Phillip Surls, a local businessman who owns much of the property around the Cutoff, has argued he blocked access to the stream to protect his cattle and that the waterway is not public.
An East Texas landowner fenced off a community’s favorite fishing spot, igniting multiple legal battles
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Redistricting Texas 2025
This newly drawn Houston district could unearth tensions between Democrats of color
A primary challenge to Rep. Sylvia Garcia underscores Latino Democrats’ fears of being unrepresented in Harris County.
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Politics
Trump taps Texas Sen. Brian Birdwell for assistant secretary of defense
The U.S. Senate must confirm the appointment. The Granbury Republican previously announced he would not seek another Texas Senate term.
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Health care
Feds slash the budget for program that helped 65,000 Texans enroll for health insurance
With the Affordable Care Act navigator budget cut by 90%, nonprofits are seeking ways to fund their efforts to bring more of the state’s uninsured into regular health care.
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Redistricting Texas 2025
How two Texas redistricting cases, 37 years apart, set the stage for the latest congressional redraw
The 5th Circuit last year overturned its previous ruling that allowed racial groups to band together to challenge voting maps, laying the groundwork for Texas’ mid-decade redistricting.
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Running Out: Texas’ Water Crisis
Plan to pump billions of gallons of water from East Texas appears on hold
An East Texas farm sued the local groundwater conservation district that has authority over the aquifer that would be pumped. As part of a settlement, the district has voided its original permits.
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TribCast
TribCast: The Hunt is on in the GOP Senate primary
Matthew and Eleanor are joined by Tribune D.C. reporter Gabby Birenbaum and radio host Chad Hasty to unpack the three candidates vying to be the Republican nominee for Senate in 2026.
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State Government
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott orders state to sweep Austin homeless camps as city launches its own effort
Homelessness has been a perennial problem in Texas’ capital city. Local officials are asking voters to raise taxes to ease the problem.
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The 2025 Texas Tribune Festival
Wes Moore to open this year’s Texas Tribune Festival
In conversation with Chuck Todd, the Maryland governor will discuss the state of his state, our country and the Democratic Party.
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Environment
A new South Texas data center will rely on untapped renewable energy
The new data center will work directly with a nearby windfarm to use energy the windfarm can’t send to the state’s electricity grid.
