“He has a battle rifle”: Police feared Uvalde gunman’s AR-15

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• Trump vows retribution at Waco rally: “I am your warrior, I am your justice”

  by Robert Downen and William Melhado March 25, 2023

  Former president focuses his ire on political enemies and says he will have the back of supporters who have been wronged or betrayed. Full Story 

• Two dead, several injured after migrants were found “suffocating” inside locked train car

  by William Melhado March 24, 2023

  Uvalde officials said U.S. Border Patrol responded to a 911 call alerting them about a group of people who were trapped for hours inside of a shipping container. Full Story 

• West Texas A&M University students file free speech lawsuit after president cancels campus drag show

  by Kate McGee Updated: March 24, 2023

  The lawsuit comes after protests each day this week, calling for university president Walter Wendler to reinstate the drag show and step down. Full Story 

• Some Texas groups resume funding out-of-state abortions after court ruling

  by Eleanor Klibanoff Updated: March 24, 2023

  A federal judge granted a preliminary injunction in February, blocking a limited number of prosecutors from going after anyone who helps a Texan travel out of state to terminate a pregnancy. This has given some abortion funds confidence to resume operations. Full Story 

• TribCast: Police officers’ fear of the AR-15 in Robb Elementary

  by Matthew Watkins and Justin Dehn March 24, 2023

  In this week’s episode, we discuss the weapon used by the school shooter in Uvalde and new details that highlight how fear of the gun contributed to the botched police response. Full Story 

• Transgender Texans and doctors say Republican lawmakers misconstrue what science says about puberty blockers and hormone therapy

  by William Melhado March 24, 2023

  In 2021, a bill that would block transgender kids’ access to transition-related care passed the Senate but died in the Texas House. This year, a majority of House members back such a ban. Full Story 

• What transition-related health care is available to transgender kids in Texas? Here’s what you should know.

  by Maia Spoto March 24, 2023

  Some Republicans want to block transgender kids’ access to puberty blockers and hormone therapies. Here’s what medical experts and trans Texans say about transition-related care. Full Story 

• SNAP recipients will see a cut in food benefits starting this month

  by Emma Williams March 24, 2023

  During the pandemic, Texans received extra money on their Lone Star cards through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, also known as food stamps. That extra money ends this month. Full Story 

• Performers, business owners and parents voice opposition to drag show restrictions at Texas Senate committee hearing

  by Alex Nguyen and William Melhado March 23, 2023

  Proposed legislation from Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, would criminalize explicit performances where children are present and strip libraries of state funding for hosting any event featuring performers in drag. Critics say the bill is discriminatory and unconstitutional. Full Story 

• LGBTQ groups criticize Texas bill’s broad restrictions on school lessons and activities about sexuality and gender identity

  by Alex Nguyen March 23, 2023

  Senate Bill 8 supporters say the legislation protects the rights of parents who don’t want their kids to learn about gender identity and sexual orientation. Critics say it could force schools to ignore the existence of LGBTQ people. Full Story 

• In abrupt retirement letter, an investigations director decries Texas’ “untenable” child welfare agency

  by Sneha Dey Updated: March 23, 2023

  Sharon Fonvielle-Baughman said Texas Department of Family and Protective Services leadership has failed to support the special investigators division, a unit created in 2005 to handle the most high-risk cases. Full Story 

• Environmental group says Texas fails to hold repeat polluters accountable for unexpected emissions

  by Julia Forrest March 23, 2023

  A new report found that companies in Texas have had 21,000 unexpected pollution releases that emitted 400,000 tons of air pollution over six years, but only 1% of them prompted action by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Full Story 

• House panel advances new Texas budget with property tax cuts, teacher pay raises

  by Karen Brooks Harper Updated: March 23, 2023

  The proposal recommends spending billions on programs including property tax cuts, teacher pay raises, mental health services and border security. It leaves out requests for pay raises for retired state employees and funding for rent relief and childcare programs. Full Story 

• Watch a conversation about school safety and the mass shooting in Uvalde

  by Texas Tribune Events Staff Updated: March 23, 2023

  In this conversation moderated by Texas Tribune editor in chief Sewell Chan, panelists discussed lessons that must be learned after 19 children and two adults were fatally shot at Robb Elementary School. Full Story 

• Bills call for Texas teachers to be trained to administer lifesaving overdose drugs to students

  by Stephen Simpson March 23, 2023

  Texas is attempting to address the fentanyl crisis gripping schools by having staff learn how to administer lifesaving medication. Full Story 

• In Texas Senate hearing, education savings accounts raise questions about accountability and impact on public schools

  by Brian Lopez March 22, 2023

  More than 380 supporters and opponents signed up Wednesday to testify on the proposal, which would allow parents to use state funds to send their children to private schools. Full Story