Texplainer

Political speech is protected by the First Amendment, so candidates can get around bans on spam. But just asking to be taken off a list will usually work. Full Story 

Nearly 90 percent of Texas schools are enrolled in TRS-ActiveCare. Some say the program saves teachers money, though complaints are growing about the state's stagnant per-month contribution. Full Story 

The shelters are designed to keep kids in, but they're not detention facilities, and in most cases staff can't forcibly stop a child from leaving. Full Story 

Texas has 254 counties — far more than any other state. The reason? The state is huge, and its founders wanted to keep residents close to their local governments. Full Story 

Government agencies are grappling to respond to the number of immigrants coming into the country. Many tax-funded shelters housing immigrants are overcrowded, and there are reports some have substandard living conditions. We’ve compiled a list of organizations that are mobilizing to help. Full Story 

More than 2,000 children have been separated from their families at the border. Here's the latest on what's happening at the border, in Washington and among Texas politicians. Full Story 

The state law that defines residency requirements is hard to enforce. Full Story 

People along the Texas coast should consider buying insurance, packing an emergency supply kit and learning their evacuation routes now. Full Story 

“If you’re voting in a gubernatorial election ... it’s a drop in the bucket," says one Republican strategist. Full Story 

Total spending on public education has stayed relatively steady over the past decade. But who is paying for it has shifted. Full Story 

Running for speaker in a chamber that's nearly two-thirds Republican seems like a long shot for Rep. Eric Johnson, D-Dallas. But there might be things he could gain other than the gavel. Full Story 

There’s no state or federal law requiring employers to give their workers paid sick leave. But under the mandate recently passed by the Austin City Council, many private employers in the state's capital city will be required to allow their workers to accrue up to 64 hours of paid sick leave per year. Full Story 

A special election doesn't play out like normal elections. For starters, there are no primaries. Every candidate who files for the seat – regardless of party affiliation – will appear on one ballot. Full Story 

If history is any guide, candidates that earned first place in their primary race are likely to win their runoff — especially if they finished with a lead of more than 10 percentage points. But there are instances when second-place primary finishers come out on top. Full Story 

Benefits for Texas teachers have been a point of contention between educators and lawmakers for years — and often a hot topic at the Legislature. But where does Texas fall nationally when it comes to teacher pay, health care and retirement benefits? Full Story 

Labor groups are praising Democrat Laura Moser's campaign for its collective bargaining agreement. But some argue campaigns are too unpredictable to guarantee workers the benefits that come with unionizing. Full Story 

In most cases, it’s illegal to gamble or place a bet in the state. But there are some exceptions. Full Story 

Angela Paxton is the favorite to win a Texas Senate seat and have a vote on the state budget, which includes funding for her husband’s office. Legal experts and ethics lawyers weigh in on how such a situation is addressed in Texas law. Full Story 

If no candidate in a primary election receives a majority of the vote, the top two vote-getters go head-to-head in a runoff. Here's everything you need to know about how they work and how to vote. Full Story 

Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Attorney General Ken Paxton are all heavy favorites to win their Republican primary races next week. Texas law allows them to give their campaign funds to other politicians in more precarious positions. Full Story