Cities race to annex land before new Texas law goes into effect Dec. 1
A new law will require certain cities to get the consent of a majority of property owners before annexing their land. Full Story
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![A road sign outside of Mesquite city limits in Dallas County. Mesquite has rushed to annex land outside its city limits before Dec. 1, 2017, when a new law would require some cities to get the consent of residents before annexing their property.]()
Credit: Laura Buckman for The Texas Tribune -
TxDOT eyeing accounting trick to get around toll road prohibition
A state lawmaker has asked the attorney general to weigh in on whether the state's transportation agency can use voter-approved funds to rebuild or expand highways that will also include toll lanes alongside them. Full Story
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![Interstate 45 Gulf Freeway's HOV and Toll lanes exit into Metro's Eastowood Transit Center in Houston Friday, October 19, 2012.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Report: Homeless youth slip through cracks in Texas' support system
Homeless youth in Texas are inadequately supported due to a spotty system of programs and resources, according to a new report released Wednesday. Full Story
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![Gage Kemp spent four years homeless when he was a teen. He now is an advocate for other homeless youth.]()
Credit: Alexandra Arriaga/The Texas Tribune -
Data for University of Texas employees updated in Salaries Explorer
We've updated compensation data for employees of the University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and UT Southwestern Medical Center in our Government Salaries Explorer. This update reflects state agency payrolls for 2017. Full Story
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Hey, Texplainer: How much does it cost to run for office in Texas?
No dollar amount is going to secure a win when it comes to running for office. In fact, some of the most expensive campaigns were run by people you have probably never heard of. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Antony Vance Clicks -
In race against Keller, Republican highlighting infamous death row call
Sharon Keller, the longtime presiding judge of Texas' Court of Criminal Appeals, has tried to move on from several past ethical controversies — including blocking the last-minute appeal of a 2007 execution. A primary challenger hopes voters will reconsider them. Full Story
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![Sharon Keller and David Bridges are both running in the 2018 Republican primary for presiding judge of the state's Court of Criminal Appeals.]()
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Coastal officials say feds failing Harvey victims on short-term housing
Officials from battered towns and counties — including one who said he's had suicidal thoughts — told lawmakers that too many residents are sleeping in tents and hotels more than two months after Hurricane Harvey. Full Story
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![Fulton Mayor Jimmy Kendrick told the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Disaster Impact and Recovery that he's had suicidal thoughts as he tries to lead his city through its recovery from Hurricane Harvey.]()
Credit: Eddie Seal for the Texas Tribune -
Texas has hired its first ever director of human trafficking prevention
In an interview with The Texas Tribune, Kim Grabert, the state's first director of human trafficking prevention, discussed how the state plans to recover and rehabilitate runaway youth who are sold for sex. Full Story
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![Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation (HTCE) Director Kim Grabert.]()
Credit: DFPS staff photographer Sean Mathis -
Texans in favor of all 7 constitutional amendments
Texas voters were in favor of all seven constitutional amendments on the statewide ballot, according to early voting results released Tuesday evening by the Texas Secretary of State’s office. Full Story
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![People voting in Houston on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
"Sanctuary cities" law hearing draws debate on free speech, ICE detainers
It was round two in New Orleans on Tuesday for attorneys for the state of Texas and opponents of the state’s anti-“sanctuary cities” law, Senate Bill 4. Full Story
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![A massive protest engulfs the Capitol Rotunda as anti-SB 4 protesters rally on May 29, 2017, the last day of the 85th legislative session.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
Texas back in federal court to defend "sanctuary cities" law
Attorneys for the state of Texas are set to head back before the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans on Tuesday to defend the state’s new immigration enforcement law. Full Story
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![Protesters opposed to Senate Bill 4, known as the "sanctuary cities" law, turn out in force for the last day of the legislative session on May 29, 2017.]()
Credit: Erika Rich for The Texas Tribune -
$500 million in Ike relief is still unspent. Will Texas do better after Harvey?
State officials want as few parameters as possible on federal disaster relief funds, but housing advocates say that could lead to public works projects getting federal funds over Texans who lost everything. Full Story
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![U.S. Air Force member conducted search and rescue operations on Galveston Island after Hurricane Ike on Sept. 13, 2008.]()
Credit: Staff Sgt. James L. Harper Jr. -
Here's a look at who's interested in replacing Straus as House speaker
Despite all the focus on November, many in Texas politics are keeping a close eye on January. That's when the 150-member Texas House will pick its new House speaker. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Texas insurers to cover advanced breast cancer screenings
A new law will require insurance companies to cover 3-D mammograms for Texas patients. The advanced screening technology allows for early detection of cancer and reduces false positives. Full Story
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![A new law will require insurers to cover 3-D mammograms at no additional cost to patients. Radiology technologist Shadak Kiankarimi works with a 3-D mammography machine at ARA Diagnostic Imaging in Austin. The computer screen shows the detail of the 3-D imaging.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
Q&A: Dallas ISD superintendent says merit pay "has possibility" for state
Dallas ISD has pioneered a localized system of merit pay for teachers. Would it work elsewhere in the state? Read what Superintendent Michael Hinojosa had to say. Full Story
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![Dallas Independent School District Superintendent Michael Hinojosa.]()
Credit: Dallas ISD -
Texas attorney general sues feds, seeks to help family adopt Native American 2-year-old
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing the federal government over a law that seeks to keep Native American children from being separated from their families. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Straus earthquake could shake up Texas politics for years
The impact of House Speaker Joe Straus' departure from the Capitol can't be understated, according to one political scientist: "The political center of the state collapsed today." Full Story
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![Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, a San Antonio Republican, announced Wednesday he will not run for re-election.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Democratic lawmaker faces $3 million legal malpractice judgment
Texas state Rep. Sergio Muñoz Jr. owes a legal company nearly $3 million after a federal judge ruled against the Democratic lawyer from Palmview in a malpractice case. Full Story
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![State Rep. Sergio Muñoz, Jr.]()
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As long lines persist, state winds down food assistance program for Harvey victims
Long lines — and criticism about how the program was handled — plagued the sign-up period for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Houston. Full Story
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![People line up for food at an open grocery store in Houston Tuesday Aug 29, 2017.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
State Rep. Victoria Neave pleads no contest to June DWI charge
The Dallas Democrat, who was arrested for driving while intoxicated in June, said Friday she will pay a fine and be put on 12 months of probation. Full Story
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![Mugshot of state Rep. Victoria Neave, D-Dallas, arrested for DWI in Dallas late Tuesday, June 6.]()
Credit: Dallas Police Department
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