Largely aligned on policy, candidates in Democratic runoff for lieutenant governor push their experience

Latest News

• Judge blocks Biden administration from lifting public health order used to quickly expel migrants

  by Uriel J. García Updated: May 20, 2022

  The administration was set to end Title 42, a pandemic-era rule aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19, on Monday. A lengthy legal battle is likely. Full Story 

• UT-San Antonio reaches Texas Tier One status, allowing access to state funds for research

  by Kate McGee Updated: May 20, 2022

  UT-San Antonio is the fifth public university in Texas to achieve Texas Tier One status. Full Story 

• Baylor will rename campus area and relocate statue of slave-owning former university president

  by Kate McGee May 20, 2022

  The Baylor Board of Regents approved a four-step plan to change the name of a campus quadrangle named after a slave-owning former university president and add more elements to provide a better representation of Baylor’s history. Full Story 

• TribCast: Previewing the runoffs and reviewing how Texas’ Hurricane Harvey relief was disbursed

  by Matthew Watkins and Justin Dehn May 20, 2022

  On this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with James and Zach about next week’s primary runoffs and the Gulf Coast’s ongoing frustrations over Hurricane Harvey relief funds. Full Story 

• Texas resumes investigations into parents of trans children, families’ lawyers confirm

  by Eleanor Klibanoff May 20, 2022

  Lawyers representing families under investigation said they heard from the agency Thursday about continuing the investigations that had previously been halted by a statewide injunction. Full Story 

• Experts say Texas is ready for latest COVID-19 uptick but advise caution

  by Jason Beeferman May 20, 2022

  It’s still unclear what the increase in cases will mean for the state, but doctors and hospitals say Texas is better prepared to face a surge than before. Full Story 

• A GOP power grab shatters 30 years of political progress for Black voters in Galveston County

  by Alexa Ura May 20, 2022

  Republicans dismantled the only Galveston County commissioners precinct in which voters of color held political clout. It’s a major blow for Black and Hispanic voters who had been building political momentum. Full Story 

• Taylor County wildfire prompts evacuations as dry conditions raise risk in West Texas

  by Sneha Dey Updated: May 19, 2022

  Texas A&M Forest Service has responded to nine fires across the state this week, saying they “have the potential to exhaust state and local resources.” Full Story 

• U.S. Sen. John Cornyn calls Ken Paxton scandals an “embarrassment” when asked about attorney general runoff

  by Andrew Zhang Updated: May 19, 2022

  Cornyn is the most prominent Texas Republican to criticize the attorney general’s rocky record ahead of the runoff election against George P. Bush. Full Story 

• The U.S. census estimates it missed more than a half-million Texans during 2020 count

  by Alexa Ura Updated: May 19, 2022

  Immigrants, people living in poverty and non-English speakers were among the most likely to be missed, yet the crucial count received lackluster promotion by Texas state government. Full Story 

• Law to crack down on lobbyists ensnares two former Texas House members

  by Patrick Svitek May 19, 2022

  The law says a former member of the Legislature cannot engage in activities that require them to register as a lobbyist if they have made a political contribution using campaign funds in the past two years. Full Story 

• Texas A&M board takes next step toward Fort Worth expansion

  by Kate McGee May 19, 2022

  The board agreed to spend $85 million on a law and education building and another $85 million on a research and innovation center. Full Story 

• Texas Republicans Chip Roy and Louie Gohmert among few to vote against U.S. House bill to help poor mothers access formula

  by Abby Livingston May 19, 2022

  The bill, which passed in the House, would expand the formula brand choices available to mothers on a federal assistance program in an attempt to mitigate a disruptive baby formula shortage around the country. Full Story 

• T-Squared: John Hernandez is joining The Texas Tribune as our assistant director of audience

  by Sewell Chan and Bobby Blanchard May 19, 2022

  He will relentlessly advocate for our existing audience and work to reach the Texans who do not yet know about us. Full Story 

• Texas will resume grading public schools based on students’ STAAR test results

  by Brian Lopez May 19, 2022

  For the first time since the pandemic, Texas schools will again be rated based on standardized tests. But for one year only, schools that receive a D or F will get a “not rated” label. Full Story 

• Republican Texas House races become high-dollar affairs as Tuesday’s primary runoff nears

  by Patrick Svitek May 19, 2022

  The pricey fights illustrate how much of the action in Texas politics has shifted back to the primary after redistricting dramatically reduced the number of competitive seats. Full Story