Deaths from heat are notoriously difficult to quantify because of how complex and subjective the process is. It leaves officials with an incomplete picture of who heat kills.
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.
Posted in
Politics
Church, state and the Texas Legislature: Debate heats up over what students should learn
House hearing focuses on a curriculum plan and on school vouchers.
Posted in
Health care
Abbott order will require Texas hospitals to collect patients’ immigration status
The executive order from the Texas governor will require hospitals to track the cost of care for undocumented migrants, in order for the state to push for federal reimbursement.
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Health care
How an anti-abortion doctor joined Texas’ maternal mortality committee
Dr. Ingrid Skop, a San Antonio OB-GYN, was chosen to represent rural areas over an obstetrics nurse from the Rio Grande Valley.
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Energy
Ranchers reported abandoned oil wells spewing wastewater. A new study blames fracking.
An SMU study is the first scientific proof of a phenomenon local landowners have long warned was occurring.
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Health care
Appeals court to weigh reimposing fines for Texas foster care failures, removing judge on case
Texas Health and Human Services could face $100,000-per-day fines for violating a judge’s orders. The state wants the judge off the case.
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Health care
How a lack of supervisors keeps new mental health workers from entering the field
Future Texas therapists must complete internships to start their careers, but there’s not enough providers to mentor all of the students.
Posted in
Politics
Texas activist frustrates election officials with lawsuit about threat to ballot secrecy
Laura Pressley claims she found an “algorithmic pattern” that links voters to their ballots. But she won’t make it public.
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Criminal Justice
Justice Department finds Texas juvenile detention centers violated youth offenders’ rights
The DOJ found that officers overused pepper spray, kept youths in prolonged isolation and failed to protect them from sexual abuse.
Posted in
Broken Pipes
Texas Water Board details how it will spend $1 billion for water infrastructure projects
About $45 million will go to Texas towns with fewer than 1,000 residents — a boon for municipalities without a viable tax base.