Senate Bill 12’s supporters say DEI programs use class time and public funds to promote political agendas.
Stories by Texas Tribune fellows
The Texas Tribune welcomes a group of student fellows into our newsroom each spring, summer and fall. Here is a sampling of their work. Learn more about the fellowship program here.
Posted inDemographics
Democrats lash out as Legislature bans school clubs that support gay teens
Tensions flared and the debate turned personal as Republicans said their bill empowered parents and denied predictions that the ban will endanger children.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2025
Bill that would ban cellphones in Texas public schools heads to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk
Research shows cellphones interfere with students’ ability to focus in class. Texas would join at least nine other states that ban students from using their phones during the school day.
Posted in
Higher Education
UT-Dallas’ new president will be Prabhas Moghe, regents say
Moghe, Rutgers University’s chief academic officer, is a biochemical and biomedical engineer and a former international student. He is expected to start in his new role later this year.
Posted in
Politics
Ronnie Dugger, trailblazing founder of The Texas Observer, dies at 95
Dugger launched the Observer, a fixture of the Texas media landscape known for its decidedly progressive lens to state affairs, in 1954.
Posted in
Economy
Food aid cuts and other changes: What the U.S. House spending bill could mean for Texans
Many low-income families would see cuts in health care and food benefits. The state hopes for a big reimbursement for border security spending.
Posted inHealth care
“See how we do things”: Austin cannabis shop invites Texas lawmakers wanting to ban THC
A bill that would make it illegal to sell THC products could soon head over to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. For a cannabis store employee, lawmakers don’t know enough about the industry they’re trying to shut down.
Posted in
Congress
$12 billion added to congressional spending bill to reimburse states like Texas for border spending
The U.S. House approved the budget reconciliation bill, which also includes preservation of 2017 tax cuts and changes to Medicaid and SNAP.
Posted in
Politics
Ted Cruz introduces bill incentivizing K-12 scholarships
The bill, titled the Universal School Choice Act, would provide a tax credit to match an amount donated to organizations that provide K-12 scholarships.
Posted inPolitics
Texas Legislature moves to build Texas Life Memorial on Capitol grounds
Approval of the monument comes as the lower chamber prepares to debate the “Life of the Mother Act” bill later this week.
