Texans still can’t buy liquor in Walmart, after U.S. Supreme Court rejects bid
Texas is the only state that does not let publicly traded companies, like Walmart, sell liquor. Full Story
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![An employee at a Walmart in Brownsville works the cash register.]()
Credit: Delcia Lopez for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott says he supports making to-go alcohol sales permanent in Texas
State Rep. Tan Parker said he will file a bill in the upcoming legislative session to extend to-go alcohol sales past the coronavirus pandemic. The Texas Restaurant Association also has asked Abbott to expand the waiver to allow mixed drinks with liquor to be prepared, resealed and sold. Full Story
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![Customers, one wearing a mask, enjoy drinks and dinner at B.D. Riley's Irish Pub on West 6th Street as Texas bars reopen ami…]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Senate moves to let breweries sell beer to go, make it easier to own several liquor stores
The upper chamber added those changes to a broader bill that must pass for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to continue functioning. The House has already signaled it would let breweries sell beer to go. Full Story
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![Oskar Blues Brewery on Friday June 2, 2017.]()
Credit: Erika Rich for The Texas Tribune -
"This is freedom": Texas House moves to expand alcohol sales on Sundays and at breweries
The House approved the changes in amendments to a broader bill about the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission's operations. The Senate still could strip the changes from the bill. Full Story
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![Beer stacked at a Keg 1 O'Neal beer distribution warehouse in Temple, Texas in April 2018.]()
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Closed on Sundays: A guide to some of Texas' confusing alcohol regulations
You can't use credit to buy beer from wholesalers, but you can own more liquor stores if you do business with family. Full Story
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![Colorado-based Oskar Blues, which has a tap room in Austin, is opposed to a bill that would require it to pay what critics c…]()
Credit: Erika Rich for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: These Texas candidates are about to find out what they’ve really won!
The campaigns were long and hard, and now we know the winners. Let's look at what they're in for once they take office in 2019. Full Story
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![Texas House members huddled near the dais on Aug. 15, 2017. The House adjourned sine die one day before the Legislature's sp…]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Texas liquor giant Spec's sues Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for "abusive" enforcement attempts
In a case that alleges overzealous business regulation, Spec's, the state's largest liquor store chain, is suing the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for “wrongfully and maliciously” trying to impose huge fines and sanctions on the retailer. The state says it's immune from such suits. Full Story
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![Spec’s Liquor President John Rydman, with wife and owner Lindy Rydman in blue and their daughter Lisa Rydman, granddaughter …]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Lawsuit claims Texas senator interfered in liquor agency investigation
State Sen. Joan Huffman denies that she tried to influence an investigation into a bar in which she had a financial interest. A fired agent said he was told a state senator tried to kill the probe, but he doesn't have evidence that Huffman "told anybody to falsify records or delete records." Full Story
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![State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, listens to the Gonzales family speak against SB 3 and SB 91, the "bathroom bills," befor…]()
Credit: Austin Price / The Texas Tribune -
Big spending liquor interests, arcane laws keep iconic barbecue joint from making wine
The owners of The Salt Lick have big plans for their land, from a winery to an events center. But they're stymied by Prohibition-era alcohol laws aimed at keeping producers, distributors and retailers financially separate. Will lawmakers step in with a fix? Full Story
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![Scott Roberts, owner of The Salt Lick barbecue restaurant near Austin, wants to build a winery but strict Texas liquor laws …]()
Credit: Phil Prazan/KXAN -
Judge's ruling would let Texas consumers buy booze from Walmart and Costco
Unlike residents of more than 30 U.S. states and many foreign nations, Texans who want to buy a fifth of vodka or bourbon can't find their favorite spirit on the shelves of their local Walmart or Costco. A landmark ruling issued by a federal court in Austin could soon change that. Full Story
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![Wiggy's Liquor, August 2010, in Austin.]()
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Under new management, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission mends fences after scandal
Nearly a year after a series of self-inflicted wounds led to a purge of the agency's upper management, a new commissioner and new executive director have launched a series of reforms — and the businesses they regulate say they've seen a big change. Full Story
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![Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission Executive Director Adrian Bentley Nettles (left) and Presiding Officer Kevin J. Lilly on…]()
Credit: John Jordan / The Texas Tribune -
The top Texas tales of 2017 (podcast)
On the final TribCast of 2017, Emily talks to Alexa, Neena, Jay and Edgar about some of the Trib's biggest stories of the year: the bathroom bill, Hurricane Harvey, the TABC scandal and our series on child sex trafficking. Full Story
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Credit: Emily Albracht / Todd Wiseman -
Key lawmaker wants ethics reform on special session agenda
State Rep. Sarah Davis will ask Gov. Greg Abbott to put ethics reform on the agenda of the ongoing special session and said focusing on ethics would restore trust in the Legislature at time when it's diminishing. Full Story
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![State Reps. Sarah Davis, R-West University Place, and Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Sarah Davis wants more information about "misconduct" at TABC
The chair of a House oversight committee wants more information about potential "misconduct" that occurred at the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Full Story
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![State Rep. Sarah Davis, R-West University Place, chairwoman of the Committee on General Investigating and Ethics, holds up a…]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Licensing director is seventh official out at troubled liquor agency
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission Licensing Director Amy Harrison helped oversee the creation of a controversial flyer depicting agency honchos partying during out-of-state junkets. Full Story
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![Pictured second from left is liquor lobbyist Dewey Brackin. Next to him, in the center, is Amy Harrison, licensing director …]()
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The storm at TABC, redistricting trials and the special session ahead (podcast)
On this week's TribCast, Ross talks to Ayan, Alexa and Jay about high-level changes at the state's alcohol regulator, the redistricting trials underway in San Antonio and the special session that starts next Tuesday. Full Story
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Credit: Emily Albracht / Todd Wiseman -
New executive director picked for troubled Texas liquor agency
A lawyer with a lengthy military background has been tapped to clean up the embattled Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, which has been dogged by controversies and high-level departures in recent months. Full Story
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![Bentley Nettles, a decorated military officer and practicing lawyer, was appointed executive director of the Texas Alcoholic…]()
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Acting director of Texas liquor agency abruptly quits
He had only been in the job for a few weeks, but the interim director of the troubled Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is out. Ed Swedberg abruptly quit Friday after saying he did not want to participate in the termination of another high-ranking official at TABC. Full Story
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![Ed Swedberg, deputy executive director of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, answers questions during the House Commit…]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Trump administration says Texas' new voter ID law checks all the boxes (video)
The U.S. Department of Justice argued in a legal filing Thursday that courts should drop any further action over the old version of Texas’ voter ID law. That story tops the Texas Political Roundup. Full Story
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Two more liquor regulators leaving troubled TABC
Two fresh departures from the troubled Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, announced Thursday, bring to five the number of high-level officials calling it quits since The Texas Tribune began publishing a series of stories about lavish spending, mismanagement and regulatory overreach at TABC. Full Story
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![Earl Pearson and Andy Peña from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.]()
Credit: TABC website