Texas now has more jobs than it did before the pandemic hit
Job growth in the state, driven by population gains, has outpaced the rest of the country in recent months, according to recent federal data. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8e168f83b9bb8c7719490be2e93efaa3/Fri%20ATX%20SoCO%20SF%20TT%2007)
-
Credit: Sergio Flores 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 -
Analysis: Running a Texas election while voters are distracted — by politics
With less than five weeks left in the primary election season, there is no shortage of political issues to debate. But most of the political conversation isn’t about the election. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ea2b56d23833291c5345c37bcee2bef2/Capitol%20File%20Oct%2020%20EL%20TT%2008.jpg)
![The Texas Capitol in Austin on Oct. 19, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy 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 -
Analysis: Texas enters 2022 with a bang — and some whimpering
The new year comes with a new election — and with familiar challenges to the way Texans vote and have their votes counted. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b0c8afcc5129b5f31f9660d64c0ab93a/ATX%20Early%20Voting%20Day%20Two%20MG%20TT%2021.jpg)
![A voter casts their ballot at a polling site at the Austin Oaks Church on Oct. 14, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Video: Afghan refugees resettling in Texas find help despite strained resources
Texas expects to resettle the second-highest number of Afghan refugees in the United States. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/65148bb835b81d76832faa0f74e3309c/Afghanistan%20Kabul%20Airport%20TT.jpg)
![Women with their children try to get inside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 16, 2021.]()
Credit: REUTERS -
Analysis: The Texas storms — actual and political — of 2021
Here are a dozen of my columns from 2021: highlights on the winter storm, redistricting, the state’s finances and on issues that could figure into this next round of elections. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f6ac362f217fb552b9231e32fb609688/ATX%20Anti-mask%20Protest%20EG%20TT%2026.jpg)
![The Texas Capitol on June 28, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
2021 Texas politics in photos: An insurrection, legislative battles and emerging campaigns
Texas politics in 2021 were marked by a violent insurrection at the nation’s Capitol and state legislative fights over abortion, voting rights and redistricting. Our photojournalists were there every step of the way. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/abcfe23932f984c08a3f7482ec0f8e52/WashingtonPlazaHotel_%20TT%2010.jpg)
![Democratic members of the Texas House and Texas Senate gather for a joint press event to update Texans on their work in Washington, DC to advocate for federal voting rights protections at Washington Plaza Hotel in Washington, DC on Wednesday, July 14, 2021.]()
Credit: Shuran Huang for The Texas Tribune -
Unhappy holidays: Texas endures another COVID Christmas
After nearly two years of navigating life during a pandemic, many Texans are now scrambling for COVID tests, delaying plans and worrying about relatives who have been exposed to the virus. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/11b94d7fb4ebe83498b5dcfb894a11d2/DFW%20Airport%20ST%20TT%2013.jpg)
![Travelers check flight statuses at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on Nov. 18, 2021.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: From homegrown culture warriors to tomorrow’s Texas leaders
Republicans in Austin have been after local governments for years, pushing aside local laws and rules on a long list of issues where local and state powers overlap. Now they're recruiting fellow Republicans for local offices, to try to change things at the ground level. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Opportunity was snatched away from Dallas County Latino communities when Texas Republicans redrew congressional maps
Dallas-area Latinos hoped their growing numbers would finally translate into political clout this year through the creation of a new congressional district anchored by their communities. Instead, their neighborhoods were splintered between numerous white-majority districts. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4b7c62aed92f6d1f6455640e1fff76eb/Eagle%20Ford%20ST%20TT%2005.jpg)
![Joseph Mata and Angie Pérez dance at the Ledbetter Eagle Ford Community Organization’s senior program held at the Jaycee-Zaragoza Recreation Center in West Dallas on Nov. 4, 2021.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Texas’ population has changed much faster than its political maps
Texas’ population has grown 40% this century, and 91% of the new Texans are people of color. Federal judges now have to decide whether those monumental changes are reflected in the state’s political maps. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ea11e454d35aff97551b04745afac028/2nd%20Redo%20Redistricting%20maps%20MGO%20TT%2005.jpg)
![Census data from 2020 and redistricting maps at The Texas Tribune office in Austin on Oct. 7, 2021. The state population grew by nearly 4 million and was driven mainly by people of color.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzalez/The Texas Tribune -
U.S. Department of Justice sues Texas over new political maps
Texas lawmakers illegally discriminated against voters of color by drawing new political districts that give white voters more political power despite rapid growth of Hispanic and Black populations, the department claims in its lawsuit. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6742379ae6a1a2edbfbc5fcc4b7e32f4/Texas%20Capitol%20MGO%20TT%2008.jpg)
![The Capitol building on Oct. 6, 2021.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzalez/The Texas Tribune -
Congressional gerrymandering by Texas Republicans cut out the heart of Houston’s Asian community
Asian and Pacific Islander populations surged in Texas over the past decade, but their political power is weakened under new congressional maps. A northwest Houston neighborhood offers a case study in how that was done. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/14d0e1ee7fb05b17717b922a529fbf86/Hyunja%20Norman%20TT%2008.jpg)
![Hyunja Norman poses for a portrait at the Korean Community Center in Spring Branch on Oct. 21, 2021. Norman passionately seeks representation for the Korean community in Houston by voting, education and raising awareness. She believes, “ if we work here, we can do anything or become someone to make American better for all Americans.”]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Democrats rely on voters of color to be competitive. So why are their top statewide candidates mostly white?
The GOP slate for statewide office includes two high-profile Latinos and two Black candidates who have previously held state or federal office. Republicans are making a play to be more competitive with voters of color as the state’s electorate grows more diverse. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9f48e1ba31683297a919a6d3c4464108/Texas%20Democrats%20EG%20TT%2005.jpg)
![Democratic Party signage and logos at the Texas Democratic Party office in Austin on Oct. 8, 2019.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Among El Pasoans, Beto O’Rourke’s gubernatorial run excites loyal fans and revives longtime grudges
El Pasoans who have followed O’Rourke’s political career are excited about his run for governor. But his critics still remember his support of a development plan that could have displaced Mexican American residents from one of the city’s oldest barrios. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a61e56f73adc03bc4d4d4f0069cdb72e/Beto%20Early%20Voting%20Rally%20IPA%20TT%2025.jpg)
![Beto O'Rourke's early voting rally in San Jacinto Plaza and walking through downtown to vote at the County Court House.Friday, March 2, 2018, in El Paso, Texas. Photo by Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for the Sun -
Texans John Cornyn and Ted Cruz join GOP senators to block voting rights bill that would have protected voters of color
In a final push to secure federal voting rights legislation this year, congressional Democrats failed to secure the necessary votes to avoid a GOP filibuster on the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b0b97d0bf001cbd80dda10578487172f/US%20Capitol%20File%20EL%20TT%2007.jpg)
![A U.S. Capitol Police officer stands guard at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 21, 2021.]()
Credit: Eric Lee for The Texas Tribune -
Texas’ new House map challenged in state court, expanding redistricting fight
The Mexican American Legislative Caucus is arguing that the new state House map violates the Texas Constitution. The lawsuit follows two legal challenges to the state’s new maps previously filed in federal court. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/698d6ab9656b623e4cbc5cccc6edf206/House%20Floor%20Oct%2012%20MGO%20TT%2007.jpg)
![A map of Tarrant County shows Hispanics' voting age population on the House floor on Oct. 12, 2021.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzalez/The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Texas legislators aren’t ready to take self-interest out of redistricting
In Texas, the Legislature draws political maps — with results that predictably favor the party in power. Do independent commissions do any better? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7eea0fb1e5b023423ecab7981895ffc2/Salman%20Bhojani%20BT%20TT%2011.jpg)
![Salman Bhojani, a former candidate for Texas Senate District 9, shows where he lives on an updated map that now draws him out of District 9 and now into District 2, at his offices in Irving, on Oct. 17, 2021. Bhojani suspended his campaign after state legislature adopted new district maps which draws Bhojani's home out of District 9.]()
Credit: Ben Torres for The Texas Tribune -
Central Texas faith leaders and politicians rebuke antisemitic incidents after fire outside Austin synagogue
Austin fire officials said they’re investigating a Sunday incident that caused about $25,000 in damage as a potential arson. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d72308fa54c2d534a0dd20eef74d1506/Re-edit%20Jewish%20Community%20Center%20Presser%20MGO%20TT%2009.jpg)
![Rabbi Neil Blumofe spoke at a press conference at the Dell Jewish Community Center on Nov. 1, 2021, after a fire outside Congregation Beth Israel.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzalez/The Texas Tribune
/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)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a9e1a66c066a95a5a4a4d59a84fe8fb6/BD%20INC%20Blanco%2090%202012)