Robert Nichols, the most senior Texas Senate Republican, won’t run for reelection
After Nichols announced his retirement, Rep. Trent Ashby said he would run for the open seat. Full Story
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![Left: state Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, on the Senate floor on April 9, 2019. Right: State Rep. Trent Ashby, R-Lufkin, on the House floor on May 3, 2017.]()
Credit: The Texas Tribune -
Texas to create its own psychology licensing test amid pushback on national exam
Texas and other states have criticized a decision by the national psychologist licensing board to add another expensive test in order for psychologists to become certified. Full Story
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![Chair John Bielamowicz speaks during a a Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists meeting Thursday, April 11, 2024 in Austin. During the meeting, the state board met with the Association of State & Provincial Psychology Boards to discuss the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology.]()
Credit: Maria Crane/The Texas Tribune -
State Rep. Nate Schatzline drops Texas Senate bid, endorses conservative activist Leigh Wambsganss
The North Texas district opened up last week when Republican Kelly Hancock resigned from the upper chamber to take over as the state’s acting comptroller. Full Story
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![State Rep. Nate Schatzline, R-Fort Worth,
addresses the crowd during a rally at the Tarrant County Republican Party Headquarters in Fort Worth on Jan. 6, 2025.]()
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Rep. Jasmine Crockett drops bid for influential post on House oversight panel
The Dallas Democrat had said her party should respond more aggressively to the Trump administration and pitched herself as the best messenger for the job. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, at a House Committee on the Judiciary: Subcommittee on Oversight hearing in the Rayburn House office building in Washington on April 2, 2025.]()
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With prospects of a THC ban eroded, Texas hemp industry supports age restrictions, more regulation enforcement
Hemp industry leaders say they agree with regulations similar to how the state regulates alcohol. Full Story
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![The Texas Original cannabis farm on Sept. 26, 2024. The red light is an experimental form of growth where the light bleaches the flower of the plant.]()
Credit: Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribune -
Sen. Joan Huffman joins GOP field vying to succeed Ken Paxton as Texas attorney general
In her announcement, Huffman framed herself as the most experienced candidate, pointing to her time as a prosecutor, judge and chair of key Senate committees. Full Story
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![State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on April 3, 2019.]()
Credit: Emree Weaver/The Texas Tribune -
Lt. Gov. Patrick rips Gov. Abbott for vetoing THC ban, digs in against calls for regulation
The clash marks a rare break between two of the most powerful Republicans in Texas after a legislative session that ushered in a series of conservative victories. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks to a reporter during a press conference at the Texas Captiol in Austin, Texas on Monday 23, June 2025.]()
Credit: Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: A special legislative session is coming
This week, we run an emergency episode to discuss Gov. Greg Abbott vetoing Texas THC ban and calling a special session. Will redistricting end up on the agenda? Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott signs a bill as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick watches at the Capitol in Austin on April 23, 2025.]()
Credit: Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott vetoes funding for federal summer lunch program for low-income children
Abbott cited uncertainty over federal funding of the program as his reason for rejecting the state’s participation. Full Story
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![Students eat lunch in the cafeteria at Chapa Middle School in Kyle on Aug. 24, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Former astronaut Terry Virts launches Democratic bid for U.S. Senate in Texas
The early announcement tees up what is likely to be a crowded primary field angling for the seat held by Republican Sen. John Cornyn. Full Story
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![International Space Station (ISS) crew member Terry Virts of the U.S. speaks by satellite phone shortly after landing near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, June 11, 2015. Three astronauts landed safely in the steppes of Kazakhstan on Thursday, ending their 199-day mission after an unexpected "bonus month" aboard the International Space Station, NASA Television showed.]()
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Did Texas lawmakers do enough for children with disabilities? These child care advocates say no.
Lawmakers added $100 million to a child care scholarship program but failed to expand access to free preschool for children with disabilities. Full Story
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![A students watercolors at the Learning Tree childcare center in Yoakum, Texas, on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott vetoes THC ban, calls for regulation instead
The move infuriated Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the powerful head of the Senate, who had called the ban among his top five bills over 17 years in the Legislature. Full Story
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![Various Delta 8 THC products on display at a convenience store in Spring Branch on Feb. 9, 2023.]()
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Former U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold of Corpus Christi dies at 63
Farenthold, a local radio personality, served in Congress from 2011 to 2018 and is credited with securing funding for the port. He resigned amid allegations of sexual harassment. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Corpus Christi.]()
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Texas is illegally keeping people with disabilities in nursing homes, federal judge rules
A federal judge determined the state illegally institutionalized severely disabled people for decades, often in poorly run facilities. Full Story
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![An employee of the Amistad Nursing and Rehabilitation Center walks with a resident on April 1, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas lawmakers failed to pass a proof of citizenship law but made other changes to elections
Successful measures include a new early-voting schedule, revised mail-voting procedures and limits on curbside voting. Full Story
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![Ector County residents cast their vote at a polling location inside a Market Street grocery store in Odessa shortly before polls close on Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman for The Texas Tribune -
Texas creating task forces to target Permian Basin oil field thefts
Texas lawmakers passed a suite of bills that officials said are crucial to combat losses in the state’s largest oil field. Full Story
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![A semi-truck waits to turn onto Texas State Highway 158 after disposing of its load at a salt-water disposal site Tuesday, June 25, 2024, south of Midland.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
Meals On Wheels waiting lists grow as Texas braces for federal funding cuts
State chapters of the nonprofit group that provide meals to seniors are waiting to hear from Washington how much of a hit their battered budgets will take. Full Story
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![Henry Van de Putte, CEO of Meals on Wheels Central Austin preps to go meals for a Meals on Wheels food drop off in Austin on Wednesday June 18, 2025.]()
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Former Texas state Sen. Kelly Hancock to become acting comptroller, run for permanent job
Hancock, a North Richland Hills Republican, announced his candidacy shortly after being sworn in as chief clerk at the comptroller’s office. Full Story
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![Sen. KELLY HANCOCK, R-North Richland Hills, on the Senate floor on May 12, 2023.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
As Ted Cruz calls for a regime change in Iran, other Texas Republicans are more cautious
Cruz’s intense interview with Tucker Carlson earlier this week exposed a rift in President Donald Trump’s coalition. Full Story
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![Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, during a Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees hearing in Washington, D.C., July 30, 2024.]()
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American babies may get $1,000 each to invest because of Ted Cruz
Included in Congress’ major tax and spending bill is Cruz’s proposal to give every American baby $1,000 to invest. Full Story
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![President Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, after the signing ceremony for the "Take it Down Act" in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Monday, May 19, 2025.]()
Credit: Aaron Schwartz/Sipa USA via REUTERS