The Texas Legislature is back for a special session. Here’s what we’re watching.
Lawmakers will have 30 days to tackle a packed agenda outlined by Gov. Greg Abbott, from flood relief to redistricting to THC products. Full Story
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Alejandro Serrano writes about Texas politics and government, with a focus on immigration and education issues. Since joining the Tribune, he has helped investigate the 2022 Uvalde school shooting, lived for half a year in Eagle Pass during a temporary assignment covering immigration and documented a variety of major occurrences in the state from Houston, where he used to live. He previously covered education for the Houston Chronicle and breaking news for the San Francisco Chronicle. The Long Island, New York, native received his bachelor's degree in journalism from Northeastern University. He is based in Austin and speaks fluent Spanish.
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![The Texas Capitol seen on Monday June 30, 2025 in Austin, Texas.]()
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Texas judge dismisses case against migrant deported to El Salvador for being an alleged gang member
DPS troopers labeled Pedro Luis Salazar-Cuervo, who remains in a Salvadoran prison, a Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang member based on a photo of him with a tattooed man. Full Story
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![The Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) prison in Tecoluca, El Salvador on April 4, 2025.]()
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Big money shaping GOP primaries for Texas attorney general, comptroller
New campaign finance filings provide the first glimpse of the financial and political fault lines emerging in the open primaries for key statewide offices. Full Story
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![The Texas Capitol on Monday, June 30, 2025, in Austin, Texas.]()
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Gov. Abbott orders special session on Hill Country flooding, redistricting, THC and unfinished GOP priorities
The Republican governor laid out an ambitious agenda that includes an unexpected array of conservative bills that failed during the regular session. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference at the Hill Country Youth Event Center in Kerrville on Saturday, July 5, 2025.]()
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White House defends national forecasting agency amid questions about warnings, response to Texas floods
President Donald Trump is expected to visit Central Texas this week. Local officials and forecasters have defended their actions before and after flash floods killed dozens in the region. Full Story
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![Members of the media raise their hands to ask questions, as White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt holds a press briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 7, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein]()
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Texas officials say more than 160 people still missing from floods that killed over 100 others
Gov. Greg Abbott vowed Tuesday to continue rescue and recovery efforts in the flood-ravaged Hill Country “until every missing person is accounted for.” Full Story
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![Camp Mystic along the banks of the Guadalupe River in Hunt on July 5, 2025.]()
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Former Democratic state House candidate among nine indicted for alleged vote harvesting in South Texas
The charges are the latest escalation in a probe that resulted in Texas authorities indicting six other Frio County area officials in May. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks during the Republican Party of Texas convention on Thursday, May 23, 2024 in San Antonio.]()
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GOP state Sen. Brian Birdwell says he won’t seek reelection
Soon after Birdwell announced his retirement, state Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield, said he was running for the seat. Full Story
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![Senator Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, during a Texas Senate meeting on March 25, 2025.]()
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Top Texas Democrats ponder the state’s future at forum amid questions about what’s next for their party
Former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke was joined at his San Antonio town hall by U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro and state Rep. James Talarico, whose names have been floated for statewide office. Full Story
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![Texas Rep. James Talarico answers a question during a town hall at Stable Hall in San Antonio, Texas on June 27, 2025.]()
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More parents sue to stop Texas’ Ten Commandments requirement in public schools
The ACLU has filed a new lawsuit on behalf of 16 parents of various religious faiths, the second such suit against the new law. Full Story
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![The 10 Commandments monument at the state Capitol in Austin on June 22, 2025.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich/ZUMA Press Wire via REUTERS