State Sen. Kirk Watson to retire from Texas Senate

Watson has represented Austin in the Texas Senate since 2007.

State Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, on the Senate floor on April 11, 2019.

Border issues still loom in Texas voters’ views, UT/TT Poll finds

Border security and immigration continue to dominate Texas voters' thoughts about the most important problems facing the state, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll.

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Joaquin Castro endorses Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez in crowded primary to challenge John Cornyn

by Patrick Svitek

The endorsement is among the biggest yet in the 12-way primary, and it comes as early voting begins Tuesday. Full Story

Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson for The Texas Tribune
Presidential candidates turn their focus to Texas as early voting begins

by Patrick Svitek

Early voting in Texas starts Tuesday, ahead of the headline-grabbing election days in Nevada and South Carolina. As a result, the state is getting a lot of attention from the Democrats running for president. Full Story

Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson for The Texas Tribune

Support for background checks on all gun sales remains high, UT/TT Poll finds

by Ross Ramsey

Texans are divided about whether more people carrying guns would make the U.S. safer, but a large majority favors expanding mental health and criminal background checks on gun sales, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story

Illustration by Emily Albracht/The Texas Tribune
Watch the U.S. Senate Democratic primary debate

by Megan Menchaca

Eleven of the Democratic candidates running to challenge Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn will debate onstage starting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Full Story

Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune

What problems have you encountered while trying to vote in Texas? Share your story with us.

by Alexa Ura

We want you to help us report on the challenges Texans face when trying to vote — and the possible ways to address them. Share your experiences with us. Full Story

Rachel Zein for The Texas Tribune
Early voting starts Tuesday in Texas. Here's what you need to know.

by Allyson Ortegon

Early voting will last for 10 days, ending Feb. 28. The primary is March 3. Full Story

Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune
U.S. citizens exposed to coronavirus on cruise ship quarantined in Texas and California

by Sami Sparber

More than a dozen Americans who tested positive for coronavirus have been quarantined at military bases in the two states, federal officials said Monday. Full Story

REUTERS

Most Texans want lower property taxes and more school spending, UT/TT Poll finds

by Ross Ramsey

It's not a new contradiction, but it's persistent: Texas voters think that property taxes are too high and that school spending is too low, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story

Illustration by Emily Albracht/The Texas Tribune
MJ Hegar leads the Democratic U.S. Senate candidates, UT/TT Poll finds

by Ross Ramsey

Hegar leads a crowded field of Democrats running for the seat held by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story

Photo illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr.
The billionaire Wilks family bankrolls one of its own in run for Texas House

by Cassandra Pollock

The family has pumped millions from its fracking fortune into Texas politics, backing hardline conservative candidates and causes. Now one member of the clan is vying for the House District 60 seat being vacated by Rep. Mike Lang. Full Story

Via social media

Political Pick'em: Can you guess who will win these Texas primaries?

by Bobby Blanchard

The Texas Tribune is excited to present a return of its Political Pick'em contest. We've selected a handful of competitive Texas primaries, and we want you to pick the candidates who you think will get the most votes. Full Story
Ted Cruz, once a Trump rival, worked to save his presidency

by Mike DeBonis, The Washington Post

Cruz, a U.S. senator from Texas, once called Trump "utterly amoral" and a "sniveling coward." Then he worked to save his presidency. Full Story

Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune
Clayton Williams, oilman and colorful candidate for Texas governor, has died

by Ross Ramsey

Williams, a well-known oilman and entrepreneur from Midland, has died. The one-time Republican candidate for governor of Texas lost a nationally watched race against Democrat Ann Richards in 1990 after a series of public gaffes. Full Story

Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune

Trump administration taps elite Border Patrol units to arrest immigrants inside the United States

by Nick Miroff and Maria Sacchetti, The Washington Post

Houston is among the U.S. cities where highly trained teams will embed with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Full Story

Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune
Julián Castro endorses Jessica Cisneros, the candidate challenging U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar

by Patrick Svitek

Castro, whose brother serves with Cuellar in Congress, is backing Jessica Cisneros. Full Story

Annie Mulligan and Eddie Gaspar for The Texas Tribune
Judge calls opponent “selfish” for wanting to “break barriers” as first elected female chief justice of Texas Supreme Court

by Emma Platoff

Jerry Zimmerer, an appellate judge in Houston, said his campaign differs from Amy Clark Meachum's because “I actually want the best candidate to win.” Full Story

Social media

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said Mike Bloomberg’s apology for “stop and frisk” was key to endorsement

by Alex Samuels

Turner’s endorsement comes amid controversy over Bloomberg's “stop and frisk” policy during his time as mayor of New York City. Full Story

Steve Matzker: Bloomberg | Sergio Flores: Turner
Impeachment left Texas voters sour on the president and both parties in Congress, UT/TT Poll finds

by Ross Ramsey

Texas voters give low marks to the leaders involved in impeachment proceedings, showing their partisan stripes in their assessments, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story

Illustration by Emily Albracht/The Texas Tribune
Bernie Sanders leaps to first among Texas Democrats in latest UT/TT Poll

by Ross Ramsey

Sanders now leads the Democratic presidential candidates among Texas voters, but Donald Trump maintains a slight lead over each of the top Democrats in the race, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story

Illustration by Emily Albracht/The Texas Tribune
More News

State Sen. Kirk Watson to retire from Texas Senate

Border issues still loom in Texas voters’ views, UT/TT Poll finds

Joaquin Castro endorses Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez in crowded primary to challenge John Cornyn

Presidential candidates turn their focus to Texas as early voting begins

Support for background checks on all gun sales remains high, UT/TT Poll finds

Watch the U.S. Senate Democratic primary debate

What problems have you encountered while trying to vote in Texas? Share your story with us.

Early voting starts Tuesday in Texas. Here's what you need to know.

U.S. citizens exposed to coronavirus on cruise ship quarantined in Texas and California

Did you know that The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit newsroom?

Most Texans want lower property taxes and more school spending, UT/TT Poll finds

MJ Hegar leads the Democratic U.S. Senate candidates, UT/TT Poll finds

The billionaire Wilks family bankrolls one of its own in run for Texas House

Political Pick'em: Can you guess who will win these Texas primaries?

Ted Cruz, once a Trump rival, worked to save his presidency

Clayton Williams, oilman and colorful candidate for Texas governor, has died

Trump administration taps elite Border Patrol units to arrest immigrants inside the United States

Julián Castro endorses Jessica Cisneros, the candidate challenging U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar

Judge calls opponent “selfish” for wanting to “break barriers” as first elected female chief justice of Texas Supreme Court

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Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said Mike Bloomberg’s apology for “stop and frisk” was key to endorsement

Impeachment left Texas voters sour on the president and both parties in Congress, UT/TT Poll finds

Bernie Sanders leaps to first among Texas Democrats in latest UT/TT Poll

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