The governor is Texas’ chief executive, with a hand in everything from enforcing laws to setting budget priorities and responding to crises. Here’s a look at who’s running in the 2026 primary and where they come from.
Courts
Stay up to date on Texas courts with in-depth coverage of major rulings, judicial elections, criminal justice, and the judges shaping state law from The Texas Tribune.
Posted in
Courts
Texas defends law requiring schools to post Ten Commandments. Here’s what to know.
A federal appeals court heard arguments in lawsuits seeking to block Texas and Louisiana from requiring classroom displays of the Ten Commandments.
Posted in
Higher Education
Federal judge upholds West Texas A&M drag show ban, short-circuiting student group’s appeal
A final ruling in the case prompted a federal appeals court to cancel oral arguments, set for Friday, on an earlier ruling. Another appeal is expected.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Ken Paxton uses diversity legal opinion on MLK Day to attack John Cornyn ahead of U.S. Senate primary
The two Republicans are competing in a heated primary. Cornyn accused Paxton of abusing his office and legal experts said the AG’s legal opinion is not binding.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Several major Texas death row appeals loom in 2026 amid drop in executions
Among the cases that are headed back to court is that of Robert Roberson, who argues he was wrongfully convicted of killing his daughter based on now-debunked science.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Officer did nothing until it was too late during Uvalde school shooting, prosecutor says
During opening arguments Wednesday, attorneys for ex-officer Adrian Gonzales said he did what he could during a chaotic scene.
Posted in
Uvalde school shooting
Jury seated in trial for ex-officer accused in police response to Uvalde school shooting
Former Uvalde schools police officer Adrian Gonzales faces 29 counts of child endangerment for those killed and hurt in the 2022 shooting.
Posted in
State Government
From school vouchers to flood warning systems, these are the Texas developments to watch in 2026
Several court hearings and policies affecting education, health and more will roll out in the new year.
Posted in
Health care
Dallas County sues Trump administration over clawback of public health funds
Dallas is the second Texas county to sue over public health cuts after a judge ordered the Trump administration to return $20 million to Harris County last summer.
Posted in
State Government
Texas 2025: The stories that mattered most to readers
Texans closely followed 17 constitutional propositions, the growth of one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities and a controversial plan to move billions of gallons of groundwater.