Texas is poised to become a film haven — but not without a fight
The Texas Senate has proposed injecting a staggering half a billion dollars into film production, as economists and fiscal hawks question the return on investment. Full Story
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![An ice cream shop in downtown Smithville, Texas on Feb. 6, 2025. The town is the main setting of Hope Floats, a popular 1998 romance film, and the shop is named after it.]()
Credit: Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribune -
County judge approves election to decide whether SpaceX launch site will become a city
If a majority of the roughly 500 residents living around the South Texas site vote yes in May, Starbase will be the state’s newest city. Full Story
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![SpaceX rockets at the launch pad at the Brownsville facility on Oct. 20, 2021. On Oct. 22, Elon Musk said via Twitter the Starship rocket would be ready for an orbital launch by next month.]()
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Casino and sports betting companies press for a win in Texas despite Senate opposition
With plenty of patience and money, the industry is extending its multi-year campaign to bring legal casinos and sports betting to the state. Full Story
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![A gambler stacks chips at a roulette table during the reopening of Bellagio hotel-casino, in Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 4, 2020.]()
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Texas Senate unanimously approves tax cuts for homeowners
The marquee proposal would increase the amount of a home’s value exemption from school taxes to $140,000 from $100,000. The legislation must win approval from the House next. Full Story
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![Housing development in Celina on Nov. 13, 2024.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
Spring forward? Maybe not in Texas as lawmakers mull ending daylight saving time.
Lawmakers here and in Washington have long debated ending the practice of changing the clocks twice a year. Full Story
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![The Texas Capitol on Feb. 1, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Join us Feb. 18 for a conversation with tech leaders on Texas investing in quantum computing
We’ll learn more about the technology and why Texas should be an international player in the field. Full Story
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Texas bill that lets families use tax dollars for private schools swiftly sails through Senate
Senate Bill 2 now heads to the House, where top officials say they have the support to create education savings accounts. Full Story
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![Members of the Texas Senate take up Senate Bill 2, regarding school vouchers, during the 89th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature in Austin on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Republicans want more property tax cuts. Here’s how they may do it.
Gov. Greg Abbott said cutting taxes is a top priority, however, state lawmakers don’t have as much money to plug into tax cuts as they did two years ago. Full Story
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![A residential neighborhood seen Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Midland.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
Trump delays tariffs on Mexico and Canada for one month
Leaders of the three countries said they agreed to send more troops to the border, tackle U.S. arms smuggling into Mexico and increase collaboration over security issues. Full Story
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Trump orders tariffs on Mexico and Canada — Texas’ biggest trading partners
The tariffs, which also target China, are scheduled to go into effect Tuesday. They prompted immediate efforts to retaliate. Full Story
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![A line of trucks wait to cross the World Trade Bridge over the Rio Grande from Mexico into the United States in Laredo, on Sept. 16, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Abbott expected to promote vouchers and other highlights of his 2025 agenda in Sunday speech
After successful campaigns for House allies, the governor is in a position to set an ambitious course for the legislative session. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott delivers an address while welcoming state Senators during the opening of the Texas legislative session in Austin on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
“How do we protect our poultry flocks?” Texas dairy, poultry producers grapple with bird flu
Across the country, dairy producers have dumped milk and infected chickens have been killed, including millions of egg-laying hens, causing egg prices to skyrocket. Full Story
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![Cattle are brought across the U.S.- Mexico border at a livestock import/export facility in Santa Teresa, New Mexico on January 22, 2021.]()
Credit: Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribune -
Trump’s tariffs have even his supporters in Texas nervous
Trump has vowed punishing tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China, which are Texas’ biggest international trading partners. Full Story
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![Trucks entering the United States after crossing the Veterans International Bridge in Brownsville on Jan. 10, 2019,]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar for The Texas Tribune -
Join us in Houston March 5 for a symposium on building a strong future for Texas’ cities
We’ll celebrate what makes our cities special and discuss the urgent policy action needed for their growth and success. Full Story
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Watch top Texas business and political leaders discuss the state’s future under Donald Trump
Gov. Greg Abbott, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, business leaders and Texans tabbed for President Donald Trump’s cabinet gathered in Washington last weekend to discuss the new administration. Full Story
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Credit: Courtesy of The Texas Business Conference -
Data centers are booming in Texas. What does that mean for the grid?
As energy demand surges, largely due to crypto mining facilities, data centers and industrial electrification, Texas officials are looking at how to increase supply and shore up the grid. Full Story
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![Network cables can be seen in a data center.]()
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Corpus Christi pushes new water projects to boost supply
The coastal city also has been trying for years to develop a seawater desalination plant, but its efforts have lagged as big, thirsty industries continue to locate nearby and a five-year drought persists. Full Story
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![Corpus Christi Bay in 2022.]()
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Austin rents have fallen for nearly two years. Here’s why.
A massive apartment building boom in the Austin-Round Rock region has driven rents downward, real estate experts and housing advocates have said. Full Story
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![A large apartment complex south of the downtown skyline in Austin on Wednesday, October 2, 2024.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas has a big water problem. This state lawmaker hopes he has the solution.
Texas’ population is booming and there is not enough water for everyone. State Sen. Charles Perry hopes to fix that. Full Story
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![State Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, on the Senate floor on May 15, 2019.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune -
How Fort Worth supplanted Austin as Texas’ top boomtown
The growth is fueling higher rents and home prices in the North Texas city that was once seen as a more affordable option to Dallas and other major cities. Full Story
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![Downtown Fort Worth on September 5, 2018.]()
Credit: Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson for The Texas Tribune
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