Analysis: Texas, the bellwether state
A number of the top issues facing the country — mask mandates, voting, immigration — have something in common: Texas. Full Story
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![The state Capitol building on Aug. 11, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texans in Congress have mixed views on President Joe Biden’s handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal. But bipartisan criticism has emerged.
Texas Republicans have doused the Biden administration in criticism. Democratic Texans in Congress have had varied reactions — but some also fault for the president for a frantic scramble after the Taliban swiftly took control. Full Story
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![Televised remarks by President Joe Biden on the crisis in Afghanistan were broadcast at the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square in New York City on Aug. 16, 2021.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Jeenah Moon -
Texas can ban common abortion procedure in second trimester, appeals court rules
The ruling is yet another blow to reproductive rights advocates after Texas passed a law this year that goes into effect Sept. 1 banning abortions as early as six weeks. That law is also currently being challenged in court. Full Story
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![A Planned Parenthood examination room in Austin on Jan. 14, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Joe Biden takes aim at states blocking mask mandates, setting Gov. Greg Abbott up for showdown with feds
Biden said he will use the U.S. Department of Education’s civil rights enforcement authority to deter states from blocking mask mandates in classrooms. Full Story
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![President Joe Biden delivered remarks on the nation's COVID-19 response and vaccination program during a speech in the East Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 18, 2021.]()
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TribCast: How much worse will Texas’ current COVID-19 wave get?
On this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Karen, Cassi and James about whether the this pandemic wave will turn out to be Texas’ worst and why no Democrats have been arrested since their warrants were signed last week. Full Story
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![A nurse administers an antibody treatment to a COVID-19 patient at Goodall-Witcher Hospital in Clifton on Aug. 3, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
The threats of state troopers arresting House Democrats have yet to materialize
As of Wednesday, there were no known cases of absent Democrats being arrested, and the chamber was still shy of the 100 members it needs for a quorum to conduct official business. That is despite its Aug. 10 vote to proceed with the arrests. Full Story
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![Texas Department of Public Safety vehicles outside of the state Capitol on Aug. 11, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas Supreme Court says House Democrats can be arrested and brought to the Capitol, siding with Republicans trying to secure a quorum
In a bid to block a voting restrictions bill, House Democrats for weeks have denied the lower chamber the number of present members needed to pass legislation. House Speaker Dade Phelan has already signed dozens of civil arrest warrants. Full Story
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![The Texas House Democrats held a press conference alongside U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, and grassroots organizers at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 6, 2021. Friday is both the anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act and the last day of the special session of the Texas Legislature.]()
Credit: Shuran Huang for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tests positive for COVID-19
The governor spoke Monday night at a GOP event in Collin County, later tweeting photos of him addressing a maskless crowd. Less than three hours before his diagnosis was announced Tuesday afternoon, he tweeted pictures of a meeting with guitarist Jimmie Vaughan. Full Story
Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune -
T-Squared: Here are more than 60 amazing sessions at the all-virtual 2021 Texas Tribune Festival
Today we’re releasing the program for our signature annual ideas conference (Sept. 20-25 on the screen of your choice). It’s chock full of powerful conversations on big issues. And we’ve added even more marquee speakers. Full Story
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Texas’ controversial new social studies law prompts McKinney school officials to cancel Youth and Government class
One of the Republican authors of the so-called critical race theory bill said the district is misinterpreting the new law’s ban on political activism. A school official called the language “vague.” Full Story
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![Judith Anderson-Bruess poses for a portrait at her home in Newark, Delaware on Aug. 11, 2021.]()
Credit: Eric Lee for The Texas Tribune -
Live COVID-19 updates: Texas sending more relief medical workers to hospitals, adding new antibody infusion centers
COVID-19 is surging again in Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott has tested positive. Hospitalizations are increasing faster than at any other time. Local officials and school leaders are rebelling against Abbott’s ban on mask mandates. Here’s the latest. Full Story
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![COVID-19 related signs are posted to the entrance to Ott Elementary School in San Antonio on Aug. 11, 2020.]()
Credit: Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribune -
New Texas law allowing people to carry handguns without permits goes into effect Sept. 1
Starting Sept. 1, most Texans will be able to carry handguns in public without going through training or having to get permits. Law enforcement officers worry that could make their jobs more dangerous. Full Story
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![A M&P Shield handgun, small enough to be ideal for conceal carry, in Austin on April 23, 2021.]()
Credit: Photo Illustration by Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Texas government grinds to a stop — of the governor’s choosing
It’s happening slowly, but during the Texas government’s long summer, with legislative walkouts, fights over voting rights, and new battles over what’s safe and what’s not, Gov. Greg Abbott is mostly getting his way. Full Story
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![A legislator fist bumps a House Administration staffer as they entered the House Chamber on Aug. 11, 2021.]()
Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune -
Texas Congressman Michael McCaul says Biden administration "totally blew" Afghanistan withdrawal
McCaul, the highest ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, says Biden ignored intelligence briefings and underestimated the Taliban's strength. Full Story
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![A U.S. Air Force CH-46 Sea Knight military transport helicopter flies over Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 15, 2021.]()
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Live COVID-19 updates: Attorney General Ken Paxton takes the state's mask mandate ban to the Texas Supreme Court
COVID-19 is surging again in Texas. Hospitalizations are increasing faster than at any other time. Local officials and school leaders are rebelling against Gov. Greg Abbott’s ban on mask mandates. Here’s the latest. Full Story
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![The St. Johns drive-through COVID-19 testing site off of Interstate 35 in north Austin on Aug. 5, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas to spend $25 million on 2-mile concrete barrier amid Gov. Greg Abbott’s push for a state-funded border wall
The barrier in Eagle Pass is the first glimpse into how much a state-funded border wall could cost. But Abbott’s office says it’s a “concrete barrier” that is separate from his border wall push. Full Story
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![A Customs and Border Protection vehicle is located at the entrance to Shelby Park in Eagle Pass on Feb. 8, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
8 candidates file for special election to replace former state Rep. Jake Ellzey
Five Republicans, one Democrat, an Independent and a Libertarian are vying to fill Ellzey's seat after he won a promotion to Congress last month. The filing deadline was 5 p.m. Thursday. Full Story
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![The state Capitol building on Aug. 11, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
People of color make up 95% of Texas’ population growth, and cities and suburbs are booming, 2020 census shows
The state’s Hispanic population is now nearly as large as the non-Hispanic white population, with Texas gaining nearly 11 Hispanic residents for every additional white resident since 2010. Those trends set up a pitched battle for political control when state lawmakers redraw legislative districts. Full Story
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![The Houston skyline on Dec. 17, 2018.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas law enforcement deputized to round up absent House Democrats, intensifying battle in the lower chamber
The Texas Supreme Court cleared the way for absent House Democrats’ civil arrests after it temporarily blocked Harris County judges’ orders protecting them from such a move. Full Story
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![Texas Department of Public Safety vehicles outside of the state Capitol on Aug. 11, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
“How are we different than other kids?”: A transgender student wrestler fights legislative efforts to restrict participation in school sports
If passed, Texas' anti-transgender legislation will require student athletes to play on school sports teams that don't align with their gender identity. Full Story
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![Eli was required to compete on his high school's women's wrestling team in Houston as his gender marker said female.]()
Credit: Lauren Santucci/The Texas Tribune
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