Texas Senate approves GOP congressional map, sending plan to Abbott’s desk
Republican lawmakers pushed the map through over fierce Democratic opposition, positioning the GOP to net up to five additional seats in Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/51c9071d01a5d9128d5fd50014189c48/0822%20Senate%20Redistricting%20Vote%20BD%2025.JPG)
-
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick gathers the senators at his desk before the final vote on the mid-decade redistricting bill in the Texas Senate on Aug. 22, 2025.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
In response to failures and grieving parents, Texas lawmakers advance flood bills
Here’s where the proposed laws to address camp safety, flood warnings and emergency response stand in the Legislature. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5703d72d9f697fb66af0e8d258690e36/0821%20Camp%20Flood%20Vote%20BD%2002.JPG)
![Parents of Camp Mystic girls lost during the Guadalupe River flooding of July 4, 2025 pack seats in the Senate Chamber to view passage of Senate Bill 1 which strengthens summer camp regulations to help prevent future tragedies.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Lawmakers are debating GOP congressional maps. What does redistricting mean for Texans?
From urban cores to rural regions, Texans' needs differ. Experts worry new districts encompassing geographically distant communities will dilute their voices. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e3e356aa7ba43dcb453d5097ada8ec1c/0806%20Texas%20Capitol%20RB%2001.jpg)
![Texas State Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025 in Austin, Texas.]()
Credit: Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribune
-
Gov. Greg Abbott asks for new penalties for lawmakers who flee to halt legislative sessions
The governor announced he was expanding his special session agenda shortly after the Texas House passed a congressional map that Democrats had delayed by leaving the state. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/670131b1a3f8d89ec79d19a52a9d2e36/0815%20Screw%20Worm%20Presser%20RB%2002.JPG)
![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference Friday, Aug. 15, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Abbott spoke about Texas’s response to screwworm as well as addressed California Governor Gavin Newsom's comments and actions regarding redistricting.]()
Credit: Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribune -
“My daughter was stolen from me": Grieving parents point to Texas camp failures at Capitol hearing
Senate Bill 1, which would require more oversight of emergency plans and evacuation procedures at summer camps, was advanced after the emotional hearing Wednesday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/035eca53d1fb242d1dba1d81b8cc8f4f/0820%20Senate%20Camp%20Safety%20Hearing%20TT%2012.jpg)
![Cici Williams Steward, mother of Cile Steward, who died in the Camp Mystic flood, gets up after testifying during a panel of Camp Mystic parents testifying before the Senate Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding on August 20, 2025. Cile is the only child whose body has still not been recovered.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
El Paso judge blocks Ken Paxton from taking legal action against Beto O’Rourke’s political group
The order bars Paxton from prosecuting O’Rourke’s nonprofit or otherwise bringing legal action aimed at revoking Powered by People’s charter. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/197505fa45ed943fb2a2cc7f8d990733/0818%20Rally%20RB%20TT%2019.jpg)
![Former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke speaks at a rally from the south steps of the Capitol in Austin on Aug. 16, 2025.]()
Credit: Ronaldo Bolaños for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House approves GOP congressional map after two-week delay from Democrats’ walkout
Republican lawmakers are pursuing the unusual mid-decade redistricting plan amid pressure from President Donald Trump to protect the GOP’s slim majority in the U.S. House. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5202d96b4a6c0f02e28953dc2048e08b/0820%20House%20Redistricting%20KG%20TT%2025.jpg)
![Democratic State Representatives line up to question State Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, during the second reading of HB4 in the house chamber in Austin on August 20, 2025.]()
Credit: Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribune -
How Texas' “bathroom bills” have evolved over a decade
More than 20 bills that would restrict restroom use for transgender people have been proposed since 2015, but their language — and reception — have shifted. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f4748b167f24ac5676d7aa0660238e8a/2017%20Bathroom%20Bill%20Kolkhorst%20MKC.jpg)
![Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, speaks during a press conference, along with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, on SB 6 The Texas Privacy Act, also known as the "bathroom bill," on Feb. 6, 2017, at the Texas Capitol in Austin.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Nicole Collier, Texas lawmaker who slept at statehouse, files lawsuit challenging police escorts
The Fort Worth Democrat was confined in the Capitol overnight after refusing to be shadowed by state police, a requirement for lawmakers who had left the state over the GOP redistricting plan. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/61fd8b45a1e21acd7ae848d429c2a7c8/Nicole%20Collier%20REUTERS.jpg)
![State Rep. Nicole Collier waves to supporters after she chose to remain in the Texas House chamber until Wednesday after Democratic lawmakers who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, returned to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, U.S. August 19, 2025. Collier is staying because she did not want to sign the required permission slip that would allow lawmakers to leave the Capitol under escort by Department of Public Safety agents.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Nuri Vallbona -
TribCast: The Texas Democrats return. What happens next?
The gang looks at what’s next in the extra-special session, as Republicans prepare to finally pass a new congressional map. Full Story
-
Rep. Nicole Collier spends night on Texas House floor after refusing police escort
The Fort Worth Democrat refused to sign a permission slip that allowed quorum-breaking lawmakers to leave the Capitol while being shadowed by a state trooper. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d7a387c451cc5309b3e248193a1d8587/0818%20Collier%20Protest%20REUTERS%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Protesters cheer on state Rep. Nicole Collier, D-Fort Worth, after she chose to remain in the Texas House chamber until Wednesday after Democratic lawmakers who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, returned to the Capitol in Austin on Aug. 18, 2025. Collier is staying because she did not want to sign the required permission slip that would allow lawmakers to leave the Capitol under escort by Department of Public Safety agents.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Nuri Vallbona -
Texas Senate fast tracks THC ban, flood prep and bathroom restrictions for transgender people
Senators moved fast on Gov. Greg Abbott’s agenda for the second special session. With House Democrats back in Texas, bills can now move through that chamber. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0d9d42f4010b7c341795275d0b244183/0721%20Special%20Session%20RB%20TT%2025.jpg)
![State Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, speaks on the Senate floor at the Capitol on July 21, 2025.]()
Credit: Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribune -
Texas redistricting map: How the GOP could increase its stronghold
Texas lawmakers redrew congressional districts in a partisan bid to give Republicans five additional U.S. House seats. The move set off a bipartisan war across the U.S. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8b2fb5d8c7e14924ab5e343f7b7639a6/lede-art-redistricting-viz.jpg)
![Three rectangles made up of smaller red and blue rectangles that show how cracking and packing in gerrymandering works.]()
Credit: Carla Astudillo and Jason Kao -
Debates over THC, abortion pills, STAAR and more resume as Democrats return for second special session
Now that the Texas House has a quorum following Democrats’ two-week absence, lawmakers are back to debate a wide range of issues, including redrawing congressional maps to benefit Republicans. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3776d2c6b9695761713c9aa6a44d8441/0815%20Second%20Special%20Session%20RB%2002.JPG)
![House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, gavels in during the 89th legislative second special session Friday, Aug. 15, 2025 in Austin, Texas.]()
Credit: Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribune -
Texas House Democrats return to Capitol, ending walkout over redistricting plan
After two weeks out of state, Democratic lawmakers returned to Austin, paving the way for Republicans to pass their proposed congressional map. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/110cf921823036eec44dc41c82665f9c/0818%20Texas%20Dems%20Return%20BD%2004.JPEG)
![Texas Democrats, who left the state earlier this month in protest of proposed congressional maps, return to the Capitol on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Vaccine exemption requests in Texas spike in July, as some experts fear more families will opt out
Federal funding cuts to immunization efforts and a new law that allows exemption forms to be downloaded, instead of mailed, could drive up exemptions in the future. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/57afa45fec7772412823318f67cef25b/AISD%20Vaccine%20Event%20SP%20TT%2004.jpg)
![A nurse administers a dose of the Pfizer vaccine at a clinic organized by the Travis County Mobile Vaccine Collaborative at Rodriguez Elementary School on July 28, 2021.]()
Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune -
From a cell phone ban to Ten Commandments posters, new state laws bring big changes to Texas schools
Lawmakers also approved new teacher raises, banned DEI initiatives and gave schools more flexibility to discipline students. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d7f188ac29ccec4566c45700b7b1e193/School%20Phone%20Ban%20REUTERS.JPG)
![A sign depicting the Corpus Christi Independent School District's new cell phone policies is shown outside Calk-Wilson Elementary School in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Aug. 11, 2025.]()
Credit: John Oliva/Corpus Christi Caller-Times/USA TODAY Network via REUTERS -
Texas House, Senate panels again advance redrawn congressional map
A second special session that has made approving the map a priority started Friday, shortly after the first one ended. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/695b051bbc2ae0dbca8ae13af7921efa/0730%20Senate%20Redistrict%20Committee%20BD%20TT%2002.jpg)
![State Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, listens to testimony during a special Senate virtual hearing on Texas redistricting at the Texas Capitol on July 29, 2025.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Abbott calls second special session as first round ends with Democrats still out of state
The second session is set to consider the same agenda that stalled in the first, with redistricting and disaster response at the top of the governor’s priorities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6d0e6f1a51a0c827e228990fe15e96bb/0815%20Screw%20Worm%20Presser%20RB%2003.JPG)
![Governor Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference Friday, Aug. 15, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Abbott spoke about Texas’s response to screw worm as well addressed California Governor Gavin Newsom comments and actions regarding redistricting.]()
Credit: Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribune -
Riding political wins, a once-restrained Gov. Greg Abbott is increasingly steamrolling foes
The third-term governor appears determined to win any battle — even if it means scorched-earth primary crusades or trying to boot duly elected legislators from office. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d86d9ad5f1accc85bfe9e224c8d6633a/0705%20Hill%20Country%20Flood%20RB%20TT%20113.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott responds to a reporter during a press conference at the Hill Country Youth Event Center in Kerrville on Saturday June 5, 2025.]()
Credit: Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribune