Bill to expand Texas’ medical marijuana program heads to Senate
House Bill 46 would increase the number of health conditions eligible and would offer smokeable products under the state’s medical marijuana program. Full Story
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Stephen Simpson is the mental health reporter, based in Austin, where he covers behavioral health in schools, treatment in the judicial system, substance abuse and the state mental health system, among other topics. He previously worked in his home state of Arkansas as a politics reporter, where he covered the state's Supreme Court, House of Representatives and correctional system for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Stephen's earliest career experiences include reporting and copy editing at The Jonesboro Sun and The Pine Bluff Commercial. He earned a degree in online and print journalism with a minor in filmmaking from the University of Central Arkansas.
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![Workers sort strawberry-passionfruit CBD gummies at the Texas Original facility on Sept. 26, 2024. Texas Original is Texas’ first licensed medical cannabis distributor.]()
Credit: Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribune -
Texas’ measles outbreak is nation’s largest since 2000
The outbreak that originated in Texas has spread into multiple states. And, the summer will be the real test of how much bigger this outbreak can grow. Full Story
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![Sherry Andrews, right, holds 13-month-old Jaqi Herrera’s hand after administering the first MMR vaccine dose to Herrera at the City of Lubbock Health Department in Lubbock on Feb. 27, 2025.]()
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Texas election judges could carry guns if bill OK’d by House becomes law
Supporters said the bill would protect poll workers who continue to face violent threats. Full Story
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![Voters wait in line to cast their ballots on Election Day at the Esperanza Acosta Memorial Library in El Paso on Nov. 5, 2024.]()
Credit: Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribune -
Attempt to decriminalize fentanyl testing strips in Texas could stall in the Senate for a third time
Opponents fear that fentanyl test strips will increase the usage of the deadly drug. Full Story
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![The Texas Harm Reduction center distributes fentanyl test strips, classified as drug paraphernalia in Texas, on May 5, 2025.]()
Credit: Leila Saidane for The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers advancing bill to ban kids from social media
The Texas House passed onto the Senate a proposed ban Tuesday, alongside another bill that would require a social media warning label for minors. Full Story
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![Bonham Middle School students walk between classes Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 in Odessa.]()
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Experts cast doubt on state’s report that undocumented immigrants cost Texas hospitals $122M in a month
Policy experts say undocumented immigrants' cost to hospitals is a small fraction of the total cost from uninsured Texans. Full Story
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![Medical equipment lines the walls of a Central Texas hospital room on Mar. 13, 2024.]()
Credit: Maria Crane for The Texas Tribune -
Texas measles cases grow to 742. Track the spread here.
Four more cases were reported in the last week from the ongoing measles outbreak connected to West Texas. Full Story
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![An editorial art for the West Texas measles outbreak tracker.]()
Credit: Yuriko Schumacher/The Texas Tribune -
Texas hemp farmers fear full THC ban would nip industry in the bud
As lawmakers work to close loopholes that allow minors access to cannabis consumables, hemp farmers warn a total THC ban would strangle a once-hailed crop. Full Story
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![bin of proccessed hemp at Bingham Family Venards outside Meadow, TX.]()
Credit: Trace Thomas for The Texas Tribune -
House panel passes bill requiring air conditioning in Texas prisons by 2032
Weeks after a federal judge declared hot conditions in Texas prisons unconstitutional, a bill requiring air conditioning in those facilities by 2032 has gained traction in the House. Full Story
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![Mountain View prison in Gatesville on September 19, 2019.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Maternal health care experts say the needs in the rural parts of Texas are vast, but can be addressed with help
Experts talk to The Texas Tribune about the challenges of providing maternal health care in rural parts of the state and how they can be addressed. Full Story
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