The Fort Worth Democrat was confined in the Capitol overnight after refusing to be shadowed by state police, a requirement for lawmakers who had left the state over the GOP redistricting plan.
Politics
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TribCast
TribCast: The Texas Democrats return. What happens next?
The gang looks at what’s next in the extra-special session, as Republicans prepare to finally pass a new congressional map.
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Texas Legislature 2025
Texas Senate fast tracks THC ban, flood prep and bathroom restrictions for transgender people
Senators moved fast on Gov. Greg Abbott’s agenda for the second special session. With House Democrats back in Texas, bills can now move through that chamber.
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Redistricting Texas 2025
How Texas’ mid-decade redistricting could affect voters in one Houston community
The congressional seat in Texas’ 18th District, a hub of Black political power, has been vacant for months. Redistricting could further disrupt representation for its voters.
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Higher Education
Confusion reigns as Texas colleges scramble to comply with ban on in-state tuition for undocumented students
The state isn’t providing schools with guidance and advocates say students who still qualify for lower rates are being asked to pay thousands more.
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Redistricting Texas 2025
Photos: Texas Democrats return to Austin as redistricting standoff ends
Texas Democrats return to Austin after a two week fight over GOP-drawn congressional maps
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Redistricting Texas 2025
Texas House, Senate panels again advance redrawn congressional map
A second special session that has made approving the map a priority started Friday, shortly after the first one ended.
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2026 Texas Elections
Rep. Ray Lopez of San Antonio will not seek reelection to Texas House
The San Antonio Democrat was first elected to the Legislature in 2019.
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Higher Education
Judge denies undocumented students’ attempt to challenge sudden loss of in-state tuition
Two groups tried to intervene in a case that blocked Texas’ decade-old law allowing certain undocumented students to pay the lower tuition rates at public universities. They’re appealing that decision.
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Texas measles outbreak
State health officials declare West Texas measles outbreak over
With no new cases reported in 42 days, the nation’s largest measles outbreak in 30 years, is declared over.