Texas news

• Supreme Court lets Texas keep new congressional map while legal battle continues

  05-12-2025 00:16 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  The ruling is a major win for the Trump administration and Texas Republicans, who engineered the map to give the GOP control of 30 of the state’s 38 congressional districts.
  
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• Contracts awarded to design gates and dunes for Gulf Coast “Ike Dike” project

  05-12-2025 00:07 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  Supporters say the massive project would protect the Galveston Bay area from dangerous storm surge, but it remains billions of dollars short of what’s needed to build the barrier.
  
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• Running water will finally reach West Odessa thanks to $17 million from state lawmakers

  04-12-2025 12:00 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  The Legislature approved $600 million for standalone improvements, but one advocate worried the increase in direct spending undermines the Texas Water Development Board’s process.
  
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• Federal lawsuits challenging immigration detention flood Texas

  04-12-2025 12:00 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  The wave of legal challenges is in response to the Trump administration’s intensified immigration enforcement and its new policy expanding mandatory detention for undocumented immigrants.
  
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• Stephanie Muth, former foster care head, named Texas health commissioner

  03-12-2025 23:45 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  Muth left the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services in July.
  
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• Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick proposes giving Texas newborns $1,000 each

  03-12-2025 23:17 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  Patrick’s proposal would be in addition to a federal program that is set to give American babies $1,000 each to invest in the stock market.
  
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• TribCast: Did Texas quietly help with its child care crisis?

  03-12-2025 21:44 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  In this week's episode, Matthew and Eleanor speak with K-12 education reporter Jaden Edison and early learning advocate David Feigen about the shortage of affordable child care in Texas.
  
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• Trump administration bans immigration applications for migrants from 19 countries

  03-12-2025 18:26 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  The ban applies to immigrants from countries that the administration slapped with travel bans earlier this year and triggers an ICE review of their applications for green cards and other benefits.
  
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• Cecile Erwin Young, Texas health commissioner, retiring

  03-12-2025 17:18 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  Young, who spent decades in state government, will step down on Jan. 2. Gov. Greg Abbott will pick a successor.
  
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• Donald Trump to pardon Texas Democrat Henry Cuellar

  03-12-2025 16:45 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  Cuellar had faced a dozen charges of bribery, money laundering and conspiracy.
  
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• Donald Trump pardons Texas Democrat Henry Cuellar

  03-12-2025 16:45 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  Cuellar had faced a dozen charges of bribery, money laundering and conspiracy.
  
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• Henry Cuellar faces scant opposition in South Texas Democratic primary

  03-12-2025 12:00 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  Days out from the filing deadline, Cuellar has yet to draw a serious primary challenger — a sign that many in his party view the anti-abortion congressman as their best bet to stave off the GOP in November.
  
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• Despite bribery charges, many Democrats still favor Henry Cuellar to hold his Laredo district

  03-12-2025 12:00 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  Days out from the filing deadline, Cuellar has yet to draw a serious primary challenger — a sign that many in his party view the anti-abortion congressman as their best bet to stave off the GOP in November.
  
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• Kerr County was among dozens of Texas communities to turn down state flood money, saying it wasn’t enough

  03-12-2025 11:30 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  Texas earmarked $1.4 billion to help fund flood prevention projects. But after learning that so many communities turned down the money, two lawmakers who approved the program acknowledged it was flawed.
  
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• Camp Mystic announces enhanced safety plans after deaths of 25 girls, two counselors

  03-12-2025 02:50 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  Months after parents criticized plans for the camp to reopen next summer, Mystic’s owners said in a letter Tuesday that safety upgrades will exceed new state law.
  
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• Texas removes women and minorities from Historically Underutilized Business program for state contracts

  02-12-2025 23:55 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  The program will now only be eligible for service-disabled veterans. It will be called Veteran Heroes United in Business.
  
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• Texas will unveil its newest state park with a guided hike on New Year’s Day

  02-12-2025 23:36 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  Palo Pinto Mountains State Park in North Texas will open sometime next year. Visitors can reserve spots for a sneak peek on New Year’s Day.
  
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• Jasmine Crockett, leaning toward Senate bid, schedules campaign event Monday

  02-12-2025 23:28 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  The Dallas congresswoman said she discussed polling with Colin Allred and James Talarico.
  
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• Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina launches run for Congress, seeking to flip South Texas district red

  02-12-2025 21:20 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  National GOP recruiters see Webb County’s top elected official as a promising candidate to unseat longtime U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar in 2026.
  
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• Michael and Susan Dell donate $6.25 billion to encourage families to claim “Trump Accounts”

  02-12-2025 19:19 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  The Texas billionaires want to incentivize parents to claim investment accounts created under President Donald Trump's tax and spending legislation.
  
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• In Houston, young mothers face some of the highest barriers for college and work in the U.S.

  02-12-2025 12:00 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  At 13.3%, Houston has the worst rate of young adults who are neither working nor in in school of the largest metro areas in the country.
  
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• Hundreds of Texas voters flagged as potential noncitizens may have already proven their citizenship

  02-12-2025 12:00 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  The Secretary of State’s Office didn’t initially check with the Department of Public Safety, which collects proof of citizenship from people who register to vote through them.
  
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• How Texas’ law banning DEI, LGBTQ+ topics in K-12 schools could fare in court

  02-12-2025 12:00 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  Cases challenging Florida and federal policies provide a glimpse into the possible outcome for the Texas case. It is scheduled for a court hearing in Houston on Dec. 10.
  
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• Texas Tech System limits how race and gender can be taught, says faculty could face discipline for noncompliance

  02-12-2025 01:11 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  Tech, now the second Texas public university system to add similar teaching restrictions, had earlier directed faculty to follow state and federal guidance recognizing only two sexes.
  
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• Texas Rep. Gary VanDeaver, a private school voucher holdout, won’t seek reelection

  01-12-2025 17:27 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  VanDeaver, who represents northeast Texas, was one of two House Republicans to oppose a school voucher program this year after he narrowly beat a pro-voucher primary challenger in 2024.
  
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• Texas is restricting the bathrooms trans people can use in government buildings. Here’s how the law works.

  01-12-2025 12:00 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  The “bathroom bill” doesn’t provide guidance for how government agencies, schools and universities should ensure people use facilities matching their sex assigned at birth.
  
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• Texas’ “bathroom bill” is about to go into effect. Here’s what it does.

  01-12-2025 12:00 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  Senate Bill 8, which takes effect on Thursday, places new restrictions on which restrooms transgender people can use in certain government-owned buildings and schools.
  
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• Even as SNAP resumes, new federal work rules threaten access for some Texans

  01-12-2025 12:00 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  Under new requirements, “able-bodied” recipients could lose access to benefits for three years if they go three months without documenting working hours.
  
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• Days before Texas’ “bathroom bill” becomes law, questions remain about how it will be enforced

  01-12-2025 12:00 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  Some trans Texans worry that the lack of specificity on how the law will be enforced will harm their safety and lives.
  
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• U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls won’t seek reelection, becoming sixth Texas Republican to announce exit from Congress

  29-11-2025 19:46 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  The Richmond Republican, a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, made the announcement with days left before the deadline for candidates to file for the 2026 primaries.
  
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• Texas proposes hiking licensing fees for summer camps by as much as 4,000%

  26-11-2025 21:49 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  Some Texas overnight summer camps may start paying as much as $19,500 per year to renew their license with the state. Currently, they pay $464.
  
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• Texas proposes hiking licensing fees for summer camps by as much as 4000%

  26-11-2025 21:49 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  Some Texas overnight summer camps may start paying as much as $19,500 per year to renew their license with the state. Currently, they pay $464.
  
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• Texas hoped $100 million would help more families pay for child care. Here’s why it didn’t.

  26-11-2025 12:00 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  Increased costs in food and payroll at child care centers effectively wiped out the one-time investment state lawmakers approved earlier this year, a new report found.
  
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• A West Texas county wants to better prepare for floods. Paying for it will be tricky.

  26-11-2025 12:00 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  Ector County has boomed since the 1970s, when the drainage system was last updated. Officials hope state and federal funds will help pay for the update despite some grant programs ending under the Trump administration.
  
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• A slate of new Texas laws go into effect December and January. Here’s what to watch.

  26-11-2025 12:00 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  Laws include restricting transgender people’s access to public bathrooms, allowing lawsuits against abortion pill providers, and replacement of the STAAR test.
  
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• Some DACA recipients have been arrested in Trump’s immigration crackdown

  26-11-2025 01:29 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  As immigrants have faced increased vetting, the arrests this year signal a change in how the U.S. is handling “Dreamers” amid a reshaping of policy.
  
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• Texas releases finalized rules for private school voucher program

  26-11-2025 00:56 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  The rules include official application dates for families and clarify that children attending private preschool programs are eligible for the full amount that most other participants will qualify for.
  
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• Texas finalizes private school voucher rules, will let families put $10,300 toward preschool

  26-11-2025 00:56 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  Texas will let some families use public funds for private schools or homeschooling starting next year. Most families can apply starting Feb. 4.
  
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• In school voucher rules, Texas lets families get more for pre-K but rejects stronger accountability

  26-11-2025 00:56 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  The rules serve as the foundation for Texas’ private school voucher program, which will officially launch at the start of the 2026-27 school year.
  
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• In school voucher rules, Texas lets families get more for pre-K but rejects additional reporting requirements

  26-11-2025 00:56 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  The rules serve as the foundation for Texas’ private school voucher program, which will officially launch at the start of the 2026-27 school year.
  
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• Texas adds new ID restrictions on vehicle registrations and renewals

  26-11-2025 00:53 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  The restrictions, which went into effect on Nov. 18, could upend the ability of many undocumented residents to legally own vehicles.
  
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• TribCast: Redistricting goes to the Supreme Court

  25-11-2025 21:52 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  Which congressional map will Texas be using for the fast-approaching 2026 midterms? It's up to the U.S. Supreme Court to decide.
  
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• Brandon Herrera raises $1 million, swipes at Rep. Tony Gonzales over alleged affair

  25-11-2025 17:00 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  Gonzales recently made his first public remarks about the death of his 35-year-old aide who died after lighting herself on fire. He vigorously denied reports that the two were engaged in an extramarital affair.
  
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• They couldn’t save their daughters’ lives in the July 4 floods. Now they’re dealing with the grief and the guilt.

  25-11-2025 12:00 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  RJ and Annie Harber have leaned on faith, their community and each other to move through each day after losing their daughters and RJ’s parents. But memories of that night still haunt them.
  
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• Texas summer camp owners brace for more mental health issues among youth

  25-11-2025 12:00 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  Mental health experts expect the July 4 floods have resulted in post-traumatic stress disorder, unhealthy hypervigilance and recurring thoughts on disasters among campers.
  
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• Texas education chief met with Turning Point USA to discuss group’s expansion in high schools

  25-11-2025 12:00 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  The meeting happened days before Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick pledged $1 million to help establish chapters of the conservative student group on every Texas college and high school campus.
  
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• Head of Texas’ largest business organization accused of sexual assault in lawsuit

  25-11-2025 00:06 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  An unidentified woman on Monday sued Glenn Hamer, Texas Association of Business president and CEO, alleging he sexually harassed and assaulted her, then retaliated when she rejected his advances.
  
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• Texas AG Ken Paxton sues a second state agency over rules he says discriminate on religious grounds

  24-11-2025 22:54 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  Paxton, who is running to unseat fellow Republican John Cornyn in the U.S. Senate, has vowed to strike down Texas laws that “undermine religious liberty.”
  
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• Webb County judge disputes allegation that he violated federal law to dodge Texas’ resign-to-run rule

  24-11-2025 21:41 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  Tano Tijerina, the top elected official in a county that includes Laredo, is expected to seek the GOP nomination in Texas’ 28th Congressional District, long held by Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar.
  
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• Speaker Johnson defends Crenshaw after he was reportedly banned from congressional overseas travel

  24-11-2025 19:51 via feeds.texastribune.org
  
  Punchbowl News reported that the Houston congressman was banned from taxpayer-funded travel for 90 days after toasting a Mexican official who made an inappropriate joke.
  
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