Texas Senate approves GOP congressional map, sending plan to Abbott’s desk
Republican lawmakers pushed the map through over fierce Democratic opposition, positioning the GOP to net up to five additional seats in Texas.
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Here are the Republicans who might run for Texas’ newly drawn congressional seats
State Rep. Briscoe Cain kicked off what operatives expect to be a flurry of campaign announcements with a bid for Houston’s 9th Congressional District.
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Running Out: Texas’ Water Crisis
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2026 Texas Elections
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public education
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Latest News
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Texas Republicans revive effort to further restrict abortion pills
The legislative proposals would allow people to sue manufacturers and distributors of abortion pills. Full Story
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![A bottle and pills of Misoprostol, made by Lupin Pharmaceuticals, sit in a counting tray at a pharmacy on June 19, 2019, in Provo, Utah.]()
Credit: REUTERS/George Frey/Illustration -
Texas House’s latest STAAR bill fails to meaningfully change the test, some Democrats say
Some Democrats lamented that the House’s latest proposal to scrap the test largely resembles a Senate bill the lower chamber declined to sign on earlier this year. Full Story
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![Students attend a math and reading workshop at a summer camp held at Dobie Middle School at July 23, 2025. The camp, hosted by Austin Voices for Education and Youth, hosts workshops to help students prepare for standarized testing.]()
Credit: Ilana Panich-Linsman for The Texas Tribune
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Tensions flare as Texas House panel hears a “bathroom bill” for first time in eight years
Senate Bill 8 would restrict which bathrooms in government buildings transgender people would be allowed to use. Testimony drew expletives and anger. Full Story
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![House Sergeant-At-Arms, l, and Texas DPS argue with a witness who was later removed from the hearing for rowdyness against HB 8 in THe House State Affairs Committee meeting on August 22, 2025.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas bill would keep unsubstantiated complaints against police officers from the public
Senate Bill 15’s supporters say police shouldn’t be publicly maligned for allegations that aren’t proven. Critics say the bill disincentivizes agencies from properly investigating complaints. Full Story
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![Dallas police investigate a shooting at a South Dallas neighborhood on June 5, 2025.]()
Credit: Avi Adelman/ZUMA Press Wire via REUTERS
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In response to failures and grieving parents, Texas lawmakers advance flood bills
Here’s where the proposed laws to address camp safety, flood warnings and emergency response stand in the Legislature. Full Story
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![Parents of Camp Mystic girls lost during the Guadalupe River flooding of July 4, 2025 pack seats in the Senate Chamber to view passage of Senate Bill 1 which strengthens summer camp regulations to help prevent future tragedies.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Former Speaker Dade Phelan won’t seek reelection to Texas House
As speaker, Phelan oversaw passage of numerous conservative priorities, but he gave up the gavel under pressure from the far right over the House’s impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, speaks with other representatives on the House floor on May 19, 2025.]()
Credit: Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribune -
Hill Country nonprofit pledges $40 million to help rebuild flood victims’ homes
The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has a four-pronged recovery plan: rebuilding homes, supporting mental health, economic recovery, and reviving the area’s quality of life. Full Story
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![A fallen roof and debris is seen on the banks of the Guadalupe River after intense flooding Tuesday July 8, 2025 in Ingram, Texas.]()
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UT System nixes faculty senates, approves restrictions on campus protests
The changes are in response to new state laws seeking to limit faculty’s influence and put guardrails on campus demonstrations. Full Story
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![A view of the UT Tower from the business building on the UT Austin campus during finals week on April 28, 2025.]()
Credit: Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribune -
Hurricane Harvey destroyed this Texas county’s courthouse. Eight years later, it’s still not finished.
The Aransas County courthouse was supposed to open in 2023. But officials have faced voter backlash and a constant stream of design and construction problems that have delayed the opening. Full Story
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![The Rockport City Hall Building (left) and the newly-built Aransas County Courthouse (right) can be seen over the boats docked in the Rockport Harbor.]()
Credit: Pete Garcia for The Texas Tribune -
GOP state Rep. Briscoe Cain files for redrawn 9th Congressional District
The Houston-area district, currently occupied by Democratic Rep. Al Green, is being redrawn by GOP lawmakers to favor Republicans and cover almost entirely new territory. Full Story
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![State Rep. Briscoe Cain, R-Deer Park, speaks with press outside the Texas House on Aug. 18, 2025.]()
Credit: Lorianne Willett for The Texas Tribune
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Texas bill protecting sex trafficking victims from some criminal charges advances
Senate Bill 11 would shield victims from prosecution from some crimes if they’re threatened or coerced into the act by their trafficker. Full Story
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![The state Capitol in Austin on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025.]()
Credit: Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribune -
Texas House approves GOP congressional map after two-week delay from Democrats’ walkout
Republican lawmakers are pursuing the unusual mid-decade redistricting plan amid pressure from President Donald Trump to protect the GOP’s slim majority in the U.S. House. Full Story
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![Democratic State Representatives line up to question State Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, during the second reading of HB4 in the house chamber in Austin on August 20, 2025.]()
Credit: Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribune -
Texas redistricting map: How the GOP could increase its stronghold
Texas lawmakers redrew congressional districts in a partisan bid to give Republicans five additional U.S. House seats. The move set off a bipartisan war across the U.S. Full Story
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![Three rectangles made up of smaller red and blue rectangles that show how cracking and packing in gerrymandering works.]()
Credit: Carla Astudillo and Jason Kao
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Republican Stan Lambert of Abilene won’t seek reelection to Texas House
Lambert overcame a brutal primary last year after drawing the wrath of two of the state’s most powerful GOP leaders. Full Story
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![Texas House District 71 Rep. Stan Lambert gestures during an interview at Monk’s Coffee shop in Abilene Thursday Feb. 8, 2024.]()
Credit: Ronald W. Erdrich for The Texas Tribune -
U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, Paxton aide turned foe, to run for Texas attorney general
It will be the first test of whether Roy’s at times frosty relationship with President Trump — and his turn against Paxton — can withstand scrutiny in a statewide primary. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, talks with reporters after a meeting of the House Republican Conference in the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.]()
Credit: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call/Sipa USA via REUTERS -
Lawmakers are debating GOP congressional maps. What does redistricting mean for Texans?
From urban cores to rural regions, Texans' needs differ. Experts worry new districts encompassing geographically distant communities will dilute their voices. Full Story
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![Texas State Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025 in Austin, Texas.]()
Credit: Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribune
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Health insurance carriers request raising ACA premiums by more than 20% on average in Texas
Health insurers are hiking policy premiums in response to proposed federal cuts and rising costs in various parts of the health care sector. Full Story
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![Dr. Spencer R. Berthelsen, M.D., Chairman, Board of Directors at Kelsey-Seybold, who still sees patients two days a week, visits with patient Francisco Garcia (also a doctor at Kelsey Seybold) before his annual physical at their clinic in Sugar Land. Sept. 22, 2011.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott asks for new penalties for lawmakers who flee to halt legislative sessions
The governor announced he was expanding his special session agenda shortly after the Texas House passed a congressional map that Democrats had delayed by leaving the state. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference Friday, Aug. 15, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Abbott spoke about Texas’s response to screwworm as well as addressed California Governor Gavin Newsom's comments and actions regarding redistricting.]()
Credit: Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribune -
Texas county cuts over 100 polling sites as Trump attacks mail-in voting nationally
The decision in Tarrant County comes amid growing concern about GOP efforts to limit voting access ahead of next year’s midterm elections. Full Story
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