Texas tells U.S. Justice Department that federal election monitors aren’t allowed in polling places

Latest News

• State oil regulator requests $100 million to tackle West Texas well blowouts

  By Carlos Nogueras Ramos 9 hours ago

  Abandoned wells in the Permian Basin are increasingly erupting with briney, polluted water. The Texas Railroad Commission says it needs emergency money to respond. Full Story 

• Terlingua’s tourist season has started. Here’s why and how you can help conserve water on your visit.

  By Carlos Nogueras Ramos Nov. 1, 2024

  It’s unclear how much water resides underneath this booming West Texas tourist haven. That makes conservation critical. Full Story 

• These Texans could join or influence a second Trump administration

  By Matthew Choi, Robert Downen, Eleanor Klibanoff, James Barragán and Jasper Scherer Nov. 1, 2024

  Donald Trump has built close ties to many Texas Republicans, from judges to elected officials to policy experts. Full Story 

• Colleagues condemn Tarrant County GOP leader for repeated use of slurs

  By Robert Downen Updated: Oct. 31, 2024

  It’s the latest backlash over Tarrant County GOP Chair Bo French’s online behavior. Full Story 

• Fairgoers join Ken Paxton in suing Texas State Fair for allegedly violating their gun rights

  By Juan Salinas II Oct. 31, 2024

  Three fairgoers are requesting up to $1 million in damages and to allow guns at the State Fair. Full Story 

• A West Texas pecan farm fights to save its water supply as neighbors sell it to growing cities

  By Carlos Nogueras Ramos Oct. 31, 2024

  A yearslong dispute over exporting water to growing Texas cities offers a hint at the battles to come as the state’s population booms and water supply dwindles. Full Story 

• When will Texas election results come in? Here’s how the process unfolds.

  By María Méndez, The Texas Tribune, and Natalia Contreras, Votebeat and The Texas Tribune Oct. 31, 2024

  By state law, Election Day totals must be submitted to the state within 24 hours after polls close. Meeting that deadline requires careful but quick work. Full Story 

• Reading, writing and religion? A Texas curriculum advisory board’s link to faith-based advocacy

  By Isaac Windes, San Antonio Report for The Texas Tribune Oct. 31, 2024

  The composition of the state’s hand-picked curriculum advisory board raises questions about whether panelists were inclined to green-light Bible-infused coursework. Full Story 

• In Texas, criminal charges and misdemeanor convictions don’t automatically take away people’s voting rights

  By Pooja Salhotra Oct. 31, 2024

  Texans serving time for misdemeanor offenses or who are in jail awaiting trial are eligible to vote but only two counties offer voting in jail. Full Story 

• Texas’ housing shortage is getting worse, report says

  By Joshua Fechter Oct. 30, 2024

  Texas builds more homes than other states but hundreds of thousands more are still needed, the report said, contributing to higher housing costs. Full Story 

• In South Texas, university students accuse Democratic county officials of suppressing their votes

  By Berenice Garcia Updated: Oct. 30, 2024

  The county decided to not have an early voting site at a Laredo university because of historic low turnout. It will have one on Election Day. Full Story 

• Texas buys two ranches near the border, including a huge property next to Big Bend National Park

  By Alejandro Serrano Oct. 30, 2024

  A Starr County property was purchased to build border wall, while Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham said the state has many options for a sprawling ranch in West Texas. Full Story 

• Second Texas doctor sued for providing gender-affirming care to minors

  By Eleanor Klibanoff Oct. 30, 2024

  These are the first cases under a law prohibiting doctors from providing puberty blockers or hormone therapy to help minors transition. Full Story 

• Texas’ high housing costs sparked a movement to bring them down. The fight could shape the state for years to come.

  By Joshua Fechter and Carla Astudillo Updated: Oct. 30, 2024

  A new breed of activists wants Texas to tame costs by building more housing. But longstanding opposition to such policies remains strong. Full Story 

• Takeaways from our reporting on Texas’ housing affordability crisis

  By Joshua Fechter and Carla Astudillo Updated: Oct. 30, 2024

  The Texas Tribune examined the state’s housing affordability crisis and why the state has struggled to build enough homes to meet demand. Full Story 

• Colin Allred courts Black voters in the final days of his bid to unseat Sen. Ted Cruz

  By James Barragán Oct. 30, 2024

  With stops in Houston and the Rio Grande Valley, Allred hopes to make the race competitive by running up the tally with the core of the Democratic base. Full Story