Texas students are taking the STAAR tests this week. Take our quiz to see how you'd fare.
Students across Texas are taking state standardized tests this week. Take some of the tests' most difficult questions to see if you'd pass. Full Story
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Problems reported with Texas' STAAR exam — again
Two years after software problems rendered results on the statewide STAAR exam unusable, students taking the test Tuesday reported more technical problems. Full Story
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As college costs rise, some Texas students go hungry. Will food scholarships help?
Students at many Texas colleges struggle to find enough food to eat — and struggle academically as a result. Houston Community College hopes giving them healthy food will change that. Full Story
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![Financial Coach Joel Philistin, who helped set up the food scholarship at Houston Community College, in Houston on Friday, March 23, 2018.]()
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A Texas Democrat’s campaign just unionized. Here's why so few campaigns do that.
Labor groups are praising Democrat Laura Moser's campaign for its collective bargaining agreement. But some argue campaigns are too unpredictable to guarantee workers the benefits that come with unionizing. Full Story
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![Democratic primary candidate for the 7th congressional district Laura Moser cheers with supporters at a watch party in Houston in Houston on Tuesday, March 6, 2018.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
From Treasury bills to Amazon stocks, investments make up a big part of Texas political campaign spending
A handful of elected officials used more than $28 million from their campaign accounts for investments, making it the second largest category of expenditures in the 2018 election cycle. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott (left) and state Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston.]()
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Teachers in other states are striking. Texas teachers can't do that.
Texas state law says that teachers could lose their teaching certificates and pensions if they go on strike. Full Story
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Lawmakers weigh changing Texas law that lets rent-to-own stores file criminal charges on customers
The chairman of the House Business & Industry Committee said he was "stunned" to learn there is an obscure law that makes it easy for rent-to-own companies to file criminal charges against customers who fall behind on payments. The committee is looking at changing the law after a joint investigation by The Texas Tribune and NerdWallet. Full Story
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![Chris Higgs, left, president of the Texas Association of Rental Agencies (TARA) testifies at a House of Representatives Committee on Business and Industry hearing on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at the Capitol in Austin. In the background, Matt Grynwald, general counsel for Rent-A-Center, waits to testify.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
Lawmakers: Change state law that bars Texans in default on student loans from renewing work licenses
The conservative House Freedom Caucus called for the Legislature to address "head on" a state statute they say impedes Texans' ability to work and makes it even harder for them to pay back their debt. Full Story
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![The Texas Freedom Caucus on May 23, 2017 (back row, l-r): state Reps. Jonathan Stickland, Briscoe Cain, Matt Krause, Valoree Swanson, Mike Lang, Kyle Biedermann, Matt Rinaldi. (Front row, l-r): state Reps. Matt Shaheen, Matt Schaefer, Bill Zedler, Jeff Leach, Tony Tinderholt.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Federal judge: Texas is violating national voter registration law
A federal judge has ruled that Texas violated the federal National Voter Registration Act. The fix he orders could introduce the state's first online voter registration system. Full Story
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Credit: Waylon Cunningham for the Texas Tribune -
Touting career as "entrepreneur," Democratic candidate for governor Andrew White rolls out plan for 1 million jobs
Andrew White, a Houston entrepreneur in a Democratic runoff race to challenge Gov. Greg Abbott this fall, rolled out a plan to add 1 million jobs by promoting Texas oil and implementing a statewide mass transit system. Full Story
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![Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew White announces his plan to add one million Texan jobs at Impact Hub in Austin on April 3, 2018.]()
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"A friendly vote on the court": How Greg Abbott's former employees could help Texas from the federal bench
As a longtime aide to Greg Abbott, Andrew Oldham has helped Texas fight the federal government. If he's confirmed to the federal bench, he could rule on the same type of cases. Full Story
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![Andrew Oldham was nominated to serve on the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in February 2018.]()
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Q&A: Three experts discuss civic engagement in Texas
Our Facebook community This Is Your Texas spent the month of March discussing civic engagement in the Lone Star State. We took some of the group’s questions to three experts on the subject. Full Story
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Video: A conversation about Texas' Public Information Act
Watch video of Texas Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey moderating a panel discussion about Texas' Public Information Act and transparency in government. Full Story
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Former congressman Pete Gallego forms campaign to replace Texas state Sen. Carlos Uresti
Another prominent Democrat has announced plans to run for Senate District 19, a San Antonio-based seat currently held by a longtime state lawmaker recently convicted of 11 felonies. Full Story
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![Former US Rep Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, concedes the 2016 Texas 23rd Congressional District race to Will Hurd, a San Antonio Republican, on Nov. 9, 2016]()
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Conservative group planted an intern in state lawmaker's office, former intern testifies
In addition to taking covert videos of Texas lawmakers in 2015, the American Phoenix Foundation allegedly planted an intern in state Rep. James White's office in 2013 in an attempt to catch the Hillister Republican engaging in fraud. Full Story
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![A representative of the American Phoenix Foundation questions state Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie, outside the House chamber on May 13, 2015.]()
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Austin bombings, Ted Cruz and Cambridge Analytica (podcast)
On this week's TribCast, Emily talked to Evan, Patrick, Alex and Democratic congressional candidate M.J. Hegar about Hegar's impending runoff, the Austin bombings and another client of now-notorious Cambridge Analytica, Ted Cruz. Full Story
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Judge's ruling would let Texas consumers buy booze from Walmart and Costco
Unlike residents of more than 30 U.S. states and many foreign nations, Texans who want to buy a fifth of vodka or bourbon can't find their favorite spirit on the shelves of their local Walmart or Costco. A landmark ruling issued by a federal court in Austin could soon change that. Full Story
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![Wiggy's Liquor, August 2010, in Austin.]()
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Texas children's therapy providers face dilemma over offering services
Ahead of a Texas House Appropriations subcommittee hearing on Wednesday to discuss Medicaid therapy rate cuts and the state’s Early Childhood Intervention program, some providers are considering ending services due to financial struggles. Full Story
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Texas government risks credit rating downgrade, Comptroller Glenn Hegar says
Without an infusion of new money to cover mounting liabilities, Hegar warned, credit agencies are likely to downgrade Texas’ credit rating, which would make it more expensive for the state to borrow money — and perhaps damage the state's business climate. Full Story
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![Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar]()
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Austin's serial bombings: Here's what we know and what questions remain
The bomb explosions in Austin and Schertz left two people dead and several others injured. Wednesday morning, police say the man they believe is responsible detonated a bomb and killed himself. Full Story
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![Law enforcement officials work into the afternoon on Monday, March 19, 2018, following a fourth package bomb explosion Sunday night in southwest Austin that injured two men.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune