Texas led country in new jobs in 2022 as state’s unemployment rate fell below 4%
The state set a record for the number of employed people for 14 consecutive months. Full Story
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Alex Nguyen is a Columbia Journalism School-Institute for Nonprofit News reporting fellow based in Austin. She recently interned on Bloomberg News’ financial regulations team after graduating from Columbia University’s Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism. Largely raised in Vancouver, Canada, she previously reported on labor, public health, climate, politics and foreign affairs for various regional and national outlets there. Originally from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Alex also speaks Vietnamese and enjoys a good bún bò Huế.
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![The Austin downtown skyline on Sept. 22. 2022.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Supreme Court clears way for state’s education agency to take over Houston ISD
The decision from the state’s highest court would allow the TEA to move forward with its plan to replace Houston ISD’s school board members over low academic scores. Full Story
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![The Supreme Court of Texas on the Capitol grounds in Austin on Jan. 9, 2023.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Oaths, M&Ms and a historic Quran: Texas’ freshman lawmakers begin their inaugural legislative session
New Texas House members were sworn into office Tuesday, including some who have already made history. Full Story
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![State Rep. Salman Bhojani, D-HD92, speaks with Usama Malik, resident chaplain of Muslim Space, before participating in an interfaith ceremony the morning of the opening day of the 88th Legislative Session at the state Capitol in Austin on Jan. 10, 2023.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Two Texas bills would restrict lessons about sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools
The legislation closely mirrors a Florida bill passed last year, dubbed by critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” law, which detractors say would further isolate LGBTQ students and open teachers and school districts to legal risks. Full Story
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![Pride flags, stickers and masks, pronoun buttons and other merch are handed out at the AISD "Pride Out!" Party in the Park event at Eastside Early College High School in Austin on March 26, 2022.]()
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“I want to fight”: LGBTQ Texans ready for legislative session as GOP lawmakers target them in dozens of bills
Republicans are backing legislation targeting gender-affirming care for children, classroom lessons about sexuality and drag shows. Full Story
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![Austin Pride Parade attendees wave rainbow flags as they pass the Capitol building, on Aug. 20, 2022.]()
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With rifles and razor wire, National Guard and state troopers are blocking migrants at the border in El Paso
As cities on the Texas-Mexico border continue preparing for a possible influx of migrants and Title 42 remains in limbo, a shallow spot in the Rio Grande where thousands have recently crossed became the scene of a standoff Monday. Full Story
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![Barbwire separates migrants and the Texas National Guard and Texas DPS officers on the banks of the Rio Grande, on Dec. 20, 2022, in El Paso. Over 400 personnel have been sent to this border sector by Gov. Abbott after El Paso city officials declared a state of emergency.]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
U.S. Supreme Court allows rapid removal of migrants to continue as legal challenge plays out
Title 42, an emergency health order invoked at the start of the pandemic, allows immigration agents to quickly remove migrants from the country. It was scheduled to be lifted on Wednesday. Full Story
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![Hundreds of migrants wait in line along the banks of the Rio Grande to seek asylum in the U.S., Monday, December 12, 2022.]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
Voters in five Texas cities approved decriminalizing marijuana. Now city officials are standing in the way.
Some local leaders say they worry the changes violate state law, while residents who supported decriminalizing marijuana say the pushback disrespects democracy. Full Story
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![Newly planted marijuana plants at Texas Original Compassionate Cultivation Medical Marijuana facility in South Austin on April 30, 2021.]()
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UT suspends head basketball coach after family violence arrest
Chris Beard was hired in 2021 and is one of the University of Texas’ highest-paid employees. Full Story
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![Chris Beard, head coach of the Texas Longhorns men's basketball team, during the second half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs, at the Moody Center in Austin on Nov. 16, 2022.]()
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Alex Jones files for bankruptcy after juries award Sandy Hook parents almost $1.5 billion
A handful of the Texas-based conspiracy theorist’s companies already filed for bankruptcy. Earlier this year, a Texas jury awarded Sandy Hook parents $49 million in a defamation case against Jones. Full Story
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![Infowars founder Alex Jones spoke to a crowd over a loud speaker from his Infowars vehicle as hundreds attended a "Re-Open America" protest near the Capitol in Austin on April 18, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune