The borders were closed to nonessential travel in March 2020, which hurt businesses in Texas border cities that rely on Mexican shoppers.
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
Politics
Ted Cruz and John Cornyn opposed a debt-limit increase that will stave off economic catastrophe, but backed previous borrowing hikes
The two Republican senators from Texas have routinely supported more government borrowing when Republicans held the White House.
Posted in
Texas Abortion Restrictions
Texas has all but banned abortion. But a Mississippi law could be what ends Roe v. Wade.
If the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, “trigger laws” across 12 states — including Texas — that ban all abortions will go into effect within months.
Posted inPolitics
After minor changes, advocates are confident a bill requiring adequate shelter for dogs can avoid another Gov. Greg Abbott veto
The new proposal, like its predecessor, would amend the health and safety code to make the unlawful restraint of a dog a criminal offense — and more clearly outline proper treatment.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas board recommends George Floyd receive a posthumous pardon for 2004 Houston drug arrest
Gov. Greg Abbott must either approve or reject the parole board’s decision. The 2004 case involved a Houston officer later found to have lied to obtain a search warrant in a 2019 case.
Posted in
Redistricting Texas
Two Black Houston members of Congress decry redistricting map that pits them against each other as discriminatory
Despite the objections of U.S. Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee and Al Green, the Senate committee voted out the redrawn congressional map Monday without addressing the district overlap. The map heads next to the full Senate for a vote.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2021
Gov. Greg Abbott calls for stiffer penalty for illegal voting — weeks after he signed a bill lowering it
The punishment for the crime was scheduled to go down in December, due to the passage of a sweeping bill that restricted the state’s voting process and narrowed local control of elections.
Posted in
Politics
Ted Cruz’s challenge to campaign finance reimbursement law reaches Supreme Court
Under a 2002 federal law, no more than $250,000 in contributions collected after an election may be used to repay a candidate’s loans to their campaign.
Posted inHealth care
A Republican wants to add exceptions for rape and incest to Texas’ new near-total abortion ban. He faces an uphill climb.
The proposal comes almost two weeks after Gov. Greg Abbott’s comments that the state would “eliminate all rapists.”
Posted in
Texas Abortion Restrictions
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas is lone Democrat to vote against federal bill protecting abortion rights
The U.S. House is trying to override Texas’ near-total ban on abortions. But Democrats likely lack the support they need in the U.S. Senate.