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• Texas lawmakers have gotten used to state budget surpluses. That era may be ending.

  By Paul Cobler, Graphics by Chris Essig June 30, 2025

  As federal pandemic aid ends and sales tax revenues cool, analysts say it could constrain the Texas Legislature in coming years. But they don’t see an immediate budget crisis on the horizon. Full Story 

• Texas is getting older and its child population is growing

  By Joshua Fechter, Graphics by Edison Wu June 26, 2025

  Texas remains younger than other states, but the number of older Texans has outpaced that of any other age group. Full Story 

• Analysis: The 2025 Texas Senate, from right to left

  By Mark P. Jones, Graphics by Edison Wu June 18, 2025

  Here’s a look at senators, ranked from most conservative to most liberal, based on votes cast during the 2025 regular session. Full Story 

• Texas students make gains in reading but struggle with math, STAAR scores show

  By Sneha Dey, Graphics by Edison Wu Updated: June 17, 2025

  The mixed-bag results showed early literacy improvements, a key indicator of future academic success, but underline the challenges of preparing children for STEM-related jobs. Full Story 

• Analysis: The 2025 Texas House, from right to left

  By Mark P. Jones, Graphics by Edison Wu June 17, 2025

  Here’s a look at House members, ranked from most conservative to most liberal, based on votes cast during the 2025 regular session. Full Story 

• With only 8% built, Texas quietly defunds state border wall program

  By Zach Despart and Alejandro Serrano, Graphics by Yuriko Schumacher June 17, 2025

  Texas officials suggested the federal government could pick up construction. However, during President Trump’s first term, his administration built about one-third of what the state was able to put up in the same amount of time. Full Story 

• Texas high school students’ STAAR scores show gains in STEM fields, struggles in reading and literacy

  By Atirikta Kumar, Graphics by Edison Wu June 10, 2025

  Education policy experts say the results align with Texas’ workforce goals but note that students still need help. Full Story 

• The one thing Texas won’t do to save its water supply

  By Jayme Lozano Carver, Graphics by Yuriko Schumacher May 29, 2025

  Texas property owners can use nearly as much water under their land as they want. That’s unlikely to change even as the state approaches a crisis. Full Story 

• The 2025 Texas Legislature is over. See how far some of the most consequential bills made it.

  By Texas Tribune Staff, Graphics by Carla Astudillo Updated: June 23, 2025

  Get up to date on the status of the session’s major bills, including some on their way to the governor’s desk. Full Story 

• The fastest-growing city in the U.S. is in Texas, and it’s not the one you’re thinking of

  By Joshua Fechter, Graphics by Yuriko Schumacher May 15, 2025

  With Princeton leading the Texas pack, the state continues to set the pace for the rest of the nation, with seven of the 15 fastest-growing cities. Full Story 

• Texas megadonor Alex Fairly joined forces with the GOP’s ultraconservative wing. He didn’t like what he saw.

  By Kate McGee, Graphics by Carla Astudillo May 8, 2025

  Fairly, an Amarillo businessman, backed many candidates aligned with conservative West Texas billionaire Tim Dunn’s political operation in 2024. Now he’s disavowing what he says are dishonest and aggressive campaign tactics while pondering his path forward. Full Story 

• Can Texas clean up fracking water enough to use for farming? One company thinks so.

  By Carlos Nogueras Ramos, Graphics by Carla Astudillo May 1, 2025

  The Texas Legislature has also invested millions in research to clean the fracking wastewater. Critics say it’s not a viable solution to the state’s water crisis. Full Story 

• Weary from COVID deaths, Hispanic Texans embraced vaccines. It saved their lives.

  By Terri Langford and Yuriko Schumacher May 1, 2025

  In the deadly summer of 2020, Hispanics in Texas were half of all COVID-19 deaths, spurring many to vaccinate. Today, in a startling flip, Hispanics make up less than a quarter of deaths from the disease. Full Story 

• 1 in 5 Texas schools got a D or F rating under new performance standards

  By Sneha Dey and Rob Reid Updated: April 24, 2025

  Failing grades for districts were made public for the first time since 2019. They showed schools with the poorest students were more likely to get a low score. Full Story 

• Texas measles cases remain steady at 750. Track the spread here.

  By Terri Langford, Yuriko Schumacher and Stephen Simpson Updated: July 2, 2025

  An outbreak is considered over if there are no new cases reported in 42 consecutive days. Full Story 

• East Texans united to stop a water sale to Dallas suburbs — for now

  By Jess Huff and Alejandra Martinez, Graphics by Yuriko Schumacher April 17, 2025

  After a deal to pipe water from Lake O’ the Pines to North Texas came to light, residents voiced opposition everywhere they could to block it. Full Story 

• See how Texas House members voted on school vouchers

  By Carla Astudillo April 17, 2025

  The House approved historic legislation that would implement school vouchers in Texas. Here’s how each representative voted. Full Story 

• See what each Texas state employee is paid: Search our updated database.

  By Rob Reid April 15, 2025

  The Texas Tribune’s database of Texas state employees’ compensation is updated to represent salaries as of April 1. Full Story 

• To avoid a water crisis, Texas may bet big on desalination. Here’s how it works in El Paso.

  By Alejandra Martinez, Graphics by Carla Astudillo April 11, 2025

  Desalination can create millions of gallons of fresh water a day. But it is expensive and there are many environmental concerns. Full Story 

• Explore Texas public schools’ college readiness, demographics and teacher salaries

  By Rob Reid April 10, 2025

  Use our database to learn about Texas public school districts and campuses, including hundreds of charter schools and alternative campuses. Data is the most recent available. Full Story