Lawmakers are seeking common ground on DACA, but comprehensive immigration reform will be a challenge for Democrats
The Senate filibuster stands as a key obstacle to Democrats’ priorities. Full Story
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![Juan Paul Flores Vazquez stands in front a mural in Segundo Barrio in El Paso. Flores is a DACA recipient.]()
Credit: Christ Chavez for The Texas Tribune -
One year ago, the first Texan was killed by COVID-19. 47,000 deaths followed — and it’s not over.
This timeline tracks COVID-19’s rampage through Texas over the last year: the growing death toll, the policy decisions made in response to the pandemic that often influenced its course, and the stories of some of the Texans claimed by the virus. Full Story
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![Illustration showing flowers and the number of Texans who died in the first year of the pandemic — 47,000.]()
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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick focuses scorn on Public Utility Commission after winter storm, testing Gov. Greg Abbott
Abbott has previously directed much of the blame for the storm’s power outages on the state’s electrical grid operator. Full Story
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![An eastbound view of East Stassney Lane in South Austin on Feb. 15, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Austin can keep enforcing mask mandate for at least two weeks until trial, judge says
Austin and Travis County residents will be required to keep their masks on after a district judge delayed action on Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s request to end the mandates immediately. Full Story
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![A sign outside of a South Austin store asked customers to follow COVID-19 precautions on March 3, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Social network Gab fuels latest conflict among Texas Republicans
The Texas GOP said Thursday it would not abandon the site after the party's vice chair, Cat Parks, demanded it do so — and after Gov. Greg Abbott denounced it as an anti-Semitic platform. Full Story
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![Texas Republican Party Chairman Allen West spoke to a crowd at the Governor’s Mansion to protest business closures and mask mandates. Oct. 10, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
In oil-rich Texas, GOP lawmakers push bill to punish Wall Street for fossil fuel disinvestments
The bill would direct state investment funds to divest from companies that cut ties with fossil fuel companies, pitting Texas against some increasingly carbon-conscious Wall Street investors. Full Story
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![A pump jack and a gas flare in the Eagle Ford oil patch south of San Antonio.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sues Austin to stop it from imposing a local mask order
Texas' mask mandate was lifted this week, and Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered that "no jurisdiction" can implement a local one if coronavirus hospitalizations don't meet a certain metric. Full Story
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![A COVID-19 safety sign in Austin on June 24, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Migrant apprehensions continued upward trend in February
The Rio Grande Valley and the El Paso sectors remain the busiest crossing points as more than 100,000 people were either apprehended or surrendered to authorities along the U.S.-Mexico border. Full Story
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![Migrant families who turned themselves in to U.S. Border Patrol to seek asylum after illegally crossing the Rio Grande are loaded onto a transport bus in Hidalgo on Aug. 23, 2019.]()
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Judge rejects bid by Planned Parenthood to stay in Medicaid, affecting health service for thousands of low-income Texans
Health officials had told Planned Parenthood's Medicaid patients they had until early February to find new doctors, but the health provider filed an emergency lawsuit saying the state had not followed the proper procedures. Full Story
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![A Planned Parenthood sign at the south Austin location on Jan. 14, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Lawmakers look to limit Gov. Greg Abbott's emergency powers as Texas' mask order is lifted
On this week's episode, Matthew speaks with Ross, Cassi and Kate about the Texas Legislature's move to limit Gov. Greg Abbott's power during a pandemic. They also discuss the University of Texas at Austin's report on "The Eyes of Texas." Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference regarding Texas’ emergency response to an unprecedented winter storm gripping Texas on Feb 13, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton threatened to sue Austin over mask mandate. The city isn't backing down.
Austin and Travis County officials said they would continue to require masks even after Gov. Greg Abbott ended his statewide mandate. Full Story
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![Austin residents take photos on Congress Avenue bridge in Austin on May 13, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Joe Biden signs COVID-19 relief bill that will give millions of Texans $1,400 checks
The bill, which also includes billions in aid for state and local governments, now awaits President Joe Biden’s signature. Full Story
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![The U.S. Capitol during sunrise in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 15, 2020.]()
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Masks won't be required at state Capitol — but lawmakers face stricter rules in House, Senate chambers
The Texas Senate and House have different rules for their members. But both require members to wear masks, though there are exceptions to when their faces must be covered. Full Story
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![A sign states that face masks are required to enter the House gallery at the Texas Capitol on the opening day of the Legislative Session on Jan. 12, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: One way or another, Texans will get the bill for fixing the electric grid
It's going to be expensive to make sure the state's electricity stays on during winter storms like the one that blacked out most of Texas last month, and the money will come, one way or another, from average Texans. Full Story
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![Josh Olszewski cooks eggs over a a grill after his apartment lost power due to the severe winter storm that hit the state. Feb. 18, 2021.]()
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Texas no longer has a statewide mask mandate. But face coverings are still required in some businesses and public places.
Texas’ statewide mask mandate has ended as of March 10. Businesses are also now allowed to operate at full capacity as long as the hospitals in their region haven’t been treating a large share of patients for COVID-19. Here’s a look at what the loosened restrictions mean for Texans. Full Story
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![A sign in South Austin asks customers to wear a mask inside ta business on March 3, 2021.]()
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Gov. Greg Abbott appointee to a river authority steps down after contentious confirmation hearing over inflammatory tweets
The Brazos River Authority appointee, Darren Yancy, faced questions from Democratic senators Monday about his social media activity targeting President Joe Biden and former U.S. Sen. Harry Reid. Full Story
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![The south end of the Texas State Capitol on June 28, 2012.]()
Credit: Spencer Selvidge for The Texas Tribune -
Proposal in Texas House would give special committee oversight of governor's pandemic orders
The provision is expected to be added to a bill addressing the governor's pandemic powers that has been denoted as a priority by House Speaker Dade Phelan, according to a draft obtained by The Texas Tribune. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott puts on his mask during his press conference after talking to local and county officials about the damage done by Hurricane Hanna in Nueces and Kleberg counties on July 28, 2020.]()
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Another Texas GOP lawmaker is attempting to make abortion punishable by the death penalty
Similar bills filed in the Texas Legislature in previous years have failed. Full Story
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![An ultrasound machine at women’s health clinic in Austin, Texas.]()
Credit: Tamir Kalifa for The Texas Tribune -
Millions of Texans still don’t have broadband access. Some lawmakers are trying to change that.
Although much of the attention is focused in the lack of infrastructure in rural areas, large numbers of urban residents also don't have broadband subscriptions. Full Story
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Texas lawmakers plan slate of bills in response to power outages, but experts skeptical there will be meaningful change
Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday also said he wants lawmakers to prioritize correcting any ERCOT-related billing errors, including inaccurately high electricity charges. That came after the Public Utility Commission said it will not fix ERCOT's $16 billion power billing mistake. Full Story
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![Snow at the Capitol in Austin on Feb. 15, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune