How Texas’ power grid failed in 2021 — and who’s responsible for preventing a repeat
In the state’s power grid, electricity and natural gas are co-dependent. Here’s how the winter storm last year broke the system. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5d3cd58e589b089bbf5e9b61260f2073/WinterStorm-grid-02-v2.png)
-
![Diagram of how the Texas power grid works and the role of natural gas]()
Credit: Illustration by Emily Albracht -
Republican incumbents hold big leads in statewide March primary races, UT poll says
The poll shows Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick have a significant advantage over their primary opponents. Democratic respondents heavily support Beto O’Rourke for governor but don’t know enough about the party’s candidates in other races. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ca6271489c3497dcc22bca017cb11120/Election%20Day%202020%20UT%20AI%20TT%2004.jpg)
![A voter casts their ballot at the Flawn Academic Center polling site at the University of Texas at Austin on Election Day, Nov. 3, 2020.]()
Credit: Amna Ijaz/The Texas Tribune -
Early voting in the primary election runs today through Feb. 25
Texans will head back to the polls — from Feb. 14-25 for early voting and on election day, March 1 — for the 2022 primary election. Here’s an overview of what Texans need to know about casting a ballot. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/01431a13004d0dba5755f9ca501482d1/2022Elections-voter-guide_lead-v4.png)
![Graphic that reads, "Primary Voter Guide" above a collection of voting stickers.]()
Credit: Illustration by Emily Albracht -
Analysis: “Nothing to see here” is good news for Texans and for incumbent politicians
The first really cold weather of the year came and went without straining the state’s electric grid — a welcome relief for voters and for politicians, who didn’t want a repeat of 2021's winter blackouts. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7018168d45ef467a3451799983f186bd/DTX%20Ice%20Storm%202022%20File%20ST%20TT%2007.jpg)
![The Dallas skyline during the wintery weather on Feb. 3, 2022.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: The Texas power grid fares better in 2022’s winter storm
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Mitchell and James about how Texas held up during the wintry weather, plus the struggles of the National Guard during their border deployment. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/759d3fa2059a7b11514157dd182f4187/TribCast%20Feb%204.jpg)
![CPS Energy employee Dillon Mikes trimmed icy branches hanging too close to power lines in northeast San Antonio on Thursday.]()
Credit: Kaylee Greenlee for the Texas Tribune -
Watch: Embattled Attorney General Ken Paxton fights for political life in GOP primary
The attorney general, who has had his own legal problems since his first year in office, is battling three GOP primary challengers: Eva Guzman, George P. Bush and Louie Gohmert. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/410d78ae952407880f2f032b8f5ff54e/Paxton%20Edinburg%20Presser%20MGO%20TT%2012.jpg)
![Attorney General Ken Paxton at a border security briefing at the Texas DPS airport hangar in Edinburg on Jan. 28, 2022. Paxton's office coordinated the event with 12 attorneys general from around the U.S. to dicuss legal action taken against the Biden administration about immigration policy.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: State leaders ask Texans to trust the grid, doubt elections
As winter weather moved in this week, the state’s elected leaders worked to regain Texans’ confidence in the electric grid that failed last year. A few days earlier, some of those same leaders were undermining confidence in something else they oversee: elections. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/484daf0276173ce20b351f09c44deeeb/Trump%20Rally%20Houston%20JV%20TT%2039.jpg)
![Former President Donald Trump speaks at a Rally in Conroe on Jan. 29, 2022.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
As culture wars envelop schools, North Texas sees a superintendent exodus
Several departures come after months of contentious fights over teaching about slavery, requiring pandemic precautions and limiting what books kids can access. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/25410830d540272ac508be571513c19a/Superintendent%20LW%20TT%2004.jpg)
![Former Richardson ISD Superintendent Dr. Jeannie Stone left the superintendent position to focus on advocacy and closing achievement gaps through organizations she is involved in, such as the Texas School Alliance. "After 33 years, it was time for me to lend my passion and purpose to some other areas where I could make a larger impact," Stone said.]()
Credit: Lauren Witte/The Texas Tribune -
Why these Texas Republicans say they won’t vote for Gov. Greg Abbott
Abbott has moved right on abortion, guns and voting, and has Trump's endorsement. But for some Texans, that's not enough. Full Story
Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune -
Live winter storm updates: City of Austin issues boil water notice
Texas faces a new winter storm a year after a deadly freeze left millions without power. Here’s the latest. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e9549491628b12d46c838d66a416c232/ATX%20Ice%20Storm%202022%20EG%20TT%2015.jpg)
![A power substation in Northwest Austin during a winter storm on Feb. 3, 2022.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Greg Abbott edges out Beto O’Rourke’s fundraising in first head-to-head reporting period
The two were neck and neck for the first 20 days of January, but Abbott has the advantage of a massive war chest that’s more than tenfold O’Rourke’s total cash on hand. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fa5eb4f5e574b4821e5fe965315e09db/Abbott%20Beto%20Split%20TT%2003.jpg)
![Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke, left, and Gov. Greg Abbott.]()
Credit: The Texas Tribune -
Deplorable conditions, unclear mission: Texas National Guard troops call Abbott’s rushed border operation a disaster
The governor has sent waves of troops to the border as Guard officials scramble to execute a massive mobilization that would normally take months to plan. Some Guard members say the operation has set back their income, education and well-being. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f8615fcccdca97fda2b24ec2582fda00/Del%20Rio%20DPS%20Surge%20MG%20TT%2032.jpg)
![National Guard soldiers stand guard near the U.S. and Mexico border in Del Rio on July 24, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Early voting in Texas’ March 1 primary election starts Feb. 14
Texans will head back to the polls — from Feb. 14-25 for early voting and on election day, March 1 — for the 2022 primary election. Here’s an overview of what Texans need to know about casting a ballot. Full Story
![Graphic that reads, "Primary Voter Guide" above a collection of voting stickers.]()
Credit: Illustration by Emily Albracht -
Texas Republicans trumpet their support for another Trump presidential bid at Conroe rally
The rally in the Houston suburbs put on full display how much of a grip former President Donald Trump still has on Texas Republican leaders. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7d1813fc237cf5d1fdf8c5c02506ea6b/Trump%20Conroe%20Rally%20REUTERS%20TT%2001.jpg)
![People attend a rally where former U.S. President Donald Trump is to speak, in Conroe on Jan. 29, 2022.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Go Nakamura -
Texas Republicans pressure court to reverse decision blocking attorney general from prosecuting election cases
Republicans from Gov. Greg Abbott on down are pressuring the all-GOP Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to reverse a December ruling that gutted the attorney general’s power to go after election cases on his own. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/db203bbcbb4e4ebfd9840edd83d5392b/Ken%20Paxton%20File%20MF%20TT%2004.jpg)
![State Attorney General Ken Paxton, right, speaks at a press conference at the Houston Recovery Center on October 26, 2021.]()
Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott taps into parent anger to fuel reelection campaign
Abbott promises a “parental bill of rights” amendment to the Texas Constitution. Current education code already provides an array of parent protections when it comes to schools. Full Story
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Court fight brews over constitutionality of Texas governor’s border arrests
A legal defense group is asking Travis County courts to throw out the arrests of hundreds of migrants swept up in the governor’s border initiative. The case is expected to draw in the Texas attorney general and address whether Gov. Greg Abbott’s plan is unconstitutional. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/54005d3b5ee99ec3a40c69f742c23805/Del%20Rio%20Migrant%20Processing%20CS%20TT%2047.jpg)
![The migrant processing facility adjacent to the Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office in Del Rio on Oct. 26, 2021.]()
Credit: Chris Stokes for The Texas Tribune -
State Rep. Eddie Lucio III, who announced last year he would not seek reelection, to step down early
The Brownsville Democrat said his resignation will be effective Jan. 31. That sets up a potential special election to finish his term, though whoever wins would only serve for a short time. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0c21ab979c3ecfacbcbca3a6b420ee03/House%20Floor%20May%2023%20JV%20TT%2012.jpg)
![State Rep. Eddie Lucio III, D-Brownsville, speaks with a colleague on the house floor on Sunday, May 23, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Beto O’Rourke announces $7.2 million in fundraising in first 46 days of campaign; Greg Abbott touts $18.9 million over last six months
The latest fundraising figures in the governor’s race confirm what’s long been seen as the state of play: O’Rourke is a strong fundraiser, but Abbott, with over $65 million saved up, is on another level. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dd5771d9d7c2f94df4f17570613ff641/Beto%20in%20Dallas%20BT%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Beto O'Rourke, candidate for Texas Governor, speaks during a Beto for Texas, Dallas Campaign kickoff event outside of Fair Park in Dallas on Nov. 21, 2021.]()
Credit: Ben Torres for The Texas Tribune -
“They are us. There’s no distinction”: Terror of synagogue standoff is no isolated incident to Texas Jewish leaders
News of Congregation Beth Israel hostages' safe escape is met with intense relief, but communities feel pain and fear over the latest in a series of antisemitic attacks and incidents in Texas and beyond. Full Story
Credit: REUTERS/Shelby Tauber
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0b181823bbe70d20d05dcf630be6b4a3/Republican%20Gov%20Candidates%20MF%20TT%2016)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/cd3d325ecced444b410efebca5829d60/Abbott%20Compact%20with%20Seniors%20JV%20TT%2016)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2e6a90ea33b13035ab14717ec3f3d0b4/Colleyville%20REUTERS%20Police%20File%20ST%20TT%2004)