The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
We learned a lot during our first-ever virtual TribFest — how long sessions should ideally be (shorter), whether it’s easier to book speakers who don’t have to travel to Austin (duh) and much more. Hope you learned a lot too. Full Story
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A three-judge panel on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a 2017 state law ending the popular one-punch option — and admonished a lower court judge for trying to bring the practice back so soon before early voting starts Oct. 13. Full Story
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Two years ago in Texas, interest and election turnout were juiced by a $125 million race for U.S. Senate. This year's ballot is topped by an extraordinary race for president, but the political spending at the top won't match 2018. Full Story
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A federal judge's ruling temporarily reinstating the practice of one-punch voting has been put on a temporary hold as judges on the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals weigh the issue. Full Story
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Conservative activist Steve Hotze and a number of Republican candidates and officials are asking the Texas Supreme Court to shorten the early voting period and limit drop-off locations for absentee ballots in the state’s largest Democratic county. Full Story
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Political people in high places are sowing doubt about voting and elections, making our 200-year-old system seem fraught with problems and even crime. Vote anyway. Full Story
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In the early days of the coronavirus pandemic when testing supplies were limited, local politicians went to great lengths to help a businessman with a criminal past try to sell telehealth and COVID-19 services across Texas. Full Story
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Campaigns, political organizations and students at schools across Texas say they’re worried and frustrated that pandemic health restrictions are stymying efforts to register and turn out students to vote. Full Story
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Voting in the 2020 general election starts in Texas in less than three weeks. But the governor's responses to the coronavirus have strained Republican unity. Full Story
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As Dallas salon owner Shelley Luther and state Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, continue to spar ahead of Tuesday's election, Luther directs some of her harshest criticism at Abbott. Full Story
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The indictments center on about 38 ballots or applications for ballots in a Gregg County Commissioners Court race. Experts say voter fraud is rare. Full Story
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Local health officials describe the electronic system as “cumbersome,” “archaic” and “really slow," though its performance has improved since it was upgraded in August. Full Story
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Data released this week showing reported coronavirus infection breakdowns by school district has been withdrawn by state health officials after "issues" were discovered. Full Story
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The co-director of the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Children's Hospital talked during The Texas Tribune Festival about the hunt for a vaccine and how we can reopen safely. Full Story
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State party Chair Allen West, Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and members of the Texas Legislature were among those who filed the suit against Abbott. Full Story
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Democrats have their eyes on winning back the Texas House majority they lost in 2002. That wouldn't give them the power to pass legislation, but it would give them the power to stop legislation they don't like. Full Story
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Shortly after Oracle — a California-based tech company with an Austin campus — emerged as a potential buyer last week, Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted that he had spoken to the president about Texas housing the possible new TikTok headquarters. Full Story
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In counties where four-year college students make up at least 10% of the population, cases have grown 34% since Aug. 19, according to a Texas Tribune analysis. That’s compared with 23% in counties with a smaller proportion of students. Full Story
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We’ve lost a lot of Texans already and will surely lose more to the coronavirus. Doesn’t it seem like there should at least be a moment of silence? Full Story
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Disability rights activists say they’re worried the confusion may deter at-risk Texans from voting or cause them to needlessly put their health at risk to show up in person at the polls despite being eligible for mail-in voting. Full Story
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