Nate Paul, Austin developer at center of Ken Paxton impeachment, arrested in Travis County

Latest News

• Texas lawmakers pull funding for child ID kits after investigation finds little evidence of their effectiveness

  by Jeremy Schwartz, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica June 8, 2023

  Lawmakers were slated to spend millions of taxpayer dollars for the kits but changed course after a series of revelations in a ProPublica and Texas Tribune investigation. Full Story 

• Hurricane season for Texas’ Gulf Coast region is here. We have predictions, preparation tips and other advice.

  by Angelica Perez, Houston Landing June 8, 2023

  Hurricane season officially started June 1 and runs through Nov. 30, the six-month period when most activity in the tropics generally occurs. Here are the common things typically overlooked or misunderstood during hurricane season. Full Story 

• This year, Texas lawmakers zeroed in on existing health care programs, leaving bolder measures by the wayside

  by Stephen Simpson, Eleanor Klibanoff and Karen Brooks Harper June 8, 2023

  Pregnant moms on Medicaid will get health care coverage for a year, patients will get more detailed billing and nurses will get help with school loans. But efforts failed to gain steam for legalizing fentanyl test strips, increasing the pool of mental health professionals who accept Medicaid and expanding Medicaid benefits to more Texans. Full Story 

• At the fringes of Houston’s prosperity, the city’s eviction machine is running full throttle

  by Lucy Tompkins, The Texas Tribune and The New York Times, and Alexa Ura, The Texas Tribune June 8, 2023

  Houston has seen eviction rates soar since pandemic protections for renters lapsed. At one apartment complex, ejecting people from their homes is a ritual part of the business model. Full Story 

• Houston commits to cleaning up after illegal dumpers under agreement with Department of Justice

  by Alejandra Martinez and Emily Foxhall June 7, 2023

  Houston agreed to tackle illegal dumping to settle a federal civil rights case. Neighbors alleged the city failed to respond quickly enough to dumping complaints in primarily Black and Latino areas. Full Story 

• “Seems obscene” says federal appeals court judge during hearing for Llano County library book removal case

  by Alejandro Serrano June 7, 2023

  A 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel in New Orleans heard oral arguments Wednesday for an appeal to overturn a judge’s order that Llano County officials return to shelves books they had removed. It was not clear how or when the appellate panel would rule. Full Story 

• “These allegations are completely untrue”: Paxton attorney Tony Buzbee promises vigorous defense in Senate trial

  by Robert Downen and James Barragán Updated: June 7, 2023

  The boisterous and outspoken attorney will be matched against two legal icons who will prosecute the attorney general in his upcoming trial before the Texas Senate. Full Story 

• With Texas House adjourned, Senate takes bigger swing at border enforcement and human smuggling

  by Uriel J. García June 7, 2023

  Rather than accept the House legislation as is, senators passed their own — more expansive — proposals for border security. But unless the House convenes again, the bills can’t go to the governor’s desk. Full Story 

• New Texas law bans COVID mask, vaccine and shutdown mandates, but some Republicans want more

  by Patrick Svitek June 7, 2023

  The bill, recently signed by Gov. Greg Abbott and set to take effect Sept. 1, does not restrict pandemic rules by private entities. Full Story 

• Texas comptroller certifies new $321.3 billion state spending plan, sends to Abbott’s desk

  by Karen Brooks Harper June 7, 2023

  Before Abbott can review the budget that will direct the state’s spending for the next two years, the comptroller has to certify that it doesn’t spend more money than the state expects to bring in. Full Story 

• A billion-pound problem: How unchecked “excess emissions” ballooned in Texas

  by Naveena Sadasivam, Clayton Aldern, Jessie Blaeser and Chad Small, Grist June 7, 2023

  Over the last two decades, state regulators have allowed companies to release more than a billion pounds of excess pollution. Full Story 

• After a week’s delay, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick signs bill to increase transparency in public records law

  by Vianna Davila, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica Updated: June 7, 2023

  Patrick said he had always intended to sign the measure but pulled it aside in response to the House playing “games” at the end of the regular session. Full Story 

• T-Squared: Charting our future: A vision for the Tribune and for better serving Texas

  by Sonal Shah June 7, 2023

  The Tribune’s next chapter will build on previous successes to reach and engage more Texans on the issues that matter most to them. Full Story 

• Texas Republicans ended a patchwork of local rules they say hurt business. They also eroded powers of city councils.

  by Joshua Fechter June 7, 2023

  Lawmakers delivered Gov. Greg Abbott a long-sought bill to stop local governments from enacting local laws that exceed state law on a number of fronts. Full Story 

• Watch: 25 years after James Byrd Jr. was killed for being Black, his loved ones question how much has changed in Texas

  by Pooja Salhotra and Jinitzail Hernández June 7, 2023

  The quiet East Texas town of Jasper came together immediately after the racist murder of James Byrd Jr. Now, Texas is leading the nation in incidents of white supremacist propaganda. Full Story 

• Dan Patrick says Senate won’t budge on property tax relief — but there’s no House to negotiate with

  by Karen Brooks Harper and Uriel J. García Updated: June 6, 2023

  Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says the Senate won’t accept a property tax relief bill the lower chamber left behind before adjourning for the special session. A bill targeting migrant smuggling also appears imperiled. Full Story