WEATHER ALERT
Texas students saw slight gains in math, stalled progress in reading, STAAR results show
Read full article: Texas students saw slight gains in math, stalled progress in reading, STAAR results showElementary and middle school students attending Texas public schools showed small gains on state math exams but remained relatively flat in reading.
Texas Railroad Commission race pits oil field engineer against energy trader running on culture wars
Read full article: Texas Railroad Commission race pits oil field engineer against energy trader running on culture warsRepublican Bo French is keeping Islam, immigration and LGBTQ+ issues at the fore of his campaign for Texas’ oil regulatory agency. Democratic foe Jon Rosenthal is betting on his technical expertise.
UT fires public radio station leader who challenged university statements about festival security
Read full article: UT fires public radio station leader who challenged university statements about festival securityKUT’s Debbie Hiott believes University of Texas officials terminated her because she publicly pushed back against administration claims that the station’s security plans for an inaugural festival were insufficient.
1 day ago
A Muslim Texan sought to find his place in the party at the state GOP convention. He left in tears.
Read full article: A Muslim Texan sought to find his place in the party at the state GOP convention. He left in tears.Muslim delegates and attendees hoping to participate in the state Republican convention were shunned and rejected by members as they espoused themes of party unity ahead of the November election.
1 day ago
U.S. Supreme Court rejects Texas death row inmate’s appeal challenging hypnosis testimony
Read full article: U.S. Supreme Court rejects Texas death row inmate’s appeal challenging hypnosis testimonyCharles Flores argued that his conviction was improperly based on testimony from a witness who changed her recollection after hypnosis by an investigator.
1 day ago
Texas stopped funding gambling addiction programs years ago. A surprising donor is helping fill the void.
Read full article: Texas stopped funding gambling addiction programs years ago. A surprising donor is helping fill the void.A $100,000 donation from Las Vegas Sands will help a nonprofit address treatment needs in Texas, where a state law set up a “compulsive gambling program” that is no longer funded.
1 day ago
In far West Texas, the threat of land seizures for a border wall has families on edge
Read full article: In far West Texas, the threat of land seizures for a border wall has families on edgeIn the Big Bend region, where some families have lived for generations, government letters seeking access to their land is sparking fear and resistance.
2 days ago
At Texas GOP convention, friction overshadows talk of unity
Read full article: At Texas GOP convention, friction overshadows talk of unityThe Republican Party of Texas’ meeting in Houston offered a look at the state GOP’s next chapter and messaging heading into the fall’s midterm elections.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says James Talarico will “go to hell” for his view of the Bible
Read full article: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says James Talarico will “go to hell” for his view of the BibleA GOP leader, Patrick has been a staunch advocate for conservative Christian values in his role presiding over the Texas Senate.
At GOP convention, Abbott vows to “demolish” Democrats, calls for crackdown on H-1B visas and Sharia law
Read full article: At GOP convention, Abbott vows to “demolish” Democrats, calls for crackdown on H-1B visas and Sharia lawThe governor sought to tie the minority party, and its U.S. Senate nominee, James Talarico, to “Bernie Sanders socialism” in a fresh look at his message for the fall midterms.
Midland police ID suspect in shooting that left one victim dead, 10 injured
Read full article: Midland police ID suspect in shooting that left one victim dead, 10 injuredOfficials said that the suspect, who had been wanted for attempted capital murder since Wednesday, was found dead in the building where he was barricaded.
11 minutes ago
1 killed, 10 other victims injured; Alleged shooter dead in Midland mass shooting, mayor says
Read full article: 1 killed, 10 other victims injured; Alleged shooter dead in Midland mass shooting, mayor saysThe Texas Department of Public Safety released the cause of death for a suspect involved in a mass shooting last week in Midland.
Texas GOP Chair Abraham George ousted by second-in-command D’rinda Randall
Read full article: Texas GOP Chair Abraham George ousted by second-in-command D’rinda RandallRandall’s supporters were animated by a mix of factors, including the perception that George was too friendly to establishment Republicans.
Texas agency to set rules for using treated fracking wastewater on farmland
Read full article: Texas agency to set rules for using treated fracking wastewater on farmlandThe state’s environmental regulator will hold a public hearing June 15 on its proposed rules for how the toxic wastewater can be reused. Here’s what you should know.
1 day ago
Texas Tech QB who placed bets will not play amid Big 12 lawsuit, legal threat from Paxton
Read full article: Texas Tech QB who placed bets will not play amid Big 12 lawsuit, legal threat from PaxtonA Lubbock judge blocked the NCAA from banning quarterback Brendan Sorsby despite an acknowledged gambling addiction.
Corpus Christi’s delayed water response bubbles up to Texas governor’s race
Read full article: Corpus Christi’s delayed water response bubbles up to Texas governor’s raceFrustrated by a lack of progress, Gov. Greg Abbott threatened state action. Gina Hinojosa, his Democratic opponent, accused him of backing industry over people.
James Talarico launches Spanish-language World Cup TV ad
Read full article: James Talarico launches Spanish-language World Cup TV adThe more than $800,000 ad buy — the first by either candidate in the general election — continues the Austin Democrat’s push to win Latino voters as his race against GOP nominee Ken Paxton ramps up.
Texas Republicans open state convention projecting unity after years of infighting
Read full article: Texas Republicans open state convention projecting unity after years of infightingGov. Greg Abbott is a top sponsor and Speaker Dustin Burrows will be the first sitting speaker to address the gathering, as Republicans close ranks ahead of a tough midterm.
Trump administration will bypass environmental laws for border project in Big Bend National Park
Read full article: Trump administration will bypass environmental laws for border project in Big Bend National ParkThe Trump administration is bypassing federal environmental laws to speed up border barrier projects in West Texas.
Taylor Swift attends Knicks' record-breaking rally over Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals
Read full article: Taylor Swift attends Knicks' record-breaking rally over Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA FinalsTaylor Swift saw a memorable Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden.
Abbott recommends sweeping data center regulation, including eliminating sales tax exemption
Read full article: Abbott recommends sweeping data center regulation, including eliminating sales tax exemptionThe recommendations for legislative action amount to a striking call for industry regulation by the Republican governor in a state that has long prided itself on being a favorable environment for business.
Texas death row inmate asks Supreme Court to allow appeal challenging hypnotized witness
Read full article: Texas death row inmate asks Supreme Court to allow appeal challenging hypnotized witnessCharles Flores wants to use Texas’ “junk science” law to appeal his conviction, saying it was improperly based on testimony from a neighbor who was hypnotized by police.
Texas’ charter school boom may soon bust, experts caution
Read full article: Texas’ charter school boom may soon bust, experts cautionTexas’ charters continued growing this school year, but the pace slowed. Experts warn that the enrollment drop facing traditional school districts could also affect charters.
East Texas county judge urges state lawmakers to help locals combat data center proliferation
Read full article: East Texas county judge urges state lawmakers to help locals combat data center proliferationA proposed data center in Angelina County will occupy more than 1,000 acres outside of Lufkin. The county judge says there's nothing he can do to stop it.
Government watchdog says detention center wasted up to $11.5 million before detainees arrived
Read full article: Government watchdog says detention center wasted up to $11.5 million before detainees arrivedA U.S. General Accounting Office report found a host of problems at El Paso’s Camp East Montana, including a contractor losing a loaded gun on the property after it opened.
TribCast: How big of a threat is screwworm?
Read full article: TribCast: How big of a threat is screwworm?In this week’s episode, the TribCast team talks to Phillip Kaufman, head of Texas A&M’s entomology department, and Josh Winegarner from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association about the arrival of screwworm in Texas.
Largest ICE detention facility wasted millions and put detainees at risk, report finds
Read full article: Largest ICE detention facility wasted millions and put detainees at risk, report findsA new report alleges that mismanagement at a massive Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Texas produced unsafe conditions that contributed to detainees’ deaths and suffering even as millions of tax dollars were wasted on contractors.
Screwworm outbreak hits vacant Texas congressional district, as leading candidates scramble to assist
Read full article: Screwworm outbreak hits vacant Texas congressional district, as leading candidates scramble to assistGov. Greg Abbott has not yet scheduled a special election for the 23rd Congressional District, which was previously represented by disgraced ex-Rep. Tony Gonzales.
Texas teen who fatally stabbed track athlete at school meet found guilty and sentenced to prison
Read full article: Texas teen who fatally stabbed track athlete at school meet found guilty and sentenced to prisonA Texas teenager who fatally stabbed a 17-year-old athlete from a rival track team has been found guilty of murder.
Talarico lands endorsement from lawyer who defended Paxton in impeachment, securities fraud cases
Read full article: Talarico lands endorsement from lawyer who defended Paxton in impeachment, securities fraud casesDan Cogdell, who represented Paxton for nearly a decade in two high-profile cases, said his former client “has lost sight of his core mission.”
A flesh-eating cattle parasite spreads beyond Texas as new screwworm cases are found
Read full article: A flesh-eating cattle parasite spreads beyond Texas as new screwworm cases are foundThree more cases of the New World screwworm have been confirmed, including one outside Texas, demonstrating the difficulty of stopping a pest that could potentially devastate the nation’s cattle industry.
An unprecedented data center boom means new challenges for Texas. Find out what’s planned near you.
Read full article: An unprecedented data center boom means new challenges for Texas. Find out what’s planned near you.A Texas Tribune analysis identified at least 248 planned data center projects. Opponents fear the projects will spike Texans’ electric bills and make the grid less reliable. But industry representatives say they promise huge economic gains.
Balcones Canyonlands wildlife refuge, home to endangered songbird, adds more than 600 acres
Read full article: Balcones Canyonlands wildlife refuge, home to endangered songbird, adds more than 600 acresConservation groups purchased nearly 300 acres in Burnet County after adding a similar-sized tract last year, giving the golden-cheeked warbler more protected habitat.
Local Texas election officials await appointment of new secretary of state as midterm preparations ramp up
Read full article: Local Texas election officials await appointment of new secretary of state as midterm preparations ramp upAfter Jane Nelson’s unexpected resignation, local election leaders worry her successor could complicate midterm election administration. Gov. Greg Abbott hasn’t yet named a replacement.