Llano County removed 17 books from its libraries. An appeals court says eight must be returned.
Library patrons sued after 17 titles were removed, including books that deal with racism and transgender issues. Full Story
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![The Young Adults section at the Llano Public Library on Monday, Dec. 14, 2021 in Llano.]()
Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune -
In Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, a push for more direct democracy
Ground Game Texas, a group that has pushed for progressive policies in cities across the state, is working to make it easier for McAllen residents to change local laws. Full Story
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![Karen Salazar, center, campaign manager for Ground Game Texas, and field organizers Elena Pacheco, left, and Jimena Rodriguez in a McAllen neighborhood on May 23, 2024. They were gathering signatures for a petition to amend the city charter to limit campaign contributions.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribune -
Texas tells local election officials to stop releasing information that exposes how some people vote
The emergency guidance from the secretary of state comes after Votebeat and The Texas Tribune confirmed the choices some voters make can later be identified through legally available records. Full Story
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![A ballot is dropped in Austin in October, 2020.]()
Credit: Amna Ijaz/The Texas Tribune -
Unchecked growth around Big Bend sparks debate over water — a prelude for Texas
No one knows how much water sits beneath the desert of Terlingua. Residents worry their wells will run dry, as developers and local officials cheer the tourism boom. Full Story
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![Rick and Georganne Bradbury drive down a remote mountain road after delivering water to a client on Terlingua Ranch. Keeping his business afloat is a constant concern for Rick, who said he’s spent thousands of dollars on replacing car parts and spare water tanks damaged by the terrain.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
New Texas Democratic group hopes to pump millions into neglected party infrastructure
The new outfit is hoping that its long-term plan will eventually help Democrats become more competitive in statewide races. Full Story
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![Democratic signage, mugs, stickers, and buttons on display at the Travis County Democratic Party office in Austin on Oct. 8, 2019.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas farmers face mounting expenses as droughts worsen
Rising temperatures intensify drought and increase costs for the heavily subsidized crop insurance program. Full Story
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![A farm irrigation system near the High Plains town of Ralls, about 30 miles east of Lubbock, on Wednesday, June 22, 2022. Like much of Texas, the High Plains and Panhandle are facing drought conditions and extraordinary heat.]()
Credit: Trace Thomas for The Texas Tribune -
Financiers plan to launch a Texas-based stock exchange
The group announced Wednesday it raised $120 million in capital to start a stock exchange in Dallas this year. Full Story
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![Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York on August 23, 2016.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Brendan McDermid -
Texas A&M bonfire will not return to campus
Resuming the bonfire was “not in the interest” of Texas A&M, said school President Mark Welsh III. Full Story
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![Rescue workers dig through a log bonfire structure which collapsed Nov. 18, 1999 on the Texas A&M campus in College Station, killing 12. The bonfire, made of thousands of logs, was a longtime annual tradition ahead of Texas A&M/UT-Austin football games.]()
Credit: Adrees A. via REUTERS -
Darla Cameron is the Tribune’s new interim chief product officer
Laura McReavy Hearnsberger also joined the Tribune’s product team as our new data analyst. Full Story
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![Darla Cameron]()
Credit: The Texas Tribune -
Some Texas school officials are skeptical that a K-12 curriculum with Christian influences is the lifeline state leaders promise
Proposed lesson plans could improve student performance and help teachers, Texas education officials say. Not all district leaders and education advocates are convinced. Full Story
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![Cactus Elementary School in Cactus on Jan. 28, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
“Grateful to be alive”: Clubhouse programs take pressure off overwhelmed Texas mental health hospitals
Thousands of people are discharged from Texas mental health hospitals yearly, and so-called step-down programs like clubhouses can help them integrate back into the community. Full Story
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![AUSTIN, TX - MAY 29: Austin Clubhouse member Jonathan Denhart poses for a portrait at Hyde Park Christian Church in Austin, Texas on May 29, 2024. Photo by Montinique Monroe for the Texas Tribune]()
Credit: Montinique Monroe for The Texas Tribune -
Travis County DA wants to overturn Abbott’s pardon of convicted murderer
Daniel Perry was pardoned more than a year after a jury convicted him of murdering police brutality demonstrator Garrett Foster in 2020. Full Story
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![Daniel Perry at his trial for the murder of Garrett Foster at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center in Austin on April 5, 2023.]()
Credit: Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via REUTERS -
“Why now?”: Biden’s new immigration policy to limit asylum seekers faces quick criticism in Texas
President Joe Biden’s new executive order, unveiled Tuesday, will restrict the number of asylum seekers allowed to cross the border when crossings reach a certain level. Full Story
Credit: Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribune -
Texas AG Ken Paxton launches new team to prosecute online privacy and security cases
The new initiative will target companies that illegally collect and sell users’ data, Paxton’s office said. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks during the Texas GOP Convention Thursday, May 23, 2024 in San Antonio.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
After overlooking O’Rourke, national Democrats show early confidence in Allred
Six years after Beto O’Rourke nearly toppled Ted Cruz, Democrats outside Texas are expressing confidence in Colin Allred’s 2024 challenge. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, speaks at a U.S. Senate debate in Austin on Jan. 28, 2024. The Texas AFL-CIO COPE Convention hosted the debate ahead of the March 5 primary elections.]()
Credit: Maria Crane/The Texas Tribune -
Despite Texas’ “aggressive” well-plugging program, there’s still a backlog of orphaned oil and gas wells
No state has punched more holes in its bedrock than the Lone Star State. The environmental risks are staggering, and so are the clean up costs, especially in the Permian Basin. Full Story
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![The head of an abandoned well sprouts from the ground on Stuart Carter's cattle ranch in Luling. For years, he has pushed the operator who took over a mineral lease to plug the well. The operator refuses to do so, saying it's not his responsibility.]()
Credit: Tamir Kalifa for The Texas Tribune -
Six Texas freshwater mussels, the “livers of the rivers,” added to endangered species list
Freshwater mussels can pump and filter eight to 15 gallons of water a day, cleaning rivers and streams. Six of the 50 mussels that call Texas home are federally protected by Monday’s listing. Full Story
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![Endangered freshwater mussels.]()
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Border mayors heading to Washington, D.C. for Biden immigration announcement
President Joe Biden is expected to announce a major policy change to limit how many asylum seekers are allowed into the country. Full Story
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![Brownsville Mayor John Cowen delivers remarks during a presidential visit to the southern border on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Brownsville as President Joe Biden looks on. NO ARCHIVE]()
Credit: AP Photo/Evan Vucci -
How new regulations impact abortion and birth control access in Texas
More than a year after the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, Texas continues to be the largest state in the nation to ban nearly all abortions. But some questions and changes to abortion and birth control access have arisen since then. Full Story
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![An exam room at Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas in Austin, Texas on August 8, 2023.]()
Credit: Montinique Monroe for The Texas Tribune -
National Republicans target Henry Cuellar’s South Texas seat after indictment
The move is a shift in strategy for Republicans who previously focused on other South Texas races even after federal authorities filed criminal charges against the Democrat. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, at a Get Out the Vote rally in San Antonio on May 4, 2022.]()
Credit: Chris Stokes for The Texas Tribune
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