Texas National Guard soldier won’t face civilian charges in border shooting of migrant
The soldier, serving as part of Operation Lone Star, said he accidentally fired his weapon, wounding the migrant in January. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/09aaa7fa392a03231da5c1e826d73748/NatGuard%20Eagle%20Pass%20REUTERS.jpg)
-
![Asylum-seeking migrants walk as they are escorted by National Guard officers, after crossing the Rio Grande river into the United States from Mexico, at Eagle Pass on July 26, 2022.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Go Nakamura -
Texas bans homeowners’ associations from discriminating against renters who receive federal housing aid
State lawmakers passed the law after a North Texas homeowners’ association barred landlords from renting to Section 8 tenants. Most of the affected tenants in that neighborhood were Black. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fc4c9dbd079a6cef70061eb1fd3c4494/Section%208%20Housing%20EL%20TT%2023.JPG)
![Clouds roll through the sky over the Providence Creek Village neighborhood in Providence Village, Texas on Thursday, June 30, 2022.]()
Credit: Emil Lippe for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Extreme heat and the toll of climate change on Texas
In this week’s episode, we speak with The Texas Tribune’s climate reporter Erin Douglas about why it’s been so hot in Texas and examine the long-term implications as climate change shifts the entire range of Texas heat upward. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7db9ec088fa8114425225d824c433cf6/0707%20TribCast%20Heat%20TT.jpg)
![Jackson Maniradukunda, 20, runs sprints while working out in the early morning at Yellow Jacked Stadium at Eastside Early College High School in Austin on June 28, 2023.]()
Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune -
As Texas lawmakers tussle over property tax relief, it’s unclear whether renters will benefit
Texas’ top Republicans are fighting over how to split property tax cuts between businesses and homeowners. Democrats want renters to see relief, too. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2220c409de72452060210e36546da907/08%20I45%20Kelly%20Village%20HTX%20MG%20TT.jpg)
![An aerial view of the Kelly Village housing complex in Houston on Sept. 16, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Infant girl among four found dead in Rio Grande
All four of the deceased were found within 48 hours in the Rio Grande, a common but dangerous crossing point into the United States from Mexico. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6104525af867ec1b5b4938f7419748ed/Shipping%20Container%20Wall%20CS%20TT%2034.jpg)
![A row of shipping containers and razor wire placed on the banks of the Rio Grande River by Gov. Greg Abbott to form a makeshift border wall in Eagle Pass on Nov. 19, 2021.]()
Credit: Chris Stokes for The Texas Tribune -
Ken Paxton will not testify at impeachment trial, defense attorney says
The Texas Senate could compel the suspended attorney general to testify, but members of his defense team say they will fight those efforts. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d8d92399bdf118549fe78eb667043345/0526%20Lege%20Coverage%20Paxton%20BD%20TT%2012.jpg)
![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton makes a statement to the press May 26, 2023, a day before the impeachment vote in the Texas House.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Houston sues state in attempt to block new law that erodes cities’ power
House Bill 2127 — dubbed the “Death Star” law by opponents — prevents local governments from creating rules that go further than what’s allowed under broad areas of state law. Houston’s suit says the new law violates the state’s constitution. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/413c037abf4deb74925c7e6aa84fdb55/Houston%20Skyline%20CR%20TT%2001.jpg)
![The Houston skyline in November, 2017.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
An unlikely provocateur, Miss Texas, takes on the state’s GOP leaders
Averie Bishop, whose reign ended Saturday, was the first Asian American to win the contest in its 85 years. She spent her year with the crown as an outspoken avatar for a rapidly diversifying Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a010a6ccfdc511c77b005773119f08c1/Averie%20Bishop%20WaPo%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Miss Texas, Averie Bishop, blows kisses as she rides in a parade on June 12 in Fairfield. Bishop, the first Asian Miss Texas, made a three-day trip to visit local businesses and emcee a local pageant.]()
Credit: Sergio Flores/for The Washington Post -
Texas Supreme Court says Gov. Greg Abbott’s COVID ban on local mask rules was lawful
Several of Texas’ largest cities sought to put in place mask requirements, which Gov. Greg Abbott overturned. The ruling is a legal win for Republicans in Austin their ongoing symbolic fight with cities, often run by Democrats. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/26377fc4cc252ac5f7837360cf0629f5/Abbott%20Vaccine%20Presser%20SF%20TT%2023.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference in Austin on Dec. 17, 2020, regarding COVID-19 and the Pfizer vaccines that have been sent to hospitals across Texas. Gov. Abbott was adamant that despite rising cases and deaths, he will not be ordering any shutdowns. Gov. Abbott also said he has not received the vaccine, but he will take it when the time comes.]()
Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune -
Former Texas Sen. Carlos Uresti, convicted for his role in Ponzi scheme, released from prison
The Democrat from San Antonio was initially sentenced in 2018 to 12 years in federal prison. His sentence was later reduced, and he will stay in a halfway house until December 2024. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1b16c5833d46994ce37efd77e68447b8/0626%20Uresti%20Verdict%20RJ.jpg)
![Carlos Uresti talks with the media following his sentencing in Federal Court on June 26, 2018. The former state senator will be released today from federal prison after serving more than 4 years of a 12-year sentence.]()
Credit: Robin Jerstad for The Texas Tribune -
Nearly 10,000 more babies born in nine months under Texas’ restrictive abortion law, study finds
This is the first analysis of live births since the law, which banned abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy, went into effect in September 2021. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1f7b08d914c4bfaa2144cff59cebb77e/2023-06-21T100302Z_101589457_RC2G2W9JRVQA_RTRMADP_3_USA-ABORTION-FAMILY.JPG)
![A patient looks at her ultrasound before proceeding with a medical abortion at Alamo Women's Clinic in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S., August 23, 2022. To open the clinic, Dr. Alan Braid and his staff had to obtain new medical licenses and move their families. During the building renovation, some contractors who opposed abortion refused to work with them, Braid said. Anti-abortion activists resented that New Mexico had become a refuge for those seeking to end pregnancies. The state allows abortion throughout pregnancy. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein SEARCH "HOCKSTEIN ABORTION FAMILY" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein -
Voting by mail in Texas will get a little easier with these legislative fixes
Two bipartisan bills passed this session will give voters more time and opportunities to fix mistakes when they request and return ballots by mail. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e00a05b48e5f7eda6301c1db589fb80d/Mail-In%20Ballot%20Drop%20AI%20TT%2011.jpg)
![The Travis County Tax Office at 5501 Airport Blvd is now the only drive-thru location open for hand delivery of mail ballots in the county. The drop-off location photographed here on Oct. 2, 2020, will be open until Nov. 3, 2020.]()
Credit: Amna Ijaz/The Texas Tribune -
Texas House investigation widens to include Ken Paxton real estate purchases, report says
The Wall Street Journal says the impeached attorney general, his wife and a family trust spent nearly $3.5 million buying properties in four states in 2021 and 2022. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/05b23bfa82882cee5d63539bafb98a98/0526%20Lege%20Coverage%20Paxton%20BD%20TT%2013.jpg)
![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton makes a statement to the press May 26, 2023 a day before a scheduled impeachment vote in the Texas House in a long-running ethics complaint.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
With race-based admissions no longer an option, states may imitate Texas Top 10% Plan
Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled the practice unconstitutional, admissions experts say other states could look to Texas’ Top 10% Plan as a way to diversify their student bodies. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f9a10b7344c98d5a47da0ce9578d8c3c/UT%20Austin%20Texas%20Flag%20EG%20TT%2002.jpg)
![The Texas flag flies on the south lawn of The Univerisity of Texas at Austin campus on Dec. 3, 2019.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
New Texas laws favor parents in child abuse investigations as legislators try to limit number of kids in foster care
Legislators also passed bills that will provide foster kids entering the troubled system with duffel bags or backpacks and those aging out of the system with help setting up bank accounts. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c8cd7329a48e04b0fee2bc0f4cfcbe5a/0512%20SB%2014%20House%20Friday%20EL%20TT%2047.jpg)
![The sun sets behind the Texas Capitol in Austin on May 12, 2023.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
With second special session underway, Texas lawmakers offer opening property tax-cut proposals
A stalemate among Texas’ top Republicans has dragged on for months. Tax-cut proponents in the House and Senate made their first pitches to end the impasse Wednesday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/07/06/Pasadena_Neighborhood_MS_TT.jpg)
![Residents put up flags for the Fourth of July in a neighborhood on the south side of Pasadena on July 1, 2017.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
State Rep. Jacey Jetton, called to military service, chooses his wife as temporary replacement
Under a provision of the Texas Constitution, Fanny Jetton will represent her husband’s Houston suburban district during the Legislature’s second special session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/14d1611612abc0a0c0ed064393a00914/0628%20Fanny%20Jetton%20Sworn%20In%20EL%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Fanny Jetton is sworn in as a replacement for her husband, state Rep. Jacey Jetton, R-Richmond, after he was called away for active military duty, by House Speaker Dade Phelan at the start of the second special session on the House floor at the state Capitol in Austin on June 28, 2023.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
A property tax deal has eluded Texas lawmakers. Here’s where things stand at the start of another special session.
Top Republicans promised property tax cuts, but have been locked in standoffs on how to achieve it. Gov. Greg Abbott has called another overtime legislative session in hopes of solidifying a plan. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/20f4ab08a7f23d116247f6012b220596/East%20Austin%20Housing%20MGO%20TT%2005.jpg)
![A house in the Windsor Park neighborhood of East Austin on Nov. 22, 2021.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzalez/The Texas Tribune -
Inmates are dying in stifling Texas prisons, but the state seldom acknowledges heat as a cause of death
Since a heat wave gripped Texas, at least nine inmates, including two men in their 30s, have died of heart attacks or unknown causes in prisons lacking air conditioning. It’s been 11 years since the state last classified a death as heat-related. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/75d362f480cb04994e8b8109e7b4d9fc/Mountain%20View%20Prison%20MKC%20TT%2036.jpg)
![Mountain View prison in Gatesville on September 19, 2019.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Solar power proves its worth as heat wave grips the state
Texas has seen a boom in solar power in recent years, and experts say that’s helped the state grid weather an intense June heat wave. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e661c63e8b9ecd6efdbb17673a5f6524/0403%20Wharton%20Solar%20Panel%20AM%20TT%2007.jpg)
![Solar panels stand in long rows and cover hundreds of acres in Wharton county on Monday, April 3, 2023.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune