POLITICS
Explore our newly redesigned Texas Public Schools Explorer with expanded data
Read full article: Explore our newly redesigned Texas Public Schools Explorer with expanded dataThe explorer now shows long-term trends, school funding data, and newly released Texas Academic Performance Reports, among other updates.
DHS pauses new immigrant warehouse purchases amid review of Noem-era contracts
Read full article: DHS pauses new immigrant warehouse purchases amid review of Noem-era contractsHomeland Security is pausing plans to buy new warehouses for immigrant detention as it reviews contracts signed under former secretary Kristi Noem.
Vance and Rubio's differing postures on Iran war highlight their challenges ahead of 2028 election
Read full article: Vance and Rubio's differing postures on Iran war highlight their challenges ahead of 2028 electionSecretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance are both seen as the Republican Party’s strongest potential candidates in the next presidential election, but the Iran war could prove to be a political millstone for them.
From TMZ to Trump, pressure grows to bring Congress back during partial shutdown
Read full article: From TMZ to Trump, pressure grows to bring Congress back during partial shutdownTMZ is turning its celebrity lens on Congress, tracking lawmakers on recess as a nearly six-week Department of Homeland Security shutdown drags on.
Supreme Court hears fight over Trump's bid to limit birthright citizenship, and he plans to be there
Read full article: Supreme Court hears fight over Trump's bid to limit birthright citizenship, and he plans to be thereThe Supreme Court is taking up one of the term’s most consequential cases, President Donald Trump’s order on birthright citizenship declaring that children born to parents who are in the United States illegally or temporarily are not American citizens.
TDCJ official confirms in trial testimony that it could cost $1.5 billion to fully cool Texas prisons
Read full article: TDCJ official confirms in trial testimony that it could cost $1.5 billion to fully cool Texas prisonsCurrent 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.
Texas will launch its own clinical trials into ibogaine psychedelic after failing to find a drug company to help
Read full article: Texas will launch its own clinical trials into ibogaine psychedelic after failing to find a drug company to helpThe Legislature last year approved $50 million to research the psychedelic and find a company to develop it into a drug for FDA approval.
Trump criticizes European allies for not helping fix the damage his war against Iran has caused
Read full article: Trump criticizes European allies for not helping fix the damage his war against Iran has causedPresident Donald Trump entered his war of choice against Iran without consulting global allies.
Texas judge rejects push to let churches make political endorsements
Read full article: Texas judge rejects push to let churches make political endorsementsA 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.
Photos: The last day Texas stores can sell smokeable hemp cannabis
Read full article: Photos: The last day Texas stores can sell smokeable hemp cannabis4:42 P.M.Huey Ellis purchases smokeable hemp-derived THCA products at Happy Clouds smoke shop in Austin on March 30, 2026, the day before Texas bans the sale of them. 4:48 P.M.Ellis poses for a portrait after purchasing smokeable hemp-derived THCA products the day before Texas bans the sale of them. 4:55 P.M.Hemp flower under a magnifying […]
TribCast: Assessing the rollout of Texas school vouchers
Read full article: TribCast: Assessing the rollout of Texas school vouchersIn this week’s episode, hosts Matthew and Eleanor talk with Tribune K-12 education reporter Jaden Edison about who in Texas applied for school vouchers and why Muslim schools were shut out of the program.
Trump signs order directing creation of a national voter list, a move already facing lawsuit threats
Read full article: Trump signs order directing creation of a national voter list, a move already facing lawsuit threatsPresident Donald Trump has signed an executive order that aims to tighten voting rules by creating a national list of eligible voters and limiting mail ballots.
Judge says Penn must turn over information about Jewish employees in US discrimination probe
Read full article: Judge says Penn must turn over information about Jewish employees in US discrimination probeA federal judge has ordered the University of Pennsylvania to hand over records about Jewish employees on campus to a federal agency as part of an investigation into antisemitic discrimination.
Judge orders White House ballroom construction to halt in a ruling that leaves Trump seething
Read full article: Judge orders White House ballroom construction to halt in a ruling that leaves Trump seethingA federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to suspend construction of a $400 million ballroom after it demolished the East Wing of the White House.
Citing First Amendment, federal judge blocks Trump order to end funding for NPR and PBS
Read full article: Citing First Amendment, federal judge blocks Trump order to end funding for NPR and PBSA federal judge has agreed to permanently block the Trump administration from implementing a presidential directive to end federal funding for National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service.
Wisconsin judicial panel dismisses Democratic attempt to redraw congressional maps
Read full article: Wisconsin judicial panel dismisses Democratic attempt to redraw congressional mapsA three-judge panel in Wisconsin has dismissed a lawsuit brought by Democratic voters that sought to redraw the battleground state’s Republican-friendly congressional boundary lines ahead of the November midterm election.
Trump mostly cheered while attending opening night of 'Chicago' at the Kennedy Center
Read full article: Trump mostly cheered while attending opening night of 'Chicago' at the Kennedy CenterPresident Donald Trump drew mostly applause as he greeted the crowd on the opening night of the musical “Chicago” at the Kennedy Center on Tuesday night.
Here's a look at birthright citizenship, and how the world sees it, as Supreme Court case looms
Read full article: Here's a look at birthright citizenship, and how the world sees it, as Supreme Court case loomsThe Supreme Court is once again hearing arguments on whether President Donald Trump can deny citizenship to children born to parents who are in the United States illegally or temporarily.
Iran remains a stubborn foe after absorbing massive US-Israeli attacks
Read full article: Iran remains a stubborn foe after absorbing massive US-Israeli attacksSince the United States and Israel launched their war against Iran on Feb. 28, the Trump administration claims to have all but “obliterated” the Islamic Republic’s military capabilities.
Supreme Court rules against Colorado ban on ‘conversion therapy’ for LGBTQ+ kids
Read full article: Supreme Court rules against Colorado ban on ‘conversion therapy’ for LGBTQ+ kidsThe Supreme Court has ruled against a law banning “conversion therapy” for LGBTQ+ kids in Colorado, one of about two dozen states that banned the discredited practice.
3 FBI agents fired after investigating Trump file class action suit alleging 'retribution campaign'
Read full article: 3 FBI agents fired after investigating Trump file class action suit alleging 'retribution campaign'Three fired FBI agents have sued to try to get their jobs back, saying in a class action lawsuit they were illegally punished for their participation in an investigation into President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 election defeat.
JD Vance has a new book about his religious faith, 'Communion,' coming out later this spring
Read full article: JD Vance has a new book about his religious faith, 'Communion,' coming out later this springVice President JD Vance has a new book about his religious faith and adult conversion to Catholicism.
Trump's go-to moves to influence the markets are increasingly falling flat as the Iran war drags on
Read full article: Trump's go-to moves to influence the markets are increasingly falling flat as the Iran war drags onPresident Donald Trump has prioritized efforts to calm the financial markets during the Iran war, but his go-to moves are starting to fall flat.
Hardline conservative donors Tim Dunn, Farris Wilks ballooned Bo French’s Railroad Commission campaign
Read full article: Hardline conservative donors Tim Dunn, Farris Wilks ballooned Bo French’s Railroad Commission campaignTim Dunn and Farris Wilks made their fortune in the oil business. They’ve deployed millions of dollars to pull the Texas GOP and Legislature toward their hardline stances.
Thousands of Texas students lose college credits when transferring. Here are pitfalls to avoid.
Read full article: Thousands of Texas students lose college credits when transferring. Here are pitfalls to avoid.Early planning and paying attention to which classes are relevant for their major can help students save time and money.
Seizing Kharg Island would risk US troops' lives and may not end Iran war, experts say
Read full article: Seizing Kharg Island would risk US troops' lives and may not end Iran war, experts sayPresident Donald Trump is threatening to deploy ground troops to seize critical oil infrastructure on Iran’s Kharg Island.
Lawyers for Rep. Swalwell demand that FBI director halt any plan to release old investigative file
Read full article: Lawyers for Rep. Swalwell demand that FBI director halt any plan to release old investigative fileLawyers for Rep. Eric Swalwell are demanding that FBI Director Kash Patel immediately end any effort to release decade-old files from an investigation involving the California Democrat and a suspected Chinese spy that resulted in no criminal charges.
Gulf allies privately make the case to Trump to keep fighting until Iran is decisively defeated
Read full article: Gulf allies privately make the case to Trump to keep fighting until Iran is decisively defeatedSaudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf allies of the United States are urging President Donald Trump to keep prosecuting his war against Iran, saying the month of strikes has not weakened Tehran enough.
Fed is watching energy price spikes, but Chair Powell says bank is limited in what it can do
Read full article: Fed is watching energy price spikes, but Chair Powell says bank is limited in what it can doFederal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says it's important to closely monitor inflation amid a spike in energy prices from the Iran war as the average price for for gasoline nears $4 a gallon in the U.S. But he also said Monday, addressing students at Harvard University, that there isn't a lot Fed policymakers could do.
US reopens embassy in Venezuela months after military operation to remove Maduro
Read full article: US reopens embassy in Venezuela months after military operation to remove MaduroThe United States has formally reopened its embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, after the restoration of full diplomatic relations with the South American country.
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Arkansas' primary runoff elections
Read full article: AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Arkansas' primary runoff electionsTwo Arkansas Republicans with competing visions on how best to implement President Donald Trump’s agenda to overhaul elections and voting will vie for their party’s nomination for the state’s top elections job on Tuesday.
Could a Democrat really replace Marjorie Taylor Greene? This retired Army general is trying
Read full article: Could a Democrat really replace Marjorie Taylor Greene? This retired Army general is tryingDemocrats are drumming up enthusiasm for their long-shot candidate in Republican former congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene's old Georgia district while their party is building nationwide momentum.
The birthright citizenship case at the Supreme Court hits close to home for this immigrant mother
Read full article: The birthright citizenship case at the Supreme Court hits close to home for this immigrant motherAn Argentine emigre in Florida quickly got her newborn son a U.S. passport last year.
Strict schedules, long days, high pay: What Waco schools can expect from new charter operator
Read full article: Strict schedules, long days, high pay: What Waco schools can expect from new charter operatorThe Waco school district is expected to be the latest to contract with the charter operator founded by Mike Miles, the state-appointed superintendent of Houston schools.
“Don’t take me to the hospital”: Undocumented immigrants in Texas are delaying medical care
Read full article: “Don’t take me to the hospital”: Undocumented immigrants in Texas are delaying medical careSince Gov. Greg Abbott ordered Texas hospitals to start asking patients for their citizenship status in November 2024, reported visits by undocumented immigrants have dropped.
Dozens arrested for failing to disperse after 'No Kings' rally in Los Angeles
Read full article: Dozens arrested for failing to disperse after 'No Kings' rally in Los AngelesAuthorities in Los Angeles deployed tear gas near a federal detention center and made dozens of arrests following a “No Kings” rally this weekend.
Midnight train from Georgia: A view of America from the tracks as airports struggle in the shutdown
Read full article: Midnight train from Georgia: A view of America from the tracks as airports struggle in the shutdownLong security lines at airports are driving people crazy as Congress and President Donald Trump try to work out a budget stalemate.
Some familiar names to the Supreme Court in a death row case over racial bias in jury makeup
Read full article: Some familiar names to the Supreme Court in a death row case over racial bias in jury makeupSome names will be familiar to the Supreme Court in the latest case involving a Black death row inmate from Mississippi.
Hacked hospitals, hidden spyware: Iran conflict shows how digital fight is ingrained in warfare
Read full article: Hacked hospitals, hidden spyware: Iran conflict shows how digital fight is ingrained in warfareIran has turned to its cyber operations to make up for its military disadvantages in its conflict with Israel and the U.S. Since the war began last month, hackers supporting Iran have launched thousands of cyberattacks on companies and organizations in both the U.S. and Israel, seeking to undermine the war effort and critical supply chains.
Iranian attack on Saudi base injures US troops. More American forces arrive in the Middle East
Read full article: Iranian attack on Saudi base injures US troops. More American forces arrive in the Middle EastThe number of American service members wounded in the Iran war has grown beyond 300, with more than two dozen troops injured this week from attacks on a Saudi air base.
CPAC activists embrace Paxton as MAGA's choice for Senate over Cornyn
Read full article: CPAC activists embrace Paxton as MAGA's choice for Senate over CornynTexas Attorney General Ken Paxton has positioned himself as the grassroots favorite in the runoff election to determine the party's Senate nominee.
Bills to pay FAA and TSA workers during shutdowns get introduced but keep stalling in Congress
Read full article: Bills to pay FAA and TSA workers during shutdowns get introduced but keep stalling in CongressMembers of Congress have repeatedly introduced bills to ensure the federal employees who control air traffic and conduct airport security screenings get paid during government shutdowns.
UFC brings cage-match bout to the White House, home of a president who favors cage-match politics
Read full article: UFC brings cage-match bout to the White House, home of a president who favors cage-match politicsPresident Donald Trump is hosting a UFC fight on White House grounds to celebrate his 80th birthday and the nation’s 250th anniversary.