amid Mexico export declines
Read full article: Texas refineries see opportunity in Venezuelan oil amid Mexico export declinesAs President Donald Trump seeks to boost U.S. investment in Venezuela’s oil fields, Mexico is poised to export less heavy crude to Gulf refineries, creating an opening for Venezuelan oil.
How to spot AI-generated images and online content during the 2026 primary elections
Read full article: How to spot AI-generated images and online content during the 2026 primary electionsIdentifying falsified or digitally enhanced videos, photos and ads takes attention and awareness, but helpful tools are out there.
In Texas attorney general race, Mayes Middleton runs on conservative, not courtroom, record
Read full article: In Texas attorney general race, Mayes Middleton runs on conservative, not courtroom, recordMiddleton has the money and the endorsements. But his primary opponents say he lacks key legal experience to be Texas’ top lawyer.
“Rule follower”: In GOP primary, Joan Huffman promises to bring law and order to the attorney general’s office
Read full article: “Rule follower”: In GOP primary, Joan Huffman promises to bring law and order to the attorney general’s officeHuffman is running on her criminal prosecution experience and allegiance to the rule of law, cutting a contrast with her opponents who are emphasizing a continuation of Paxton’s culture war battles.
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.
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 decisionsThe Texas Tribune 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.
“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.
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.”
Texas land commissioner primary: Who is running and what you need to know
Read full article: Texas land commissioner primary: 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 distributes benefits to Texas veterans. Here’s a look at who’s running in the 2026 Democratic and Republican primaries and where they stand.
Texas’ long love affair with wrestling could be getting serious
Read full article: Texas’ long love affair with wrestling could be getting seriousThe sport’s been in Texas for nearly a century, but has yet to achieve the recognition other industries have. Its recent successes in the state could change all that.
Execution of Texas man convicted of 1998 double murder scheduled for Wednesday
Read full article: Execution of Texas man convicted of 1998 double murder scheduled for WednesdayCharles Thompson was sentenced in 1999 for killing his then-girlfriend and another man. His execution in Texas will be the first in the United States this year.
Texas agriculture commissioner primary: Who is running and what you need to know
Read full article: Texas agriculture commissioner primary: Who is running and what you need to knowAgriculture is the second largest industry in Texas, which is home to more than 230,000 farms. Here’s a look at who’s running in the 2026 Democratic and Republican primaries to oversee the agriculture department and where they stand on the issues.
Federal appeals court rehears challenge against Texas’ immigration law
Read full article: Federal appeals court rehears challenge against Texas’ immigration lawSenate Bill 4 returns to the 5th Circuit with border crossings at record lows, a sharp reversal from the influx that inspired Texas’ law authorizing state police to arrest undocumented immigrants.
James Talarico unveils Spanish-language TV ad, signaling push for Latino support in Texas Senate bid
Read full article: James Talarico unveils Spanish-language TV ad, signaling push for Latino support in Texas Senate bidThe spot, which describes the Austin Democrat’s work on education issues in the Legislature, will air this week in nearly a dozen of the state’s largest media markets.
Texas defends law requiring schools to post Ten Commandments. Here’s what to know.
Read full article: Texas defends law requiring schools to post Ten Commandments. Here’s what to know.A federal appeals court heard arguments in lawsuits seeking to block Texas and Louisiana from requiring classroom displays of the Ten Commandments.
Statewide battles, Latino voters and down-ballot contests: the biggest Texas political stories to watch in 2026
Read full article: Statewide battles, Latino voters and down-ballot contests: the biggest Texas political stories to watch in 2026The Texas Tribune’s politics team has compiled five of the top stories we're watching this year, when voters will have their first chance to make their opinions known on the events of 2025.
Texas Democratic candidates unite in the Rio Grande Valley to court Latino voters
Read full article: Texas Democratic candidates unite in the Rio Grande Valley to court Latino votersState Rep. James Talarico faces an uphill battle in his U.S. Senate bid while 15th Congressional hopeful Bobby Pulido aims to flip the district, but he must first win his primary.
Texans can use school vouchers for pre-K, but the pool of families who qualify is limited
Read full article: Texans can use school vouchers for pre-K, but the pool of families who qualify is limitedA limited group of families with 3- and 4-year-olds who already qualify for free public pre-K can receive state funds to attend private preschool.
In North Texas, game of musical chairs culminates in primary between Democrats Colin Allred and Julie Johnson
Read full article: In North Texas, game of musical chairs culminates in primary between Democrats Colin Allred and Julie JohnsonThe primary between predecessor and successor arose from a combination of redistricting and the entry of Rep. Jasmine Crockett into the U.S. Senate race, which prompted Allred to drop out.
Arlington upholds suspension of protections for LGBTQ+ people
Read full article: Arlington upholds suspension of protections for LGBTQ+ peopleCity Council voted 5-4 to continue the temporary removal of language in its ordinance, which was initiated in September in an effort to avoid losing federal funding.
How will Texas’ voter-approved $3 billion dementia fund fare in court
Read full article: How will Texas’ voter-approved $3 billion dementia fund fare in courtIn 2023, Texas overcame lawsuits that sought to prevent constitutional amendments from going into effect, but one that voters approved in 2021 is still blocked.
How Texas’ law banning DEI, LGBTQ+ topics in K-12 schools could fare in court
Read full article: How Texas’ law banning DEI, LGBTQ+ topics in K-12 schools could fare in courtCases challenging Florida and federal policies provide a glimpse into the possible outcome for the Texas case. It is scheduled for a court hearing in Houston on Dec. 10.
A West Texas county wants to better prepare for floods. Paying for it will be tricky.
Read full article: A West Texas county wants to better prepare for floods. Paying for it will be tricky.Ector County has boomed since the 1970s, when the drainage system was last updated. Officials hope state and federal funds will help pay for the update despite some grant programs ending under the Trump administration.
Texas education chief met with Turning Point USA to discuss group’s expansion in high schools
Read full article: Texas education chief met with Turning Point USA to discuss group’s expansion in high schoolsThe meeting happened days before Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick pledged $1 million to help establish chapters of the conservative student group on every Texas college and high school campus.
Speaker Johnson defends Crenshaw after he was reportedly banned from congressional overseas travel
Read full article: Speaker Johnson defends Crenshaw after he was reportedly banned from congressional overseas travelPunchbowl News reported that the Houston congressman was banned from taxpayer-funded travel for 90 days after toasting a Mexican official who made an inappropriate joke.
Proposed data center project for Waco area would be “paradigm-changer”
Read full article: Proposed data center project for Waco area would be “paradigm-changer”The project is at a scale of industrial development and investment unmatched in McLennan County’s history: acres of computer hardware, substations and a 1.2-gigawatt gas-fired plant capable of powering about 300,000 homes.
A small Texas think tank cultivated COVID dissidents. Now they’re running U.S. health policy.
Read full article: A small Texas think tank cultivated COVID dissidents. Now they’re running U.S. health policy.People with ties to Brownstone Institute have significant authority over access to vaccines and scientific research.
Former Alamo Trust President Kate Rogers sues over exit
Read full article: Former Alamo Trust President Kate Rogers sues over exitRogers resigned from her position after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick criticized a 2023 dissertation in which she asserted the importance of Indigenous people’s history at the Alamo.
Pro-gambling interests struggling to gain foothold in Texas after Senate special election loss
Read full article: Pro-gambling interests struggling to gain foothold in Texas after Senate special election lossJohn Huffman was the best-funded candidate in the Senate District 9 special election thanks to casino interests, but failed to make the runoff. Gambling proponents still have millions more to spend on Texas races.
Billionaire Jeff Yass gives $100 million to University of Austin for free tuition
Read full article: Billionaire Jeff Yass gives $100 million to University of Austin for free tuitionYass, a school voucher supporter and an influential figure in Texas politics, said the only condition for the gift was for the school not to receive government funding.
Democrat Rehmet, Republican Wambsganss head to runoff in special election for North Texas Senate seat
Read full article: Democrat Rehmet, Republican Wambsganss head to runoff in special election for North Texas Senate seatWith the GOP vote fractured between Wambsganss and another Republican, Rehmet led the three-person contest for the red-leaning district.
Texas cities grapple with order to remove rainbow crosswalks as state deadline approaches
Read full article: Texas cities grapple with order to remove rainbow crosswalks as state deadline approachesAt the direction of Gov. Greg Abbott, state transportation officials told local leaders to remove crosswalk art often used to mark historically LGBTQ+ neighborhoods or risk losing millions in funding.
Explosion of data centers causes planning struggles for Texas power grid
Read full article: Explosion of data centers causes planning struggles for Texas power gridAs companies look to build projects that consume more power than cities, the state’s grid manager is trying to plan how to provide enough electricity to meet the demand.
Texas attorney general sues Tylenol company over autism claims
Read full article: Texas attorney general sues Tylenol company over autism claimsThis lawsuit comes a month after U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. updated guidance discouraging pregnant women from taking acetaminophen, citing it as a possible cause of autism.
They’ve never been arrested. Why does the FBI list thousands of service members as potential criminals?
Read full article: They’ve never been arrested. Why does the FBI list thousands of service members as potential criminals?Denise Rosales has fallen victim to a military justice process called “titling”— that’s left potentially thousands of veterans saddled with false criminal histories.
Alamo Trust president resigns, one day after Dan Patrick calls for her removal
Read full article: Alamo Trust president resigns, one day after Dan Patrick calls for her removalThe lieutenant governor has insisted that the Alamo’s story remain focused on the 1836 battle over broader narratives addressing Indigenous people and slavery.
This newly drawn Houston district could unearth tensions between Democrats of color
Read full article: This newly drawn Houston district could unearth tensions between Democrats of colorA primary challenge to Rep. Sylvia Garcia underscores Latino Democrats’ fears of being unrepresented in Harris County.
Plan to pump billions of gallons of water from East Texas appears on hold
Read full article: Plan to pump billions of gallons of water from East Texas appears on holdAn East Texas farm sued the local groundwater conservation district that has authority over the aquifer that would be pumped. As part of a settlement, the district has voided its original permits.