Rudy Soliz did it for sex. Sergio Lopez Hernandez blamed depression and financial trouble. The crimes differ, but prosecutors say the actions they’re accused of weakened the U.S. borders and ports of entry they were tasked with protecting. Full Story
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Texas Insurance Commissioner David Mattax heard public testimony Wednesday on whether his department should allow insurers to offer lower rates for homeowners who agree to settle disputes through a mandatory mediation-arbitration process — effectively signing away their right to sue. Full Story
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In a little-noticed effort to regulate abortion providers, Texas health officials have quietly proposed rules that would require abortion providers to cremate or bury all fetal remains. Full Story
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U.S. Sen. John Cornyn thinks it would be a great idea to open the FBI’s investigative files on Hillary Clinton. But there's a reason for separating police and prosecutors and courts — and for separating all of them from politics. Full Story
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Three University of Texas at Austin professors sued their university and the state on Wednesday, claiming that Texas' new campus carry law is unconstitutional. Full Story
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With the threat of Zika looming in Texas, preventive health care for women has never been more important. Fortunately, there are concrete steps the state can take to get in front of Zika and limit its impact, writes Dr. Janet Realini of the Texas Women's Healthcare Coalition. Full Story
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Wednesday asked a federal judge in Wichita Falls to put a nationwide halt on the Obama Administration’s directive instructing school districts across the country not to discriminate against transgender students. Full Story
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U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz shook up his Senate office Wednesday in moves that were widely viewed as aimed at positioning the Texas Republican for a future run for president. Full Story
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The state’s environmental regulatory agency on Wednesday rebuffed a coalition of border residents and environmental activists who hoped to halt a coal mine from expanding its operations near the Rio Grande. Full Story
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After years of Texas trying to lure businesses away from other states, New York has struck back — with an ad that paints the Lone Star State as unwelcoming and discriminatory to the LGBT community. Full Story
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On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Evan, Jay and Alexa about the state's long-awaited release of abortion statistics, the Trib's yearlong Bordering on Insecurity project and Donald Trump's recent Texas hires. Full Story
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A recent disclosure shows that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton accepted more than $329,000 from donors and “family friends” toward his legal bills as he defends himself against securities fraud charges. Full Story
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Former U.S. Border Patrol Agent Raquel Esquivel still wears a government-issue green uniform, but now it's a federal prison jumpsuit. She was convicted in 2009 of helping smugglers sneak loads of marijuana across the border. Full Story
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In a wide-ranging interview, Hank Whitman, the new commissioner overseeing Child Protective Services, explains how he thinks he can turn around a child welfare agency crippled by low morale, high turnover and a spate of high-profile child deaths. Full Story
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The state will divvy up $116 million among 578 school districts and charters to bolster high-quality pre-kindergarten programs, Education Commissioner Mike Morath announced Tuesday. Full Story
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A 4 percent budget cut may not seem like much to the casual observer, but for a state that already underinvests in education and health care, it represents potentially significant cuts to services that help Texans compete and succeed, writes Eva DeLuna Castro of the Center for Public Policy Priorities. Full Story
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton accepted more than $329,000 earmarked for his legal defense from wealthy donors and “family friends,” according to a newly released financial disclosure statement. Full Story
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In this week's edition of the Trib+Health newsletter: Texas women and doctors wrestle with big questions on how to prepare for a Zika outbreak, Congress deadlocks on Zika funding and an interview with David Herrin of the University of Texas at Austin College of Natural Sciences. Full Story
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Texas leaders are looking to cut back on state spending as the region’s oil and gas industry continues to struggle. Full Story
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When Franky Palacios Paz was found naked and decapitated floating off South Padre Island, the local sheriff thought the murder would lead investigators back to Mexican drug cartel violence. He didn't expect a U.S. Border Patrol agent to be among those arrested. Full Story
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