As critical race theory and mask mandate debates heat up, Texas GOP takes aim at local school board and municipal races

Latest News

• As holidays arrive, more than 55% of Texans are fully vaccinated against COVID-19

  by Texas Tribune Staff Updated: 9 hours ago

  The Texas Tribune is using data from the Texas Department of State Health Services to track coronavirus vaccinations, cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Full Story 

• Democrat Matthew Dowd ends campaign for Texas lieutenant governor, citing need for “greater diversity”

  by James Barragán 10 hours ago

  The former George W. Bush political strategist had launched a bid to win the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor. On Tuesday, Dowd said he’s stepping aside to make way for a “diverse field” of candidates in the race. Full Story 

• Texas reports its first case of the omicron COVID-19 variant

  by Karen Brooks Harper Updated: Dec. 7, 2021

  Early indicators suggest the variant is very contagious, but little is known about the severity of disease it causes. Full Story 

• San Antonio-area school district reviews 400 books flagged by a Texas lawmaker’s inquiry

  by Brian Lopez Dec. 6, 2021

  North East ISD, one of the largest districts in the state, appears to be the first one to respond to state Rep. Matt Krause’s investigation into the kinds of books held in school libraries. Full Story 

• At least 30 Texas hospitals were out of ICU beds last week, according to the latest federal data. Look up the ones near you.

  by Carla Astudillo and Karen Brooks Harper Updated: Dec. 6, 2021

  Each week, hospitals in Texas report their current ICU bed capacity to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Here’s the latest as the highly contagious delta variant of COVID-19 spreads and sends unvaccinated Texans to the hospital. Full Story 

• U.S. Department of Justice sues Texas over new political maps

  by Alexa Ura Updated: Dec. 6, 2021

  Texas lawmakers illegally discriminated against voters of color by drawing new political districts that give white voters more political power despite rapid growth of Hispanic and Black populations, the department claims in its lawsuit. Full Story 

• Texas cities weren’t ready for a massive winter storm in February. Has that changed?

  by Joshua Fechter Dec. 6, 2021

  Cities have made some preparations in case of another severe winter storm. But keeping the lights and water on is far from guaranteed. Full Story 

• Analysis: The Texas-Mexico frontier still tops the news — and state politics

  by Ross Ramsey Dec. 6, 2021

  For Texas voters, fear of an insecure border consistently overshadows other issues — electric grid failures, handgun regulation, abortion access — even when those things top the news. Full Story 

• After Texas Democrats’ woeful performance last year, the 2022 race to chair the party ​is already heating up

  by Patrick Svitek Updated: Dec. 5, 2021

  Current state party leader Gilberto Hinojosa has indicated he isn’t going anywhere. But that hasn’t stopped open discussion about leadership of the party with several months until convention delegates vote on the position. Full Story 

• Texas schools started this year with record-high coronavirus cases, but weekly totals have now declined

  by Kalley Huang, Mandi Cai and Brian Lopez Updated: Dec. 3, 2021

  More than four months into this school year, districts have reported 224,814 cases in students. But state data on school cases is incomplete and likely an undercount. Full Story 

• TribCast: Texas braces for the next winter storm and a new COVID-19 variant

  by Matthew Watkins and Michael Rey de Leon Dec. 3, 2021

  In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Mitchell, James and Karen about the status of the power grid and the pandemic heading into winter. Full Story 

• Analysis: It takes a village to win big races in Texas

  by Ross Ramsey Dec. 3, 2021

  Want to win a statewide political race in Texas that's not at the very top of the ballot? It helps a lot if your party's top candidate wins — or at least runs a close second. Full Story 

• Texas Democrats see focusing on power grid failure as a winning campaign strategy heading into 2022

  by James Barragán Dec. 3, 2021

  Republican leaders defend their record on the power grid, pointing to more than a dozen laws passed during this year’s legislative session to address the grid’s reliability. Gov. Greg Abbott has staked his reputation on a promise that the lights won't go out this winter. Full Story 

• Republican bill that limits how race, slavery and history are taught in Texas schools becomes law

  by Brian Lopez Dec. 2, 2021

  The so-called “critical race theory” law prohibits teachers from discussing “a widely debated and currently controversial issue of public policy or social affairs.” Full Story 

• The Supreme Court appears open to rolling back abortion rights. Here's what that means for Texas.

  by Eleanor Klibanoff Updated: Dec. 2, 2021

  Texas has passed legislation that ensures abortion would be made a felony if Roe v. Wade is overturned “wholly or partly,” as the court considers Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban. Full Story 

• U.S. and Mexico reach deal to restart Trump-era "remain in Mexico" program along border

  by Nick Miroff and Kevin Sieff, The Washington Post Dec. 2, 2021

  When the Biden administration canceled the program earlier this year, Texas and Missouri sued, leading a federal judge to order the government to resurrect it. Full Story