Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson switches to Republican Party
Though the mayor’s position in Dallas is technically nonpartisan, Johnson joins Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker as one of two Republican mayors to lead a major Texas city. Full Story
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![Moderator Chad Hasty speaks with Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson about his second-term agenda and partisanship at The Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on Sept. 22, 2023.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
Katie Couric discusses career, journalism at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival
The veteran journalist looks back at her career and ahead to where the media business is going. Full Story
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![Watch Katie Couric speak at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival]()
Credit: Reagan Mcgregor Hicks/Texas Tribune -
Ken Paxton acquittal could quiet future whistleblowers, experts say
The Texas attorney general was exonerated by the state Senate, but a lawsuit from former employees still lingers. Full Story
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![Several of the whistleblowers from the attorney general's office sit in the gallery anticipating the verdicts at the Ken Paxton impeachment trial in the Texas Senate on Sept. 16, 2023. From left, front row: David Maxwell, Margaret Moore, Ryan Vassar, unknown; back row: Blake Brickman and T.J. Turner.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Watch a conversation on Ukraine, Russia and U.S. foreign policy at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival
Panelists discussed the current situation with the war, U.S. involvement and what the stakes are for everybody. Full Story
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![Watch a conversation about Ukraine, Russia and U.S. foreign policy at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival]()
Credit: Reagan Mcgregor Hicks/Texas Tribune -
Watch Adam Kinzinger speak at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival
The former member of Congress spoke with moderator Kara Swisher, in a recording of the “On” podcast, about the Republicans running the U.S. House, threats to democracy and his forthcoming book. Full Story
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Credit: Reagan Mcgregor Hicks/Texas Tribune -
Watch a conversation about the fight over abortion access at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival
Panelists talked about the fight that continues after the Dobbs verdict — from coast to coast and border to border. Full Story
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![Watch a conversation about the continuing fight over abortion access at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival]()
Credit: Reagan Mcgregor Hicks/Texas Tribune -
Amid personal conflict, Hays County clerk turned to Republican’s “rogue” prosecutor law to oust fellow Democrat
Personal conflict between two newly elected Democrats briefly escalated into public view. An attempt to remove one from county office came in the background of university, state and federal impeachment attempts. Full Story
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![Hays Co. District Attorney Kelly Higgins.]()
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Dan Patrick defends taking $3 million from pro-Paxton group ahead of trial
The lieutenant governor said that he took just as much from “the other side,” including donors aligned with Texans for Lawsuit Reform, which Paxton has labeled a political enemy. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick recaps the 88th Legislative Session with Sherry Sylvester, Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, at TPPF Headquarters in downtown Austin, on May 30, 2023.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
“Get ready”: Ken Paxton promises retribution in interview blitz after impeachment trial
The radio interviews came the morning after Paxton gave his first post-acquittal interview to Tucker Carlson, telling the former Fox News host he was “re-energized” after the acquittal. Full Story
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![Attorney General Ken Paxton at a border security briefing at the Texas DPS airport hangar in Edinburg on Jan. 28, 2022. Paxton's office coordinated the event with 12 attorneys general from around the U.S. to dicuss legal action taken against the Biden administration about immigration policy.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribune -
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu criticizes Texas AG Paxton’s “embarrassing” acquittal, citing clear evidence
During a conversation with Tribune co-founder Evan Smith, Sununu also laid out a vision for the future of the Republican Party that contrasted with Texas’ GOP. Full Story
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![Texas Tribune co-founder Evan Smith speaks with New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu on the future of the GOP, how the 2024 election will play out and his family’s commitment to public service at the The Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on Sept. 21, 2023.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
The 2023 Texas Tribune Festival’s free program
Here’s a look at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival sessions that you can check out for free. Full Story
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The many times Ken Paxton refused to defend Texas agencies in court
The Texas attorney general said he’s “back to work” after his recent acquittal, but his office has repeatedly declined to fulfill one of its key duties: representing state agencies who are being sued. Full Story
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Credit: Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribune -
Ken Paxton blasts fellow Republicans and floats Cornyn challenge in post-impeachment interview
In his first remarks since being acquitted on 16 articles of impeachment, the suspended Texas attorney general blamed Democrats while also taking aim at a number of high-profile Republicans. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton attends a campaign event during a Bulverde Spring Branch Conservative Republicans meeting on May 16, 2022, in Bulverde. Paxton criticized President Joe Biden’s immigration policies, discussed voter fraud in Texas and praised the leaked SCOTUS draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade.]()
Credit: Kaylee Greenlee Beal for The Texas Tribune -
GOP senators, open to Paxton conviction, flipped when they realized they were still short the votes
“I feel there were six senators who were ready to be the 21st vote,” said Sen. Nathan Johnson, D-Dallas. “But they didn’t want to be the 20th vote.” Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, center, bows his head in prayer as state Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, leads the Senate in prayer during the fifth day of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial in the Senate chamber at the Texas State Capitol in Austin on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. Brian Birdwell was in the Pentagon when American Airlines flight 77 struck.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa/Pool via The Dallas Morning News -
Gov. Greg Abbott says special legislative session on “school choice” coming in October
The governor promised political consequences if lawmakers cannot pass legislation allowing for publicly subsidized school vouchers before March primaries. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks about the recent 88th Legislative Session to an audience at the Texas Public Policy Foundation offices in Austin, on June 2, 2023. Abbott recounted policy victories in regards to fentanyl and the border crisis, as well as limiting gender affirming care and banning DEI practices in higher education. Abbott ended the event by promising to call a special session for school choice, after the current special session for property tax resolves.]()
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Texas made it illegal to punish students for dreadlocks. A school is testing the limits of the law.
The Barbers Hill school district prompted a new law meant to prohibit schools from punishing students with hairstyles associated with race. A recent student suspension sparks questions about the extent of the CROWN Act’s protections. Full Story
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![Buttons and t-shirts promoting the CROWN act on display at a press conference in Houston on February 6, 2020.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
State Rep. Rhetta Bowers latest to join race for Colin Allred’s U.S. House seat
At least 10 other Democrats — including state Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Farmers Branch — are running for Allred’s solidly Democratic seat as he vies for U.S. Senate. Full Story
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![State Rep. Rhetta Andrews Bowers, D-Garland, speaks with colleagues in the House Chamber on March 5, 2019.]()
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Ken Paxton verdict heightens political tension ahead of education special session
The Texas House and Senate were already far apart on “school choice.” Anger over the impeachment trial might make it even harder to find common ground. Full Story
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![The Texas Capitol on Feb. 1, 2021.]()
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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick asks state auditor to review Ken Paxton impeachment
The request follows Patrick’s blistering denunciation of the House’s role impeaching the attorney general. Full Story
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![Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick hands off the second article of impeachment in the trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton at the Texas Capitol on Saturday, Sep. 16, 2023.]()
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T-Squared: Grab a few friends and join us at Open Congress in downtown Austin this Saturday
The free, family-friendly street fair is a great introduction to the Texas Tribune Festival. Full Story
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