The attorney general’s office reallocated taxpayer-funded rooms to donors and other private citizens, some of whom initially failed to cover the cost of the stay.
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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Health care
At least 175 measles cases reported in Texas this year, most of them in West Texas Detention Facility
Texas has added 28 more measles cases in the last two weeks. Most infections so far this year have occurred inside West Texas Detention Facility in Hudspeth County.
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State Government
Judge will allow Attorney General Ken Paxton to withdraw from representing comptroller’s office in voucher case
The Houston federal judge said Paxton’s office can pull out of the case as soon as acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock finds new lawyers. The unusual request comes amid a bubbling feud between the two Republicans.
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State Government
Texas is cutting undocumented immigrants off from school, work and driving
The sweeping rule changes, all enacted outside the typical legislative process, have upended life for noncitizens, including those who are here legally.
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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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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.