Texas likely undercounting heat-related deaths
Deaths from heat are notoriously difficult to quantify because of how complex and subjective the process is. It leaves officials with an incomplete picture of who heat kills. Full Story
![Robert Shipp, 75, of Bastrop, sweats while receiving treatment from Austin-Travis County EMS first responders inside an ambulance during a 102 degree summer day outside Austin Wrench-A-Part in Del Valle on July 7, 2023. According to the EMS crew, he passed out while searching for car parts under the hot sun.](https://thumbnails.texastribune.org/2qY-T6WAoAtXvIA5IpZy2USF2cQ=/850x570/smart/filters:quality(75)/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f0d39da4398408136a12ccd4d5f05d14/0710%20EMS%20Heat%20Ride%20Along%20JT%20TT%2042.jpg)
The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
Deaths from heat are notoriously difficult to quantify because of how complex and subjective the process is. It leaves officials with an incomplete picture of who heat kills. Full Story
House hearing focuses on a curriculum plan and on school vouchers. Full Story
The executive order from the Texas governor will require hospitals to track the cost of care for undocumented migrants, in order for the state to push for federal reimbursement. Full Story
Dr. Ingrid Skop, a San Antonio OB-GYN, was chosen to represent rural areas over an obstetrics nurse from the Rio Grande Valley. Full Story
An SMU study is the first scientific proof of a phenomenon local landowners have long warned was occurring. Full Story
Texas Health and Human Services could face $100,000-per-day fines for violating a judge's orders. The state wants the judge off the case. Full Story
Future Texas therapists must complete internships to start their careers, but there’s not enough providers to mentor all of the students. Full Story
Laura Pressley claims she found an “algorithmic pattern” that links voters to their ballots. But she won’t make it public. Full Story
The DOJ found that officers overused pepper spray, kept youths in prolonged isolation and failed to protect them from sexual abuse. Full Story
Texas sued to stop an executive order issued by President Biden on his Inauguration Day to stop border wall construction and divert funds that had already been allocated for the project. Full Story
No state agency is taking responsibility for making sure the privately built lines that power many oil and gas sites are safe. Such lines have been blamed for sparking two recent Panhandle fires. Full Story
A lawsuit seeks to force Texas to fully air condition its prison system. Inmate advocacy groups say temperatures can push above 120 degrees in some units. Full Story
When disaster strikes, Polk County Judge Sydney Murphy takes command of her county’s emergency communication channels, including a text service and Facebook page. Full Story
The rest of the law goes into effect Sept. 1. It’s been challenged by tech industry groups and a free speech advocacy organization. Full Story
We’ve added Nancy Pelosi, Janet Yellen, Lyle Lovett, Wes Moore and Daniel Lubetzky to our roster of more than 300 speakers across 100 must-see conversations on the issues facing our state and our nation. Join us. Full Story
Three other cities have passed similar measures but the Texas AG and others question whether they can be enforced because of conflicts with state law. Full Story
About $45 million will go to Texas towns with fewer than 1,000 residents — a boon for municipalities without a viable tax base. Full Story
The Texas Tribune’s database of Texas state employees’ compensation is updated to represent salaries as of July 1. Full Story
Jason Wells told regulators the company will launch a new outage tracker by Aug. 1. It will also trim more tree limbs near power lines and hire an executive to focus on emergency response. Full Story
We want to hear from all Texans – even if you can’t vote or are not sure you want to vote. Full Story