Stories by Texas Tribune fellows

The absence of any mention of the mass shootings rankled gun control advocates and state lawmakers from El Paso, who see this legislative session as their best chance to advance the very measures Abbott expressed support for in 2019. Full Story 

Activists worry that if the bill becomes law, many undocumented students will lose opportunities to further their education. They also say it could hurt the state’s economy. Full Story 

As the state continues struggling with an uneven vaccine rollout, some Texans in far-flung areas are traversing the state to get immunized. Full Story 

Biden issued the order Wednesday as part of his efforts to fight climate change. Full Story 

National Guard teams will visit DeWitt, Marion, Real, Sherman and Starr counties as part of a newly created State Mobile Vaccine Pilot Program. Full Story 

To combat food insecurity during the pandemic, the new president is increasing assistance for families receiving help to make up for free and reduced-cost school lunches. He also wants to increase food stamp benefits. Full Story 

The violent storming of the U.S. Capitol prompted some states to reconsider allowing firearms in their statehouses. Not Texas. Full Story 

The high court vacated two rulings from the lower U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals that sided with Texas GOP officials arguing that Gov. Greg Abbott’s March 2020 executive order prohibited abortion under all but a few narrow circumstances in an attempt to preserve medical resources for COVID-19 patients. Full Story 

The two Texans in the U.S. Senate have called the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump "vindictive." Full Story 

While COVID-19 guidelines will vary between lawmakers’ offices, communication between legislators and the public will largely consist of phone and video calls or small, in-person meetings by appointment. Full Story 

A state fund that subsidizes rural network service is bleeding money. Now the state is drastically cutting the amount of money that it typically pays out to these service providers. Full Story 

The complaint says that Cruz lent “legitimacy” to unfounded claims of voter fraud prior to the violence on Jan. 6. Full Story 

Experts say the GOP's rhetoric about Section 230 of a 1996 communications law suggests a deep misunderstanding of how it works. Full Story 

The state’s GOP leaders have launched a campaign against technology and social media companies after officials and followers faced repercussions for sowing the election doubts that fueled the Capitol insurrection. Full Story 

Some Texas Republicans in Congress called for bipartisanship, but many others criticized Biden's early policy moves. Full Story 

A federal affidavit filed by a special agent Tuesday identified the Houston Police officer who participated in the pro-Trump riot at the Capitol as 18-year veteran Tam Dinh Pham. Full Story 

The Austin-based group founded by anti-vaccine activist Del Bigtree regularly posts information questioning the safety of the coronavirus vaccines. Doctors and scientists say both the Moderna and the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Full Story 

Hospitals in the Abilene, Bryan-College Station and Laredo areas have run out of intensive care unit beds. State health officials are “greatly concerned” about high numbers of hospitalized people throughout Texas. Full Story 

Both Cruz and Cornyn confirmed that they will be at Biden’s inauguration next week, even as Cruz continues to spread false claims casting doubt on Biden’s victory. Full Story 

On Tuesday, some Texans will take a paid day off for a state holiday honoring Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis and other leaders of the Confederate army. Full Story