Texas kids’ camps must remove cabins from floodplains, operate warning systems under new laws
The parents of children who died at Camp Mystic advocated for the new legislation, which now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott for his signature. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a99f64a2f60b9d5cc846043809fde9bd/0707%20Kerr%20County%20Flooding%20BB%2003.jpg)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Ayden_Runnels_2025_2x3_1.jpg)
Ayden Runnels is the afternoon/evening reporter. Previously, they were a breaking news reporter for the Las Vegas Sun. A graduate of the Mayborn School of Journalism at the University of North Texas, Ayden was a Dallas Press Club Foundation reporting fellow at the Tribune in 2023. They were born in the Houston suburb of Clear Lake and speak English and Arabic. They served as editor-in-chief of the North Texas Daily, UNT's student-run newspaper, and have worked on freelance projects for Newsweek and the Chronicle of Higher Education.
Latest Contributions
-
![Damaged cabins seen along the river in Ingram on Monday July7, 2025.]()
Credit: Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribune -
Spared from dissolution, Texas Lottery gets a second chance under new management
After months of controversy, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation must tackle poor sales and legislative scrutiny as it takes over the games on Sept. 1. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/61b8fe1e62bba3f4e2d2a73e3c8c5f6a/0821%20TDLR%20Lottery%20LS%2009.JPG)
![Commissioner Lori High and Vice Chair Thomas F. Butler during The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation Meeting on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025.]()
Credit: Leila Saidane for The Texas Tribune -
“Bathroom bill” aimed at trans people awaits governor’s signature after decade of failed attempts
Senate Bill 8 restricts bathroom use in government buildings and schools to sex assigned at birth. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5aabf4fcdf792d69c57818429951aa78/081825%20Dems%20Return%20LW%2018.JPG)
![House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, speaks on the floor of the Texas House on Aug. 18, 2025, two weeks after democrats walked out during the middle of the special session.]()
Credit: Lorianne Willett for The Texas Tribune -
Fresh off Texas Senate’s approval, new congressional map is target of lawsuits
One lawsuit, filed by LULAC on behalf of 13 Texas residents, states that the redrawn districts in the new map are racially discriminatory and violate voter protection laws. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/faa250033ea336d8c086868d4e28a4a9/0818%20House%20Redistricting%20KG%2021.jpeg)
![A map of the proposed changes to Texas congressional districts sits on a Texas House member’s desk on Aug. 20, 2025.]()
Credit: Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribune -
“Bathroom bill” advances in Texas House days after tensions flared at hearing
Senate Bill 8, which now heads to the House floor, would restrict which bathrooms in government buildings transgender people would be allowed to use. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d60d25874abffb3753e874e223f941d7/0822%20Bathroom%20Bill%20BD%2001.jpg)
![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 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. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/51c9071d01a5d9128d5fd50014189c48/0822%20Senate%20Redistricting%20Vote%20BD%2025.JPG)
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick gathers the senators at his desk before the final vote on the mid-decade redistricting bill in the Texas Senate on Aug. 22, 2025.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5703d72d9f697fb66af0e8d258690e36/0821%20Camp%20Flood%20Vote%20BD%2002.JPG)
![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 -
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/670131b1a3f8d89ec79d19a52a9d2e36/0815%20Screw%20Worm%20Presser%20RB%2002.JPG)
![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 -
Death row inmate Robert Roberson claims judicial misconduct in bid for new trial
A new petition claims Anderson County judges acted unconstitutionally multiple times in both Roberson’s case and in recognizing custody of his daughter. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/528b9bc8b39da6b22d87608d8fd37cb2/0716%20Robert%20Roberson%20Hearing%20JA%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Shackled and chained, Robert Roberson is led into court by Anderson County Sheriff’s Office deputies on July 16, 2025. A new execution date of Oct. 16, 2025 was set by presiding Judge Austin Jackson of Smith County at the Anderson County Courthouse in Palestine.]()
Credit: Joel Andrews for the Texas Tribune -
How Texas' “bathroom bills” have evolved over a decade
More than 20 bills that would restrict restroom use for transgender people have been proposed since 2015, but their language — and reception — have shifted. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f4748b167f24ac5676d7aa0660238e8a/2017%20Bathroom%20Bill%20Kolkhorst%20MKC.jpg)
![Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, speaks during a press conference, along with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, on SB 6 The Texas Privacy Act, also known as the "bathroom bill," on Feb. 6, 2017, at the Texas Capitol in Austin.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune