TribCast: Get out the popcorn, it’s Paxton vs. Cornyn
The gang welcomes back an old friend, Patrick Svitek, to preview Texas’ biggest political throwdown in years. Full Story
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Eleanor Klibanoff is the law and politics reporter, based in Austin, where she covers the the Texas Legislature, the Office of the Attorney General, state and federal courts and politics writ large. She also co-hosts the weekly politics podcast, TribCast. Eleanor previously spent three years as the Tribune’s women’s health reporter, covering abortion, maternal health and LGBTQ issues. Before coming to Texas, Eleanor worked for the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting, where she reported, hosted and produced the Peabody-nominated podcast, “Dig.” Eleanor was born in Philadelphia and raised in Atlanta, and attended The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
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![Incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (l.) is being challenged by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The two Republicans will face off in the 2026 primaries.]()
Credit: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call/Sipa USA via REUTERS|Emil T. Lippe for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House gives first approval to bill that would allow universities to pay student athletes
Already able to collect from private entities, athletes for the first time would be able to receive direct payments from universities under the proposal. Full Story
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![Houston Cougars guard Jamal Shead (right) works on TCU Horned Frogs guard Jameer Nelson Jr. in the Big 12 Championship Tournament at T-Mobile center in Kansas City, Missouri on March 14, 2024.]()
Credit: Jon Robichaud/Cal Sport Media/Sipa via REUTERS -
The Texas Legislature is having big battles over gender and sexuality. Track them here.
The Senate voted Wednesday to give initial approval to a bill that would require buildings, including public schools and universities, among others to segregate private facilities, like bathrooms, by sex. Full Story
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![Attendees wave a trans flag while marching with over 300 activists and supporters from the Bexar County Courthouse to Crockett Park in “March for Us,” San Antonio's third annual celebration of Transgender Day of Visibility, on Saturday, March 29, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas.]()
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Texas Republican lawmakers unwilling to change abortion laws to address doomed pregnancies
For the first time since Texas outlawed nearly all abortions, lawmakers are clarifying the “life of mother” exception. But they don’t plan to address cases where the fetus won’t survive. Full Story
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![Taylor Edwards poses for a portrait in the Texas Capitol on April 7, 2025. In 2023 (?), Edwards had to travel out of the state to receive an abortion after learning the child she was carrying would not survive the pregnancy.]()
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Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeff Boyd to retire
Gov. Greg Abbott will have the opportunity to appoint Boyd’s replacement, furthering his influence on the high court. Full Story
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![Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeff Boyd explains their judgment process during a Q & A after hearing two a civil cases at the University of Houston Law Center at in the Danny M. Sheena Courtroom at the John. M. O’Quinn Law Building in Houston on Oct. 29, 2024.]()
Credit: Douglas Sweet Jr. for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Covering Texas’ new abortion fights
TribCast digs into clarifying bills, crackdowns on pills, lawsuits, arrests and everything else abortion-related. Full Story
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![An examination room in Alamo Women’s Reproductive Services in San Antonio on June 14, 2022.]()
Credit: Kylie Cooper/The Texas Tribune -
Bipartisan support for Texas bill clarifying when doctors can perform an abortion shows early cracks
While Democrats and abortion access advocates pushed to ensure pregnant women aren’t criminalized, some conservatives questioned whether this bill is needed. Full Story
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![An empty emergency room at Goodall-Witcher Hospital in Clifton on August 3, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas sues San Antonio over abortion funding
Attorney General Ken Paxton previously sued the City of Austin for helping residents travel out-of-state for abortions. Full Story
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![Pedestrians walk by La Antorcha de la Amistad sculpture in downtown San Antonio on Nov. 2, 2021.]()
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Gov. Greg Abbott touts his influence on Texas courts to conservative law group
Abbott’s closed-door address to the Federalist Society at UT Law Thursday drew peaceful protests. Full Story
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![From left: University of Texas Interim President Jim Davis, Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas Law Federalist Society President Jordan Lamb participate in an event at The University of Texas Law School in Austin on April 3, 2025.]()
Credit: Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Is it high time to regulate or ban THC in Texas?
Will the House agree to ban consumable hemp products? If not, Lt. Gov. Patrick says he’ll THC us in a special session. Full Story
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![A container of dried hemp plant with leaves and stems on Jan. 23, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune