Climate change has made the Texas heat hotter and longer-lasting, enhancing drought conditions that set the stage for intense fires. More than 40% of the state is in an extreme drought. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e8418003143af2a44996f5a5b2ace738/Eastland%20Fire%20REUTERS%20TT%2003.jpg)
A special election will determine who finishes Vela’s term, and while the winner will only serve for a short period, Republicans are already eyeing the contest to show momentum in South Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/aa2f9e54ce4149f38d4ab62fcc0e151f/Filemon%20Vela%20SK%20TT%20new%2019.jpg)
Democrats hold narrow control of the Senate and have pledged to confirm Jackson — who would be the first Black woman on the U.S. Supreme Court — by April 8. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3e3d7cd2ac177d5ce7c8c8ea5abba9be/Ketanji%20Brown%20Jackson%20Hearing%20REUTERS%20TT%2004.jpg)
Paxton’s claims that the companies engaged in deceptive marketing practices are part of his ongoing effort to limit access to gender-affirming health care for transgender teens. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f5486e31faabae3be1f30dfad1595cda/Paxton%20Watch%20Party%20ST%20TT%2016.JPG)
Texas has a history of a dismal turnout rate in primary elections. This year’s turnout was higher than the last six midterm primaries. Still, less than 1 in 5 registered voters participated. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0218ca64900f9e1029b31b35f802c51e/2022Elections-turnout-v2.png)
Evan Smith, CEO of The Texas Tribune, sat down with superintendents Michael Hinojosa of Dallas, Kent Scribner of Fort Worth and Jeannie Stone of Richardson. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/67a8eb0cfef8fe262d5e37a30eb21c8c/SuperintendentSpotlight_Leadart-01-v2.png)
A group of students at Prairie View A&M University sued the county, claiming it set up an election schedule in 2018 that offered students — most of them Black — fewer opportunities to vote early than the county’s white residents. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3d350e3861e3ef8a186a1457115e6057/2018-10-29_Prairie_View_Early_Voting_Rachel.Zein.jpg)
Despite substantive doubts surrounding the cause of her child’s death and a suspect “confession” obtained after hours of interrogation, Lucio is set to be executed next month for killing her 2-year-old daughter. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/13ac755975759920c12977bf77cbd79f/Melissa%20Lucio%20Presser%20SF%20TT%2006.jpg)
The Supreme Court ruled that the state likely violated death row inmate John Ramirez’s religious liberties when it denied his request to have his pastor lay his hands on him and pray during his upcoming execution. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3d6a98723642cc86872a5484a2d57882/SCOTUS%20Nov%201%20EL%20TT%2019.jpg)
College leaders blame strict requirements initially handed down by the state. “It was like we were on a hunt for a unicorn,” one spokesperson said. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c6adfcbffd0f6ce0305550ea4a7ef4b6/Community%20Colleges%20GH%2001.jpg)
The South Texas Democrat announced last year that he wouldn’t seek reelection. He’s leaving early to take a job at a law firm. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5457a6638771189eec76f928292995e0/Filemon%20Vela%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
The Texas law has proven largely impervious to judicial review. But lawyers representing abortion advocacy groups believe opponents may have given them an opening to challenge the law in a more friendly federal court. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ac6612b73a73c76778874a7e0b4928be/SCOTUS%20Nov%201%20EL%20TT%2047.jpg)
“I could not run in a Republican primary because I just couldn’t look myself in the mirror and do it,” Mattie Parker said during an event with Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/46af32602801d572547008394332ca06/MParker_leadart-01-v1_title.jpg)
Cruz argued with the committee’s chair over procedure, leading to an accusation that he was performing for the television cameras. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bcf6b0862b7c2032b64149bb9a1eeefb/Ketanji%20Brown%20Jackson%20Hearing%20REUTERS%20TT%2002.jpg)
The temporary injunction was issued as part of a lawsuit brought on behalf of parents being investigated by child welfare workers for letting their transgender teenager access gender-affirming health care. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a7a188030276eccbc8bcf4b0f73e87b2/Trans%20Rights%20Rally%20LW%20TT%2025.jpg)
A $30 million grant program aims to mitigate the fallout from drug addiction and overdoses. Officials say Cruz’s comments about it are misleading. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/feb3c2374c9ac12e21f5f0e7fe3babaa/Ted%20Cruz%20Tech%20Privacy%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
The U.S. House speaker said during a stop Wednesday in Austin that she always supports her incumbents — “from right to left.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/126aea931f8ba4a2a8799b04b1416d75/_JER6533.jpg)
The Granbury superintendent’s comments, made on a leaked recording, raise constitutional concerns, legal experts said. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4ec6575aab491438b2eb20095ba0c4ca/20220323%20Hood%20County%20Books%201.jpg)
Abbott’s campaign has argued O’Rourke would “destroy the Texas miracle.” O’Rourke argues he’s the one who has run a business. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4c85636e12d9275a52905683f6d63f9c/Beto%20Odessa%20Rally%20EH%20TT%2009.jpg)
Edwards joins a field that already includes two well-known names: veteran state Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, and Chris Hollins, the former Harris County clerk who oversaw election changes in 2020 that became a lightning rod for Republicans. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/21a414cb8298942e8ec25ceebc52bc61/Amanda%20Edwards%20AP%20TT.jpg)