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Corrections and Clarifications

Our reporting on all platforms will be truthful, transparent and respectful; our facts will be accurate, complete and fairly presented. When we make a mistake — and from time to time, we will — we will work quickly to fully address the error, correcting it within the story, detailing the error on the story page and adding it to this running list of Tribune corrections. If you find an error, email corrections@texastribune.org.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has listed the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, which lives in South Texas, Arizona and Mexico, as a threatened species.

Environment

On the Texas-Mexico border, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service gives an owl protected status, seeks to declare two mussel species endangered

By Noah Alcala BachJuly 25, 2023

Wildlife groups have long lobbied for increased protection for the cactus ferruginous pygmy owl. The agency says the mussels species are threatened by reduced flow and poor water quality in the Rio Grande.

Books at Vandegrift High School's library on March 2, 2022. A new Texas law requires book vendors to apply ratings to all titles before hitting bookshelves.

Texas Legislature 2023

Booksellers sue over Texas law requiring them to rate books for appropriateness

By Rebecca SchneidJuly 25, 2023

Two Texas bookstores and three national bookseller associations file suit over House Bill 900, which requires private booksellers to rate books on appropriateness, and bans “sexually explicit” material from libraries.

U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, walks down the House steps on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., last year. On Tuesday, he launched a “thirst strike” to advocate for federal policy requiring paid water breaks for people who work outdoors in extreme heat.

Economy

U.S. Rep. Greg Casar stages “thirst strike” to advocate for federally mandated water breaks in extreme heat

By Olivia AlafrizJuly 25, 2023

There are no federal or state requirements that people who work outside receive paid water breaks. Casar, an Austin Democrat, wants to change that.

Workers in Eagle Pass deploy a string of buoys designed to prevent migrants from swimming across the Rio Grande on July 14. The U.S. government sued Gov. Greg Abbott and the state of Texas over the floating barrier on Monday.

Politics

U.S. sues Texas after Gov. Greg Abbott declines to remove floating border barrier

By Noah Alcala BachJuly 24, 2023July 24, 2023

The U.S. Department of Justice made good on its warning last week that it would sue Texas unless the state agreed to remove the barrier in the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass.

A construction worker carries a piece of metal while working through a heatwave in Houston on Friday, July 14, 2023.

Climate Change in Texas

As Texas’ heat wave continues, tell us how you’re coping

By María Méndez, Joe Timmerman and Susie WebbJuly 24, 2023

Texans are seeing record-breaking temperatures this summer. Tell us how the excessive heat is affecting your daily life or plans for the future and what questions we can answer about dealing with it.

Kari stands with her son, a transgender 17-year-old, at a park in Georgetown last month. Starting Sept. 1, a new law will require her son to be weaned off hormone treatments after lawmakers banned gender-affirming care for kids.

LGBTQ+ Texans

In a political era of “parental rights,” Texans raising trans kids say new law strips them of choice

By Rebecca SchneidJuly 17, 2023July 20, 2023

Senate Bill 14, which is set to take effect on Sept. 1, bans transition-related care for minors. Parents of transgender kids say it blocks their ability to support their children.

Steam rises from the stacks at the Martin Lake coal-fired power plant in 2011. The Sierra Club sued the EPA to force the agency to rule on Texas’ plan to reduce air pollution, which the nonprofit says is largely caused by the power plant, in Rusk and Panola counties.

Energy

EPA will decide if the state is doing enough to reduce pollution in two East Texas counties

By Noah Alcala BachJuly 20, 2023

The federal agency has settled a lawsuit the Sierra Club brought over pollution from a coal-burning power plant. The agreement requires the EPA to weigh in on the state’s plan to improve air quality in Rusk and Panola counties.

From left: Amanda Zurawski; Samantha Casiano; Molly Duane, senior staff attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights; and Ashley Brandt address the press at a Travis County courthouse Wednesday following the first day of testimony in Zurawski v. State of Texas.

Texas Abortion Restrictions

Tearfully testifying against Texas’ abortion ban, three women describe medical care delayed

By Eleanor Klibanoff and Rebecca SchneidJuly 19, 2023July 20, 2023

The women, believed to be the first to testify about an abortion ban’s impact on their pregnancy since 1973, are seeking to clarify when a medical emergency justifies an abortion.

Students walk through halls on the University of North Texas campus in Denton on Feb. 24, 2022.

Economy

Nearly 64,000 Texas borrowers will have their federal loans forgiven

By Francisco UrangaJuly 20, 2023

A U.S. Department of Education review identified 804,000 borrowers across the country with loans taken more than two decades ago and whose debts should have been canceled but were not because of “administrative failures.”

State Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, during the last day of the 2023 regular legislative session in May.

Criminal Justice

Travis County won’t pursue driving while intoxicated charges against State Sen. Charles Schwertner

By Rebecca SchneidJuly 18, 2023July 18, 2023

The Republican from Georgetown was arrested in Austin in February. But the county attorney said there wasn’t sufficient evidence to prosecute.

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