Texas bill would ban K-12 students from using cell phones during school hours
If the proposal becomes law, Texas would follow in the footsteps of several Democrat- and Republican-led states that have enacted similar bans. Full Story
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Pavan Acharya is a reporting fellow. Originally from Libertyville, Illinois, he's excited to be back in Texas after a summer internship reporting on housing and elections administration for The Dallas Morning News. Pavan has also interned at Midstory and Block Club Chicago. He is a senior at Northwestern University studying journalism and political science.
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![The Texas House of Representatives Public Education Committee hears public testimony on House Bill 1481 relating to the use of personal wireless communication devices during school hours and activities in Austin on March 18, 2025.]()
Credit: Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribune -
Texas school districts hopeful lawmakers will help plug $1.7 billion gap in special education funding
Proponents say the changes would better serve special education students with widely varying needs — and help schools pay for it. Full Story
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![A classroom at Alfonso Borrego Sr. Elementary School. The school received Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds for new flexible seating, desks, and spaces for students to relax during class in San Elizario, Texas on July 23, 2024]()
Credit: Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribune -
Rafael Cruz, father of Ted Cruz, wants Texas to require school lessons about “evil” of communism
The prominent right-wing pastor told state lawmakers that an anti-communist curriculum is crucial to reaffirming that America is a “Christian country.” Full Story
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![Rafael Cruz, father of U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, testifies before the K-12 Senate education committee on March 11, 2025.]()
Credit: Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribune -
Texas’ DOGE committee takes inspiration from Elon Musk’s federal operation
The new legislative panel has been tasked to reduce the size and scope of government. But Democrats say they’re not interested in replicating Musk’s slash-and-burn approach. Full Story
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![The Texas Capitol on Aug. 13, 2021.]()
Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune -
Texas may change how schools select library books. Critics say it could lead to more bans.
Senate Bill 13 would create school library advisory councils largely made up of parents. It would give school boards, rather than librarians, the final say over new books. Full Story
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![Shelves filled with books at a school library in San Marcos.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate advances school prayer, Ten Commandment bills
The vote comes amid a broader push by conservative Christians to infuse more religion into public schools and life. Full Story
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![The Texas Capitol and the Ten Commandments Monument at sunrise on Tuesday, June 6, in Austin, Texas.]()
Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune -
A surge in bee deaths is hurting Texas beekeepers — and could affect the price of produce
Commercial beekeepers in Texas have lost about two thirds of their honey bees since June last year, according to a recent survey. Full Story
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![Luis Hernandez, a beekeeper with Frio Country Farms, shows off an empty bee frame from a hive where the bees have died at the Noria bee yard on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025 in Davis, Texas. Robert Wheeler, co-owner of Frio Country Farms, estimates 35% of the bees at this particular bee yard have died since November. Beekeepers nationwide are experiencing their highest honey bee losses nationwide in decades, which has large implications for Texas, the top bee-keeping state in the nation.]()
Credit: Salgu Wissmath for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate panel advances bill banning DEI in K-12 public schools
Sen. Brandon Creighton has filed bills that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion policies related to hiring and programming, while creating ways for parents to complain about violations. Full Story
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![Passing period at United South High School in Laredo on Oct. 23, 2018.]()
Credit: Rachel Zein for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House wants to give public schools $220 more per student
The proposal, filed Thursday, comes well short of the increase school administrators and education advocates have been asking for. Full Story
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![Nimitz Middle School students take part in a class activity Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 in Odessa.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
Large earthquake strikes West Texas, among strongest ever in state
The 5.0 magnitude earthquake is tied for the sixth strongest in state history. Scientists have warned for years that increased fracking in West Texas is causing higher earthquake activity. Full Story
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![A drilling rig in Pecos County on Feb. 4, 2023.]()
Credit: Pu Ying Huang/The Texas Tribune