In a border graveyard, volunteers exhume migrants’ bodies and search for their families

Latest News

• Fort Worth ISD drops sex ed despite $2.6 million purchase of instruction materials in April

  by Jacob Sanchez, Fort Worth Report Jan. 28, 2023

  The decision to drop the course followed a Jan. 24 school board meeting that saw dozens of residents and parents speak out against the curriculum, which has been in place since 2014. Full Story 

• Gov. Abbott to abortion opponents: “All of you are life savers”

  by William Melhado Jan. 28, 2023

  Abbott lauded the efforts of the anti-abortion movement after a landmark year for opponents of the procedure. Full Story 

• Afghan soldier says he will live the “American dream” after being released from immigration detention center

  by Allison P. Erickson Jan. 27, 2023

  U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee’s office mounted pressure on several federal agencies earlier this month leading up to Abdul Wasi Safi’s release on Tuesday. Full Story 

• TribCast: The fight against solitary confinement in Texas

  by Matthew Watkins and Justin Dehn Jan. 27, 2023

  In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Jolie about a hunger strike in Texas prisons and a lawsuit seeking to reform the use of solitary confinement on death row. Full Story 

• Federal judge again threatens contempt-of-court fines for Texas’ slow progress on foster care reforms

  by Sneha Dey Jan. 27, 2023

  The judge warned the state could be held in contempt of court for not following through with three mandates: youths not knowing their rights, not adequately responding to abuse allegations and still having too many children without placement. Full Story 

• Texans pessimistic about the national economy and losing faith in democracy, poll says

  by Raul Trey Lopez Jan. 27, 2023

  More than 60% of Texans polled by Texas Lyceum said the country is on the wrong course, and the poll found steep drops in the number of people who think democracy is the best form of government. Full Story 

• “Pugilist Patrick on full display”: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick takes aim at two Republicans who crossed him

  by Patrick Svitek and James Barragán Jan. 27, 2023

  Patrick has made no qualms in the past about bending arms or using public pressure to get other state officials — including Gov. Greg Abbott — to go along with his plans. Full Story 

• Texas heat-related deaths reached a two-decade high in 2022 amid extreme temperatures

  by Alex Nguyen and Erin Douglas Updated: Jan. 27, 2023

  A Texas Tribune analysis of state data found that at least 268 people in Texas were killed by heat last year, and a large portion of those deaths were likely migrants who died after crossing the border. Full Story 

• Wanna bet? Texas Legislature to reconsider legalizing casinos and sports betting

  by Patrick Svitek Jan. 27, 2023

  Given the stiff headwinds to getting any expansion in gambling passed, sports betting and casino advocates may be competing against each other, rather than working in tandem. Full Story 

• In a Texas federal courtroom, families of those killed in Boeing 737 MAX crashes finally have their voices heard

  by Roxanna Asgarian Jan. 26, 2023

  The airplane manufacturer was accused of fraud for misleading federal regulators about the safety of its jets, but stayed out of court by making a deal with prosecutors. Victims’ families say they were cut out of the process. Full Story 

• Texas death row prisoners spend decades in solitary confinement. A lawsuit wants to end that “cruel” treatment.

  by Jolie McCullough Jan. 26, 2023

  Men sentenced to death in Texas are held in isolation until their execution dates, with little human contact, medical care or legal help, according to a lawsuit filed to improve treatment of the condemned. Full Story 

• Texas progressives want Title 42 ended, highlighting wide ideological gulf on Congressional immigration deal

  by Matthew Choi Jan. 26, 2023

  The spectrum of ideas on immigration could throw cold water on hope that there will be a breakthrough in Congress. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott says he won’t give up COVID-era power until Texas lawmakers ban vaccine mandates, strengthen border

  by Karen Brooks Harper Jan. 26, 2023

  Abbott doubles down on his long-standing call to lawmakers to prohibit local governments from enacting mask and vaccine mandates. Full Story 

• Homelessness among veterans has been cut in half since 2010, VA says

  by Allison P. Erickson Jan. 26, 2023

  In Texas, the number of homeless veterans has dropped 65% between 2007 and 2020, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. Full Story 

• Two years after Texas’ voting rights showdown gripped the nation, lawmakers again push dozens of elections bills

  by Pooja Salhotra Jan. 25, 2023

  State policymakers have mapped out familiar territory early in the legislative session, with Democrats seeking to expand voting access and Republicans pledging to make elections more secure. Full Story 

• Texas environmentalists push the EPA to crack down on methane emissions, saying state agencies have “failed us”

  by Martha Pskowski, Inside Climate News Jan. 25, 2023

  Commenting on the EPA’s proposed new rule to reduce methane leaks nationally, environmentalists said Texas regulators are hesitant to address emissions of the climate super-pollutant. Full Story