Past Contributions

• The Brief: Texas has an alarming maternal death rate. Now what?

  By Sanya Mansoor and Bobby Blanchard Feb. 28, 2017

  Texas’ maternal mortality rates nearly doubled between 2010 and 2014 — but lawmakers have had few conversations around the issue since the legislative session began. Full Story 

• The Brief: Will Texas be home to America’s first high-speed rail?

  By Sanya Mansoor and Bobby Blanchard Feb. 23, 2017

  A private company wants to build a 240-mile Dallas-Houston high-speed rail that could whisk Texans between the two metropolitans in 90 minutes. But the proposed project has drawn ire from some lawmakers and rural landowners. Full Story 

• The Water Calendar

  By Sanya Mansoor Feb. 21, 2017

  Key meetings and events over the coming weeks. Full Story 

• The Bookshelf: Feb. 22, 2017

  By Sanya Mansoor Feb. 21, 2017

  In this week's Bookshelf, our content partner Kirkus Reviews highlights Climate of Hope. Full Story 

• The Q&A: Katherine Romans

  By Sanya Mansoor Feb. 21, 2017

  In this week's Q&A, we interview Katherine Romans, executive director for the Hill Country Alliance. Full Story 

• Austin senator — a Baylor alum — takes aim at university sexual assault

  By Sanya Mansoor Feb. 21, 2017

  Sen. Kirk Watson's proposed bills would require universities to provide an anonymous online sexual assault reporting process and would prohibit administrators from punishing victims who reveal they were drinking underage at the time of an attack. Full Story 

• The Brief: In poll, most Texans say "bathroom bill" isn't an important issue

  By Sanya Mansoor and Bobby Blanchard Feb. 21, 2017

  More than 50 percent of Texans say regulating bathroom use is not an important issue for the Texas Legislature. Full Story 

• Most Texans in Congress not planning in-person town halls over recess

  By Mariana Alfaro and Sanya Mansoor Feb. 20, 2017

  Few of the 38 Texans in Congress plan on reaching out to constituents at in-person public forums during this congressional recess, according to a Tribune search of lawmakers' websites and social media. Full Story 

• The Brief: How do Texans really feel about Donald Trump?

  By Bobby Blanchard and Sanya Mansoor Feb. 20, 2017

  Texas Republicans like Donald Trump — a lot. More than 80 percent of Republicans surveyed in the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll approve of Trump's work so far. Full Story 

• New Harris County policy reignites marijuana decriminalization debate

  By Sanya Mansoor Feb. 16, 2017

  After Harris County’s move to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana, Texas lawmakers disagree about whether local jurisdictions have the discretion to enact such policies. Full Story