Dustin Burrows says he has votes to be Texas House speaker: Burrows claims the support of a coalition of Republicans and Democrats, while Cook has the ...
texastribune.org/2024/12/07/texas-house-speaker-david-cook-dustin-burrows/
Dustin Burrows says he has votes to be Texas House speaker
Dustin Burrows, David Cook face off for Texas Speaker: With Speaker Dade Phelan out of the race, Republican state Reps. David Cook and Dustin Burrows will now ...
texastribune.org/2024/12/06/texas-house-speaker-david-cook-dustin-burrows-dade-phelan/
Dustin Burrows, David Cook face off for Texas Speaker
Dade Phelan drops out of House Speaker race: Phelan, a Beaumont Republican, had previously insisted he had enough votes to thwart a challenge from the right led ...
texastribune.org/2024/12/05/texas-house-speaker-dade-phelan/
Dade Phelan drops out of House Speaker race
Quick Glance: Dade Phelan Withdraws from Speaker Race
  • Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan has dropped his bid for re-election amid pressure from far-right members of the Republican caucus.

  • Despite surviving a tough primary against a Trump-backed challenger, he lost key allies this week, jeopardizing his leadership position.

  • Representative David Cook is favored to succeed Phelan, who faced criticism for his bipartisan committee appointments and other political decisions.

  • With the new session starting, Republicans will hold 88 votes in the 150-member House, indicating a shift away from Phelan's policies.
Texas’ maternal mortality committee skips post-Dobbs deaths: Committee members said it was necessary to skip the two years after Texas passed its restrictive ...
texastribune.org/2024/12/06/texas-maternal-mortality-committee-deaths/
Texas’ maternal mortality committee skips post-Dobbs deaths
Moody, Leach discuss efforts to avoid Roberson execution: The Criminal Jurisprudence Committee plans to issue a new subpoena to the death row inmate for a Dec ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/25/robert-roberson-joe-moody-jeff-leach-texas-death-penalty/
Moody, Leach discuss efforts to avoid Roberson execution
From experimentation to action: What’s next for AJP’s Product & AI Studio - American Journalism Project
theajp.org/news-insights/insights/from-experimentation-to-action-whats-next-for-ajps-product-ai-studio/
From experimentation to action: What’s next for AJP’s Product & AI Studio ...
Houston Rep. Gene Wu to lead Texas House Democrats: Wu defeated incumbent Trey Martinez Fischer on Thursday to become the next chair of the Texas House ...
texastribune.org/2024/12/05/texas-house-democrats-gene-wu-houston/
Houston Rep. Gene Wu to lead Texas House Democrats
Texas school gives adults second try at high school diploma: The Texas Legislature has prioritized getting high school dropouts the skills they need to enter the ...
texastribune.org/2024/12/05/texas-adult-charter-high-schools/
Texas school gives adults second try at high school diploma
Join us tomorrow at 9 a.m. for “Is justice served? Legislative intervention and the death penalty,” happening in downtown Austin and online ... Show more

Is Justice Served? Legislative intervention and the death penalty
How Texas could implement a social media ban for minors: A Texas lawmaker has introduced a bill prohibiting minors from using social media accounts as school ...
texastribune.org/2024/12/05/texas-ban-social-media-as-schools-struggle/
How Texas could implement a social media ban for minors
What could happen to Texas’ Medicaid program under Trump: State leaders have shown a decadeslong antipathy toward the health insurance program ...
texastribune.org/2024/12/04/trump-medicaid-cuts-texas-residents/
What could happen to Texas’ Medicaid program under Trump
Quick Glance: Medicaid Cuts Under Trump: Texas Faces Risks
  • Texas has a long-standing aversion to Medicaid, resulting in low coverage for vulnerable populations.

  • Trump could potentially cut Medicaid programs with fewer restrictions after taking office again, raising concerns among experts.

  • These cuts could have devastating effects on vulnerable groups in Texas who heavily rely on Medicaid.

  • Republican lawmakers have already signaled plans to reduce Medicaid spending and introduce work requirements.
Texas wants more nuclear power to meet soaring energy demand: State leaders want nuclear reactors to provide consistent, low-carbon power to large industrial ...
texastribune.org/2024/12/04/texas-nuclear-power-uranium-mining/
Texas wants more nuclear power to meet soaring energy demand
Uvalde Leader-News publisher Craig Garnett will discuss his new book, “Uvalde’s Darkest Hour,” during a conversation in downtown Austin or online at 9 a.m ... Show more

“Uvalde’s Darkest Hour”: A conversation with author Craig Garnett
Henry Cuellar says Rio Grande border buoys were his idea: The congressman said he joined other Democrats in opposition to the use of the floating barriers and ...
texastribune.org/2024/12/04/henry-cuellar-texas-rio-grande-border-buoys-immigration/
Henry Cuellar says Rio Grande border buoys were his idea
The far-right’s plan to restrict trans Texans’ lives in 2025: Emboldened by the recent election, some Texas lawmakers are already filing bills that would dictate ...
texastribune.org/2024/12/04/texas-transgender-restrictions-legislative-session/
The far-right’s plan to restrict trans Texans’ lives in 2025
Trans adults in Texas struggle after restrictions on teens: As limitations on trans teens increase, doctors have left the state, weakening an already threadbare ...
texastribune.org/2024/12/04/texas-trans-adult-care-diminishing/
Trans adults in Texas struggle after restrictions on teens
Texas says power grid better prepared for frigid weather: ERCOT says conditions this winter could spark extreme cold, but additional power supply and continued ...
texastribune.org/2024/12/03/texas-power-grid-ercot-winter-forecast-extreme-cold/
Texas says power grid better prepared for frigid weather
Daniel Pullin to succeed Victor Boschini as TCU chancellor: Victor Boschini is stepping down next year, but will remain chancellor emeritus. Under his leadership ...
texastribune.org/2024/12/03/texas-christian-university-chancellor/
Daniel Pullin to succeed Victor Boschini as TCU chancellor
Tomorrow: Get an inside look at state lawmakers’ top priorities and what’s ahead for Texans at “A preview of the 2025 Legislative Session ... Show more

A Preview of the 2025 Legislative Session
Texas broadband expansion faces hurdles: Despite the efforts of local governments and others, the move to provide internet access to millions of Texans has been ...
texastribune.org/2024/12/03/texas-broadband-expansion-problems/
Texas broadband expansion faces hurdles
Maternity care in rural Texas needs a rescue, groups say: Almost half of Texas counties have nowhere to get prenatal care, let alone deliver a baby ...
texastribune.org/2024/12/03/texas-rural-maternal-health-plan/
Maternity care in rural Texas needs a rescue, groups say
This Giving Tuesday, double the impact for Texas! Every dollar you donate to The Texas Tribune will be matched, up to $15,000 ... Show more
Join us for “Is justice served? Legislative intervention and the death penalty” in downtown Austin or online at 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 6. In October ... Show more

Is Justice Served? Legislative intervention and the death penalty
Texas farmers say fertilizer made from sewage poisoned land: The fertilizer was promoted as an environmental win-win for years. An untold number of farmers and ...
texastribune.org/2024/12/02/texas-farmers-pfas-forever-chemicals-biosolids-fertilizer/
Texas farmers say fertilizer made from sewage poisoned land
Texas’ Bartlett prison focuses on rehabilitation: The Bartlett Unit in Williamson County will house 1,049 male inmates who will participate in educational ...
texastribune.org/2024/12/02/bartlett-prison-rehabilitation-texas-criminal-justice/
Texas’ Bartlett prison focuses on rehabilitation
Uvalde Leader-News publisher Craig Garnett will discuss his new book, “Uvalde’s Darkest Hour,” during a conversation in downtown Austin or online at 9 a.m ... Show more

“Uvalde’s Darkest Hour”: A conversation with author Craig Garnett
Breaking: Feds can’t destroy razor wire Texas installed near Eagle Pass, appeals court rules. Feds can’t destroy Texas’ razor wire at border, court rules | The Texas Tribune
Texan Mark Swidan freed from China: The Texan has been imprisoned in China for 12 years on charges of drug trafficking.
texastribune.org/2024/11/27/texas-china-prisoner-mark-swidan-freed/
Texan Mark Swidan freed from China
Community college “deserts” deter Texas students from higher ed: Black and Hispanic high schoolers who have to drive more than 30 minutes to a community college ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/27/texas-community-college-deserts/
Community college “deserts” deter Texas students from higher ed
Meet the new Texans in Congress: Five Texans were newly elected to Congress this year, four of whom are set to serve in January.
texastribune.org/2024/11/27/texas-newly-elected-congress-brandon-gill-julie-johnson-sylvester-turn/
Meet the new Texans in Congress
A look at David Cook and his bid to oust Texas’ House leader: The two-term Republican caught many Capitol observers off guard when he emerged as the ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/27/david-cook-dade-phelan-texas-house-speaker/
A look at David Cook and his bid to oust Texas’ House leader
Join us for “Is justice served? Legislative intervention and the death penalty” in downtown Austin or online at 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 6. In October ... Show more

Is Justice Served? Legislative intervention and the death penalty
Texas offers Trump more land to stage deportations: “We have 13 million acres around the state, and if there’s something that meets the federal government’s ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/26/texas-donald-trump-deportation-land-offer/
Texas offers Trump more land to stage deportations
New Texas rule requires crypto mines to register with state: The Public Utility Commission of Texas adopted the rule amid surging demand for power across the ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/25/texas-cryptocurrency-mining-registration-public-utility-commission-er/
New Texas rule requires crypto mines to register with state
How this class helps Texas inmates with life after prison: More than 250 Texas prisoners are on the waitlist to join the Lee College reentry class ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/26/texas-prison-reentry-classes-lee-college-huntsville/
How this class helps Texas inmates with life after prison
"Somebody needs to get fired": Vicente Gonzalez blasts Dem strategy on abortion, trans issues
texastribune.org/2024/11/26/texas-vicente-gonzalez-congress-democrats-abortion-transgender/
Get an inside look at state lawmakers’ top priorities and what’s ahead for Texans at “A preview of the 2025 Legislative Session ... Show more

A Preview of the 2025 Legislative Session
Texas ballot secrecy draws attention in Legislature, courts: One bill has been filed so far, while a pair of lawsuits focus attention on the issue.
texastribune.org/2024/11/25/texas-ballot-secrecy-legislature-courts/
Texas ballot secrecy draws attention in Legislature, courts
Texas bill would make abortion pills a controlled substance: The bill is modeled after a Louisiana law that doctors say has created chaos for other gynecological ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/25/abortion-texas-pills-controlled-substance/
Texas bill would make abortion pills a controlled substance
Join us Wednesday, Dec. 11, for a conversation with Uvalde Leader-News publisher Craig Garnett about his new book, “Uvalde’s Darkest Hour ... Show more

“Uvalde’s Darkest Hour”: A conversation with author Craig Garnett
Brooke Rollins, a Texan, nominated agriculture secretary: Rollins, who grew up in Glen Rose and once led the Texas Public Policy Foundation ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/23/brooke-rollins-agriculture-secretary-trump/
Brooke Rollins, a Texan, nominated agriculture secretary
Quick Glance: Trump Selects Brooke Rollins as Agriculture Secretary
  • Donald Trump has nominated Brooke Rollins as agriculture secretary, completing his cabinet selections.

  • The nomination requires Senate confirmation, which will be controlled by Republicans when Trump takes office on January 20, 2025.

  • Rollins, a longtime Trump associate with a degree in agricultural development from Texas A&M University, previously served as his domestic policy chief.

  • The USDA, which she would lead, is crucial for farmer support and establishing nutrition standards.
Subscribe to The Blast, The Texas Tribune’s premium newsletter, and get the insider intel, exclusive analysis and the best of the Tribune to help you get ahead ... Show more

The Blast | The Texas Tribune
Ken Paxton can’t be deposed in whistleblower suit, court says: The attorney general has agreed not to contest a lawsuit brought by former employees accusing him ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/22/ken-paxton-whistleblower-lawsuit-texas-attorney-general/
Ken Paxton can’t be deposed in whistleblower suit, court says
School bonds failed across Texas. What happens now?: Texas voters rejected 20 of 35 bond propositions put forward by 19 school districts in November.
texastribune.org/2024/11/22/texas-school-districts-east-central-isd-bonds-failed/
School bonds failed across Texas. What happens now?
Texas wins $12.6M settlement in 2019 Port Neches plant blast: The settlement directs TCP Group to repair equipment and to pay $12.6 million in penalties for ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/22/texas-port-neches-plant-explosion-settlement/
Texas wins $12.6M settlement in 2019 Port Neches plant blast
Get an inside look at state lawmakers’ top priorities and what’s ahead for Texans at “A preview of the 2025 Legislative Session ... Show more

A Preview of the 2025 Legislative Session
Texas tuition freeze could leave regional schools strapped: Regional colleges rely more on tuition revenue to operate than flagship campuses. Gov ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/22/texas-tuition-freeze-universities-colleges/
Texas tuition freeze could leave regional schools strapped
Water deals might not bring relief to South Texas: Texas agreed to take 120,000 acre-feet of water from Mexico this month, only after the U.S ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/22/rio-grande-water-texas-mexico-treaty/
Water deals might not bring relief to South Texas
Ken Paxton sues Dallas over decriminalizing marijuana: Dallas is the sixth Texas city the attorney general has sued this year over marijuana decriminalization ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/21/texas-cities-marijuana-ken-paxton-lawsuits/
Ken Paxton sues Dallas over decriminalizing marijuana
There’s been no shortage of defining news moments in Texas this year. Only for Tribune members, CEO Sonal Shah will moderate a conversation with standout ... Show more

Support Us | The Texas Tribune
Ector County proceeds with new courthouse despite voter nays: Officials took the extraordinary step of taking on new debt to replace the old courthouse ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/21/ector-county-tax-increase-courthouse/
Ector County proceeds with new courthouse despite voter nays
Los hospitales de Texas ahora preguntan sobre la ciudadanía: El gobernador Greg Abbott quiere saber cuánto gastan los hospitales en el cuidado de inmigrantes ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/21/hospitales-texas-preguntas-immigracion/
Los hospitales de Texas ahora preguntan sobre la ciudadanía
Texas Senate to prioritize creating dementia research fund: Modeled after the state’s $6 billion cancer research fund, the dementia fund — a legislative priority ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/21/texas-alzheimers-dementia-research-dan-patrick/
Texas Senate to prioritize creating dementia research fund
What to know about Texas hospitals' citizenship question: Gov. Greg Abbott wants to know how much hospitals spend caring for undocumented immigrants ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/21/texas-hospitals-immigration-questions/
What to know about Texas hospitals' citizenship question
Texas Bible-infused curriculum may hinge on Abbott appointee: Tiffany Clark, who was elected to fill a vacant State Board of Education seat in January ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/20/texas-curriculum-greg-abbott-tiffany-clark-leslie-recine/
Texas Bible-infused curriculum may hinge on Abbott appointee
Quick Glance: Abbott’s Decision Influences Controversial Curriculum Vote
  • The decision regarding a controversial curriculum focused on Christianity may hinge on an Abbott appointee who will only serve for one meeting.

  • Tiffany Clark, who won the election for the State Board of Education, was overlooked in favor of Leslie Recine, a Republican, who is expected to cast the deciding vote.

  • Clark expressed disappointment with Abbott's choice, stating she would have opposed the curriculum, potentially altering the outcome of the vote.

  • Critics of the curriculum argue it could alienate non-Christian students and undermine the separation of church and state.
UT system expands free tuition program: The Board of Regents is lifting the income threshold to expand eligibility across all nine of its UT System campuses.
texastribune.org/2024/11/20/ut-system-free-tuition-expansion/
UT system expands free tuition program
Quick Glance: UT System Expands Free Tuition Initiative
  • The University of Texas System is expanding its free tuition program for full-time students from families earning $100,000 or less, starting next fall.

  • A committee from the UT Board of Regents granted preliminary approval for the Promise Plus Program, allocating $35 million to support the initiative across all nine universities.

  • Students must be Texas residents and apply for state and financial aid to qualify for the program.

  • This expansion aims to reduce college costs and encourage enrollment, contributing to a decline in the percentage of graduates with debt from 54% in 2019 to 48% in 2023.
New: Freeman Martin, a senior official at the Texas Department of Public Safety, will serve as the agency’s new executive director beginning next month after ... Show more

Freeman Martin to lead Texas Department of Public Safety | The Texas Tribune
Watch: Texas Tribune rural symposium focuses on small towns: The Tribune’s rural symposium highlighted the challenges the state’s far-flung regions face — and ...
texastribune.org/2024/08/01/small-town-big-possibilities-San-Antonio-symposium/
Watch: Texas Tribune rural symposium focuses on small towns
Trump visits South Texas after historic win: The president-elect was in South Texas to witness a test flight at SpaceX, whose founder, Elon Musk ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/20/donald-trump-elon-musk-rio-grande-valley/
Trump visits South Texas after historic win
Texas plan for $3 billion broadband plan OK’d: The federal investment follows the $1 billion approved by Texas taxpayers to help connect the state.
texastribune.org/2024/11/20/texas-broadband-federal-plan/
Texas plan for $3 billion broadband plan OK’d
Will Trump boost mental health efforts in Texas again?: The president-elect previously supported community mental health programs in Texas ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/20/trump-texas-mental-health-policy/
Will Trump boost mental health efforts in Texas again?
U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales’ warning that mass removals of undocumented immigrants are unfeasible got pushback from U.S. Rep. Chip Roy ... Show more
Texas approves Bible-infused curriculum: Critics say the curriculum overemphasizes Christianity. Texas school districts don’t have to use it but will receive $60 ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/19/texas-sboe-bible-christianity-curriculum/
Texas approves Bible-infused curriculum
In Trump administration, Texas’ political clout dims: So far Trump has looked elsewhere for his earliest cabinet and high-level staff appointments ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/19/texas-florida-trump-republican-rivalry-paxton-gaetz/
In Trump administration, Texas’ political clout dims
UNT changes course names amid DEI ban: Professors and instructors say the university is preemptively censoring itself after administrators removed references to ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/19/texas-unt-dei-ban/
UNT changes course names amid DEI ban
Abbott issues executive order targeting Chinese operatives: The order is in response to “Operation Fox Hunt,” a Chinese government initiative intended to root ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/18/greg-abbott-chinese-government-dissidents-operation-fox-hunt/
Abbott issues executive order targeting Chinese operatives
Texas curriculum glosses over racism, slavery, critics say: Education officials say the materials were designed to be age appropriate but critics argue they ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/18/texas-curriculum-history-social-studies-slavery-racism/
Texas curriculum glosses over racism, slavery, critics say
Texas lawmaker wants to spend millions on plugging orphan wells: The proposal comes after the state’s oil and gas regulatory agency says it needs more money to ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/18/west-texas-oil-gas-well-clean-up-legislation/
Texas lawmaker wants to spend millions on plugging orphan wells
Join us for “Inside the Interim: A conversation with San Antonio’s State Sen. José Menéndez,” happening in San Antonio and online next Tuesday, Nov. 19 ... Show more

Inside the Interim: A Conversation with San Antonio Lawmakers
A Texas election chief feels the strain of unending scrutiny: Voting went well in the presidential election, but Trudy Hancock and her staff are still fielding ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/15/brazos-county-texas-2024-election-security/
A Texas election chief feels the strain of unending scrutiny
Texas’ top elected officials appear open to reducing border security spending: With Donald Trump returning to the White House, Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/15/texas-border-security-funding-potential-cutback/
Texas’ top elected officials appear open to reducing border security ...
Get an inside look at state lawmakers’ top priorities and what’s ahead for Texans at “A preview of the 2025 Legislative Session ... Show more

A Preview of the 2025 Legislative Session
Texas’ uneven population boom is creating rural ghost towns: Local leaders and rural revitalization experts say Texas’ smallest towns can survive — despite a ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/14/texas-population-changes-rural-urban/
Texas’ uneven population boom is creating rural ghost towns
Step up your support for The Texas Tribune! Make a new donation for independent Texas journalism this week for your chance to win a pair of heirloom boots from ... Show more
Texas names Wynn Rosser as new higher education commissioner: Wynn Rosser will be in charge of guiding the state’s postsecondary education policies ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/14/texas-higher-education-commissioner/
Texas names Wynn Rosser as new higher education commissioner
For Texas students, short-term credentials can fall short: Short-term certificates can only take a few weeks to get but don’t always lead to better earnings or ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/14/texas-short-term-credentials/
For Texas students, short-term credentials can fall short
John Cornyn loses Senate Majority Leader to John Thune: Cornyn has for years signaled he wanted to succeed his close ally GOP leader Mitch McConnell ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/13/john-cornyn-senate-majority-leader-vote-ted-cruz/
John Cornyn loses Senate Majority Leader to John Thune
Quick Glance: John Thune Elected New Leader of Senate Republicans
  • Senate Republicans elected John Thune from South Dakota as their new leader, replacing Mitch McConnell, who is stepping down after 18 years.

  • Thune, who served as the Senate Republican whip, won against John Cornyn and Rick Scott and will serve as Majority Leader for the next two years.

  • The election was contentious, reflecting a divide within the party, as Scott, closely associated with Trump, was viewed as a more divisive figure.

  • Thune intends to advance President Trump's legislative agenda and expedite the confirmation of his appointees.
Rep. Michael McCaul detained after seeming drunk at airport: A nervous flier, the House Foreign Affairs chief said he made a “poor decision” to mix Ambien and ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/13/mccaul-detained-intoxication-washington-airport-texas/
Rep. Michael McCaul detained after seeming drunk at airport
Quick Glance: Rep. McCaul Briefly Detained for Intoxication at Airport
  • Rep. Michael McCaul, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, was briefly detained by police at Dulles International Airport.

  • He appeared disoriented after mixing Ambien and alcohol, causing him to miss his flight.

  • Police intervened but treated him respectfully, allowing him to contact a family member for assistance.

  • McCaul took responsibility for his actions and expressed a desire to learn from the incident.
Greg Abbott says he won’t support college tuition increases: The governor’s directive extends a tuition freeze for Texas’ public universities that was approved ...
texastribune.org/2024/11/13/texas-colleges-universities-tuition-greg-abbott/
Greg Abbott says he won’t support college tuition increases