Progressive Democrat Michelle Vallejo and conservative Republican Monica De La Cruz face off in a South Texas district long represented by moderate Democrats. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f425595cdd4f80462700090ea3a73b61/De%20La%20Cruz%20and%20Vallejo%20Split%20TT%2001.jpg)
Texas heat has killed prisoners and cost the state millions in wrongful death and civil rights lawsuits. Prison rights advocates hope a budget surplus next year will finally push lawmakers to invest in air conditioning. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/022d68068986d5cfebb10f8555a790d8/Ferguson%20Unit%20AM%2015.jpg)
In a Texas Tribune event Tuesday, university leaders discussed why Hispanic students finish higher education programs at a lower rate than the state average but have better performance in the Rio Grande Valley and El Paso. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/82a682447a0a3e66bac214ae081b9aa6/08-23_HigherEducationAndHispanicServingInstitutions_Leadart-01-v2.jpg)
Comptroller Glenn Hegar said the state could block the approval of Harris County’s budget because it’s not allowing constables to roll $3 million in unspent funds into next year’s budget — even though the constables’ total funding will go up next year. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/df9f4b0216dd71227239db4317020589/Glenn_Hegar_Biennial_Revenue_Estimate_2.jpg)
The suit comes two days before the state’s newest abortion ban, triggered by the overturning of Roe v. Wade, goes into effect. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/14e065a8e0942f48aecc0275e313bebc/Ken%20Paxton%20File%20MF%20TT%2004.jpg)
A lawyer for shooting victims is seeking compensation for victims and families, citing the Texas House committee’s investigative report that found “systemic failures” in response to the tragedy. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/400f7a980882d49289a268cf2ad8eca5/COMP%2001%20Robb%20Memorial%202%20EL%20TT%2006.jpg)
The declaration covers 23 counties across the state and comes after some saw more than 10 inches of rainfall Monday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d904980e32dda5afcd59b72e68d5bbff/ABBOTT%20TDEM%20Call%200820%20TT.jpg)
The Grapevine-Colleyville district, between Dallas and Fort Worth, added two conservative members to its seven-member school board in May. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/398cf5552531d3e2739b7ffd6ccc608b/Ott%20Elementary%20AG%20TT%203.jpg)
The list of the Texas Future Project’s beneficiaries includes groups like Annie’s List and Planned Parenthood Texas Votes, which work to elect more Democratic women who support abortion rights. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3fea7ba0032d8a4515d586c6b26a2e9c/TX%20Dem%20Convention%20Day%201%20KC%20TT%2011.jpg)
The U.S. will hold its midterm election on Nov. 8. In Texas, voters will elect officials for statewide, congressional and legislative offices. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5cc4421dc62344298a585b0b24d3493a/TXBallot-lead-v1.png)
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins declared a state of disaster in the region, and Gov. Greg Abbott directed the state’s emergency operations center to be ready to support communities impacted by the flooding. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7bcc39b4760bf86096a3edfcd5c0c33e/Dallas%20Flash%20Floods%20EL%2017%20TT.jpg)
Leaders in the South Texas city are reluctant to impose substantial restrictions on watering lawns even as water supplies near record lows. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7164a413e13dd90761d4506fb1884083/Laredo%20Water%20DB%20TT%2002.jpg)
Allen Amos, a visiting judge handling trespassing cases under Gov. Greg Abbott’s “catch-and-jail” border operation, allegedly used the derogatory term in a recent conversation with a defense attorney. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2f211e9572908f51ffd7e1e005effd09/Operation%20Lone%20Star%20VGC%2054.jpg)
Four systems have expressed informal interest in an affiliation with the East Texas school. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/818bbfa3baa67cc9efe5cb142db29a0e/Stephen%20F%20Austin%20Campus%20TT%20-%20enhanced.jpg)
Monica De La Cruz runs on a campaign against runaway spending and “socialist” policies, blasting Democratic measures to expand federal assistance amid the pandemic. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/09293409259a503bd1650f3d160dae8f/2022%20Pro-Life%20Conference%20McAllen%20MGO%20TT%2018.jpg)
Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate parents who provide their children with gender-affirming care, driving one such family to leave home. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/af64232d6fd79502fd0de5c8556d8f42/Ess%20Welsh%20TT%2001.jpg)
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Jayme about how this week’s rain likely won’t mean the end of the drought. And he speaks with Eric about the soon-to-be-over congressional career of Louie Gohmert. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9f4f4c68eff06ec6fbc60e7caa768547/TribCast%20Aug%2019.jpg)
Advocates have previously called for repealing the sales tax on products like tampons, sanitary pads and pantyliners. Menstrual products are already tax-free in 24 states. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c347f84cb3ad5e78c856c4373affef40/Tampon%20Tax%20-%20Zoe%20AM%20TT%2012.jpg)
In Texas, married couples generally can claim only one such exemption, meant to provide some tax relief on properties considered “principal residences.” Homestead exemptions cannot typically be claimed on commercial properties, second homes or income properties. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8be2e1257429bd9b459a47b0dd058602/Vicente%20Gonzalez%20DY%20TT%2001.jpg)
Rain is in the forecast across much of the state. But it won’t be enough to reverse the drought that has gripped Texas since last fall. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/17becb874dea2e057be3e1072a351096/SAWS%20Water%20Main%20Break%20CS%2003%20TT.jpg)