Gov. Greg Abbott sets Nov. 4 special election for open state Senate seat
The contest coincides with the state’s November uniform election, when voters across Texas will already be at the polls to decide local offices and ballot measures. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6605814801d76f282eb2cb24a848bcb0/Senate%20Action%20SP%20TT%2068.jpg)
-
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick presides over the Senate on July 14, 2021.]()
Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune -
“It will affect all families”: Challenges await Texas parents if birthright citizenship ends
The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for President Donald Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship to take effect in certain states in 30 days. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/69faa501dd62946d74ef1c1786847bbf/Trump%20Austin%20Immigration%20REUTERS.JPG)
![Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks on border security and immigration, in Austin, Texas, Oct. 25, 2024.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Carlos Barria -
United Methodist Church can fight to prevent split with SMU, Texas Supreme Court rules
The school sought to leave the church because of differences over gay marriage and clergy. The court did not decide whether SMU could be prevented from separating. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/462bba8a65ca277bc2bf6e1871ece62f/SMU%20REUTERS%20TT%2001.jpg)
![A sign at one of the entrances to the Southern Methodist University campus in Dallas on Dec. 20, 2022.]()
Credit: Image of Sport/Sipa USA via REUTERS -
State Rep. Nate Schatzline drops Texas Senate bid, endorses conservative activist Leigh Wambsganss
The North Texas district opened up last week when Republican Kelly Hancock resigned from the upper chamber to take over as the state’s acting comptroller. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ad7cf077bff7e3316d5df6c55ecef1ba/0106%20Paxton%20Ft%20Worth%20EL%20TT%2009.jpg)
![State Rep. Nate Schatzline, R-Fort Worth,
addresses the crowd during a rally at the Tarrant County Republican Party Headquarters in Fort Worth on Jan. 6, 2025.]()
Credit: Emil T. Lippe for The Texas Tribune -
Texas can require porn websites to verify users’ ages, Supreme Court rules
The case involves a 2023 state law requiring adult websites to verify users’ ages, but the ruling is expected to have broader implications for free speech law. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/efa76a330732b1d1bc61d96480276007/0115%20Paxton%20SCOTUS%20LJ%20TT%2017.jpg)
![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to the media outside the Supreme Court building in Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 following arguments in the case “Free Speech Coalition, Inc., et al. v. Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas.”]()
Credit: Luke Johnson for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott, AG Ken Paxton do not have to release Uvalde or Jan. 6 emails, Texas Supreme Court rules
The decision, stemming from a 2022 lawsuit, narrows the public’s legal options to challenge Texas officials under the state’s open records law. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/44b7c156ee16e8da085304c13134c613/Uvalde%20Victims%20March%20EL%20TT%2009.jpg)
![Family members and friends participate in a march in support of those killed and injured in the school shooting at Robb Elementary, in Uvalde on July 10, 2022.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Fate of birthright citizenship order unresolved after Supreme Court limits nationwide injunctions
The ruling was a partial victory for President Donald Trump who has made immigration his signature issue. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6673456a3a2fca67e02564c37e27de36/0115%20Paxton%20SCOTUS%20LJ%2002.jpg)
![The Supreme Court building in Washington on Jan. 15, 2025.]()
Credit: Luke Johnson for The Texas Tribune -
Ted Cruz wants to stop states from regulating AI. Some of his Republican colleagues aren’t so sure
Senate Republicans, Democrats and outside groups are mounting an offensive against Cruz’s push to withhold AI money from states that regulate the technology. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ff2dc19d54cfea78dd79412637d87a2a/1025%20Trump%20Rally%20LW%20TT%2011.jpg)
![Senator Ted Cruz arrives at the Trump Rally at Million Air in Austin, Texas on Oct. 25, 2024.]()
Credit: Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribu -
Proposed Pell Grant cuts threaten college access for nearly 500,000 Texas college students
Proposals in the federal budget bill would cut the maximum Pell Grant award amount by $1,500 and take away eligibility for students enrolled less than half-time. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/edfb150d1d9fed3e3dd3320b5c270bec/0819%20FAFSA%20Delays%20IS%20TT%2026.jpg)
![Students walk across the Texas A&M campus in College Station on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024.]()
Credit: Ishika Samant for The Texas Tribune -
Is THC as dangerous as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick makes it out to be?
Although Patrick and hemp industry leaders have quarreled over the risks and benefits of THC, cannabis researchers say it can be addictive but doesn’t usually cause widespread psychosis or brain damage. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/175baa79eafddff8a9b1f562de0d7855/0623%20THC%20Special%20Session%20RB%2003%20TT.jpg)
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks during a press conference at the Texas Captiol in Austin, Texas on Monday 23, June 2025.]()
Credit: Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribune -
Trump administration expands military’s role at the border to the southern tip of Texas
The newly annexed 250-mile stretch at the border spans two counties and runs alongside cities including Brownsville and McAllen. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dcc3b9f97811054934319ab758ad0e18/0328%20New%20Mexico%20Strykers%20JH%2029.jpeg)
![A U.S. Army M1126 Infantry Carrier Vehicle, known as a Stryker, deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border stands guard in the Camino Real Landfill in Sunland Park, New Mexico on March 28, 2025.]()
Credit: Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribune -
Texas A&M, university systems in other red states will create their own agency to review schools’ quality standards
The creation of the new accrediting agency comes as Republicans have criticized existing ones for reinforcing a liberal bias in the country's higher ed institutions. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/baca06d66205f2d6c0d852fa6d764ed7/TAMU%20File%20AG%20TT%2014.jpg)
![People take photos with the 3-ton bronze replica of the Haynes Aggie Ring at Texas A&M University on Monday, June 15, 2020 in College Station. The ring is located outside the Clayton W. Williams Jr. Alumni Center near Kyle Field.]()
Credit: Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribune -
U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of Texas death row inmate pushing for DNA evidence tests
Ruben Gutierrez is challenging the constitutionality of a state law that restricts death row inmates from seeking tests that he says will prove he’s not a murderer. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dec9cbe43b33c90b8c2e286d6e42a28a/US%20Supreme%20Court%20Golden%20REUTERS.jpg)
![The U.S. Supreme Court building at sunset on Nov. 10, 2020.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Erin Scott -
Top Paxton deputy accused of witness tampering during impeachment trial
In dueling lawsuits, current and former employees of the attorney general’s office sling allegations that threaten to intrude on Paxton’s U.S. Senate bid. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ba16d313f9302cd28b0d0e3fadbdfa98/Paxton%20Presser%20BD%20small%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks about impending impeachment proceedings against him at a press conference in Austin on May 26, 2023. Behind Paxton from left: Tommy Tran, executive assistant; James R. Lloyd, associate deputy attorney general for civil litigation; Austin A. Kinghorn, associate deputy attorney general for legal counsel; Ryan Fisher, director of government relations; Joshua Reno, deputy attorney general for criminal justice; Suzanna Hupp, special adviser; Brent Webster, first assistant attorney general; Lesley French, chief of staff; George Lane, adviser; Paige Willey, deputy communications director; and Ralph M. Molina, deputy attorney general for legal strategy.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas is getting older and its child population is growing
Texas remains younger than other states, but the number of older Texans has outpaced that of any other age group. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/cfef1f4a19e8b79a710866a6e580da89/Kaminski%20Gingerbread%20AM%20TT%2014.jpg)
![Marina Hernandez helps students clean up for center time in her Pre-K 2 classroom at Gingerbread Kids Academy on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2024, in Richmond.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
At a novel Austin-area neighborhood, geothermal energy keeps utility bills low
The development in Manor taps into the natural heat deep underground to run heating and cooling systems for the planned 7,500 homes and commercial buildings. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/44dd33bb04acb982b30ee784a46fa6d2/0617%20Geothermal%20Hood%20RB%20TT%2009.jpg)
![Homes in the Whisper Valley development seen in Manor, Texas on Tuesday June 17, 2025.]()
Credit: Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott orders preemptive strike on screwworm in Texas
Abbott ordered two Texas agencies to begin working together and with residents and business leaders to stop the spread of the invasive fly before it even starts. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4519a487cfcc0f004f74b7fd8bf34007/Powell%20Ranch%20EL%20TT%2005.jpg)
![Cattle at a ranch in Cedar Creek on March 28, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Majority of Texans oppose total THC ban like the one vetoed by Gov. Greg Abbott, poll finds
The statewide survey also found that Texas Republicans are closely divided on the issue. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/350c09171ff4ebb1b88cf1844090b425/0523%20THC%20Farmers%20AR%20TT%2012.jpg)
![Hemp plants at Caprock Family Farms in Lubbock on May 23, 2025.]()
Credit: Annie Rice for The Texas Tribune -
Texas to create its own psychology licensing test amid pushback on national exam
Texas and other states have criticized a decision by the national psychologist licensing board to add another expensive test in order for psychologists to become certified. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/625c4416cfa142f3c9fa6fbb786d7e64/0411%20Texas%20Licensing%20MH%20MC%2011%20TT.jpg)
![Chair John Bielamowicz speaks during a a Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists meeting Thursday, April 11, 2024 in Austin. During the meeting, the state board met with the Association of State & Provincial Psychology Boards to discuss the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology.]()
Credit: Maria Crane/The Texas Tribune -
Texas Lottery Commission to be disbanded as state game gets new restrictions
Gov. Greg Abbott on Sunday signed Senate Bill 3070, which will also criminalize the online sale of lottery tickets through couriers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3b3e6c081dbc4fd8a55eb1dc523b883e/0220%20Winners%20Corner%20LS%20TT%2013.jpg)
![Texas Lottery stand at an Austin convenience store on Feb. 20, 2025.]()
Credit: Leila Saidane for The Texas Tribune