Race to replace late U.S. Rep. Ron Wright already crowded — with more candidates likely
At least 10 candidates have already surfaced for the May 1 special election, including Wright's widow, Susan Wright. Full Story
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![The U.S. Capitol building in Washington D.C.]()
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TribCast: What's next for Texas after last week's winter storm?
On this week's TribCast, Matthew talks with Ross, Alana and Erin about the political fallout from the winter storm and what the state might do to prevent future widespread power outages. Full Story
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![An aerial view of southbound Interstate 35 at Stassney Lane in south Austin after a severe snow storm hit the state. Feb. 15…]()
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George W. Bush joins The Texas Tribune and SXSW for a conversation in March
Tribune CEO Evan Smith will interview Bush as part of the SXSW Online 2021 festival, which takes place March 16-20. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott, in statewide address, promises answers on winter weather disaster
"Tragic does not even begin to describe" the suffering Texans endured, Abbott said Wednesday evening. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott spoke at a press conference about the winter storm that was approaching Texas on Feb. 13, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Winter storm response should focus on public safety, not dollars
For lack of heat and water, people died last week — in the great state of Texas and in their own homes — who would be alive right now, had the state taken heed of recommendations made after past winter storms and blackouts. Full Story
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![The Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas in Austin on Feb. 17, 2021.]()
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Republican David Spiller wins rural Texas House seat, replacing Drew Springer
David Spiller, a Jacksboro attorney and school board member, faced fellow Republican Craig Carter for the seat previously held by Springer, who is now in the state Senate. Full Story
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![David Spiller faces off against Craig Carter for the Texas House District 68 seat.]()
Credit: David Spiller for Texas House Campaign -
Gov. Greg Abbott sets May 1 special election to fill seat of late U.S. Rep. Ron Wright
Candidates have until March 3 to file, and early voting begins April 19. Full Story
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![People vote at Audelia Road Branch Library on the first day of early voting in Dallas on Oct. 13, 2020.]()
Credit: Montinique Monroe for The Texas Tribune -
Dan Patrick announces 2021 priorities focused on pandemic, power grid and socially conservative issues
In addition to bills responding to COVID-19 and the recent winter storm, Patrick is calling for legislation related to abortion, gun rights and the national anthem at sporting events. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick gavels in the Senate chamber at the Capitol on the second day of the 2021 legislative session on Jan. 1…]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
President Joe Biden to visit Houston on Friday after winter storm
White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that Biden would “meet with local leaders to discuss the winter storm, relief efforts, progress toward recovery and the incredible resilience shown by the people of Houston and Texas.” Full Story
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![Joe Biden at the National Education Association presidential forum in Houston on July 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Point of Order: The outage and the outrage
In the latest episode of our podcast about the Texas Legislature, Evan Smith talks to University of Texas at Austin professor Michael Webber about the state’s failure to prepare for a brutal winter storm, the fragile electric grid we depend on, and whether the future of energy is bright or bleak. Full Story
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Texans blindsided by massive electric bills await details of Gov. Greg Abbott's promised relief
Electric bills are likely to rise for everyone, experts and consumer advocates say, but some Texans on variable rate contracts have been hit with immediate, massive price spikes. Lawmakers and the governor have promised to help, but haven't said how. Full Story
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![Karen Knox, a special education teacher at L.D. Bell High School in Hurst, received a bill of over $7K from Griddy for less …]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Democrats blame lack of in-person campaigning, inefficient voter outreach for 2020 disappointment
Despite an underwhelming performance in the most recent election cycle, Texas Democrats continued to paint an ambitious picture of a “sustainably blue” state in the next 10 years. Full Story
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![Texas Democratic Convention at the Alamodome on June 17th, 2016.]()
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Susan Wright, GOP activist and wife of late U.S. Rep. Ron Wright, moving toward campaign to replace him
She could launch a bid as soon as this week, according to sources close to the Wright family. Full Story
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![Pedestrians walk along the East Front of the U.S. Capitol Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S. on Dec. 4, 2020.]()
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Analysis: Texas failed in a storm, again. Will we be ready next time?
State leaders will start an investigation this week to figure out why utilities in Texas were outmatched by a weeklong winter storm. They did the same thing 10 years ago, and we still weren't ready. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference regarding Texas’ emergency response to an unprecedented winter storm gripping …]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott says power is almost fully restored statewide and grocery stores will soon be restocked
Abbott said power should be fully restored across the state Sunday night or Monday. Full Story
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![Volunteer Catherine Tuppen helps with the water and beverage station at Kelly Village, a supply distribution site, on Feb. 1…]()
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Texas officials block electricity providers from sending bills, disconnecting utilities for nonpayment
Texans are reporting receiving exorbitant electric bills despite not having power during the storm. One Texan, according to The New York Times, received a $16,752 electric bill. Full Story
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![Snow surrounds an Austin Energy station in Austin on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021.]()
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Texans confront outages, food and water needs as feds issue disaster declaration
We’re tracking the fallout from the massive winter storm in Texas, which has brought widespread power outages and transportation problems. Full Story
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![Volunteers distribute boxes of food at a distribution site in Austin on Feb. 19, 2021.]()
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Gov. Greg Abbott wants power companies to “winterize.” Texas’ track record won’t make that easy.
Retroactively equipping power plants to withstand cold temperatures is likely to be very difficult and costly, energy experts say. Building energy infrastructure to perform in winter conditions is easier — and cheaper. Full Story
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![A variety of power lines in Dallas near Greenville Avenue during a winter storm on Feb. 16, 2021. Thousands of Dallas reside…]()
Credit: Ben Torres for The Texas Tribune -
President Joe Biden says he'll visit Texas soon and sign a major disaster order after a winter storm hammered the state
Biden also said he has directed multiple federal agencies to assist people in the state. Full Story
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![President Joe Biden speaks with House Democratic leaders and chairs of House committees working on COVID-19 aid legislation …]()
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Texans no longer need to conserve energy, power grid operator says
We’re tracking the fallout from the massive winter storm in Texas, which has brought widespread power outages and transportation problems. Full Story
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![Residents of an apartment building in South Austin ate their meals in the parking lot after losing power. Their unit lost po…]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune