The Brief: Abbott set to discuss the future of the Capitol's Confederate monuments today
The ball may move today on the conversation surrounding what should be done with Confederate monuments on Texas Capitol grounds. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/08/17/Confederate_Soldiers_Monument_TT.jpg)
-
![The Confederate Soldiers' Monument on the south lawn of the state Capitol in Austin.]()
Credit: John Jordan for The Texas Tribune -
Q&A: Dallas ISD superintendent says merit pay "has possibility" for state
Dallas ISD has pioneered a localized system of merit pay for teachers. Would it work elsewhere in the state? Read what Superintendent Michael Hinojosa had to say. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/10/25/Michael_Hinojosa_TT.jpg)
![Dallas Independent School District Superintendent Michael Hinojosa.]()
Credit: Dallas ISD -
How renting furniture in Texas can land you in jail
While other businesses have to use civil remedies when customers don't pay their debts, the rent-to-own industry has a special tool in Texas law that lets them file criminal charges, an investigation by the Tribune and NerdWallet found. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/10/23/Rent_to_Own_2_CP_TT.jpg)
![A rent-to-company threatened to file criminal charges against Austin resident Melinda Sandlin after she stopped making payments. Sandlin looks through her rental purchase agreement and other related documents at her Austin home on August 30, 2017.]()
Credit: Charlie Pearce for The Texas Tribune -
Hey, Texplainer: Did the Railroad Commission chairwoman fire its executive director?
After two members of the Railroad Commission's board sparred over the fate of the agency's executive director, questions arose about decision-making and transparency within the state agency. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/08/22/7C2A3239.jpg)
![Texas Railroad Commissioners Christi Craddick, Ryan Sitton and David Porter wait for their turn to testify before the Sunset Advisory Commission on Aug. 22, 2016.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Castro joins call for release of girl detained by immigration agents after surgery
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, along with immigrant rights and civil liberty groups, is calling for the federal government to release an undocumented 10-year-old girl who was placed in an immigration facility following surgery. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/05/07/BorderPatrolCar.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Josh Denmark -
Texas attorney general sues feds, seeks to help family adopt Native American 2-year-old
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing the federal government over a law that seeks to keep Native American children from being separated from their families. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/12/7C2A6006.jpg)
![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Federal government rolls out eight border wall prototypes
U.S. Customs and Border Protection will test border wall prototypes over the next two months, the agency said Thursday. Completion of the prototypes signals the Trump administration is making progress on one of the president's campaign promises. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/10/26/Border_Wall_prototypes_TT.jpg)
![Ground views of different border wall prototypes as they take shape during the Wall Prototype Construction Project near the Otay Mesa Port of Entry on the U.S./Mexico border south of San Diego, California.]()
Credit: Mani Albrecht/CBP Media Relations -
The Brief: Straus' retirement announcement reverberates through Capitol
What does the moderate Republican's departure from the Texas Legislature mean for the GOP, the 2018 elections and the 2019 legislative session? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/10/25/Straus_presser_4_BD_TT.jpg)
![Texas House Speaker Joe Straus announces he won't seek reelection in 2018 at a press conference at the state Capitol on Oct. 25, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
How Harvey-affected kids in jail or on probation are getting help in Houston
Dozens of minors in jail or on probation in Harris County are facing new hurdles after Hurricane Harvey. A local nonprofit is expanding to help youth in the criminal justice system who've lost everything in the storm. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/10/24/ReVision_1_JMc_TT.jpg)
![Ron Williams, an outreach worker at Houston reVision, pulls supplies from a stockpile of donations to bring to a Harvey-displaced teen on probation on Oct. 17, 2017.]()
Credit: Jolie McCullough / The Texas Tribune -
What will Joe Straus do with his $10 million in unspent campaign funds?
State ethics laws grant elected officials wide latitude on how they use their political contributions while in office — meaning there's a lot outgoing House Speaker Joe Straus could do with his $10 million campaign war chest. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/13/money-sky-capitol.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Speaker Straus discusses why he decided it was time to step down
In an interview with The Texas Tribune, House Speaker Joe Straus discusses his surprise announcement that he won't seek re-election to the Texas Legislature. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/Straus_InterviewBD073TT.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Speaker Straus won't run for re-election (podcast)
On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Evan, Ross and Aman about House Speaker Joe Straus' bombshell decision not to run for re-election, and what it means for the Texas Legislature. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/11/22/TTE-tribcast_leadart.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Emily Albracht / Todd Wiseman -
After court battle, undocumented teen in Texas gets abortion requested weeks ago
An undocumented teenager under federal custody in Texas got an abortion she had been seeking for weeks Wednesday morning, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. "This is my life, my decision," the teen said in a statement after the procedure. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/07/31/Clinic_photo.jpg)
![A hallway at the Whole Woman's Health clinic in Austin, which shut down in 2014.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
Straus earthquake could shake up Texas politics for years
The impact of House Speaker Joe Straus' departure from the Capitol can't be understated, according to one political scientist: "The political center of the state collapsed today." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/10/25/Straus-Gaggle.jpg)
![Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, a San Antonio Republican, announced Wednesday he will not run for re-election.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House Speaker Joe Straus says he will not seek re-election
Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, a San Antonio Republican, announced Wednesday he will not run for re-election. He did not rule out running for higher office. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/10/25/__95I2930_Straus.jpg)
![House Speaker Joe Straus announces to the Capitol press that he will not seek re-election in 2018, opening up the speaker's race to a number of candidates for the 2019 session.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: The far-reaching political repercussions of Speaker Straus’ exit
For the first time since 1993, there will be an open race for Texas House speaker. With current Speaker Joe Straus announcing his exit, expect a clear turn in the fight between the state's business and movement conservatives. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/08/08/_95I7698_Straus.jpg)
![House Speaker Joe Straus questions members during a break in debate of House Bill 214 on August 8, 2017. The bill would limit funding for elective abortions.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
The Brief: What’s next for pregnant, undocumented teen after abortion ruling?
Will the Trump administration appeal Tuesday's ruling that granted an undocumented immigrant minor immediate abortion access to the U.S. Supreme Court? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/17/7_Flag_and_Fence_RJ_TT.jpg)
![An American flag flies over the international bridge at Eagle Pass, seen through the border fence.]()
Credit: Robin Jerstad for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Republican women talk Trump, politics and the GOP (video)
We asked attendees at the Texas Federation of Republican Women convention in Dallas about President Donald Trump, the future of their party and the role of GOP leaders in women's health issues. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/10/19/TexasRepubWomen_005_TT.jpg)
![Attendees listen to speakers at the Texas Federation of Republican Women Convention in Dallas on Oct. 19, 2017.]()
Credit: Laura Buckman for The Texas Tribune -
Environmentalists worry industry could thwart cleanup of toxic Houston-area dump site
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently unveiled a long-in-coming plan to muck out the infamous San Jacinto River Waste Pits — a strategy opposed by the companies responsible for the pollution. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/10/15/SanJacintoWater-Danger.jpg)
![The San Jacinto River Waste Pits, an EPA Superfund site that is contaminated with dioxins, is located off Interstate 10 east of Houston.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato -
Andrew White, son of late Gov. Mark White, explores 2018 gubernatorial campaign
Andrew White, the son of late Gov. Mark White, is mulling a run for governor as a Democrat in 2018. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/10/24/AndrewWhite.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Courtesy of Andrew White Campaign