M. Katherine Banks, Texas A&M’s incoming president, says she’s planning for a campus in “normal mode” this fall

Latest News

• Texas has administered 14 million vaccine doses, and nearly 19% of its population is fully vaccinated

  by Texas Tribune Staff Updated: April 10, 2021

  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 

• Technical difficulties hampered the STAAR test. One Austin teacher called it a sign.

  by Alana Rocha, Todd Wiseman and Justin Dehn April 10, 2021

  Patty Young, a middle school language arts teacher, says the state assessments are causing kids unnecessary stress. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast. Full Story 

• Biden administration spending $60 million per week to shelter unaccompanied minors

  by Nick Miroff, The Washington Post April 9, 2021

  The government projects that by September, about 22,000 to 26,000 unaccompanied minors will arrive at the border each month and require federal care. Full Story 

• ERCOT to argue it is immune from winter storm lawsuits

  by Reese Oxner April 9, 2021

  Nearly two dozen lawsuits allege that failures by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the operator of the state's main power grid, led to the wrongful death of a family member. Full Story 

• Texas Supreme Court voids orders that jailed Dallas salon owner for disregarding COVID-19 precautions

  by Neelam Bohra April 9, 2021

  Dallas County issued Shelley Luther a temporary restraining order to close her business. But the Texas Supreme Court said the order was too vague. Full Story 

• Texas Republicans say their proposed voting restrictions are color blind. But many see "Jim Crow in a tuxedo."

  by Alexa Ura April 9, 2021

  An outraged Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick castigated those implying that GOP efforts to restrict Texas voting are racist. But the state has a history of marginalizing voters of color, and many business leaders, voting rights advocates and Democrats see it taking another step down that path. Full Story 

• Trying to make sense of how Texas ranks on coronavirus vaccinations? Here’s a look behind the numbers.

  by Karen Brooks Harper April 9, 2021

  Texas is beating the national rate in terms of seniors fully vaccinated, but unique challenges make it harder to move up in the rankings in other areas, officials and experts say. Full Story 

• At least 1 dead after multiple people shot in Bryan, Texas

  by Kate McGee Updated: April 9, 2021

  The shootings began at Kent Moore Cabinets, and one Texas Department of Public Safety trooper who was later shot is in serious, but stable condition. The shooting occurred the same day that President Joe Biden released a list of executive orders to address gun violence. Full Story 

• Analysis: A $5.5 billion shift in who pays for public education in Texas

  by Ross Ramsey April 9, 2021

  It's an old and bittersweet story in Texas: Property values rise, local property tax revenue rises and the state government spends less on public education. Full Story 

• Advocates back Gov. Greg Abbott's call for greater oversight at migrant shelters. But they question his timing and motivations.

  by Shawn Mulcahy April 8, 2021

  Abbott largely remained silent despite reports of widespread abuse in migrant shelters during former President Donald Trump’s administration. Full Story 

• Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush "seriously considering" run for attorney general, lays out case against Ken Paxton

  by Patrick Svitek Updated: April 8, 2021

  Bush said the state's top law enforcement official "needs to be above reproach." Full Story 

• Texans sue Attorney General Ken Paxton, accuse him of violating First Amendment for blocking them on Twitter

  by Megan Menchaca April 8, 2021

  The lawsuit argues that being blocked from viewing the attorney general's tweets is a violation of the First Amendment because it limits the right of people to participate in a public forum and access Ken Paxton's statements. Full Story 

• Tribcast: Texas rushes to get more residents vaccinated

  by Matthew Watkins, Todd Wiseman and Justin Dehn April 8, 2021

  On this week's Tribcast, Matthew talks to Karen, Patrick and Ross about the race to reach herd immunity in Texas and the early maneuverings in the 2022 election cycle. Full Story 

• John Cornyn and Eddie Bernice Johnson jointly file legislation to help weatherize Texas’ electrical grid

  by Abby Livingston April 8, 2021

  The two Texans' new bill would authorize the federal government to offer grants to states in support of weatherizing the state's electrical grids. It comes in response to February's deadly winter storm and sweeping power outages. Full Story 

• Senate Democrats support conservative-backed Texas bill requiring pro-sports teams with state contracts to play national anthem

  by Duncan Agnew April 8, 2021

  10 of the 13 Texas Senate Democrats voted in favor of the "Star Spangled Banner Protection Act," which Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick named a legislative priority after the Dallas Mavericks stopped playing the national anthem before games. Full Story 

• Court says Ken Paxton's case against Austin and Travis County for issuing New Year's curfew is moot, dismisses case

  by Reese Oxner April 8, 2021

  While it’s been months since New Year’s, Paxton argued the case wasn’t moot and asked the court to prevent Austin and Travis — or other local authorities — from issuing similar orders in the future. The court refused. Full Story