Analysis: The case for big ideas in Texas government
Texas political leaders usually settle for caution. The big stuff is risky, but it’s also possible — and even inspiring — to see leaders ignoring the small stuff and aiming higher. Full Story
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![United States astronaut Buzz Aldrin salutes the American flag on the surface of the Moon after he and fellow astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first men to land on the Moon during the Apollo 11 space mission July 20, 1969.]()
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In Democratic runoff for South Texas congressional seat, nonprofit backing a candidate is accused of campaign finance violations
Michelle Vallejo faces Ruben Ramirez in a runoff for the Democratic nomination in the 15th Congressional District. A nonprofit that supports Vallejo is accused of breaking campaign finance rules. Full Story
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![Michelle Vallejo, U.S. Representative District 15 Candidate, responds to questions during a Futuro RGV candidate forum in McAllen on Jan. 11, 2022.]()
Credit: Verónica G. Cárdenas for The Texas Tribune -
Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick urge Texas Supreme Court to take up Ken Paxton’s appeal to whistleblower lawsuit
The two Republican state officials filed friend of the court briefs asking that the high court take up the case because it is relevant to statewide governance and to the powers of an executive office under the Texas Constitution. Full Story
Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune -
Beto O’Rourke tests positive for COVID-19, says symptoms are mild
O’Rourke said he is vaccinated and boosted and tests regularly while traveling the state. A campaign spokesperson said the candidate had no events scheduled for the week. Full Story
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![Democratic gubernatorial nominee Beto O'Rourke speaks to supporters at a rally in Fort Worth after winning his party's nomination in the primary election on March 1, 2022.]()
Credit: Carlos Garcia for The Texas Tribune -
Body of Texas National Guard member found after he was washed away while saving drowning migrants
Spc. Bishop E. Evans, a 22-year-old field artilleryman from Arlington, joined the Texas Army National Guard in 2019. Full Story
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![Texas Army National Guard Specialist Bishop E. Evans.]()
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Residents sue Llano County officials, library director, board members to end book bans
A federal lawsuit claims Llano County public officials’ efforts to remove library books are a coordinated censorship campaign. Full Story
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![The Young Adults section at the Llano Public Library on Monday, Dec. 14, 2021 in Llano.]()
Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Every so often, Texas government needs a reboot
Performance reviews of state government are an exercise in separating the operation of government — how things work — from the direction of government — what, in broader terms, government should do. The nuts and bolts on one hand, the vision thing on the other. Full Story
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![Exterior of the Texas state Capitol on Nov. 19, 2020.]()
Credit: Amna Ijaz/The Texas Tribune -
Some Texas Republicans push for Gov. Greg Abbott to use state personnel to deport migrants
Declaring an “invasion” under the U.S. Constitution is an incendiary idea that would spark immediate court challenges given that immigration law enforcement is a federal responsibility. Full Story
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![National Guard soldiers stand guard near the U.S. and Mexico border in Del Rio on July 24, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Biden administration drops fight over Texas’ Medicaid waiver, now in place until 2030
Debate over the waiver was key to the federal government’s push for Texas to expand Medicaid for more working poor. Full Story
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![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 -
National Guard soldier missing after trying to save two migrants in Rio Grande
The soldier, Bishop E. Evans, went missing Friday morning after he jumped into the river near Eagle Pass. On Sunday, the Texas Military Department reported the search was still ongoing. Full Story
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![A row of shipping containers and razor wire placed on the banks of the Rio Grande River by Gov. Greg Abbott to form a makeshift border wall in Eagle Pass on Nov. 19, 2021.]()
Credit: Chris Stokes for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Texas lawmakers listen to the voters who show up
Politicians are always listening to voters — but the ones who actually select the state’s elected officials have a lot more clout than those who stay home. You can see it in the way lawmakers govern. Full Story
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![Voters wait in line at the Lakewood Branch Library in Dallas on Feb. 25, 2022, the last day of early voting in the Texas primary. Dallas County voting centers’ hours were extended till 10 P.M. on the last day of early voting to make up for early closures due to icy weather.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
Video: Texas produce industry will feel long-term impacts of Gov. Greg Abbott’s vehicle inspection program
In this video, see the impact of Abbott’s increased border inspections on produce importers, fruit stand vendors and truck drivers on both sides of the Texas-Mexico border. Full Story
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![Employees at the McAllen Produce Terminal Market. McAllen, TX. April 14, 2022.]()
Credit: Jason Garza for The Texas Tribune -
State Rep. Chris Turner won’t run for House Democratic Caucus chair again
The Grand Prairie lawmaker has led the minority party’s House caucus since 2017. Full Story
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![State Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie, House Democratic Caucus Chairman, speaks at a press conference on the opening day of the 87th legislative special session at the Texas Capitol on July 8, 2021.]()
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What did Greg Abbott’s border inspections turn up? Oil leaks, flat tires and zero drugs
The governor ordered troopers to thoroughly inspect every commercial truck coming from Mexico in what he described as an effort to stop illegal drugs and migrants from being smuggled into Texas. His order for increased state inspections led to snarling delays in trade between the two countries. Full Story
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![Mechanics fix trucks at the inspection station near the Pharr International Bridge. Pharr, TX. April 14, 2022.]()
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Texas Democrats make moves to be early presidential primary state in 2024
The Democratic National Committee has decided to allow new states to bid for the coveted status, which has long belonged to places like Iowa and New Hampshire, in an effort to kick off the nominating process in states that better reflect the diversity of the broader electorate. Full Story
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![Denise Simmons and her son, Graham, 8, walk out of Austin Oaks Church after waiting 30 minutes to vote on election day on March 1, 2022.]()
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If Roe v. Wade is overturned, Texas district attorney offices would become a new battleground
The full and often unchecked power of the prosecutor was on display when a South Texas woman was charged with murder for a self-induced abortion. Full Story
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![Protesters hold signs outside of the Starr County Jail in Rio Grande City on April 9, 2022. People protested in support of Lizelle Herrera, a woman being held at the jail on a count of murder for allegedly having a self-induced abortion.]()
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Under Texas’ strict abortion law, McAllen clinic sees patients seeking medication across the border
The law went into effect in September, a week before Mexico’s Supreme Court dissolved a Coahuila state law that made abortion a crime. Now some Texans further along in their pregnancies are going there for abortion-inducing drugs. Full Story
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![Members of the McAllen Pregnancy Center pray outside Whole Woman's Health in McAllen on Aug. 21, 2012.]()
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Texas’ primary runoff election is May 24. Here’s what to know about voting.
Early voting ended Friday. Mail-in ballots must be returned by May 24. Full Story
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![Graphic that reads, "Runoff Voter Guide" above a collection of voting stickers.]()
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T-Squared: Abby Livingston, our Washington bureau chief, is moving on
A pillar of our political coverage since 2014, Abby has covered three presidential administrations, four federal election cycles and innumerable members of Congress. Full Story
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![Abby Livingston moderated “Puddle, Wave, Tsunami, Sharknado” panel with speakers Liesl Hickey, Ali Lapp, Dave Wasserman, and David Weigel at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 28, 2018.]()
Credit: Stephen Spillman for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Gerrymandering has left Texas voters with few options
Texans who don’t vote in primaries and primary runoffs are missing a chance to choose who goes to Congress and the Texas Legislature. Thanks to the political maps drawn by lawmakers last year, only a handful of those contests will be competitive in November. Full Story
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![People wait in line to cast their votes in the primary election at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Dallas on March 1, 2022.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune
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