A bill that would ban sanctuary cities is getting its first hearing Thursday just days after Gov. Greg Abbott declared the issue an emergency item in his State of the State address.
Bobby Blanchard
Bobby Blanchard joined The Texas Tribune’s audience team in 2016 and led the team from 2021 to 2023, strategizing to expand the organization’s reach and engagement across all platforms. A graduate of UT-Austin, Bobby spent his first year out of college at The Dallas Morning News as a reporting fellow, covering Texas politics and breaking news. He got his start in journalism in the poorly lit basement of The Daily Texan, followed by internships at the Houston Chronicle, KUT News and the Tribune. Born and raised in the Houston area, Bobby is a native Texan.
Posted in
Demographics
The Brief: Travis County’s ‘sanctuary city’ policy begins today
A controversial policy that’s provoked the ire of Republicans is set to go into effect today in Travis County. Here’s what you need to know about the latest sanctuary city fight.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: What to expect from Greg Abbott’s State of the State
Gov. Greg Abbott will give his State of the State address today. In a session already filled with priorities — Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is aggressively pushing 25 — Abbott may add some clarity.
Posted in
Politics
Survey of Texans in Congress shows most Republicans back Trump’s travel ban
As of late Monday, nearly all of the 38-member Texas congressional delegation had taken a position on President Trump’s travel ban executive order. Most Republicans backed the measure, while Democrats viscerally opposed it.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: Trump’s travel ban leads to chaotic weekend
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday banning travel from seven countries in the Middle East. What followed was a chaotic weekend at the nation’s airports.
Posted in
Demographics
Texas congressional delegation largely silent on Trump travel ban
Most members of the Texas congressional delegation remained silent about President Trump’s travel ban over the weekend, but one Republican challenged the ban and another — Michael McCaul of Austin — said his input on the order did not include a ban on Muslims.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: Awaiting a verdict in grisly border murder case
In a gruesome murder case, a Cameron County jury is set to consider the fate of a Border Patrol agent and his brother on Friday.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: After controversial survey, lawmaker hosts summit on ‘radical Islamic terrorism’
A state representative is holding a “Homeland Security Forum” at the state Capitol today, but a controversial survey the lawmaker sent out to “Islamic Leaders” polling their beliefs may overshadow the event.
Posted in
Politics
Trump’s anti-voter fraud crusade revives issue in Texas
Following President Donald Trump’s latest unsubstantiated claim that voter fraud cost him the popular vote, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said “voter fraud is real” in an interview on Fox News Wednesday morning.
Posted inState Government
The Brief: Trump promises ‘big day’ on border wall
President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order Wednesday ordering the construction of a U.S-Mexico border wall.
