UT System nixes faculty senates, approves restrictions on campus protests
The changes are in response to new state laws seeking to limit faculty’s influence and put guardrails on campus demonstrations. Full Story
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![A view of the UT Tower from the business building on the UT Austin campus during finals week on April 28, 2025.]()
Credit: Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribune -
Lawmakers are debating GOP congressional maps. What does redistricting mean for Texans?
From urban cores to rural regions, Texans' needs differ. Experts worry new districts encompassing geographically distant communities will dilute their voices. Full Story
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![Texas State Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025 in Austin, Texas.]()
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How Texas' “bathroom bills” have evolved over a decade
More than 20 bills that would restrict restroom use for transgender people have been proposed since 2015, but their language — and reception — have shifted. Full Story
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![Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, speaks during a press conference, along with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, on SB 6 The Texas Privacy Act, also known as the "bathroom bill," on Feb. 6, 2017, at the Texas Capitol in Austin.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
How Texas’ mid-decade redistricting could affect voters in one Houston community
The congressional seat in Texas’ 18th District, a hub of Black political power, has been vacant for months. Redistricting could further disrupt representation for its voters. Full Story
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![Former state Rep., Houston Mayor and U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner addresses the crowd gathered on steps of Houston’s City Hall in support of a 10,000 Black Men rally on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. Turner, who died in March, represented Houston's Congressional District 18.]()
Credit: Douglas Sweet Jr. for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate fast tracks THC ban, flood prep and bathroom restrictions for transgender people
Senators moved fast on Gov. Greg Abbott’s agenda for the second special session. With House Democrats back in Texas, bills can now move through that chamber. Full Story
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![State Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, speaks on the Senate floor at the Capitol on July 21, 2025.]()
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Fifth Circuit halts West Texas A&M drag show ban as free speech lawsuit continues
In a split decision, a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the school’s prohibition on drag performances, finding students are likely to prove it violates the First Amendment. Full Story
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![Protesters marched against the university president’s decision to cancel a drag performance at West Texas A&M University on March. 23, 2023.]()
Credit: David Bowser for The Texas Tribune -
Debates over THC, abortion pills, STAAR and more resume as Democrats return for second special session
Now that the Texas House has a quorum following Democrats’ two-week absence, lawmakers are back to debate a wide range of issues, including redrawing congressional maps to benefit Republicans. Full Story
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![House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, gavels in during the 89th legislative second special session Friday, Aug. 15, 2025 in Austin, Texas.]()
Credit: Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribune -
From a cell phone ban to Ten Commandments posters, new state laws bring big changes to Texas schools
Lawmakers also approved new teacher raises, banned DEI initiatives and gave schools more flexibility to discipline students. Full Story
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![A sign depicting the Corpus Christi Independent School District's new cell phone policies is shown outside Calk-Wilson Elementary School in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Aug. 11, 2025.]()
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Texas Senate approves new congressional lines as House Democrats remain out of state
Democrats' absence has halted work in the Texas House, which must also approve the new boundaries, for more than a week. Full Story
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![A newly released redistricting map of Texas is visible on a laptop during a Senate session on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas State System dissolves faculty senates, eroding professors' influence on campuses
While other universities move to preserve the advisory bodies, Texas State will abolish them under a new state law that curtails faculty’s influence on campuses. Full Story
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![Texas State University campus in San Marcos in 2018.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Democrats know they may lose redistricting protest, but hope to spark a national fight
Democrats concede there’s only so much they can do to keep Texas from redrawing its maps. But they want to encourage blue states to retaliate. Full Story
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![Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin speaks during a press conference surrounded by members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus at Painters District Council 30 in Aurora, Ill., on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025.]()
Credit: Jamie Kelter Davis for The Texas Tribune -
Texas redistricting standoff complicates preparations for March 2026 primary
New maps would mean months of work for election officials, and key deadlines are approaching. Full Story
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![Voters line up to cast their ballots at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Austin on Election Day, Nov. 8, 2022.]()
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Texas Senate OKs stricter limits on city, county property tax revenue
The proposal would put tighter limits on how much property tax revenue cities and counties of a certain size can collect each year. Full Story
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![Republican legislators talk amongst themselves during the 89th legislative special session in the Senate Chambers on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025 in Austin, Texas.]()
Credit: Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribune -
The Texas redistricting fight spurring a legislative standoff: What you need to know
Texas Republicans are trying to redraw congressional districts to pick up five additional U.S. House seats. Democrats face financial and political risk in their bid to block the GOP plan. Full Story
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![Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu speaks during a press conference alongside dozens of fellow Texas lawmakers and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker in Carol Stream, Ill., on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025.]()
Credit: Jamie Kelter Davis for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House’s latest STAAR bill fails to meaningfully change the test, some Democrats say
Some Democrats lamented that the House’s latest proposal to scrap the test largely resembles a Senate bill the lower chamber declined to sign on earlier this year. Full Story
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![Students attend a math and reading workshop at a summer camp held at Dobie Middle School at July 23, 2025. The camp, hosted by Austin Voices for Education and Youth, hosts workshops to help students prepare for standarized testing.]()
Credit: Ilana Panich-Linsman for The Texas Tribune -
Texas cities, counties may face new limits on raising property taxes
Republican state lawmakers want to curb property tax bills by further limiting how much can be collected by cities and counties. Full Story
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![Cars drive on Intersate 35 East with the downtown Dallas skyline looming in the distance on Sunday, July 27, 2025.]()
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Kerr County officials failed to follow certain aspects of disaster plan during Texas floods
The five-year-old plan, required by the state, detailed when additional monitoring was to take place and who was responsible for alerting the public to evacuate. Full Story
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![A woman looks at a pile of debris in Hunt on July 8, 2025.]()
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Texas GOP once again tries to ban local governments from hiring lobbyists in Austin
Critics of the bill say the state’s smallest cities and school districts will be silenced at the Capitol. Full Story
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![Texas state senators take care of business at their desks during floor debate on SB5 the THC regulation bill on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. Clockwise from upper left are Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, Sen. Nathan Johnson, D-Dallas, Sen. Adam Hinojosa, D-Corpus Christi, Sen Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown and Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate once again tries to give the attorney general authority to prosecute election crimes
A similar proposal stalled out earlier this year over disagreements between the House and Senate. This time, lawmakers might clash over whether to approve the new bill along with a constitutional amendment. Full Story
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![Texas Sen. Nathan Johnson, D-Dallas, argues a point of order on CSSB11 a bill that authorizes the Texas Attorney General to prosecute certain election-related crimes.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Seven House Democrats making day trip to New Mexico amid redistricting battle
With a quorum break on the table for the minority party as a way to thwart a GOP bid for more congressional seats, members travel out-of-state for a third time. Full Story
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![New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) speaks during the Democratic Party of New Mexico Election Night Watch Party at the Isleta Casino and Resort on Nov. 5, 2024 on the Pueblo of Isleta, New Mexico.]()
Credit: Sam Wasson/Sipa USA via REUTERS