Stories by Texas Tribune fellows

Volunteers are hoping to find the owners of stuffed animals, photographs and other keepsakes salvaged from the debris. Full Story 

Despite receiving substantial state funding to air-condition prisons in the last few years, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice has stayed mum on when it will install cooling across the system. Full Story 

President Donald Trump said he thinks Republicans could flip a handful of congressional districts in Texas next year through “​​just a very simple redrawing." Full Story 

Officials removed nearly 100 from the list of the missing Saturday, saying many had been found safe. There was no update on the death toll, which was most recently 135 statewide. Full Story 

The joint House and Senate committee will first meet in Austin next week, then in Kerrville on July 31 to hear from Hill Country residents about their concerns. Full Story 

Artificial intelligence develops at a rapid pace. We are inviting you to share your thoughts in our second AI reader survey. Full Story 

As residents recover and rebuild, Grape Juice in downtown Kerrville is serving as a hub for people needing meals, supplies and other necessities. Full Story 

Although a new round of floods elsewhere prompted emergency rescues Sunday, no injuries or deaths were reported. Full Story 

A Collin County judge’s reported decision could keep details of the divorce from spilling into Ken Paxton’s U.S. Senate race. Full Story 

The president met with state and local officials, who praised the White House response, and lashed out at a question on whether aid and rescue efforts occurred fast enough. Full Story 

While sirens can help in areas with shaky cell service, experts say officials also need to consider alert fatigue and provide education on what to do in an emergency. Full Story 

Cornyn will need to use his deep coffers to overcome an early polling deficit to Paxton, who is looking to deny the GOP incumbent’s bid for a fifth term. Full Story 

Religion and the river are constant Kerr County touchstones. As residents lean on their faith, they grapple with their relationship to the water. Full Story 

In the last nine years, federal funding for a system has been denied to the county as it contends with a tax base hostile to government overspending. Full Story 

The four friends are among the hundreds of victims. The bodies of three of them have been found. Their families have searched for their loved ones since Friday. Full Story 

Crews are using construction equipment to clear vehicles, trees and homes in a race to locate more than 170 people still missing since Friday’s devastating flood. Full Story 

The House budget chair and lead sponsor of the GOP tax and spending bill recounts the months of negotiations needed to unite the fractious caucus. Full Story 

These maps and charts show the scale and intensity of the Hill Country floods and highlight Camp Mystic’s proximity to high-risk flood zones. Full Story 

When storms roll in, water rushes downhill fast, gaining speed and force as it moves — often with deadly results. Full Story 

Texas’ junior senator was visiting Greece Friday when the Texas flood turned deadly. Cruz, who did not return until Sunday night, communicated with officials from Athens. Full Story