Under Javier Joven’s leadership, his critics say, the Odessa City Council has lost focus on municipal issues like roads and water infrastructure.
Health care
In-depth reporting on public health, healthcare policy, hospitals, and wellness issues shaping communities across Texas, from The Texas Tribune.
Texas leads push for faster certification of mental health professionals
Other states look to Texas as the state psychology board pushes against the new national licensing requirements.
People with Disabilities Need Disability-Trained Physicians
Texans with IDD experience the same illnesses and injuries that affect all of us. They deserve the same level of care.
Abbott says potential power outages from Tropical Storm Francine will be restored within hours
Texas isn’t expected to take a direct hit when the storm makes landfall as a hurricane. But storm surge and dangerous winds are possible.
How we assisted Houston residents in monitoring air quality and reporting pollution
After identifying flaws in the state’s air monitoring, the Tribune hosted workshops to inform Houston Ship Channel communities.
Families and advocates for disabled Texans pushing for caregiver pay raise
A state Medicaid program pays caregivers of intellectually and developmentally disabled individuals living in community-based homes. Families, advocates and providers want lawmakers to increase that hourly pay.
State health department blocks transgender Texans from changing sex on birth certificates
The agency quietly rolled out the policy change on its website last week, days after DPS blocked changes to the sex listed on a Texas driver’s license.
What Texas can learn from Italy’s big bet on tiny community health homes
In Italy, as in Texas, funding hospitals over primary care leaves many feeling “medically homeless.” Italy’s post-COVID plans show another way.
What Texas can learn from crisis mental health care in Arizona
Texas officials look to Arizona cities when creating crisis mental health centers.
After being denied a medically necessary abortion, Amanda Zurawski will do whatever it takes to beat Donald Trump
Two years after a harrowing pregnancy where she was denied an abortion, the Texan has catapulted to being one of Democrats’ biggest messengers on reproductive rights.


