Stories by Texas Tribune fellows

Home to the University of North Texas, organizers say Denton acts as a liberal enclave in the sprawling conservative suburbs in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Full Story 

Sanz was accused of throwing a chair at his sister. The case was dismissed after Sanz completed 36 sessions of batterer intervention and 12 hours of community service at a church. Full Story 

Texas has by far the largest Republican delegation in the House, and gaining their support would be a major boost for any candidate as the conference meets to pick new leaders next week. Full Story 

Payments resumed this month after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the Biden administration’s student loan forgiveness plan is unconstitutional. For many, the pause meant the difference between saving and making ends meet. Full Story 

The state has yet to return to its pre-pandemic unemployment rate of about 3.5%, even as it leads the country in new jobs created. However, state economic experts say the unemployment rate is an indicator of Texas’s rapidly growing population and labor force. Full Story 

After a long summer of extreme heat, Texas has been battered by a lingering drought that’s damaging crops, drying up water supplies and causing wildfires. Full Story 

The must-pass package of legislation known as the farm bill, which is renewed every five years, funds critical crop insurance and loans to farmers and food to low-income families. Full Story 

The city joins Cambridge, Mass. and the Washington, D.C. area as epicenters of the new agency. A Biden administration initiative, Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health will work toward medical breakthroughs in treating diseases like cancer, Alzheimer and diabetes. Full Story 

Comptroller Glenn Hegar said he disagreed with Paxton’s interpretation of the law and suggested he seek a ruling from the Texas Supreme Court. Full Story 

State Rep. John Bryant said Democrats will need to work together to block the “school choice” bill in October. Full Story 

Texas Democrats decry Republican infighting that has halted attempts to approve annual spending bills and avoid a federal government shutdown. Full Story 

After losing in a Republican runoff last year, Stogner said she plans to challenge incumbent Chair Christi Craddick as a member of the Forward Party. Full Story 

As COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths rise slightly across the nation, here’s how you can get more at-home tests and the updated vaccine for free. Full Story 

The guidance asks universities in the system to avoid using the acronym DEI on their websites and walk a fine line between organizing events that “support diversity in a general way” but don’t “promote preferential treatment of any particular group.” Full Story 

Those disappointed by the Senate vote, blame political polarization. Those pleased with the acquittal say the evidence fell short. Full Story 

Republicans were not in agreement about whether they supported suspended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Full Story 

The Texas Tribune hosted a multi-panel discussion in Lufkin on the Nov. 7 election and what’s at stake for Texas and Texans. Full Story 

The state will likely see the two years of post-pandemic growth start to decelerate, according to Roberto Coronado, senior vice president and senior economist for the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Coronado also cited lowering inflation rates as a top priority for the Dallas Fed. Full Story 

This summer, industrial scale batteries have helped boost the energy supply during critical evening hours. Battery storage represents a small fraction of Texas’ energy mix now, but it’s expected to rise sharply in coming years. Full Story 

The law bans those convicted of animal cruelty, including those involved with dogfighting, from owning any kind of animal for five years after their first criminal offense. Full Story