How Austin’s housing crisis has shaped the race for a new mayor
The capital city’s mayoral race is something of a test case in how the state’s rising housing costs might influence local races in major cities. Full Story
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Joshua Fechter is the Dallas-based urban affairs reporter for The Texas Tribune, covering policy — including housing affordability, housing and property taxes, evictions, policing and transportation — and politics in Texas' major metropolitan areas. Before joining the Tribune in August 2021, Joshua covered City Hall for the San Antonio Express-News. He holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin.
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![State Rep. Celia Israel and former State Sen. Kirk Watson debate on ATX Decides, hosted by Austin PBS at Studio 919 on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022.]()
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Suspect in Vanessa Guillén’s killing pleads guilty
The 20-year-old Fort Hood soldier’s murder prompted nationwide outrage and calls to reform the way the military addresses sexual violence within its ranks. Full Story
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![People gather outside of Power House Gym in Houston to honor Army Specialist Vanessa Guillen on July 5, 2020.]()
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Herschel Walker, running for U.S. Senate in Georgia, still gets tax break on $3 million Texas residence
Under Texas law, homeowners can claim a homestead exemption only on their primary residence. The GOP Senate candidate registered to vote in Georgia last year. Full Story
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![Herschel Walker, candidate for U.S. Senate in Georgia, speaks during a campaign stop on Thursday Nov. 18, 2022 in Savannah, Georgia.]()
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Texas energy officials’ proposal to overhaul the power grid is drawing skepticism
In the wake of the deadly 2021 winter storm, the Texas Legislature ordered an overhaul of the state’s power market to prevent future widespread blackouts. But some senators aren’t fans of the main option on the table. Full Story
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![Reliability Coordinators monitored the state power grid during a tour of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) command center in Taylor in 2012.]()
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For months, almost no one knew Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner had cancer
Turner, 68, revealed earlier this month that he underwent treatment for bone cancer in June. He is “cancer-free” as of last week, the mayor told The Texas Tribune during his first interview about his health. Full Story
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![Houston mayor Sylvester Turner describes his bout with cancer in an interview at City Hall in Houston on Nov. 15, 2022. Turner revealed he had had cancer during the summer of 2022 at the State of the City address on Nov 2, 2022.]()
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State agency proposes changes to power market aimed at averting mass blackouts
The proposal is aimed at making sure power providers and electricity generators have enough power on hand in case of increased demand. But it’s not clear how it would hold up in unexpected weather, an expert said. Full Story
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![Vistra Corp.’s Midlothian Power Plant opened its doors to media on October 15, 2021 to show the plant’s weatherization process. Energy providers like Vistra are preparing their plants for extreme weather conditions following the February winter storm Uri, which disrupted the Texas electric grid and led to the deaths of more than 200 people.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner hasn’t endorsed a successor — yet
In a wide-ranging discussion with Texas Tribune Editor in Chief Sewell Chan, Turner spoke about the recent citywide boil-water notice, public safety and the state’s partisan divide. Full Story
![Houston mayor Sylvester Turner describes his bout with cancer in an interview at City Hall in Houston on Nov. 15, 2022. Turner revealed he had had cancer during the summer of 2022 at the State of the City address on Nov 2, 2022.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Austin mayor’s race heading to a runoff, Dallas county judge wins reelection
In three key local elections, the Austin mayoral race will be decided in a runoff, Republican Tim O’Hare won the Tarrant County judge race and Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins won reelection. Full Story
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Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo wins tight race for reelection
GOP donors spent millions to unseat Hidalgo, a Democrat who leads the state’s most populous county, and take back a seat they lost four years ago. Republican Alexandra del Moral Mealer conceded the race Wednesday morning. Full Story
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![Houston, Texas: Judge Lina Hidalgo poses for a portrait outside of her office on May 13, 2020 in Houston, Texas.]()
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Can Democrats in Tarrant County replicate the success they had in 2018 and 2020?
Democrats hope population growth and Republican infighting will help them win in the state’s third-most-populous county — and finally break through in statewide races. Full Story
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![The Tarrant County Elections Administration building in Fort Worth, TX on July 22, 2022.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune
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