After defeating O'Rourke -- Texas' most promising Democrat in recent history -- Abbott begins his third…
Category: Texas Blue News
Pay raises alone won’t solve staffing shortages in “nightmare” Texas youth prisons, ex-workers say
Danger and trauma -- not low salaries -- are what drive most workers to leave the…
Texas’ execution of Stephen Barbee was prolonged while officials searched for a vein
Barbee, convicted in the 2005 murders of his pregnant ex-girlfriend and her child, was unable to…
Gov. Greg Abbott expands Texas’ migrant busing plan to Philadelphia
Abbott said Philadelphia's mayor has "long-celebrated and fought for sanctuary city status, making the city an…
Harris County’s election missteps fuel GOP lawsuit and calls for investigation
Scattered paper ballot shortages and late openings of polling places were among the glitches that prompted…
Ted Cruz lashes out at Senate GOP leadership after Democrats retain control
The Texas Republican demanded a delay in leadership elections and is among an increasingly vocal cohort…
For months, almost no one knew Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner had cancer
Turner, 68, revealed earlier this month that he underwent treatment for bone cancer in June. He…
U.S. can’t quickly expel migrants under pandemic-era health rule, federal judge says
Title 42 was invoked early in the pandemic by the Trump administration and continued under President…
Donald Trump said he won all of Texas’ border counties. He didn’t.
In announcing his third run for president, Donald Trump said Gov. Greg Abbott called to congratulate…
As Trump announces his run, Cruz and Cornyn signal openness to other GOP presidential candidates
Republican support for Trump has faltered after a midterm performance by the party that many considered…
Meet the seven new Texans in Congress
Texas' seven freshly elected members of Congress run the ideological gamut, from impassioned conservatives to some…
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro wants Congress to make DACA permanent during lame-duck session
The San Antonio Democrat called on Republican Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz to "make good"…
Rick Perry noncommittal about Trump run: “Show me what you got”
"For me personally, it's kind of like, show me what you got. Whether it's Donald Trump,…
Texas Republicans show mix of enthusiasm and reticence toward Trump’s run for president
Gov. Greg Abbott, who Trump endorsed for his reelection, has not commented about the former president's…
Volunteers welcome arriving migrants Gov. Greg Abbott bused to Philadelphia
Migrants began disembarking into the cold Philadelphia morning Wednesday as Pennsylvania leaders criticized Abbott.
Ted Cruz votes against Mitch McConnell as Senate GOP leader
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz voted for Sen. Rick Scott, R-Florida, to replace the long-standing leader of…
Texas activists arrested in D.C. during protest against offshore oil export facility
Deepwater terminals proposed for the Gulf of Mexico will fuel oil output and export growth despite…
DeSantis draws contrast with Trump as party hunts for 2024 alternative
Without mentioning the former president, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis touted lessons from his reelection campaign that…
Your cheat sheet on the nation’s 9 governors-in-waiting
The newcomers will join a group of governors who are seeing their power and prominence expand.
Ivanka Trump on dad’s announcement night: I’m done with politics
"I am choosing to prioritize my young children and the private life we are creating," she…
Trump: ‘America’s comeback starts right now’
Trump: 'America's comeback starts right now' lead image
U.S. Rep. Chip Roy takes aim at party leadership over midterms ahead of speaker election
Roy nominated U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs for speaker, over House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. The motion…
DeSantis hits back at Trump ahead of 2024 announcement
Trump has repeatedly taken swipes at DeSantis in both speeches and statements.
Monica De La Cruz is the first Republican to represent Texas’ 15th congressional district. What will she do with it?
After finally flipping the Democratic district, Monica De La Cruz vowed to "represent all of South…
Republican Governors tap Reynolds aide as next executive director
Sara Craig Gongol has served as Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds' chief of staff.
Texas’ nursing homes are missing something: nurses
A dearth of nurses is leaving Texas seniors -- especially in rural areas -- without care.
Texas judge rules that disarming those under protective orders violates their Second Amendment rights
U.S. District Judge David Counts signed another opinion Thursday that cited a lack of historical record…
Beto O’Rourke’s campaign reflects on failed governor race
In a press call Monday, O'Rourke's team reflected on its failures during the election, but said…
Watch a conversation on higher education and tomorrow’s workforce
The discussion will take place Dec. 1 at Texas State Technical College's Waco campus. You can…
Texas Republicans prefer Ron DeSantis to Donald Trump for 2024, new GOP poll finds
The new poll shows a shift in support for the former president, who was the clear…
Texas lawmakers target property taxes, election fraud and transgender people in new legislation ahead of 2023 session
Thousands of bills are expected to be filed for the legislative session that begins in January.…
Pence: Trump ‘endangered me and my family’
The former vice president also described Trump's words and actions as "reckless."
State leaders won’t commit to specifics about how much they might invest in children’s mental health
As public debate intensifies over how the state will divvy up billions in new money, community…
How this Texas elections official keeps the peace with right-wing voting activists
In the face of their suspicions and threats, Tarrant County Elections Administrator Heider Garcia didn't fight…
Judge slaps sanctions on Trump lawyers for ‘frivolous’ Clinton lawsuit
The judge said Trump's lawyers pressed on with claims that were farcical or false, even after…
Customs and Border Protection commissioner resigns
Chris Magnus submitted his resignation "effective immediately" to President Joe Biden.
Texas Democrats admit to faltering on messaging and voter turnout, contributing to resounding midterm losses
Beto O'Rourke lost by double-digits on Tuesday night and so did every other statewide Democrat. That…
DHS secretary to Biden’s top border chief: Quit or be fired
Chris Magnus, the Customs and Border Protection chief, has refused to resign. His duties have since…
Liberal nonprofit spent $174M in 2021 as big money kept flowing after Trump
The Sixteen Thirty Fund's latest tax filing details hundreds of grants to organizations on the left.
Crypto company that faces scrutiny from Texas regulators files for bankruptcy after competitor questioned its viability
FTX's collapse came after customers raced to cash out their deposits when a major competitor questioned…
Move on from Trump? Even GOP critics of the former president don’t see it.
No one thinks Tuesday was a great night for the former president. They just can't see…
Republicans rebounded in some suburban counties that had been drifting blue
After seeing Democrats gain momentum in suburbs of Houston and Dallas, Republicans succeeded in reclaiming ground…
Texas avoided election violence. Advocates say voters still need more protection.
Citing thousands of complaints received throughout the midterm cycle, voter advocacy groups want the Texas Legislature…
The nation’s cartoonists on the week in politics
Every week political cartoonists throughout the country and across the political spectrum apply their ink-stained skills…
How to flip a GOP stronghold: be a normal politician
Greg Landsman, a Democrat, ousted 13-term incumbent Republican Rep. Steve Chabot in Ohio's 1st District, a…
In latest challenge to student loan forgiveness program, a Texas judge blocks Biden’s policy
A federal judge in North Texas has struck down the loan forgiveness program President Joe Biden…
Tomikia LeGrande chosen as next Prairie View A&M University president
The announcement kicks off a required 21-day period before she can be formally appointed. If approved,…
State agency proposes changes to power market aimed at averting mass blackouts
The proposal is aimed at making sure power providers and electricity generators have enough power on…
Join us for a Nov. 29 conversation with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner
Turner will talk about his tenure, the relationship between Texas' cities and the state government, what…
Texas’ environmental regulators need to get tougher on polluters, group of lawmakers says
The group that reviews the effectiveness of state agencies recommended several changes to how the Texas…
Texas voter turnout fell from 2018. It was still higher than other midterms.
In Texas, 45.7% of the 17.7 million registered voters cast ballots in the 2022 midterm election.…
High schoolers’ overdose deaths leave a Central Texas town grappling with the opioid crisis
The deaths at Hays Consolidated Independent School District have sparked heartbreak, anger and calls for action.
Photos: Election Day 2022 in Texas
Texas Tribune photographers spread out all over the state to document a momentous midterm election.
No red wave, but Republicans continue inroads into long-Democratic South Texas
The GOP flipped only one of the three congressional seats it wanted this cycle. But the…
Texas case could change adoption rules for Native American children, and undercut tribal rights
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a lawsuit challenging the preferences Native American families…
Texas executes Tracy Beatty for strangling mother to death
Beatty's lawyers argued unsuccessfully that the 2003 Smith County murder didn't qualify for the death penalty.…
Republicans narrowly increase their majorities in Texas Legislature
Republican incumbents are successfully defending their seats while the party appears to be making inroads in…
“The fight goes on”: Families of Uvalde shooting victims hoped for change that didn’t come
The families of some of the 19 children killed at Robb Elementary rooted for Beto O'Rourke,…
‘People are gonna think you’re stupid’: Trump warned Pence not to ‘wimp out’ before Jan. 6, Pence writes
In an excerpt adapted from Pence's book, the former vice president wrote about Trump repeatedly admonishing…
Texas Republicans against “critical race theory” win seats on the State Board of Education, strengthening its GOP majority
The board is responsible for dictating what Texas' 5.5 million students are required to learn in…
Abortion helped Democrats across the U.S. hold off a “red wave.” Not in Texas.
In conservative Kansas and Kentucky, voters turned out in droves and crossed party lines to support…
Sid Miller declares victory in Texas agriculture commissioner race
Securing a third term with strong support across rural Texas, the Republican pledged to expand medical…
Republican Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian wins reelection
Christian chairs the three-member board that oversees Texas' oil and gas industry.
Austin mayor’s race heading to a runoff, Dallas county judge wins reelection
In three key local elections, the Austin mayoral race will be decided in a runoff, Republican…
For the first time, Texas voters send Muslims and openly gay Black men to Legislature
Voters elected Christian Manuel Hayes to House District 22 in Beaumont, Venton Jones to HD-100 in…
Republican dominance continues for the two highest courts in Texas
Three seats were up for election in the Texas Supreme Court, which handles civil cases, and…
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo wins tight race for reelection
GOP donors spent millions to unseat Hidalgo, a Democrat who leads the state's most populous county,…
WNBA star Brittney Griner being transferred to Russian penal colony
The 32-year-old was arrested in Moscow on Feb. 17 and accused of entering Russia with vape…
Congressman Henry Cuellar wins reelection in South Texas despite shadow of FBI raid
The 28th Congressional District race was one of three seats in South Texas where Republicans hoped…
Vicente Gonzalez holds back Republican surge, returns 34th Congressional District to Democratic control
The Democratic congressman ousted Rep. Mayra Flores, R-Los Indios, who had won a special election in…
Five Texas cities vote to decriminalize having small amounts of marijuana
Voters in Denton, San Marcos, Killeen, Elgin and Harker Heights overwhelmingly supported the local ballot propositions…
State Sen. Dawn Buckingham wins bid to manage the Alamo, disaster relief funds and more as Texas’ next land commissioner
The land commissioner manages public land, enforces mineral rights leases, controls the Texas Permanent School Fund,…
Republican victories show Texas is still far from turning blue
Republicans continued their 28-year dominance of statewide races but fell short of their hopes for a…
Monica De La Cruz becomes first Republican to win in 15th Congressional District in South Texas
De La Cruz defeated Democrat Michelle Vallejo, a political newcomer who ran on a platform of…
Dan Patrick secures third term as lieutenant governor, beating Mike Collier
Patrick will get another four years leading the Texas Senate, one of the state's most powerful…
Republican Glenn Hegar defeats Janet Dudding to keep his state comptroller job for third term
During the campaign, Hegar touted his work on lowering taxes and expanding broadband in Texas, reforming…
Texas Supreme Court ruling opens possibility that late Harris County ballots won’t be counted
After several Harris County polling places opened late, a state district judge ordered voting locations there…
Beto O’Rourke has lost three races in four years. Is his political career over?
He has been the Texas Democratic Party's great hope. But after failed runs for senator, president…
Ken Paxton wins third term as attorney general, beating Democrat Rochelle Garza
In a difficult cycle for Democrats, the race was widely seen as the most competitive statewide…
Texas votes: Abortion, border security and marijuana energize voters on Election Day
Texas voters cast their ballots Tuesday with a wide variety of issues on their minds, including…
Federal judge tells Beaumont election officials not to harass or discriminate against Black voters
Claims of misconduct during early voting were raised in a federal lawsuit filed Monday by the…
South Texas, Abbott vs. O’Rourke, and Harris County: Here are the biggest things to watch for on election night
While the GOP focuses on the border and economy under President Joe Biden, Democrats are hoping…
It’s Election Day. Here’s what you need to vote in Texas.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Here's what's on the…
Bill Clinton stumps in South Texas for Democrats ahead of Election Day
Clinton traveled to Laredo in the morning to stump for U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar and then…
Don’t jump to conclusions as Tuesday election night results come in
If you're keeping a close eye on the results Tuesday night, you should follow one overarching…
Election results: How Texas voted in the November 2022 midterms
Follow The Texas Tribune's coverage of midterm election results for governor, attorney general, U.S. House and…
Federal appeals court releases True the Vote leaders from jail
True the Vote's lawyers appealed a contempt order by federal district Judge Kenneth Hoyt to the…
U.S. Justice Department will again have election monitors in Texas
Federal monitors will be on the ground in Harris, Dallas and Waller counties on Election Day…
These 20 churches supported political candidates. Experts say they violated federal law.
Churches aren't supposed to endorse political candidates, according to IRS rules. Across the country, churches appear…
Rural Texas is the state’s foundation. And it’s in jeopardy.
Downtowns are deserted, hospitals are closing, teachers are leaving. Every part of life in rural Texas…
Caught between feuding politicians, nonprofits shoulder burden of Texas’ migrant busing program
Texas has transported about 13,000 migrants to New York, Chicago and Washington, D.C. But in the…
National political leaders stump through Texas ahead of midterm elections
First lady Jill Biden and U.S. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy were in Texas Sunday to…
Texas churches violated tax law ahead of Tuesday’s election, experts say
Churches in Texas invited Beto O'Rourke and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to speak to their congregations…
Pelosi aide expected to testify in trial of Jan. 6 defendant accused of stealing speaker’s office laptop
Jamie Fleet will become the highest-ranking Capitol Hill aide to testify in the more than two…
GOP Congressman Dan Crenshaw says election deniers know they’re lying
The representative from Houston said fellow Republicans admitted behind closed doors that the 2020 election wasn't…
State Rep. John Lujan hopes to beat Frank Ramirez and finally represent Bexar County in a legislative session
Lujan has twice won special elections to the Texas House -- but he has never served…
TribCast: What’s at stake for both parties in next week’s elections?
In this week's episode, Matthew Watkins is joined by political writers Matthew Choi, Patrick Svitek and…
Rio Grande Valley abortion clinic bought by anti-abortion pregnancy center
Whole Woman's Health, which owned the building for nearly two decades, said they were "duped" after…
Panic buttons, automatic locks and bulletproof windows top the proposed safety rules after Uvalde shooting
These proposed requirements could take effect this school year after the Texas Education Agency takes public…
State Rep. Tony Tinderholt, one of the most far-right members of the House, announces he’s running for speaker
The current speaker, fellow Republican Dade Phelan, is expected to seek the gavel again but has…
Republican confidence grows as they eye a South Texas congressional sweep
Democrats are spending big to stop Republicans from flipping two of the three key battleground seats…
Watch: Texas A&M students accuse Brazos County of voter suppression after moving on-campus voting site
The Texas A&M on-campus early-voting location had the second-highest voter turnout in the county during the…
Corpus Christi sold its water to Exxon, gambling on desalination. So far, it is losing the bet.
Concerns over ecological damage to Corpus Christi Bay have delayed plans to convert sea water to…
How Texas counts ballots and keeps elections secure
From election equipment to ballot counting and storage, Texas elections officials follow a long list of…
Democrats’ ‘optimistic apostle’ offers hope for the midterms
Veteran Democratic strategist Simon Rosenberg explains why he's Twitter's apostle of liberal optimism and how early…
The nation’s cartoonists on the week in politics
Every week political cartoonists throughout the country and across the political spectrum apply their ink-stained skills…
Collin College professor reinstated at school in free speech lawsuit settlement
Suzanne Jones is the second professor to settle with the North Texas college over accusations that…
In wake of the Uvalde shooting, hoax active-shooter calls keep parents and police on edge
An increase in fake active-shooter reports since the beginning of the school year has intensified parents'…
The GOP’s shadow race for Nebraska senator is already locked up — if the governor wants it
Pete Ricketts signaled in an interview that he's open to replacing Sen. Ben Sasse, though he…
Four Uvalde shooting victims left classrooms alive. Investigators are reviewing whether a faster response could have saved them.
The inquiry will help determine whether criminal charges should be brought against responding officers.
LGBTQ Texans voting with marriage, worker protections and trans rights in mind
The Texas Tribune spoke with LGBTQ voters, the parents of queer youth and advocates from across…
Photos: In the wake of tragedy, Uvalde residents look to murals for healing
Murals of the victims give the community a positive outlet to process their grief and celebrate…
Port Arthur pollution fight shows how Texas blocks citizen protests
A local activist went before a judge, arguing for lower pollution limits on two new liquified…
These Texans were trying to help run elections. Then Ken Paxton’s office launched criminal investigations.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton hasn't just been pursuing supposed voter fraud. His office has also…
Texas could get $276 million from opioid settlement with CVS Pharmacy
Attorney General Ken Paxton's office announced that the state is signing on to the $5 billion…
As abortion access evaporates, many Texans aren’t able to find care, new studies show
Several new studies show that not everyone denied access to abortions in Texas can travel out…
Trump lawyers saw Justice Thomas as ‘only chance’ to stop 2020 election certification
"We want to frame things so that Thomas could be the one to issue some sort…
“I’m in no rush”: Voter apathy takes hold of early voting ahead of Texas midterm election
Republicans may be waiting to vote on Election Day after former President Donald Trump pushed voting…