Ted Cruz faces campaign finance complaint over podcast deal
End Citizens United and the Campaign Legal Center asserted Cruz could have broken campaign finance rules. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d3e538ff4725710e0ece0ecaa0ec8a87/0206%20CRUZ%20Border%20Bill%20Presser%20REUTERS%20TT%2001.jpg)
-
![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz speaks about the Border Bill during a press conference at the Senate Radio/Capitol Hill in Washington on Feb. 6, 2024.]()
Credit: Lenin Nolly/NurPhoto via REUTERS -
Texas will use computers to grade written answers on this year’s STAAR tests
The state will save more than $15 million by using technology similar to ChatGPT to give initial scores, reducing the number of human graders needed. The decision caught some educators by surprise. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/845135797d4460298c4c03f52b0fc261/0913%20Odessa%20School%20Tours%20EH%2021.jpg)
![Nimitz Middle School 7th grade teacher Pricilla Martinez leads her class in an activity Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 in Odessa. Martinez said that due to the increased amount of families moving to the Permian Basin, they sometimes teach 38 to 40 kids per class. “It’s been six weeks and I still don’t know all of their names… Its embarrassing to me,” Martinez said.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
PHOTOS: Clouds break just in time for many in Texas to view eclipse
In some parts of the state, the skies cleared enough for people to see the total solar eclipse. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4f06f1af3daf85485841ddadfe7c2c8a/0408%20Llano%20Eclipse%20EG%2026.jpg)
![The Baressi family looks up at the sun Grenwelge Park, minutes before the total solar eclipse’s totality in Llano on April 8, 2024. The family traveled from across the United States to view the eclipse. The eclipse is expected to bring thousands of visitors to the area.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas Democrats call on colleges to set aside financial aid money for immigrant families affected by FAFSA glitch
Students whose parents do not have Social Security numbers have been blocked from completing the federal financial aid form. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/68627d734448d8a790f4972effe93368/0305%20El%20Paso%20Primary%20JM%20TT%2011.jpg)
![Students walk into the UTEP Union East building in El Paso on March 5, 2024.]()
Credit: Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribune -
How Texas teens lost the one program that allowed birth control without parental consent
Federal Title X clinics do not require parental consent for birth control — except in Texas, where a lawsuit upended the longstanding program. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d5b12abf89a355f9b4ad0284ee0c1dcc/PlannedParenthood%20Birth%20Control%20TW%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Various birth control pills available at a Planned Parenthood in Austin.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman/The Texas Tribune -
Two Denton school district principals indicted on charges of illegal electioneering
A grand jury indicted the principals for allegedly using their school emails to encourage staff to vote for certain candidates in the March primary. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/58581371fa3b48b5c62b66ed80d7638a/Abbott%20Protest%20Denton%20MI%20TT%2011.jpg)
![A woman holds a sign reading "No Vouchers" outside Denton Calvary Academy on March 27, 2023.]()
Credit: Courtesy of Matt Iaia/The North Texas Daily -
Texas Supreme Court justice implies Democrats will cheat in 2024 election
Justice John Devine’s comments at a conservative event are the latest to prompt concerns about his impartiality as a jurist. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2410465f1c44e7c342a439ae945b3277/SCOTX%202013%20BD%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Texas Supreme Court Justice John Devine, far left, with fellow judges on the House floor in Austin in 2013.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
A new Texas law allows schools to hire chaplains as counselors. So far, only one school has opted into the program.
Many independent school districts, including the largest ones, do not allow chaplains to serve as counselors, which is now allowed under a new Texas law. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dced60a073fdb0006d6ecf67cd898314/0913%20Odessa%20School%20Tours%20EH%2031.jpg)
![Nimitz Middle School students gather in the hallway outside of a classroom as they wait for a teacher between periods Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 in Odessa.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
To close or stay open? Ahead of the eclipse, Texas schools weighed logistical hurdles versus learning opportunities
Some districts will close for the day expecting traffic jams and busy city services. Others will stay open for parents who can’t find child care. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3b06015a2ad798a6ff7087996ef06bf8/1014%20Solar%20Eclipse%20EH%2013.jpg)
![Perry Mason, left, points out the solar eclipse to her son Mason Shaddock, 9, during its annularity Oct. 14, 2023, in San Marcos,]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
Here’s your Texas 2024 May runoff ballot
The Texas 2024 primary runoffs will take place May 28. See the full list of candidates statewide and see who’s on your ballot. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6062a100af8bc2e660a1706cea1888c0/Elect24-RunOffBallot-Lead-v1.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Former Texas House speaker says GOP megadonor Tim Dunn told him only Christians should hold leadership positions
Straus, who is Jewish, publicly confirmed the conversation for the first time Thursday. It had previously been reported by Texas Monthly. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0f57428c833696497331e2b40c958daf/0924%20Strauss%20EG%20TT%2003.jpg)
![Sandi Villarreal, deputy editor for digital at Texas Monthly, moderates a panel with US Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, and former speaker of the Texas House Joe Straus at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 24, 2022 in Austin, TX.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Public blasts Texas agencies, regulators for poor communication and oversight at wildfire hearings
Thursday’s hearing marked the end of the Legislature’s three-day marathon of public hearings. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ceeb2a08bff9651c4e4d7a67d09d61d8/0404%20Thursday%20Panhandle%20Wildfires%20Hearings%20MC%2009.jpg)
![Craig Cowden gives testimony to the house committee investigating the Panhandle wildfires Thursday, April 4, 2024 in Pampa.]()
Credit: Maria Crane/The Texas Tribune -
Texas National Guard member charged with human smuggling after high-speed chase near the border
Authorities said the 26-year-old turned around at a Border Patrol checkpoint and fled from police in Kinney County. Full Story
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas wind energy firms need more technicians. Can they drum up student interest without state support?
The wind industry promises attractive salaries. But a lack of training programs and waning political support make it difficult to find new recruits. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dc6b4df8bf77baa41356a149c24d478d/0306%20Permian%20Workforce%20EH%20TT%2025.jpg)
![Texas State Technical College Wind Energy Technology instructor James Chung, center, helps Steven Vasquez, left, and Shayne Howard, right, troubleshoot during a lab on logic gates Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Sweetwater.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
Texas counties, cities embrace new child care center tax credit even though few providers qualify
Child care centers are struggling to make ends meet, and a new voter-approved tax credit is a first step toward boosting the flagging system, advocates say. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/87389e02bbcdfd83e65ec9cbffd22459/Yoakum%20Child%20Care%20AM%20TT%2015.jpg)
![Kindergarten students are loaded into a van by Pita Espinosa so they can be driven to their elementary school from the Learning Tree childcare center in Yoakum, on Sept. 13, 2022.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Utility pole inspection company declines to testify at Texas Panhandle wildfire investigation hearing
The Texas A&M Forest Service concluded that a fallen decayed utility pole caused the Smokehouse Creek fire. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/25916984921e48e0734bd0bec6be06bd/0402%20Tuesday%20Panhandle%20Wildfires%20Hearings%20MC%2002.jpg)
![State Rep Ken King, R-Canadian, speaks during an investigative house committee hearing on the Texas Panhandle wildfires Tuesday, April 2, 2024 in Pampa. In late February, the largest wildfire in Texas history raged across the panhandle, burning just over a million acres.]()
Credit: Maria Crane/The Texas Tribune -
How a fraction of voters decide who runs Texas
In Texas, who’ll run the state is usually decided in the primary. Because of gerrymandering and noncompetitive elections, few people participate. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/aa7d1adf427005179c4f14f9cfd58b39/we-the-texans-pointer-art.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Texas, Biden administration take their battle over new immigration law to federal appeals court
A panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals will decide whether to keep in place a lower court’s block of Senate Bill 4, which makes illegally entering Texas a state crime. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1c103041aa4278b5f06acb5abafcfe5e/0323%20Border%20El%20Paso%20JH%20REUTERS%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Texas Department of Public Safety officers patrol along the border wall after the U.S. Supreme Court let a Republican-backed Texas law known as SB 4 take effect, allowing state law enforcement authorities to arrest people suspected of crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally, in El Paso on March 19, 2024.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Justin Hamel -
Texas, U.S. reach $6.6 million settlement over 2019 Deer Park chemical fire
Attorney General Ken Paxton said the settlement will reimburse the state and feds for damages to natural resources. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/49358b6491920bc76dba804cd9550bc3/ITC%20Fire%20-%20EPA.jpg)
![Firefighters struggle to extinguish the towering flames pouring out of ITC’s tank 80-8 on the afternoon of March 17, 2019. The fire would blow through the entire “2nd 80’s” section of the facility.]()
Credit: Courtesy of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency -
Influential conservative PAC targets Phelan, other House Republicans
Club for Growth announced it will spend $4 million on a TV ad targeting five anti-school voucher Texas House Republicans. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1609a753a81cd026a4a8a0ed78b3a5b0/0126%20House%20District%2021%20MF%20TT%2008.jpg)
![House Speaker Dade Phelan in his office in Beaumont on Jan 26, 2024.]()
Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3dd0fae2a594c7ae8cf4695805d8ebaa/Biden%20Levee%20Construction%20EG%20TT%2016)