Texas Senate approves bill restricting which college sports teams transgender athletes can join

Latest News

• Fire at migrant center in Mexico near El Paso kills at least 39

  by Uriel J. García Updated: 1 hour ago

  Mexico’s president said the fire started in the Ciudad Juárez center when migrants learned they would be deported and set fire to mattresses in protest. Twenty-nine injured migrants were sent to local hospitals. Full Story 

• Bill that would give parents state funds to pay for private schools moves to the full Senate for a vote

  by Pooja Salhotra 1 hour ago

  Education savings accounts, which are similar to vouchers, are a priority of Gov. Greg Abbott this session. Texas senators also advanced a bill that would give raises and other benefits to teachers. Full Story 

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

  by William Melhado and Alex Nguyen Updated: 6 hours ago

  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 

• Bill eliminating tampon, diaper sales taxes OK’d by Texas House

  by Eleanor Klibanoff 6 hours ago

  The proposal would remove sales tax on diapers, baby wipes and bottles; feminine hygiene products including tampons, sanitary pads and menstrual cups; maternity clothing; and products for pumping breast milk. Full Story 

• Texas may be about to scrap a voting security system it can’t replace

  by Natalia Contreras, Votebeat and The Texas Tribune March 28, 2023

  It took years to build the multi-state system known as ERIC, which weeds out duplicate, deceased and suspicious voter registrations. Texas Republicans want to dump it, but there’s no viable alternative. Full Story 

• Texas Republicans, once allied with prosecutors, seek to rein them in

  by Eleanor Klibanoff March 28, 2023

  Some local district and county attorneys have said they will not pursue abortion-related cases, or prioritize certain drug, property and election crimes. Full Story 

• Texas Senate committee advances bills restricting certain drag shows

  by Alex Nguyen and William Melhado Updated: March 27, 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 

• State troopers will help Austin with police patrols as the city struggles with an officer shortage

  by Joshua Fechter March 27, 2023

  Austin officials view the partnership as a stopgap measure as they try to fill the city’s more than 200 police vacancies. Full Story 

• Texas Senate budget writers propose billions for teacher raises, lower property taxes and water projects

  by Karen Brooks Harper March 27, 2023

  The Senate Finance Committee’s proposals won’t be voted on and sent to the full chamber until April. Full Story 

• Texas Observer editors protest layoffs, launch crowdfunding to save the 68-year-old magazine

  by Sewell Chan March 27, 2023

  Journalists at the progressive publication expect to be laid off this week. Relations between the board and senior staff have severely eroded. Full Story 

• Dallas civil rights attorney Lee Merritt arrested at protest in McKinney

  by Miranda Suarez, KERA News March 27, 2023

  The protest was in memory of Marvin Scott III, who died in Collin County Jail custody in 2021. Scott’s sister and a local photojournalist were also arrested. Full Story 

• Thousands of pounds of “forever chemicals” have been injected into Texas oil and gas wells, study finds

  by Amal Ahmed, Floodlight March 27, 2023

  A new report from a public health watchdog found that more than 40,000 pounds of PFAS has been injected into more than 1,000 wells across Texas — and warned that the chemicals could pose a risk to public health Full Story 

• U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee is running for Houston mayor

  by Patrick Svitek March 27, 2023

  Jackson Lee enters a mayoral contest that is already well underway. The early frontrunner is state Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, and his competitors include Chris Hollins, the former Harris County clerk, and Amanda Edwards, a former City Council member. Full Story 

• El Paso charter fight tests whether a Texas city will move away from fossil fuels

  by Erin Douglas March 27, 2023

  As global efforts to combat climate change falter, climate activists have turned to local initiatives to rein in carbon emissions. A May vote on a city charter amendment has thrust El Paso into the fray. Full Story 

• Houston GOP activist knew for years of child sex abuse claims against Southern Baptist leader, law partner

  by Robert Downen March 27, 2023

  Under oath, outspoken anti-gay activist Jared Woodfill said he was told in 2004 that Paul Pressler had sexually abused a minor. But Woodfill did not cut ties with the Southern Baptist leader — and said he had no knowledge of Pressler’s alleged behavior when another young man came forward about alleged sexual misconduct in 2016. Full Story 

• Texas Observer, legendary crusading liberal magazine, is closing and laying off its staff

  by Sewell Chan and Brandon Formby Updated: March 26, 2023

  The 68-year-old progressive publication, which published Ronnie Dugger, Molly Ivins and Kaye Northcott, hit financial troubles and wasn’t able to broaden its audience, board members said. Full Story