Border patrol agents criticized for treatment of Haitian migrants in Del Rio as U.S. tries to dissuade more from coming

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• How a Black high school principal was swept into a “critical race theory” maelstrom in a mostly white Texas suburb

  by Brian Lopez Updated: 1 hour ago

  James Whitfield was put on paid leave about a month after being accused of teaching critical race theory. His future could soon be decided after an evidentiary hearing where he can argue his case to the school board. Full Story 

• First draft of Legislature’s map of new State Board of Education districts shores up Republican majority

  by Cassandra Pollock Updated: 4 hours ago

  The Republican-dominated, 15-member board determines what millions of public school students in the state are taught in classrooms. Full Story 

• Shell sells off its oil and gas business in Texas’ Permian Basin, seeking to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels

  by Mitchell Ferman 6 hours ago

  Texas-based ConocoPhillips bought Shell’s Permian Basin assets for $9.5 billion, its second major purchase in the oil-rich area over the last year. Full Story 

• One in 480 Texans have died of COVID-19 as the state's death toll surpasses 60,000

  by Texas Tribune Staff Updated: 6 hours ago

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

• Texas sues Biden administration over guidance saying transgender workers can use bathroom of their choice

  by Allyson Waller 7 hours ago

  A federal document also says that misusing a person’s preferred pronouns could be considered harassment in some instances. Texas Republican officials have tried to pass state laws targeting transgender people’s access to bathrooms and school sports teams. Full Story 

• Texas Republicans have the redistricting tools to preserve their power. They're convening Monday to do the work.

  by Alexa Ura and Jason Kao Sept. 20, 2021

  Lawmakers must redraw the state’s political maps to account for a decade’s worth of growth, but the process leaves enough room for political manipulation. Here’s how it’ll work. Full Story 

• Analysis: Texas’ foster care problems are clear. The response from state leaders isn’t.

  by Ross Ramsey Sept. 20, 2021

  The state’s foster care system has been dangerous to children and embarrassing to the state for years. But with state officials constantly chasing other issues, it’s still suffering from neglect. Full Story 

• Watch former U.S. Rep. Will Hurd discuss the Republican Party, the nation’s challenges and more at The Texas Tribune Festival

  by Texas Tribune Staff Sept. 20, 2021

  Hurd, R-Helotes, who served three terms representing Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, also talked about the challenges and opportunities of our tech-fueled future. Full Story 

• Feds work to reduce size of camp under Del Rio bridge that’s housing thousands of migrants who fled unrest and natural disasters

  by Uriel J. García Sept. 19, 2021

  Agents moved 3,300 of the migrants as of Sunday. That left more than 12,000 people still waiting to be processed. Full Story 

• State Rep. Scott Sanford, a McKinney Republican, announces he’ll retire at the end of his term

  by Perla Trevizo, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica Sept. 19, 2021

  Sanford’s announcement came a day before the Texas Legislature reconvenes for a third special session of 2021. Full Story 

• Doctor says he violated Texas' restrictive anti-abortion law to challenge it

  by Silvia Foster-Frau, The Washington Post Sept. 19, 2021

  Alan Braid, a San Antonio OB/GYN, says he had performed an abortion that is illegal under the state’s restrictive new law to force a test of its legality. Full Story 

• Biden administration speeds up deportation flights for Haitians in growing Texas migrant camp

  by Lomi Kriel, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica, and Uriel J. García, The Texas Tribune Sept. 18, 2021

  The situation in Del Rio spiraled this week as more than 15,000 migrants, many of them from Haiti, arrived at the border in recent days, settling in a makeshift camp as they waited for CBP agents to process their petitions to stay in the U.S. Full Story 

• Texas Senate opens redistricting debate with proposed map one senator labels “intentional discrimination”

  by Rebekah Allen and James Barragán Sept. 18, 2021

  The first draft of the Senate map was authored by a Republican who chairs the Senate Redistricting Committee. It immediately drew fire from a Democratic member who said her district was being redrawn to dilute voting power of people of color. Full Story 

• Delta variant, lax mask policies delay Plano family’s return to school

  by Alana Rocha and Todd Wiseman Sept. 18, 2021

  Parents remain divided over whether to require masks in the classroom. For Carmen Campbell, there’s just too much uncertainty right now to feel comfortable sending her son back. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast. Full Story 

• Federal government announces funding for emergency contraception for Texans impacted by near-total abortion ban

  by Kate McGee Sept. 17, 2021

  The Biden administration also issued memorandums detailing two federal statutes officials says they would enforce to provide protection for patients who may need an abortion and health care providers who assist pregnant patients in certain situations. Full Story 

• Thousands of Haitian migrants fleeing disaster and unrest seek asylum at Del Rio bridge

  by Uriel J. García and Jolie McCullough Updated: Sept. 17, 2021

  With an estimated 12,000 migrants already crowded under the international bridge and thousands more expected, Del Rio’s mayor declared an emergency Friday and requested state assistance. Full Story