The Dan Patrick Show: How to build an audience — and political power
In an interview, the lieutenant governor talks about his recent pop-up investigations and how he uses storytelling to make a political point.
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Texas’ Rio Grande Valley didn’t see last week’s historic storms coming
The region is still cleaning up after last week's storms in which at least six people died.
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immigration
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Texas Legislature 2025
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Latest News
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Officer previously accused of excessive force confirmed for state board by Texas Senate
One Senate Democrat joined Republicans, providing the margin needed to approve Justin Berry to the state law-enforcement board. Full Story
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![Former Austin Police officer Justin Berry holds a weapon with non-lethal rounds during a protest in front of Austin City Hall on May 31, 2020. The protestors had gathered in response to the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
From desalination to water treatment: Bill that prioritizes creating new water supplies get Texas Senate OK
Senate Bill 7, which won unanimous approval, is among legislation that seeks to avert a looming water crisis as the state’s population booms. Full Story
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![An irrigation system on a farm field near the High Plains town of Ralls, about 30 miles east of Lubbock, on Wednesday, June 22, 2022. Like much of Texas, the High Plains and Panhandle are facing drought conditions and extraordinary heat.]()
Credit: Trace Thomas for The Texas Tribune
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How couriers changed the playing field of the Texas Lottery
Lottery couriers have gained newfound scrutiny in Texas after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick raised questions about the use of a courier to sell an $83.5 million jackpot ticket. Full Story
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![Texas Lottery cards in a 7-Eleven in Central Austin on Feb 20, 2025.]()
Credit: Leila Saidane for The Texas Tribune -
Texas health experts want a study of the state’s COVID-19 response before the next crisis
Public health advocates said the state needs to analyze what happened during the pandemic to better tackle inevitable emergencies. Full Story
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More than 40 people arrested at Texas home amid Tren de Aragua investigation
Authorities did not say how the individuals arrested in Hays County may be tied to the Venezuelan gang. It was also unclear what criminal charges people may face, though drugs were seized. Full Story
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![A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent’s badge in front of the J.J. Pickle Federal Building in downtown Austin, Texas, on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas House and Senate lawmakers have laid out their property tax cut proposals. How do they compare?
House and Senate lawmakers plan to spend at least $6 billion on property tax cuts, but haven't yet agreed on how much relief should go to homeowners over businesses. Full Story
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![An East San Antonio neighborhood seen on Saturday, May 25, 2024.]()
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Texas A&M can’t ban “Draggieland” drag show, federal judge rules
Judge Lee H. Rosenthal said the student group that organizes Draggieland, the Queer Empowerment Council, was likely to succeed in showing the ban violates the First Amendment. Full Story
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![Students and supporters gather on campus to protest the Texas A&M University Board of Regents' decision on Draggieland in College Station, TX, on Wednesday, March 6, 2025.]()
Credit: Ishika Samant for The Texas Tribune
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A Texas school leader says material about diversity in state-approved textbooks violated the law.
The decision to strip chapters from books that had already won the approval of the state’s Republican-controlled board of education represents an escalation in how local school boards run by ideological conservatives influence what children learn. Full Story
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![People are seen from behind as the sit in auditorium chairs and hold up signs, including one that says “Let trans kids grow up.” They are facing a row of eight people at a high table, six of whom are raising a hand.]()
Credit: Danielle Villasana for ProPublica and The Texas Tribune -
Legislation creating statewide emergency communication system advances in Texas House
The legislation was written after the state’s largest wildfire scorched more than 1 million acres in the Panhandle last year. Full Story
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![The Rolling Pines Fire blazes through Bastrop State Park on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas officials’ claim that school funding is at an all-time high ignores inflation and temporary federal money
A Tribune analysis also found the state’s share of the funds that schools receive per student significantly decreased in the last decade until recently. Full Story
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Credit: Yuriko Schumacher/The Texas Tribune
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TribCast: Is it high time to regulate or ban THC in Texas?
Will the House agree to ban consumable hemp products? If not, Lt. Gov. Patrick says he’ll THC us in a special session. Full Story
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![A container of dried hemp plant with leaves and stems on Jan. 23, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas measles cases rise to 422. Here is what you need to know.
The measles outbreak has spread hundreds of miles from its West Texas epicenter to now include Brown and Erath counties, according to the state’s latest update. Full Story
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![Covenant Childrens hospital located in Lubbock on Feb. 26, 2025. Covenant has addd a patient screening check before entering the children's emergency entrance.]()
Credit: Trace Thomas for The Texas Tribune -
Remembering John Thornton, founder of The Texas Tribune
Thornton conceived of a nonprofit news enterprise to engage Texans with their government, and then launched an industry of similar outlets across the country. He died Saturday at 59. Full Story
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Credit: The Texas Tribune
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Cornyn wins over Texas GOP leadership after being censured and booed for his gun safety bill
The senator’s embrace of the state party chair could neutralize a potential threat as Cornyn faces a challenging primary terrain. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, takes part in a tour of a well site, led by Diamondback Energy and ChampionX, on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in Midland.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman for The Texas Tribune -
Here's your guide to voting in Texas's May 2025 local elections
On May 3, many Texans will vote on local leaders and initiatives. Here's how to check for elections in your area and register by April 3. Full Story
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![Voters wait in line to cast their ballots in the 2024 presidential election at the Esperanza Acosta Memorial Library in El Paso on Nov.5, 2025.]()
Credit: Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribune -
Ken Paxton wants Dallas school officials under oath on transgender athlete policy
Paxton’s office launched an investigation into the district’s policy after an administrator was caught on tape discussing a possible loophole in the state’s ban. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton addresses the crowd during a rally at the Tarrant County Republican Party Headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.]()
Credit: Emil T. Lippe for The Texas Tribune
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House committee considering a cap on school voucher spending, increases to public school funding
The House Public Education Committee released new proposals for creating education savings accounts and determining how much state funds public districts get. But a scheduled meeting about the bills was canceled. Full Story
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![The Texas House of Representatives Public Education Committee holds a hearing in Austin on March 18, 2025.]()
Credit: Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate panel approves $500 million infusion for film incentives
Senate Bill 22 would more than double the amount of money Texas spends to lure film and television projects and has the backing of Texas movie stars including Matthew McConaughey. Full Story
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![Charles Steen, an operator working on the B camera during a film production showcase hosted on the Texas Capitol grounds on March 12, 2025. Film crews from throughout the Austin area exhibited their work and invited the public to experience film production.]()
Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman/USA TODAY Network via REUTERS -
Telehealth for pets? It’s the cat’s meow, a Texas lawmaker says.
Animal health care experts raised concern that telehealth would lead to misdiagnosis and erode what little care already exists in rural Texas. Full Story
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![Genna Deleon, 32, vet technician, holds Roco, an 11-year-old Silky Terrier, during a wellness visit at the Spay Neuter Network Crandall clinic in Crandall on Sept. 27, 2024.]()
Credit: Desiree Rios for The Texas Tribune - More News