After nearly a year’s worth of legislative sessions, several issues are poised to dominate Texas politics this year. Here’s a look at how things ended on several fronts last year — and where they’re headed next.
Higher Education
Coverage of universities, colleges, student issues, and education policy shaping Texas’ campuses, from The Texas Tribune.
Diversity offices on college campuses will soon be illegal in Texas, as 30 new laws go into effect
Other new laws make changes to the tax code, criminal justice and health care systems.
Texans grapple with numerous challenges, yet many are actively seeking solutions
Across the state, people are looking for ways to make Texas a better place to live as they tackle hunger, rural “brain drain,” health care obstacles and other impediments.
Looking back at some of the best Texas Tribune reads of 2023
Our journalists brought life to the experiences of everyday Texans, held powerful institutions accountable and surfaced stories that went beyond the daily news cycles.
Elon Musk plans to open a new university in Austin
The Tesla CEO and Texas resident’s charitable foundation filed an application to create the new school “dedicated to education at the highest levels.”
Mark Welsh III officially named president of Texas A&M University
Welsh served as interim president of the flagship university for a little over four months after the prior president resigned in the midst of a hiring scandal that drew national attention.
As Israel-Hamas war sparks tensions on Texas campuses, universities struggle with how to respond
A series of incidents across Texas campuses have brought attention to universities’ handling of heated political debates about the war.
These rural Texans opted out of a degree. The community college down the street wants them back.
To survive, Texas community colleges have to prove their worth. But residents of this rural north Texas town are questioning what’s right for them.
Rice University relocates its founder’s remains after reckoning with his ties to slavery
William “Willy” Rice, the founder of Rice University, will be buried at his family plot after students called for his removal due to his slave-owning past.
Texas A&M names Mike Elko as new head football coach
The announcement comes after the university spent more than $75 million to fire former football coach Jimbo Fisher. A&M did not immediately say how much it will pay Elko.


