The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
After lawmakers passed a law about how racism was to be taught in Texas schools, Essence Preparatory in San Antonio was sent back to the drawing board. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4bec4a964395cfd13e49d9a7bb34474e/National_20211222_EssencePrep_AnthonyFrancis_005.jpg)
More than a dozen amazing students from Texas and around the country will work with us this semester in various areas of our newsroom. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/45ed4d4f277aeba95d0c886b68595bdc/Texas%20Tribune%20Exterior%20MG%20TT%2009.jpg)
Energy experts said the production drop during a relatively ordinary cold front could be a bad sign for the grid if the state is struck by extreme winter weather again. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2f88c643f683b1d85faa36e87e51d583/TXOGA%20Midland%20Wells%20Tour%20MGO%20TT%2010)
In the weeks before the December filing deadline to run in the March primary election, Project Red Texas traveled South Texas to recruit candidates to run for county offices. The group ended up helping get 125 candidates on the ballot across 25 counties. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1862d890d4faf93df73ccc16a9df85b0/RGV%20Post%20Election%20JG%20TT%2024)
Many schools are pushing through with plans for in-person classes despite a surge in COVID-19 cases as they try to reassure parents and students they are prepared to open safely this week. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/332c89526b8389872942d525619d2ed5/AISD%20Covid%20Testing%20JV%20TT%2004.jpg)
Abbott’s political challenger said guard members deployed to Operation Lone Star are facing late pay, being exposed to COVID-19, experiencing supply shortages and dealing with added stress that has led to multiple suicides tied to the mission. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d76648a870d9065876bd7f5ac566e31b/Roma%20Border%20Crossing%20SP%20TT%201696.jpg)
Patrick’s office said he tested positive for COVID-19 last week and experienced mild symptoms but has since tested negative. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/cfb8f0d60fd6fac2ee2b39fff7c2695a/Dan%20Patrick%20SB7%20Presser%20EL%20TT%2011.jpg)
While the Texas Legislature has been hesitant to embrace policy change, advocates hope the O’Rourke campaign’s attention to marijuana legalization will give the issue a political boost. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d54cb6d7c22c5aa40a143a99540ee334/Willie_and_Beto_REUTERS_ES_TT.jpg)
Officials added 36 to the estimate of lives lost in the disaster, which knocked out power in much of the state. Some experts place the toll even higher. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d990ef945b4e481a040b782ec940de30/ATX%20Snowstorm%20Feb%2017%20MG%20TT%2011.jpg)
It was another historic, news-filled year. As you get ready for 2022, check out these memorable articles The Texas Tribune published in 2021. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8607eabd2772d006f4cf3c1a78dd7f4d/Capitol%20Vault%20Dome%20SP%20TT%2072.jpg)
Next year, every state official and every member of the Texas Legislature and Congress are up for election. That makes for a big year in Texas politics. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d204b611a5ae34a1c731f5e8db1845b3/Capitol%20File%20Oct%2020%20EL%20TT%2018.jpg)
An ongoing pandemic. A restrictive and unusual abortion law. A vulnerable power grid. These are the biggest stories from 2021 that will continue to unfold in 2022. Full Story
He's been heavily involved in positive public messaging about the grid’s winter readiness, but the data aren't rosy — and experts fear the grid could fail if there's another winter storm. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c623dae9a850c18985c717f49da3056b/ATX%20Winter%20Storm%20EL%20TT%2018.jpg)
Five of the department’s regional infusion centers have run out of sotrovimab, the only antibody treatment known to be effective against the new variant. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/986cab90f1d5f854fd06fbb503f4c82d/Antibody%20COVID%20Infusion%20ST%20TT%20004.JPG)
Here are a dozen of my columns from 2021: highlights on the winter storm, redistricting, the state’s finances and on issues that could figure into this next round of elections. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f6ac362f217fb552b9231e32fb609688/ATX%20Anti-mask%20Protest%20EG%20TT%2026.jpg)
Texas politics in 2021 were marked by a violent insurrection at the nation’s Capitol and state legislative fights over abortion, voting rights and redistricting. Our photojournalists were there every step of the way. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/abcfe23932f984c08a3f7482ec0f8e52/WashingtonPlazaHotel_%20TT%2010.jpg)
The Texas Department of State Health Services, which tracks the number of coronavirus vaccinations, cases, hospitalizations and deaths across the state, won’t be updating its daily dashboard Friday through Sunday both this week and next over the holidays. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3d2c42856c01238b36160650dbfbf69c/South%20Austin%20COVID%20Testing%20PH%20TT%2008)
After nearly two years of navigating life during a pandemic, many Texans are now scrambling for COVID tests, delaying plans and worrying about relatives who have been exposed to the virus. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/11b94d7fb4ebe83498b5dcfb894a11d2/DFW%20Airport%20ST%20TT%2013.jpg)
Abbott vetoed legislation in June that would have helped shore up the Universal Service Fund, which supports telecommunications in rural Texas. He said it would have “imposed a new fee on millions of Texans.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/380592600268fa7955ad03e1b520334b/Edingburg%20Telephone%20Pole%20TT.jpg)
Abbott unveiled the first 900 feet of border barrier Saturday. But the state has been mum on where it plans to build additional barriers and how many miles it can afford. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0f8ad20782031c1ee6397ae985844e79/Abbott%20RGC%20Border%20Presser%20JG%20TT%2014.jpg)