Texas Tribune Brief

Texas Tribune

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Get the latest news on Texas politics and policy from The Texas Tribune now on Amazon Alexa. With reporters based in Austin, Dallas and Washington, D.C., and on the U.S.–Mexico border, we are your go-to source for news on statewide issues.

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1340 episodes

State House committee recommends impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton

Paxton, reelected last year by voters who shrugged off his scandals, now faces the prospect of impeachment by a House of Representatives chamber in which he may have few remaining allies.

5m
May 26
Investigators detail years of alleged misconduct by Texas AG Ken Paxton in stunning House committee hearing

Many allegations against Paxton were already known, but the public airing of them revealed the scope of the investigation by the committee, which has the power to recommend censure or impeachment.

5m
May 25
Through art, keepsakes and advocacy, families are making sure the 21 Uvalde victims are not forgotten

Wednesday marks exactly a year since the mass shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde. The community continues to grapple with the trauma and pain, and for those who lost someone that day, they’re determined to keep the memories of their loved ones alive.

12m
May 24
In the first legislative session since the Uvalde school shooting, how are lawmakers responding?

Texas lawmakers in Austin have been under pressure to do something about gun violence in schools and public places. This legislative session, they prioritized security plans over tightening gun regulations.

9m
May 23
A year ago, these Uvalde kids left school early. They're haunted by what happened next.

Three Treviño children have suffered from panic attacks and nightmares since a mass shooting at Robb Elementary a year ago this week left 19 of their schoolmates and two teachers dead. Their parents are striving to help their kids feel normal again.

12m
May 22
State of Texas expected to ban puberty blockers, hormone treatments for trans kids

Gov. Greg Abbott said he will sign Senate Bill 14 into law, which will make Texas one of over a dozen states that restrict transition-related care for transgender minors. Legal groups have already pledged to challenge it in court.

5m
May 19
House passes bill restricting the college sports teams that transgender athletes can join in Texas

Senate Bill 15 would allow people to sue colleges or universities they believe violate the prohibition on trans athletes’ sports participation.

5m
May 18
DeSantis commits to sending Florida police to help patrol Texas border as Abbott asks governors to help

An influx of migrants crossing the southern border after the expiration of Title 42 has not happened. But the governors of Florida and Idaho have already heeded Gov. Greg Abbott’s call.

6m
May 17
Pivotal House vote moves Texas closer to banning puberty blockers, hormone treatments for trans kids

The House gave initial approval Friday to a bill that would ban doctors from providing transition-related care to children. This is the furthest point the measure has reached in the Texas State Legislature.

5m
May 15
U.S. House passes border security bill shaped by Texas Republicans as Title 42 ends

The Democratic-controlled U.S. Senate has no interest in the bill, which Democrats consider too punitive. But some moderates view it as a launch pad for bipartisan reform.

5m
May 12
State House passes sweeping border funding bill for Texas, guts proposed civilian policing unit

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle threw their support behind a new requirement that the border unit use only commissioned peace officers for enforcement actions.

5m
May 11
Migrants waiting to cross southern border say government’s app for asylum-seekers is a mess

Hundreds of migrants have waited on the U.S. bank of the Rio Grande for days to be apprehended. Others say they want to follow the rules to enter legally — if they could just get the government phone app to work.

6m
May 10
In surprise move after Allen mall shooting, Texas House committee OKs raise-the-age bill for semi-automatic weapons

The bill would raise the minimum age for purchasing certain firearms from 18 to 21. But it likely wouldn’t have been an impediment to the Allen gunman obtaining a weapon. The proposal will still face an uphill battle in the Legislature.

6m
May 09
Republican leaders in Texas downplay guns, focus on mental health in aftermath of Allen shooting

President Joe Biden confirmed Sunday that the shooter used an AR-15-style weapon in the attack.

6m
May 08
Rep. Bryan Slaton declines to discuss attendance at closed Texas House investigative hearing

The Royse City Republican, accused of having an inappropriate relationship with an employee, emerged from a room where a Texas House investigative panel was meeting.

4m
May 05
LGBTQ advocates booted from Texas Capitol; vote delayed for bill banning gender care for kids

Senate Bill 14 would prohibit trans youth from accessing puberty blockers and hormone therapy. When the bill came to the floor Tuesday afternoon, LGBTQ Texans and advocates started chanting, prompting House Speaker Dade Phelan to clear the chamber’s gallery.

4m
May 03
After backlash, Gov. Greg Abbott expresses some regret for labeling all Cleveland shooting victims ‘illegal immigrants’

The governor’s focus on immigration status, not the loss of life, draws rebukes from across the country.

4m
May 02
House passes bill to rein in “rogue” Texas prosecutors

The legislation is in response to elected prosecutors in Texas’ large, left-leaning counties who have said they will not prosecute abortion cases or have shown little interest in pursuing election fraud probes.

4m
May 01
‘A way to throw kids away’: Texas’ troubled juvenile justice department is sending more children to adult prisons

Prosecutors support shifting more youth into adult facilities as a way to help overworked prison guards and other kids in the state’s youth prisons. Youth justice advocates say Texas is giving up on the children who need the most help.

4m
Apr 28
Lawmakers hope an investment in teacher training in Texas will help keep new educators in the classroom longer

A bill advanced in the Texas House Wednesday would also help schools rehire retired teachers and offer other incentives in an effort to fight the state’s teacher shortage.

4m
Apr 27
Transgender Texans of all ages could lose access to transition-related care under Senate bill

The Senate advanced a bill that could create such high financial risks for doctors and health insurers that they’d stop providing or covering gender-affirming care — even for adults.

4m
Apr 26
State House passes first school safety bill in response to Uvalde shooting

Lawmakers have said school safety is a priority this session, but it is still unclear whether they’ll listen to Uvalde families who want to raise the minimum age to purchase semi-automatic guns from 18 to 21.

4m
Apr 25
Supreme Court leaves abortion drug on the market, for now

THE LEGAL CHALLENGE TO MIFEPRISTONE NOW RETURNS TO THE 5TH U.S. CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS IN NEW ORLEANS.

3m
Apr 24
The Texas House moves to expand Medicaid coverage to new moms for a year after childbirth

NEW MOMS WOULD BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE FOR UP TO A YEAR AFTER CHILDBIRTH UNDER THE PROPOSAL, WHICH ALSO PASSED THE HOUSE LAST SESSION. THE SENATE PREVIOUSLY REDUCED IT TO JUST SIX MONTHS OF COVERAGE.

5m
Apr 21
In overnight testimony, Uvalde victims’ family members call on Texas lawmakers to raise age to buy semi-automatic guns

THE FAMILIES OF UVALDE SHOOTING VICTIMS WAITED HOURS TO TESTIFY AT A HOUSE COMMITTEE HEARING IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE BILL 2744, WHICH WOULD RAISE THE MINIMUM AGE TO PURCHASE SEMI-AUTOMATIC GUNS FROM 18 TO 21.

4m
Apr 20
The Texas House approves sweeping limits on local regulations in GOP’s latest jab at blue cities

CITY OFFICIALS SAY THE FULL SCOPE OF THE LEGISLATION ADVANCED TUESDAY IS STILL UNCLEAR, BUT IT WOULD LIMIT THEIR ABILITY TO ISSUE WORKER PROTECTIONS, WATER RESTRICTIONS AND MORE.

4m
Apr 19
West Texas A&M University President Walter Wendler faces no-confidence vote from faculty after canceling drag show

FACULTY SAY THE DECISION TO TAKE A VOTE ON WHETHER TO CONDEMN WENDLER WAS THE FINAL STRAW IN A HOST OF ISSUES WITH HIM.

4m
Apr 18
A plan for Texas to build its own power plants could cost $7 billion more than expected

THE PLANTS WOULD BE ACTIVATED DURING EMERGENCIES. LAWMAKERS HAVEN’T DECIDED WHETHER TO PAY FOR THEM THROUGH STATE FUNDS OR HIGHER CHARGES TO ELECTRICITY CUSTOMERS.

4m
Apr 17