The sweeping rule changes, all enacted outside the typical legislative process, have upended life for noncitizens, including those who are here legally.
State Government
Stay informed on Texas state government with The Texas Tribune’s in-depth coverage of the governor, Legislature, state agencies, and policies shaping the future of Texas.
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Public Education
White Texans, students previously in private school or home-school make up bulk of voucher applicants
The demographic breakdown of applicants shows Texas’ voucher program will likely not reflect the diversity of Texas public school students.
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State Government
TDCJ official confirms in trial testimony that it could cost $1.5 billion to fully cool Texas prisons
Current and former heads of Texas’ prison system defended asking for lesser amounts to air-condition facilities during a federal trial on extreme heat in TDCJ facilities.
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Health care
Texas’ ban on smokeable hemp cannabis is in effect. Here’s what you need to know.
New rules from state health officials ban smokeable intoxicating hemp products, including pre-rolled joints and hemp flower.
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Health care
Texas will launch its own clinical trials into ibogaine psychedelic after failing to find a drug company to help
The Legislature last year approved $50 million to research the psychedelic and find a company to develop it into a drug for FDA approval.
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Courts
Texas judge rejects push to let churches make political endorsements
A group of Texas churches and the IRS agreed to nix the Johnson Amendment, which prohibits nonprofits from endorsing candidates. A Trump-appointed judge said no.
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TribCast
TribCast: Assessing the rollout of Texas school vouchers
In this week’s episode, hosts Matthew and Eleanor talk with Tribune K-12 education reporter Jaden Edison about who in Texas applied for school vouchers and why Muslim schools were shut out of the program.
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Public Education
Texas’ school voucher applications close after judge declines to extend deadline
A federal judge previously gave families an additional two weeks to apply after Muslim parents and Islamic schools sued, arguing they had been improperly excluded from the program.
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2026 Texas Elections
Hardline conservative donors Tim Dunn, Farris Wilks ballooned Bo French’s Railroad Commission campaign
Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks made their fortune in the oil business. They’ve deployed millions of dollars to pull the Texas GOP and Legislature toward their hardline stances.
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Higher Education
Thousands of Texas students lose college credits when transferring. Here are pitfalls to avoid.
Early planning and paying attention to which classes are relevant for their major can help students save time and money.