From groceries to childcare, Texans are spending more to live here. Here’s how much costs have risen, why it’s happening and what candidates are proposing to fix it.
How Texas candidates plan to lower the cost of gas, groceries and housing
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Politics
Trump slams Rep. Henry Cuellar for sticking with Democratic Party despite presidential pardon
Cuellar and his wife, charged with bribery, money laundering and conspiracy, were pardoned in December. In a social media post, Trump indicated he expected Cuellar to run as a Republican.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
In attacking Talarico for campaign absence, Trump calls for debate that Paxton has avoided
The Democrat, off the trail with the flu, quickly accepted the president’s call to “immediately report to a Debate Stage” with Ken Paxton.
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Graphics and data reporting
When a rural Texas school district struggled with growth, charter schools filled the void
The state has limited how much money it gives to fast-growing school districts, creating million-dollar gaps between what is owed and what’s given.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
“We have to suck it up”: Ken Paxton privately suggests cutting federal benefit programs to reduce national deficit
In a conversation that has been leaked in pieces to multiple publications, the GOP Senate nominee called for “reasonable cuts to mandatory spending,” which is driven by Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Democrat Nathan Johnson pitches back-to-basics attorney general’s office after 12 years under Paxton
Johnson is hoping enough moderates are tired of Paxton-era culture wars to cross party lines. His GOP opponent, Mayes Middleton, is running as the outgoing incumbent’s ideological heir.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas carries out nation’s first execution since Tennessee’s botched attempt
Jamaal Howard’s lawyers had sought a last-minute stay citing the inmate’s mental fitness, but their bid was denied by a state and federal court.
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Why Global Capital Is Betting on Texas
10 takeaways from Nasdaq Texas ConnecTXions in Dallas
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Public Education
STAAR rescoring requests triple after more Texas schools question computer grading
Thousands of STAAR reading results improved after humans rescored students’ written answers. Most of the initial grading was done by an automated engine.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Most Texas Republicans ignore Democratic calls to debate in statewide races
The last U.S. Senate race in Texas to go without a debate was in 2000. Gov. Greg Abbott, meanwhile, debated his Democratic opponents in each of his last three campaigns.
