The fire has burned 90,000 acres, making it the second largest fire in the region’s history.
Politics
Stay informed with The Texas Tribune’s in-depth political coverage, including Texas elections, state government, policy debates, and the leaders shaping the future of the state.
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Data Centers in Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott orders Texas water agency to penalize data centers that don’t report their water usage
Last year, less than 30% of data centers responded to a state-mandated water usage survey conducted by the Texas Water Development Board.
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TribCast
TribCast: Weighing the impact of Paxton’s political baggage
GOP Senate nominee Ken Paxton has been dogged by allegations of personal and professional improprieties throughout his political career. Do voters care?
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Congress
U.S. Rep. Brandon Gill seeks top Republican oversight post
Another Texan, Rep. Pat Fallon, also is seeking a leadership role on the top investigatory committee for the U.S. House.
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State Government
Rep. Drew Darby tears into oil and gas commissioner for defying order to appear at Capitol
Wayne Christian said his agency’s meeting kept him from addressing lawmakers about eliminating some public comments at the Texas Railroad Commission.
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Politics
Paxton campaign makes first major ad buy in Senate race
Two ads will take the U.S. Senate candidate’s economic message to the Harlingen, Laredo and Corpus Christi areas.
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Politics
Inactive oil and gas wells to go under review at hearing
Under previous law, operators could keep inactive wells up indefinitely.
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2026 Texas Elections
Meet the Gen-Z GOP political consultant helping lead the Texas comptroller’s office
Appointing a deputy comptroller who graduated from Texas A&M three years ago is just one of numerous shake-ups at an agency responsible with some of the state’s most important business.
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2026 Texas Elections
UT students attacked by Bo French call his comments “disgusting” and too familiar
In a statement Monday night, university officials indirectly addressed Bo French’s comments, calling students at the game Saturday night “incredible fans.”
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Texas Legislature 2027
Texas lawmaker vows to keep pushing for statewide emergency disaster response system
State Rep. Ken King, whose proposal to create a system failed twice, heard testimony about firefighters being forced to carry multiple radios in an emergency and how long it takes to coordinate agencies.
