Texas House passes bill decriminalizing fentanyl test strips
The bill would take fentanyl test strips off the state’s “drug paraphernalia” list, meaning it would no longer be a crime to carry them. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1157b2975e8cc1b2bfe42b8c2a20659d/0215%20Die%20In%20LS%20TT%2003.JPG)
-
![Advocates for SB 868, a bill filed this legislative session that would decriminalize fentanyl test strips, on the steps of the Texas State Capitol in Austin on Feb. 15, 2023. Delegates from El Paso, Laredo, West Texas, San Antonio, Austin and Houston gave speeches to call for increased harm reduction in response to a spike in fentanyl deaths statewide.]()
Credit: Leila Saidane/The Texas Tribune -
Federal judge in Texas suspends FDA approval of abortion pill
The ruling from U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Amarillo could potentially upend access to medication abortion nationwide. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ac08176086bfa2ce5a0e1904b4e544a5/Alamo%20Abortion%20Clinic%20KC%20TT%2029.jpg)
![Mifeprex, a drug that is used to end an early pregnancy, at Alamo Women’s Reproductive Services in San Antonio on June 14, 2022.]()
Credit: Kylie Cooper/The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott launches $10 million effort to combat fentanyl crisis, sends overdose-reversing meds to all 254 counties
The “One Pill Kills” campaign is funded with the help of a federal grant, and the statewide Narcan distribution is being paid for with funds from Texas’ settlement agreement with opioid manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3dc127f8437e88aab9791b2fecdb2d7f/0406%20Abbott%20Opioid%20EG%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott, center, is flanked by Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, Health and Human Services Commissioner Cecile Young, Texas Against Fentanyl founder Stefanie Turner, and state Rep. Dr. Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Sen. Kelly Hancock opens up about rare kidney disease, as he advocates for Texas bill to increase living organ donors
Hancock, a North Richland Hills Republican, was diagnosed at age 27 with a rare genetic kidney disease that occurs when the immunoglobulin A antibody builds up in the kidneys. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/198457ce92abe128db1f95c7024566c0/0314%20Sen%20and%20Labor%20Comm%20EL%20TT%20910.jpg)
![State Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, reads his resolution that would have the Texas Legislation recognize March 9 as World Kidney Day, on the Senate floor at the state Capitol in Austin on March 14, 2023. As a young adult, Sen. Hancock was diagnosed with a rare genetic kidney disease and received a live kidney donation in July of 2022.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Texas has the fifth-highest percentage of water pipes made of lead
In a first-of-its-kind survey of public water utilities, the EPA estimates that 7% of water lines in Texas, more than 647,000, are lead based. It’s the fifth-highest proportion of lead-based water lines in the country. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e2690f38c1f6d944dcd10806b04d078e/Water%20Faucet%20Pipes%20MG%20TT%2003.jpg)
![A dripping faucet on Feb. 18, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
GOP Texas senators pull their support for allowing some transgender kids to keep receiving puberty blockers and hormone therapy
The Senate approved Senate Bill 14, which would ban transition-related care for transgender kids. Republicans had previously voted to allow kids currently receiving such care to continue doing so. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/23d4b8bd2625c5f25ed71a769b3ae6f1/0314%20Senate%20and%20Labor%20Committee%20File%2011.JPG)
![State Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, speaks on the Senate floor at the state Capitol in Austin on March 14, 2023.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Watch a Texas Tribune conversation about efforts to address fentanyl abuse in Texas
Tribune politics reporter James Barragán moderated a panel on the drastic rise in opioid overdose deaths and what lawmakers and advocates can do to protect Texans. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3764ba689722c97303e32bd0948094cd/Fentanyl%20Event%20JJ%20TT%2001.jpg)
![From left: Texas Tribune politics reporter James Barragán moderates a discussion on drug harm reduction and the state Legislature with Rep. Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress, Cate Graziani, executive director of the Texas Harm Reduction Alliance, and Rep. James Talarico, D-Round Rock, at the Tribune's Studio 919 event space in Austin on April 11, 2023.]()
Credit: John Jordan/The Texas Tribune -
Federal judge in Texas strikes down key ACA provision regarding preventive care services
A federal judge in Texas found the appointment of the volunteer body issuing preventive care requirements, unlawful. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3c7322f64f976e22230d609d41a6be3c/Doctors%20Office%20Clinic%20Medical%2002.jpg)
![Francisco Garcia arrives at Kelsey-Seybold clinic in Sugar Land to see his doctor Spencer Berthelsen for annual physical. Sept. 22, 2011.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate scales back proposed restrictions on puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender kids
Senate Bill 14 would now allow trans children who are already receiving some transition-related treatments to continue getting that care. The Senate gave initial approval to the reworked legislation Wednesday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f6d9116e72b5d3128e82d52088c5dd71/Trans%20Rights%20Rally%20LW%20TT%2020.jpg)
![People chant during the Trans Kids Call for HELP! rally in front of the Governor's Mansion in Austin on March 13, 2022.]()
Credit: Lauren Witte/The Texas Tribune -
Pandemic Medicaid coverage is ending. Here’s what that means for people using Medicaid health benefits.
Texas is reviewing the eligibility of people on Medicaid health plans or Healthy Texas Women now that pandemic Medicaid coverage is ending. Here’s what that means, how to renew your health coverage or find other options if you no longer qualify. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a72c4ed0ecb59ed8c2274c81a172c019/Nursing%20Shortage%20JV%20TT%2025.jpg)
![A nurse dons full PPE before entering the room of a COVID-19 patient at Goodall-Witcher Hospital in Clifton on Wednesday, August 3, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas bill advancing in the Senate would block minors from updating gender on birth certificates
Opponents of the bill call it a “power play aimed at making the lives of transgender children as difficult as possible.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6809d622b6e7bf5d0ffa1afc577882b1/UNT%20Kelly%20Neidert%20EL%20TT%2033.jpg)
![A protester waves a transgender pride flag during a protest at the University of North Texas in Denton on March 23, 2022.]()
Credit: Emil Lippe for The Texas Tribune -
Bill eliminating tampon, diaper sales taxes OK’d by Texas House
The proposal would remove sales tax on diapers, baby wipes and bottles; feminine hygiene products including tampons, sanitary pads and menstrual cups; maternity clothing; and products for pumping breast milk. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1afe3a9a17341b39aca89aed77386a90/0328%20Tampon%20Tax%20REUTERS%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Sanitary products are seen on shelves at a supermarket. A tax on sanitary products has been abolished in Britain, in a change hailed by the government as a result of Brexit.]()
Credit: Jane Barlow/PA Wire/dpa -
Some Texas groups resume funding out-of-state abortions after court ruling
A federal judge granted a preliminary injunction in February, blocking a limited number of prosecutors from going after anyone who helps a Texan travel out of state to terminate a pregnancy. This has given some abortion funds confidence to resume operations. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bbd4a1ddcb20065f4b201d08a2ede5fc/Womens%20March%20ATX%20MGO%20TT%2013.jpg)
![Londin Mair protests for abortion access at the Capitol on Oct. 2, 2021.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzalez/The Texas Tribune -
Transgender Texans and doctors say Republican lawmakers misconstrue what science says about puberty blockers and hormone therapy
In 2021, a bill that would block transgender kids’ access to transition-related care passed the Senate but died in the Texas House. This year, a majority of House members back such a ban. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/371f4d928001ec5d0bc036462f57bdfe/Transgender%20protest%20SG%20TT.jpg)
![People held up a transgender flag at an event held by Equality Texas at the Capitol in Austin on Wednesday, April 14, 2021]()
Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune -
SNAP recipients will see a cut in food benefits starting this month
During the pandemic, Texans received extra money on their Lone Star cards through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, also known as food stamps. That extra money ends this month. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6a7a8cac898edb1c080a0f1a43c7e305/ATX%20Food%20Bank%20EL%20TT%2005.jpg)
![Central Texas Food Bank volunteers carry boxes of food donations to waiting vehicles at Del Valle High School in Del Valle on Jan. 23, 2021. Roughly 700 families were served by the food drive in the first hour and a half.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
In abrupt retirement letter, an investigations director decries Texas’ “untenable” child welfare agency
Sharon Fonvielle-Baughman said Texas Department of Family and Protective Services leadership has failed to support the special investigators division, a unit created in 2005 to handle the most high-risk cases. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7e57e2a5d0aafe953cfbf0ec7f0df99a/Sharon%20Fonvielle-Baughman%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Sharon Fonvielle-Baughman, director of special investigations at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, resigned on Thursday, March 23, 2023.]()
Credit: Social media -
Bills call for Texas teachers to be trained to administer lifesaving overdose drugs to students
Texas is attempting to address the fentanyl crisis gripping schools by having staff learn how to administer lifesaving medication. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fbd00709ebc1b300cb50eac29e84c612/Callie%20Crow%20Narcan%20BT%20TT%2023.jpg)
![Narcan nasal spray at an opioid educational training class with Callie Crow, the founder of Drew's 27 Chains, on March 31, 2022, in Caddo Mills.]()
Credit: Ben Torres for The Texas Tribune -
Caseworkers hampered by ’90s-era foster care software that the state hasn’t replaced
Caseworkers and foster care providers often get incomplete and inaccurate information about foster kids in their care because of the state child welfare agency’s archaic technology system. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/427801f86c0e31f31709563b68673d49/Texas%20DFPS%20EG%2025.jpg)
![A Texas Department of Family and Protective Services employee’s desk at the agency's Austin office on Nov. 14, 2019.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate panel advances bill that would hinder transgender kids’ access to puberty blockers and hormone therapies
Senate Bill 14 would ban doctors from providing kids with transition-related treatments that medical groups recommend for children with gender dysphoria. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8b807ef97cf9c15e1f1b7730b628e4e2/0428%20Against%20Anti-Trans%20REEDIT%20EL%20TT%2016.jpg)
![Protestors participate in a rally against Anti-Trans legislation at the southern steps of the state capitol on April 28, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
How an old law found new life in lawsuit seeking to revoke approval of abortion pill
Anti-abortion advocates are trying to revive the long-dormant 1873 Comstock Act, which banned mailing of anything related to abortion or contraception, in a lawsuit about mifepristone, an abortion-inducing drug. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/82dbe6a30e05f3313b721b4ec301e6ab/Amarillo%20Abortion%20Hearing%20DB%20TT%2006.jpg)
![Abortion rights supporters gather in front of the federal courthouse in Amarillo on March 15, 2023.]()
Credit: David Bowser for The Texas Tribune