After his corruption indictment last year, the Laredo Democrat forfeited his role as the top Democrat on the House Appropriations subcommittee that oversees more than $65 billion in annual spending.
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 in
Higher Education
6 takeaways from our investigation into the ouster of Texas A&M’s president
Mark Welsh III’s two-year tenure as president of Texas A&M University was marked with political controversies.
Posted in
Higher Education
How the political tide turned on Mark Welsh, the four-star general ousted as Texas A&M president
The A&M Board of Regents came to want a more explicitly conservative leader who would shut down controversy before it reared its head, as members grew weary from the steady drumbeat of online posts accusing the university of embracing liberal ideology.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Henry Cuellar faces scant opposition in South Texas Democratic primary
Days out from the filing deadline, Cuellar has yet to draw a serious primary challenger — a sign that many in his party view the anti-abortion congressman as their best bet to stave off the GOP in November.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina launches run for Congress, seeking to flip South Texas district red
National GOP recruiters see Webb County’s top elected official as a promising candidate to unseat longtime U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar in 2026.
Posted in
Public Education
How Texas’ law banning DEI, LGBTQ+ topics in K-12 schools could fare in court
Cases challenging Florida and federal policies provide a glimpse into the possible outcome for the Texas case. It is scheduled for a court hearing in Houston on Dec. 10.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Webb County judge disputes allegation that he violated federal law to dodge Texas’ resign-to-run rule
Tano Tijerina, the top elected official in a county that includes Laredo, is expected to seek the GOP nomination in Texas’ 28th Congressional District, long held by Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar.
Posted in
Public Education
Texas AG Ken Paxton sues three school districts for not displaying Ten Commandments in classrooms
The suits against Galveston, Round Rock and Leander ISDs come after Texas passed a law requiring the commandments be posted in classrooms. The law is being challenged in federal court.
Posted in
Congress
Entire Texas congressional delegation votes to release Epstein files
Rep. Troy Nehls of Richmond was among House Republicans who had previously opposed releasing the files, but reversed their stances this week.
Posted in
Public Education
Why some Texas teachers are being forced to “deadname” trans students under a new state law
The law requires school employees to use names and pronouns that conform to students’ sex at birth.