Texas’ citrus industry — once an agricultural powerhouse — is on the brink of disaster
A hurricane and winter freeze devastated the South Texas industry. A lack of water is preventing a full recovery. Full Story
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![Grapefruit trees at Lone Star Citrus Growers groves in Mission on Dec. 16, 2024.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribune -
U.S. House members want answers on Texas’ decision to not review maternal deaths after near-total abortion ban
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas led a letter calling for a briefing on why the state won’t review 2022 and 2023 deaths. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, speaks with Errin Haines, editor at large at The 19th*, at The Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on Sept. 7, 2024.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas Republicans want voters to provide proof of citizenship. Arizona’s law holds lessons.
A Votebeat analysis shows how such requirements risk disenfranchising key voter groups, including Native Americans and college students. Full Story
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![DALLAS, TX - SEPTEMBER 20, 2024: ExpressVote voting machines at a public verification test of the voting system at the Dallas County Elections Department building in Dallas, Texas on Friday, September 20, 2024. The test allows participants to validate the voting process by using ballots containing the same races and proportions as the upcoming elections in November. CREDIT: Desiree Rios for The Texas Tribune]()
Credit: Desiree Rios for The Texas Tribune -
As landowners resist, Texas’ border wall is fragmented and built in remote areas
At least a third of landowners approached by state officials have refused to let wall be built on their properties. That’s forced the state to largely build on ranchland in remote areas, or erect sections that are full of gaps. Full Story
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Credit: Ben Lowy for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott announces more than $500 million in public safety grants
The grants will go to private and public sector recipients in Texas for a variety of public safety priorities, including securing the southern border. Full Story
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![Gov. Abbott speaks to DPS Troopers and National Guard troops at a Thanksgiving dinner event in Edinburg on Nov. 26, 2024.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribune -
Texas school districts asked to return $16 million in federal funding for special education services
The request comes after an audit found Texas improperly billed the federal government for reimbursements related to Medicaid-eligible students. Full Story
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![Students backpacks hang off the back of their chairs in an empty classroom at Blanco Vista Elementary School in San Marcos on Monday August, 23, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for the Texas Tribune -
South Texas groups sue TCEQ for temporarily allowing SpaceX to discharge industrial water without a permit
In the lawsuit, the groups accuse TCEQ of exceeding its authority by allowing the discharges. Full Story
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![SpaceX's Starship lifts off from the company's Boca Chica launchpad on an uncrewed test flight before exploding, near Brownsville on April 20, 2023.]()
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Rep. Michael McCaul calls Tulsi Gabbard a “baffling” pick to lead intelligence community
The Austin Republican leads the House Foreign Affairs Committee and predicted Gabbard’s nomination would fail in the Senate. Full Story
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![House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, questions witnesses during a hearing on the generational challenge of the Chinese Communist Party, at the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, D.C., Feb. 28, 2023.]()
Credit: Graeme Sloan/Sipa USA via REUTERS -
Texas has big goals for college completion. In places like the Coastal Bend, how to get there is still murky.
Many rural Texans in the region say they lack quality information on the skills required to get good jobs and build a lasting career. Full Story
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![A young boy fishes at a popular Padre Island fishing spot on Packery Channel on July 16, 2020 in Corpus Christi.]()
Credit: Eddie Seal for The Texas Tribune -
Trump’s promise of mass deportation throws undocumented Texans into fear, uncertainty
As Republican Texas leaders show support for Trump’s mass deportation plans, undocumented people — some who have lived in America for decades — are weighing their options amid mounting fears. Full Story
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![DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 16, 2024: A Dallas-resident, 41, co-founder of a nonprofit organization, at his office in Dallas, Texas on Monday, December 16, 2024. The resident was born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico and migrated to the United States when he was seven-years-old. He was a DACA recipient until it expired and he didn’t reapply in time. CREDIT: Desiree Rios for The Texas Tribune]()
Credit: Desiree Rios for The Texas Tribune -
An emerging Texas megadonor just pledged $20 million to “expand a true Republican majority”
Alex Fairly is an Amarillo businessman and father of a state House member who has previously given millions to West Texas A&M University, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Attorney General Ken Paxton. Full Story
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![Amarillo businessman Alex Fairly speaks to the crowd Saturday night after his endorsed candidate Cole Stanley won the Amarillo mayoral election in downtown Amarillo.]()
Credit: Michael Cuviello/Amarillo Globe-News via REUTERS -
Texas GOP threatens House members who support Dustin Burrows in speaker race with attack mailers
This is the latest example of the Republican Party of Texas spending its resources attacking its own members. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, holds a press conference in the Speaker's Committee Room, on Dec. 7, 2024, announcing he has the votes to become Speaker of the House in the upcoming legislative session.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
A school voucher program in Texas is more likely than ever. Can lawmakers craft a bill they agree on?
Some voucher opponents are ready to compromise; others are hoping supporters will fumble over the program's size, eligibility and accountability. Full Story
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![Opening Day action of the 88th Texas Legislature at the Texas Capitol showing Texas Governor Greg Abbott addressing the House chamber.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House panel subpoenas death row inmate Robert Roberson a second time
The new subpoena comes after lawmakers say Ken Paxton’s office stalled a previous effort to get Roberson’s legislative testimony about his conviction in “shaken baby” case. Full Story
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![Robert Roberson photographed through plexiglass at TDCJ Polunsky Unit in Livingston on Dec. 19, 2023. Texas death row prisoners are housed in Livingston but executed at the state prison in Huntsville, about 43 miles away.]()
Credit: Ilana Panich-Linsman for The Innocence Project -
Texas regulators report more than 250 new cases of groundwater contamination
An annual report documents 2,870 active cases of groundwater contamination around the state. Groundwater provides more than half of the state’s water supply. Full Story
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![Wells pump up groundwater at the North Alamo Water Supply Corporation water treatment facility in Edinburg, on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
After learning hard lessons in Austin, Greg Casar to take Congressional Progressive Caucus in new direction
The freshman congressman will lead the influential progressive caucus next year with plans to focus on working class and economic issues instead of culture wars. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, talks about his goals for his new position as the progressive caucus chair at his office in Longworth House Office Building Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Washington, D.C.]()
Credit: Luke Johnson for The Texas Tribune -
Dustin Burrows walks a tightrope seeking Republican and Democratic support for Texas House speaker bid
Five years after weathering a major Republican House leadership controversy, Burrows finds himself at the center of another skirmish — this time as he seeks the speaker’s gavel himself. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, holds a press conference in the Speaker's Committee Room saying he has the votes to become speaker of the House in the upcoming legislative session.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Growing oil industry support for methane reduction rule could help it survive Trump’s return
Texas regulators are taking public comment about how they should implement an EPA rule to reduce methane leaks from the oil and gas industry. Full Story
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![ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 20, 2024: A wall containing Bruder drill site owned by Total in Arlington, Texas on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. The city of Arlington approved Total’s application to drill and frack 11 gas wells at this site, which sits over 300 feet away from residential homes. CREDIT: Desiree Rios for Texas Tribune]()
Credit: Desiree Rios for The Texas Tribune -
Expanding college financial aid will help Texas meet workforce needs, new higher ed chief says
In his new role, Rosser will be responsible for helping Texas meet its goal to increase the number of Texans ages 25 to 34 with a postsecondary credential to 60% by 2030. Full Story
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![Wynn Rosser, then CEO of the Greater Texas Foundation, during a symposium on higher education at Baylor University in 2015.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Ken Paxton sues New York doctor accused of prescribing abortion pills to Texas woman
This case sets up a legal battle between Texas’ near-total abortion ban and New York’s shield law that protects doctors from out-of-state prosecution. Full Story
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![A patient prepares to take mifepristone, the first pill given in a medical abortion, on Jan. 13, 2023.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein