Texas files suit against FDA over execution drug (video)
In the Roundup: Texas sues the FDA over an execution drug, state Rep. Armando Martinez is shot by "celebratory gunfire" and the 85th Legislative Session is about to kick off. Full Story
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Analysis: Expect some clouds in Monday’s Texas budget forecast
The Legislature goes to Austin on Tuesday, but lawmakers will find out a day before that what kind of budget they're going to write. Spoiler alert: Money is tight. Full Story
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Whitmire may avoid some pension votes amid conflict-of-interest concerns
After some Dallas City Council members voiced concerns this week over Whitmire’s work at a law firm whose client list includes city pension fund boards, the Houston Democrat said he would likely abstain from voting on Dallas-specific bills. Full Story
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![Sen. John Whitmire D-Houston holds up a copy of newspaper with an article regarding CPS on the front page as he questions John Stephen, a consultant hired to give a report on Texas child protective services during an October 26, 2016 Senate Finance Committee hearing]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
House panel warns of "peril" in Texas mental health system
In a report released Thursday, Texas House Select Committee on Mental Health members wrote that mental health “is absolutely one of the most critical areas of concern” facing the state. Full Story
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![Demonstrators participate in a mental health rally at the Texas Capitol, organized by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, on Feb. 28, 2013.]()
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Poor Texans left in dark as state electricity aid program ends
Low-income Texans are struggling to come to grips with the demise of a longstanding program that helped them pay their electricity bills. Full Story
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![Mary Garcia at her home in Arlington, Texas, on Dec. 22, 2016.]()
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Straus approaches session without a challenger for speakership
With a week until the 85th Legislative Session begins, House Speaker Joe Straus is without something he has had before every session since he first took the helm of the chamber: a challenger for the gavel. Full Story
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![Joe Straus, Texas Speaker of the House, at an 85th Legislative Session preview at the Dallas Regional Chamber on Sept. 13, 2016.]()
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Texas lawmakers file bills to plug "loopholes" keeping government contracts secret
A pair of Texas lawmakers have filed legislation aiming to plug what they called major “loopholes” in public records law that have left taxpayers in the dark about key details of some contracts involving public funds. Full Story
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Lawmaker seeks to pass "constitutional carry" gun bill in 2017
House Bill 375 would give all Texans the right to openly carry a firearm — with or without a permit. If passed, Texas would be the 11th state to allow "constitutional carry." Full Story
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What to watch for in the 2017 Texas Legislative Session (video)
Watch the Tribune's Ross Ramsey explain what lawmakers will focus their attention on during the state's five-month legislative session, which starts Jan. 10. Full Story
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Texas Rangers launch criminal probe into Dallas' pension shortfall
Mayor Mike Rawlings blames former pension administration for a "grave breach of trust," but it's unclear who is the target of the state inquiry. Full Story
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Abbott, on family vacation, meets with Australian prime minister
Gov. Greg Abbott paused a family vacation to Sydney this week to meet with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull show off hats they exchanged after their meeting Tuesday in Sydney. Abbott was vacationing with his family in the city.]()
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Texas blocking funds to Planned Parenthood, 3 Texans in Trump Ag Secretary hunt (video)
In the Roundup: Texas cutting Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood, the Texas Electoral College casts most of its vote for President-elect Donald Trump and three Texans said to be on Agriculture Secretary shortlist. Full Story
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Lawsuit proceeds against Gov. Greg Abbott over mock nativity display
A lawsuit is moving forward against Gov. Greg Abbott over his order to remove a satirical nativity scene from the Texas Capitol last year. Full Story
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![Winter Solstice scene on display in the Capitol. It was ordered removed after Gov. Greg Abbott objected to it.]()
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Abandoned Texas oil wells seen as "ticking time bombs" of contamination
Texas is among several states grappling with a surge of abandoned drilling sites and dwindling funds to clean them up. Full Story
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![Ty Edwards, assistant general manager of the Middle Pecos Groundwater Conservation District, points to brackish water flowing from one of several flowing abandoned wells— originally drilled for oil, but later used for irrigation — that no state agency plans to plug.]()
Credit: Rafael Aguilera for The Texas Tribune -
Trump, women's health, child welfare top Texas news in 2016
Here’s a look at the top health and human services storylines The Texas Tribune tracked this year. Full Story
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![Jill Ramirez, the director of outreach for the Latino Healthcare Forum, passes out flyers and explains components of the Affordable Care Act on Oct. 5, 2013. With Donald Trump's election to the White House, the health law faces an uncertain future.]()
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Texas officially kicking Planned Parenthood out of Medicaid
Texas health officials on Tuesday delivered a final legal notice to nix the funding Planned Parenthood receives through the Medicaid program. Full Story
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Analysis: On transgender Texans and bathrooms, a call to stay calm
Some Texas lawmakers were in a hurry to require transgender Texans to use the restrooms that match the genders listed on their birth certificates. But the policy and politics are complicated enough to prompt the governor to tap the brakes. Full Story
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Trump selects Perry to lead U.S. Department of Energy (video)
In the Roundup: Donald Trump selects former Gov. Rick Perry to lead the U.S. Department of Energy, Gov. Greg Abbott takes a wait-and-see approach on anticipated bathroom legislation and Attorney General Ken Paxton takes on a new fight over Christmas. Full Story
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Backers hopeful Texas ready to screen welfare recipients for drug use
While Texas already has some of the strictest eligibility requirements in the country for welfare benefit applicants, some lawmakers plan to try again next year to add required drug screenings or testing to the process. Full Story
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Federal health officials issue Zika warning for Brownsville
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging pregnant women to avoid Brownsville if they can and for those visiting the area to be tested for the virus, which is known to cause birth defects. Full Story
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Credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Public Health Image Library