The Supreme Court on Saturday blocked, for now, the deportations of any Venezuelans held in northern Texas under an 18th century wartime law.
Key Facts: Supreme Court Halts Trump's Deportation of Venezuelan Migrants
Apr 19 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: rte.ie
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: rte.ie
- The US Supreme Court intervened to stop President Trump's deportation of Venezuelan migrants, which was set to occur without due process.
- The ruling temporarily prohibits the government from removing any migrants under the Alien Enemies Act until further notice.
- Trump defends the deportations as a crackdown on violent Venezuelan gangs, raising constitutional concerns among critics.
- The ACLU welcomed the ruling, stating it prevented migrants from being sent to a foreign prison without a chance to contest their deportation.
"These men were in imminent danger of spending their lives in a horrific foreign prison without ever having had a chance to go to court. We are relieved that the Supreme Court has not permitted the administration to whisk them away the way others were just last month."— Lee Gelernt, lead attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union, following the Supreme Court ruling.
Court orders immigration officials to restore legal status of three people who came to Texas on student visas.
New: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Friday recommended that the Senate, which he tightly controls, adopt the House’s voucher plan ... Show more
Key Facts: Dan Patrick Supports School Voucher Approval
Apr 18 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: texastribune.org
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: texastribune.org
- The lieutenant governor has proposed that the Senate adopt the House's voucher plan to expedite its approval.
- This initiative allows parents to allocate tax funds for private school tuition, with an initial funding cap of $1 billion for the first biennium.
- Students participating in the program would receive funding equivalent to 85% of what public schools receive, including specific provisions for students with disabilities.
- The legislation requires participants to take a recognized standardized test and includes reporting on demographics and testing results.
I’ve fought for school choice for my entire legislative career.— Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick stated this on social media to express his support for the school voucher plan.
Texas House approves private school voucher program: The bill would let families use taxpayer dollars for their children’s private schooling ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/17/texas-house-school-vouchers-public-education-funding/
House Republicans in Texas successfully blocked a routine memorial resolution honoring former Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards.
Texas Democrats to hold up GOP priorities over vouchers: From The Blast: More than 50 House Democrats have signed on to a plan to spike all constitutional ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/15/texas-legislature-democrats-school-vouchers-constitutional-amendments/
Key Facts: Democrats Stall GOP Agenda Over School Vouchers
Apr 15 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: texastribune.org
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: texastribune.org
- House Democrats threaten to block all constitutional amendments unless school vouchers are voted on in November.
- More than 50 Democrats support this plan, meaning Republicans need at least 12 votes to pass any constitutional changes.
- Key Republican priorities depend on passing constitutional amendments, including measures to deny bail for certain violent offenses.
- Democrats are seeking a Republican to support the amendment to SB 2 to place the school voucher question before voters.
Texas law students warn that bill to quash “terrorist activity” in universities could trample free speech rights
texastribune.org/2025/04/16/texas-senate-bill-terrorism-university-free-speech/
An effort to force all of Texas’ 254 counties onto the state’s central system for managing voter registration has some election officials concerned about the ... Show more
Texas House supports back pay for Ken Paxton: The vote instructs lawmakers who are negotiating a budget with the Senate to advocate for awarding Paxton the ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/15/texas-house-ken-paxton-back-pay/
As Texas lawmakers work to close loopholes that allow minors access to cannabis consumables, hemp farmers warn a total THC ban would strangle a once-hailed ... Show more
House Bill 4572 would require oil companies to notify landowners before burying toxic drilling waste on their property.
Texas is facing a significant increase in electricity demand, with needs projected to nearly double by 2030. The surge in demand ... Show more
Is our power grid ready for the future economy?
Is our power grid ready for the future economy?
East Texans united to stop a water sale to Dallas suburbs — for now: After a deal to pipe water from Lake O’ the Pines to North Texas came to light ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/17/east-texas-defends-water-lake-the-pines/
Mayra Flores to challenge Henry Cuellar: Cuellar is awaiting a criminal trial later this year over charges including bribery and money laundering.
texastribune.org/2025/04/15/texas-congressional-seat-flores-cuellar/
Texas Democrats want to reclaim South Texas, leader says: In 2024, President Donald Trump won all four counties in the Rio Grande Valley, once considered a ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/15/texas-democrats-rio-grande-valley/
Texas bill increasing public school funding and teacher pay gets initial House approval
texastribune.org/2025/04/16/texas-school-vouchers-funding-house-bill-2-house/
UT-Rio Grande Valley students caught in nationwide sweep sue Homeland Security over immigration status
texastribune.org/2025/04/16/university-texas-rio-grande-valley-international-students-lawsuit/
Misinformation complicates Texas measles response: After Daisy Hildebrand died of measles, her death was made public first by Dr. Robert Malone ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/16/texas-measles-misinformation-vaccines/
Maternal health care in Texas is facing critical challenges. Despite world-class medical facilities, Texas women are more likely to be uninsured ... Show more
Strengthening maternal health care in Texas
Strengthening maternal health care in Texas
Hear from Texas Tribune journalists Matthew Watkins, Jaden Edison, Alejandra Martinez and Eleanor Klibanoff on why you should join them at TribFest ... Show more
The Texas Tribune Festival 2025
The Texas Tribune Festival 2025
Texas power grid's growth could be limited by legislation: The state grid’s operator said the current regulation will allow it to meet future demands.
texastribune.org/2025/04/16/texas-ercot-energy-demand-legislature/
Sen. Mayes Middleton launches bid for Texas attorney general: Middleton is the second Republican to join what is expected to be a growing field of candidates ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/15/mayes-middleton-attorney-general-candidate-ken-paxton/
Texas border site processed few migrants for months before closing: Gov. Greg Abbott said Texas was able to close the Jim Hogg County facility because of Trump’s ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/14/texas-operation-lone-star-jail-jim-hogg/
Key Facts: Military Control at US-Mexico Border Planned
Apr 14 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: apnews.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: apnews.com
- The Trump administration intends to transfer the Roosevelt Reservation to military control for border security.
- Troops may detain migrants, raising potential legal challenges.
- National Guard and active-duty forces are currently stationed at the border, with possible legal implications for military deployment.
- Experts suggest that the primary mission of troops should not be border security to avoid legal complications.
The military purpose doctrine 'only applies if the law enforcement aspect is incidental.'— Elizabeth Goitein, an expert on presidential emergency powers at the Brennan Center for Justice, discussing the military's role in border security.
Track the Texas Legislature’s battles over gender, sexuality: Lawmakers are quietly pushing bills that would limit access to bathrooms and measures preventing ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/14/texas-legislature-transgender-bills/
Law enforcement suicides expose gaps in support: Four people tied to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office committed suicide recently, calling attention to ongoing ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/14/texas-law-enforcement-officer-suicides/
Maternal health care in Texas is facing critical challenges. Despite world-class medical facilities, Texas women are more likely to be uninsured ... Show more
Strengthening maternal health care in Texas
Strengthening maternal health care in Texas
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announces he’s running for fourth term: President Donald Trump offered an endorsement of Patrick on Truth Social.
texastribune.org/2025/04/11/dan-patrick-lt-governor-texas-reelection/
U.S. House passes SAVE Act, led by Rep. Chip Roy, to require proof of citizenship to vote
texastribune.org/2025/04/10/chip-roy-texas-us-house-save-act-voting-name-change/
Former U.S. Attorney John Bash runs for Ken Paxton's office: Bash served as special assistant to President Trump during his first term and is Elon Musk’s lawyer.
texastribune.org/2025/04/10/john-bash-texas-attorney-general-ken-paxton/
Texas Senate bill could reshape higher ed courses: An overhauled version of Senate Bill 37 would also allow anyone to file complaints that could lead schools to ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/10/texas-senate-bill-37-governing-boards-faculty-senates/
Meet the tent company eyeing billions in Trump’s deportation plans: Deployed Resources, a privately held tent company, is set to operate a new ICE tent camp to ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/11/trump-deportations-deployed-resources-tent-company/
Texas news organizations partner for investigate projects: El Paso Matters, Fort Worth Report, Houston Chronicle, The Texas Newsroom and WFAA will join us to ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/11/five-newsrooms-texas-investigative-initative/
$337 billion, two-year budget gets Texas House approval: The lower chamber’s plan largely aligns with the Senate’s proposal and puts billions toward teacher pay ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/11/texas-house-budget-approval/
Can desalination end Texas’ water crisis: Desalination can create millions of gallons of fresh water a day. But it is expensive and there are many environmental ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/11/el-paso-texas-water-crisis-desalination/
Abbott calls Nov. 4 election to replace Sylvester Turner: The decision to wait until November means a narrowly divided Congress will be down a Democratic ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/07/greg-abbott-special-election-sylvester-turner/
Key Facts: Special Election Scheduled to Replace Sylvester Turner
Apr 07 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: texastribune.org
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: texastribune.org
- Governor Greg Abbott has set November 4 as the date for the special election to fill the congressional seat left vacant by Sylvester Turner’s death.
- Turner passed away on March 5, leaving a vacant seat in Texas' solidly Democratic 18th Congressional District.
- Republicans are eager to fill Turner’s seat quickly to leverage their majority in Congress.
- Democrats have pressured Abbott to call the election, threatening legal action if he delays further.
Texas eyes $51 billion for property tax cuts: State budget watchers — and some Republicans — worry Texas is spending too much on property tax cuts.
texastribune.org/2025/04/10/texas-property-tax-cuts-budget/
National Democrats to target Texas GOP Rep. Monica De La Cruz: The battlefield for both parties is again converging on South Texas, where De La Cruz scored one ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/08/texas-congress-monica-de-la-cruz-democrats-target/
Texas Senate OKs bill to create homeland security office: Senate Bill 36, a priority bill for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, would create an office within the Department ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/10/texas-homeland-security-division-dps-senate-vote/
15 Texas A&M international students may have to leave the U.S.: The Trump administration has said it has revoked the visas of more than 300 international ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/08/texas-am-international-students/
Tickets are on sale now for the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival!
Texas’ breakout ideas and politics event returns to downtown Austin Nov. 13–15 ... Show more
The Texas Tribune Festival 2025
The Texas Tribune Festival 2025
Texas comptroller points to sales tax as economic signal: As the Texas House prepares to vote on the budget, officials and other experts monitor national policy ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/10/texas-comptroller-tax-budget-tariffs/
Budget day in the House: Texas lawmakers take up $337 billion spending plan: Among hundreds of amendments are ones that focus on school vouchers ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/10/texas-house-budget-day/
West Texas braces for oil downturn amid Trump tariffs: Supply chain disruptions and policy decisions can significantly change these costs for oil companies — and ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/09/west-texas-permian-basin-oil-price-donald-trump-tariff/
Texas is facing a significant increase in electricity demand, with needs projected to nearly double by 2030. The surge in demand ... Show more
Is our power grid ready for the future economy?
Is our power grid ready for the future economy?
ACLU sues to stop deportation of Venezuelans held in Texas: The ACLU says the three men were declared gang members by ICE using flawed methods ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/09/texas-aclu-lawsuit-venezuelans-deportation/
New measles guidance offered for 10 West Texas counties: State health officials added four more counties to what they consider “outbreak areas” and advise those ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/09/west-texas-measles-vaccines-vitamin-a/
Federal public health cuts could cost Texas $700 million: State and local health agencies are having to cut programs and staff to make up the loss and more cuts ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/09/texas-public-health-federal-funding-cuts-pandemic/
Texas bill makes verifying hand-counted elections easier: The proposal would require counties who opt for hand counts to use ballots that can be scanned and ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/09/texas-election-hand-count-legislation/
Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeff Boyd to retire: Gov. Greg Abbott will have the opportunity to appoint Boyd’s replacement, furthering his influence on the high ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/09/texas-supreme-court-jeff-boyd-retire/
Honoring John Thornton - American Journalism Project: Honoring the life of John Thornton Please join Erin Thornton and colleagues from Elsewhere Partners and the ...
theajp.org/honoring-john-thornton/
Push to weaken vaccine mandates persists as measles surge: Much of the outbreak is concentrated in the districts of Texas House leaders, including Speaker Dustin ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/09/texas-measles-legislation-vaccines/
Republicans take aim at public transit in Dallas, Austin: The Texas Legislature is considering bills that transit officials warn could hamper public ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/07/texas-republicans-public-transit-dart-project-connect/
Second Texas child dies from measles: About 500 Texans, mostly young unvaccinated children, have contracted the disease. The U.S. health secretary is expected to ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/06/measles-texas-outbreak-death-unvaccinated/
Texas oil company, Oxy, to begin sucking carbon out of air: Environmental groups worry direct carbon capture is not the silver bullet to curb climate change many ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/08/texas-direct-carbon-capture-oxy/
TribCast: Covering Texas’ new abortion fights: TribCast digs into clarifying bills, crackdowns on pills, lawsuits, arrests and everything else abortion-related.
texastribune.org/2025/04/08/tribcast-texas-abortion-fight/
Maternal health care in Texas is facing critical challenges. Despite world-class medical facilities, Texas women are more likely to be uninsured ... Show more
Strengthening maternal health care in Texas
Strengthening maternal health care in Texas
Texans celebrate certain DOGE cuts, confused by others: Dozens of federal offices were expected to close in Texas, but the reality continues to shift.
texastribune.org/2025/04/08/doge-texas-elon-musk-social-security/
Ken Paxton’s former aides win $6.6M in whistleblower case: Paxton vowed to appeal the “bogus ruling” that found he improperly fired the four plaintiffs after ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/04/ken-paxton-whistleblower-case-judgment/
Key Facts: Whistleblower Awarded $6.6 Million Against Ken Paxton
Apr 05 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: texastribune.org
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: texastribune.org
- A Travis County judge awarded $6.6 million to four former aides of Attorney General Ken Paxton who alleged wrongful termination after reporting him to the FBI.
- The plaintiffs successfully demonstrated that Paxton's office violated the Texas Whistleblower Act, resulting in compensation for lost wages and emotional distress.
- Paxton called the ruling ridiculous and intends to appeal, while the plaintiffs criticized him as lawless and shameless for admitting legal violations.
- The case arose from allegations that Paxton abused his office to assist his friend Nate Paul, leading to impeachment proceedings and subsequent trial.
"It should shock all Texans that their chief law enforcement officer, Ken Paxton, admitted to violating the law, but that is exactly what happened in this case."— Tom Nesbitt, attorney for Brickman and Maxwell, following the judgment.
New regulations for renewable energy possible in Texas: The legislation would put new requirements on wind and solar companies that oil and gas companies in ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/08/renewable-energy-texas-new-regulations/
Tickets are on sale now for the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival!
Texas’ breakout ideas and politics event returns to downtown Austin Nov. 13–15 ... Show more
The Texas Tribune Festival 2025
The Texas Tribune Festival 2025
Texas’ clarifying abortion bill draws criticism: While Democrats and abortion access advocates pushed to ensure pregnant women aren’t criminalized ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/07/texas-abortion-law-clarification-legislation/
Religion is central to the story of Texas, but its rich complexity often goes untold. Texans practice a dynamic mosaic of religions — Texas has the largest ... Show more
Telling the Story of Religion in Texas through Journalism
Telling the Story of Religion in Texas through Journalism
How Education Department’s end could hurt Texas special ed: In a state with a checkered history with federal special education law, advocates say Texas students ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/07/education-department-dismantling-texas-disability-students/
Texas is facing a significant increase in electricity demand, with needs projected to nearly double by 2030. The surge in demand ... Show more
Is our power grid ready for the future economy?
Is our power grid ready for the future economy?
Abbott touts his influence on the Texas courts: Abbott’s closed-door address to the Federalist Society at UT Law Thursday drew peaceful protests.
texastribune.org/2025/04/03/greg-abbott-texas-courts-ut-jim-davis/
Maternal health care in Texas is facing critical challenges. Despite world-class medical facilities, Texas women are more likely to be uninsured ... Show more
Strengthening maternal health care in Texas
Strengthening maternal health care in Texas
Private school voucher bill clears first test in Texas House: The House Public Education Committee voted to advance a pair of priority bills to create education ...
texastribune.org/2025/03/31/texas-school-voucher-funding/
Justin Berry re-appointment to state role approved in Texas Senate: One Senate Democrat joined Republicans, providing the margin needed to approve Justin Berry ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/02/justin-berry-texas-senate-confirmation/
Tickets are on sale now for the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival!
Texas’ breakout ideas and politics event returns to downtown Austin Nov. 13–15 ... Show more
The Texas Tribune Festival 2025
The Texas Tribune Festival 2025
Religion is central to the story of Texas, but its rich complexity often goes untold. Texans practice a dynamic mosaic of religions — Texas has the largest ... Show more
Telling the Story of Religion in Texas through Journalism
Telling the Story of Religion in Texas through Journalism
You have the right to an attorney. But in Texas, don’t count on it.: In some parts of the state, misdemeanor defendants routinely face charges without ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/04/texas-right-to-an-attorney/
Texas bills on prison air conditioning see no progress: The five bills that would require complete air conditioning in state prisons haven’t had a hearing yet ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/04/texas-prison-air-conditioning-bills/
SpaceX town would control access to South Texas beach: The lawmakers behind the bill promised there would not be an increase in the number of days the beach is ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/03/spacex-starbase-texas-legislature-beach/
Tariffs creating uncertainty in Texas amid report’s outlook: Respondents to a Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas survey expressed concern about a reduction in ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/03/trump-tariffs-texas-revenue-growth/
Texas jail overcrowding likely to continue under new bills: Lawmakers are pursuing legislative changes that would keep more people locked up in overcrowded ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/03/texas-jail-inmate-deaths-outsourcing-jaleen-anderson/
Lubbock’s health director takes on measles, public trust: Katherine Wells was celebrated early during the COVID-19 pandemic. Then public health became a ...
texastribune.org/2025/04/03/texas-measles-outbreak-lubbock-katherine-wells/
Historic storms caught South Texas by surprise: The region is still cleaning up after last week's storms in which at least six people died.
texastribune.org/2025/04/03/rio-grande-valley-south-texas-storms-floods-historic/
Religion is central to the story of Texas, but its rich complexity often goes untold. Texans practice a dynamic mosaic of religions — Texas has the largest ... Show more
Telling the Story of Religion in Texas through Journalism
Telling the Story of Religion in Texas through Journalism