Office of the Ombudsman has no written policies on how to investigate allegations that education laws are being broken, even though it’s been accepting complaints for three months.
State Government
Stay informed on Texas state government with The Texas Tribune’s in-depth coverage of the governor, Legislature, state agencies, and policies shaping the future of Texas.
Posted in
Public Education
White Texans, students previously in private school or home-school make up bulk of voucher applicants
Of the almost 275,000 students who applied for vouchers, 45% are white and 75% attended a private school or home-school in 2024-25, final numbers show.
Posted inState Government
Texas attorney general’s office under scrutiny for letting donors use hotel room bookings
The attorney general’s office reallocated taxpayer-funded rooms to donors and other private citizens, some of whom initially failed to cover the cost of the stay.
Posted in
Health care
At least 175 measles cases reported in Texas this year, most of them in West Texas Detention Facility
Texas has added 28 more measles cases in the last two weeks. Most infections so far this year have occurred inside West Texas Detention Facility in Hudspeth County.
Posted in
State Government
Judge will allow Attorney General Ken Paxton to withdraw from representing comptroller’s office in voucher case
The Houston federal judge said Paxton’s office can pull out of the case as soon as acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock finds new lawyers. The unusual request comes amid a bubbling feud between the two Republicans.
Posted in
State Government
Texas is cutting undocumented immigrants off from school, work and driving
The sweeping rule changes, all enacted outside the typical legislative process, have upended life for noncitizens, including those who are here legally.
Posted in
State Government
TDCJ official confirms in trial testimony that it could cost $1.5 billion to fully cool Texas prisons
Current and former heads of Texas’ prison system defended asking for lesser amounts to air-condition facilities during a federal trial on extreme heat in TDCJ facilities.
Posted in
Health care
Texas’ ban on smokeable hemp cannabis is in effect. Here’s what you need to know.
New rules from state health officials ban smokeable intoxicating hemp products, including pre-rolled joints and hemp flower.
Posted in
Health care
Texas will launch its own clinical trials into ibogaine psychedelic after failing to find a drug company to help
The Legislature last year approved $50 million to research the psychedelic and find a company to develop it into a drug for FDA approval.
Posted in
Courts
Texas judge rejects push to let churches make political endorsements
A group of Texas churches and the IRS agreed to nix the Johnson Amendment, which prohibits nonprofits from endorsing candidates. A Trump-appointed judge said no.