Texas gives $125 million to rural sheriffs and prosecutors for pay increases
The 2023 legislation establishing the grant program also includes new equipment for rural sheriffs. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8a06e963ee783b8e876557d1d4c4b31e/Real%20Co%20Sheriff%20Office%20KGB%20TT%2010.jpg)
-
![Several vehicles were parked outside of the Real County Sheriff’s Office in Leakey on Jan. 12, 2022.]()
Credit: Kaylee Greenlee Beal for The Texas Tribune -
Republican senator who voted to acquit Paxton wants Senate to consider reopening impeachment proceedings
The bombshell request by retiring state Sen. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, comes after Paxton decided to stop fighting a whistleblower lawsuit whose claims factored into his impeachment trial. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/db2a0894f2b3a951f3088e329fafd59c/0905%20Impeach%20Trial%20Day%201%20BD%20TT%2008.jpg)
![State Sen. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, sits on the floor during the afternoon session of Day 1 of the Ken Paxton impeachment trial in the Texas Senate.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Why some Texas election leaders are scrambling to find more polling locations, machines and workers
A new law requires counties that allow residents to vote at any polling location to increase the number of locations. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/73fe6fa01594ff9a6e736c00532c7cc3/Tarrant%20County%20Election%20Day%20ST%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Eliza Smarr and her son Mason, 8, wait in line to cast their ballots on Election Day at the Blue Mound City Hall in Blue Mound on November 8, 2022.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate candidate backed by Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick faces mounting eligibility challenges
Brent Hagenbuch is working to fend off doubts about his residency in the four-way Republican primary to replace retiring state Sen. Drew Springer, R-Muenster. A last-minute court filing claims he resides in a corporate apartment in the district. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/198e478c9e530d7621ee80d434cd417d/Brent%20Hagenbuch%20Campaign%20TT.jpg)
![Candidate for state Senate Brent Hagenbuch.]()
Credit: Brent Hagenbuch For Texas Senate Campaign -
State Sen. Drew Springer will not seek reelection in 2024
The Republican, who represents a north Texas district, is the first member of the state Senate to announce ahead of the Nov. 11 start of the filing period that he won’t be running. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b02fa54cb3973a6bafda5b910eeea065/Drew%20Springer%20BD%20TT%2001.jpg)
![State Sen. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, during the last day of the 88th regular session on May 29, 2023.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
GOP senators, open to Paxton conviction, flipped when they realized they were still short the votes
“I feel there were six senators who were ready to be the 21st vote,” said Sen. Nathan Johnson, D-Dallas. “But they didn’t want to be the 20th vote.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a8c9f6b6b8282eb045b578341bb8a8f3/0911%20Paxton%20Trial%205%20JF%20DMN%20Pool%20TT%2005.jpg)
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, center, bows his head in prayer as state Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, leads the Senate in prayer during the fifth day of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial in the Senate chamber at the Texas State Capitol in Austin on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. Brian Birdwell was in the Pentagon when American Airlines flight 77 struck.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa/Pool via The Dallas Morning News -
Amid Slaton scandal, Texas Legislature moves to crack down on lawmakers who give alcohol to minors
The House passed a bill with a late amendment to make it a state jail felony for a “public officer” to give alcohol to a minor under any circumstances. Slaton voted for the amendment. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/af60d4585eb558dbaca0eb8a8380dc7b/Capitol%20Action%20April%2018%20JV%20TT%2010.jpg)
![State Rep. Bryan Slaton, R-Royse City, sits at his desk on the House floor in Austin on April 18, 2023.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Republican David Spiller wins rural Texas House seat, replacing Drew Springer
David Spiller, a Jacksboro attorney and school board member, faced fellow Republican Craig Carter for the seat previously held by Springer, who is now in the state Senate. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1d86320c7cb98da458c4c95c7a81f692/David%20Spiller%20TT.jpg)
![David Spiller faces off against Craig Carter for the Texas House District 68 seat.]()
Credit: David Spiller for Texas House Campaign -
Dan Patrick makes "Star Spangled Banner Act" a legislative priority after the Mavericks go 13 games without the national anthem
The NBA said the team would resume playing the song at home games, a day after it was reported that the national anthem had not been played at any Mavericks home games this season. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c6da7eaf27bb59c633d36494394f504c/Mark%20Cuban%20Dallas%20Mavericks%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
![Mark Cuban, center, the owner of Dallas Mavericks, before an NBA China Games between the Dallas Mavericks and Philadelphia 76ers in Shenzhen in 2018.
Mavericks beat 76ers 115-112 at Shenzhen match of NBA China Games.No Use China. No Use France.]()
Credit: Zhong Zhenbin via REUTERS -
Gov. Greg Abbott sets Feb. 23 special election runoff date for race to succeed Drew Springer in Texas House
The race for the solidly red seat in Northwest Texas pits David Spiller against fellow Republican Craig Carter. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0c90e7303b8e834a62a05a3723a0967b/Election%20Day%20Dallas%20BT%20TT%2002.jpg)
![A young women wearing a face covering votes inside the polling location at University Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, on Nov. 3, 2020.]()
Credit: Ben Torres for The Texas Tribune -
Two Republicans headed to runoff for Northwest Texas House seat
David Spiller advances along with second-place finisher Craig Carter in the race to replace outgoing state Rep. Drew Springer, who was elected to the Texas Senate. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fb5f75adddf6c2325c54cc9150229429/House%20Floor%20Jan%2013%20JV%20TT%2016.jpg)
![The Texas House of Representatives on Jan. 13, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
4 Republicans, 1 Democrat file to succeed Drew Springer in Jan. 23 Texas House special election
Springer, a Muenster Republican, is on his way to the Texas Senate. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2d40f2dace33e2f6ebcca53c6b581352/Capitol%20Health%20Rally%20SS%20TT%20504.jpg)
![The south end of the Texas State Capitol on June 28, 2012.]()
Credit: Spencer Selvidge for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott sets Jan. 23 special election to fill Drew Springer's Texas House seat
Springer is joining the state Senate after a hard-fought special election runoff earlier this month. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e39d09de3549101c30d7c0473de2ff4b/Drew%20Springer%202019%20JJ%20TT.jpg)
![State Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, spoke during a Texas Tribune panel in 2019.]()
Credit: John Jordan/The Texas Tribune -
State Rep. Drew Springer trumps Shelley Luther in Texas Senate runoff
The Muenster Republican prevailed over the Dallas salon owner who made headlines for refusing to shut down during the coronavirus pandemic. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ada9dd53d7eeb9e86efe1a5438331a32/Drew%20Springer%202019%20BD%20TT.jpg)
![State Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, spoke during a Texas Tribune panel in 2019.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott endorses Drew Springer over Shelley Luther in Texas Senate special election runoff
Springer and Luther, who has been a vocal opponent of Abbott's pandemic management, are in a Dec. 19 special election runoff. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4a07a3802777178907ec087033a73350/Drew%20Springer%20Modern%20World%20JF%20TT%2015.jpg)
![Drew Springer at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 28, 2019.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa for The Texas Tribune -
Republicans Shelley Luther, Drew Springer head to runoff in special election to replace state Sen. Pat Fallon
Much of the drama in the rapid-fire race had centered on Luther, a Dallas salon owner, and Springer, a state representative. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fb2d273c77738156012d1769e191307d/Luther%20and%20Springer%20Split.jpg)
![Dallas salon owner Shelley Luther and State Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster.]()
Credit: The Texas Tribune -
Republican dissent over Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's pandemic response animates state Senate special election
As Dallas salon owner Shelley Luther and state Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, continue to spar ahead of Tuesday's election, Luther directs some of her harshest criticism at Abbott. Full Story
![Dallas salon owner Shelley Luther and State Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster.]()
Credit: The Texas Tribune -
Conservative megadonor backs Shelley Luther for Texas Senate with $1 million loan
Luther, the Dallas salon owner who was jailed earlier this year over her refusal to close her business due to coronavirus restrictions, is running to replace state Sen. Pat Fallon, R-Prosper. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/76a26c5d6a6878144e15b1e1972add60/Luther%20and%20Dunn%20Split%20TT.jpg)
![Shelley Luther. republican nominee running to replace state Sen. Pat Fallon, R-Prosper, and Tim Dunn, CEO of CrownQuest Operating.]()
Credit: The Texas Tribune -
Four candidates join Shelley Luther, Drew Springer in race to replace state Sen. Pat Fallon
Springer, a state representative, and Luther, a Dallas salon owner who was jailed over her refusal to close her business due to the coronavirus pandemic, had previously announced their campaigns. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bed715e836ec54bf12902e4b8b3a5681/06_Senate_action_April_9_JF_TT.jpg)
![State Sen. Pat Fallon, R-Prosper, on the Senate floor on April 9, 2019.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott sets Sept. 29 special election to replace state Sen. Pat Fallon
Minutes after Abbott's announcement, state Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, announced his campaign for the seat. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a670a00fa73979cd444c635d279a691b/Senator%20Fallon%20MG%20TT%2015.jpg)
![State Sen. Pat Fallon, R-Prosper, at his desk on the Senate floor in 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune