https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ayden-runnels/The latest news by Ayden Runnels.enThu, 24 Jul 2025 17:49:23 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/24/texas-senate-house-transgender-bathroom-bills/The bills would carry a $5,000 fine for a first-time violation and comes as momentum for such restrictions has increased in the state and nationally.By Ayden RunnelsThu, 24 Jul 2025 17:49:23 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/24/texas-senate-house-transgender-bathroom-bills/Two bills in the Texas Legislature would mandate that multiuse bathrooms at K-12 schools, public universities and state and municipal government buildings only be used by people of one sex or another, as indicated on their birth certificate.Social distancing decals are posted in front of the sinks to be used in a boys restroom at Ott Elementary School on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020 in San Antonio. The school plans to turn off the water for the sinks and urinals not in use to maintain social distancing between students in the restroom.Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/23/texas-house-giovanni-capriglione-retirement/The Southlake Republican will serve the remainder of his seventh term. Keller Mayor Armin Mizani said on Wednesday he would run for the District 98 seat.By Ayden RunnelsWed, 23 Jul 2025 20:33:35 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/23/texas-house-giovanni-capriglione-retirement/State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, during the Texas Rally for Life at the Texas Capitol on Jan. 22, 2022.State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, during the Texas Rally for Life at the Texas Capitol on Jan. 22, 2022.Lauren Witte/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/23/texas-hill-country-floods-legislative-committee-hearing/Lawmakers serving on special committees investigating deadly floods blasted a river authority for failing to build a flood warning system on the Guadalupe River.By Emily Foxhall, Hayden Betts, Paul Cobler and Ayden RunnelsWed, 23 Jul 2025 17:05:43 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/23/texas-hill-country-floods-legislative-committee-hearing/Members of the Texas Senate and House hold a joint Disaster Preparedness and Flooding committee meeting on July 23 at the state Capiol in Austin. The joint committee was formed in the aftermath of recent devastating flooding in the Hill Country.Members of the Texas Senate and House hold a joint Disaster Preparedness and Flooding committee meeting Wednesday, July 23, 2025 in Austin. The joint committee was formed in the aftermath of recent devastating flooding in the Hill Country.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/17/texas-ken-paxton-trans-athletes-swimming-san-antonio-lawsuit/The Texas attorney general said U.S. Masters Swimming violated the state’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act by allowing trans athletes to compete in women’s events.By Ayden RunnelsThu, 17 Jul 2025 17:14:04 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/17/texas-ken-paxton-trans-athletes-swimming-san-antonio-lawsuit/Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, seen on Jan. 15, 2025, accused U.S. Masters Swimming of cowering "to radical activists pushing gender warfare" by allowing trans athletes to compete at an event in San Antonio.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to the media during a press conference in front of the Supreme Court in Washington on Jan. 15, 2025.Luke Johnson for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/16/uvalde-school-shootings-records-release/Eighteen news organizations including The Texas Tribune have been seeking the records since 2022, when 19 children and 2 teachers were killed at Robb Elementary School.By Ayden RunnelsWed, 16 Jul 2025 15:17:31 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/16/uvalde-school-shootings-records-release/Memorial crosses are seen in 2024 outside Uvalde's Robb Elementary School, where 19 students and two teachers were killed two years earlier.Memorial crosses outside Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, on Jan. 18, 2024.Chris Stokes for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/14/texas-flood-missing-update/Officials removed nearly 100 from the list of the missing Saturday, saying many had been found safe. There was no update on the death toll, which was most recently 135 statewide.By Ayden Runnels and Jessica Shuran YuMon, 14 Jul 2025 18:04:09 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/14/texas-flood-missing-update/Law enforcement officials and volunteers on July 8 clear up mountains of debris deposited by the flood in Center Point.Law enforcement officials and volunteers clear up mountains of debris deposited by the flood in Center Point on Tuesday July 8, 2025.Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/13/texas-hill-country-flash-floods-search-suspended/Although a new round of floods elsewhere prompted emergency rescues Sunday, no injuries or deaths were reported.By Hayden Betts and Ayden RunnelsSun, 13 Jul 2025 11:52:37 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/13/texas-hill-country-flash-floods-search-suspended/Crosses honoring the victims of the Hill Country floods, seen on July 11, 2025, were erected by artist Roberto Marquez next to the Guadalupe River in Guadalupe Park. Search efforts were suspended Sunday amid new warnings of potential flash flooding in the region. Storms on Sunday brought more floods across Central and North Texas, leading to rescues and evacuations in several counties.Crosses honoring the victims of the flood were erected by artist Roberto Marquez next to the Guadalupe River in Guadalupe Park, seen on Friday July 11, 2025.Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/10/texas-floods-kerr-county-search-recovery-debris-removal/Crews are using construction equipment to clear vehicles, trees and homes in a race to locate more than 170 people still missing since Friday’s devastating flood.By Paul Cobler, Ayden Runnels, Colleen DeGuzman and Hayden BettsThu, 10 Jul 2025 13:46:40 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/10/texas-floods-kerr-county-search-recovery-debris-removal/Search and recovery teams along the Guadalupe River in Kerrville on July 7, 2025, three days after the flood that has claimed more than 100 lives.Search and recovery teams in Kerrville, Texas on Monday, July 7, 2025.Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/09/texas-hill-country-floods-kerrville/The governor said Tuesday that the state had “assets, resources and personnel” in place before the July 4 floods. On Wednesday evening, the death toll rose to 120.By Colleen DeGuzman and Ayden RunnelsWed, 09 Jul 2025 14:28:13 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/09/texas-hill-country-floods-kerrville/Law enforcement officials and volunteers clear up mountains of debris deposited by the flood in Center Point on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.Law enforcement officials and volunteers clear up mountains of debris deposited by the flood in Center Point on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/08/texas-weather-service-warning-kerr-county/Federal forecasters issued their first flood warning at 1:14 a.m. on July 4. Local officials haven’t shed light on when they saw the warnings or whether they saw them in time to take action.By Emily Foxhall, Terri Langford, Ayden Runnels, Jaden Edison, Alejandra Martinez and Carlos Nogueras RamosTue, 08 Jul 2025 18:01:56 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/08/texas-weather-service-warning-kerr-county/The National Weather Service's West Gulf River Forecast Center in Forth Worth helps other offices like the Austin/San Antonio office predict floods.Weather monitors at the National Weather Service West Gulf River Forecast Center in Fort Worth, Texas, on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.Desiree Rios for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/26/texas-death-row-ruben-gutierrez-supreme-court/Ruben Gutierrez is challenging the constitutionality of a state law that restricts death row inmates from seeking tests that he says will prove he’s not a murderer.By Ayden Runnels and Kayla GuoThu, 26 Jun 2025 15:35:42 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/26/texas-death-row-ruben-gutierrez-supreme-court/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/25/texas-lottery-commission-abolished-couriers-restrictions/Gov. Greg Abbott on Sunday signed Senate Bill 3070, which will also criminalize the online sale of lottery tickets through couriers.By Ayden RunnelsWed, 25 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/25/texas-lottery-commission-abolished-couriers-restrictions/A Texas Lottery stand at an Austin convenience store on Feb. 20, 2025. State lawmakers agreed to let the lottery continue in Texas but placed new restrictions on the games and abolished the Texas Lottery Commission.Texas Lottery stand at an Austin convenience store on Feb. 20, 2025.Leila Saidane for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/20/texas-federal-environmental-review-agreement/The agreement targets the environmental review process and cuts down the time it takes for new highways to be approved.By Ayden RunnelsFri, 20 Jun 2025 18:30:03 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/20/texas-federal-environmental-review-agreement/Construction workers are seen along Loop 1604 in San Antonio in December 2024. Texas Department of Transportation Executive Director Marc Williams lauded the state's continued agreement with the federal government as a way to speed up highway construction.Construction workers are seen along Highway 1604 in San Antonio on Thursday, December 19, 2024.Scott Stephen Ball for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/18/texas-national-military-zone-trespass-conviction/The Ecuadorian man was acquitted by a jury on a separate charge after crossing into the new military zone in May.By Ayden RunnelsWed, 18 Jun 2025 19:52:07 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/18/texas-national-military-zone-trespass-conviction/A U.S. Army M1126 Infantry Carrier Vehicle, known as a Stryker, deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border under Title 10 in Sunland Park, New Mexico on March 28, 2025.A U.S. Army M1126 Infantry Carrier Vehicle, known as a Stryker, deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border under Title 10 in Sunland Park, New Mexico on March 28, 2025.Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/18/texas-legislature-gun-restrictions/Lawmakers passed a handful of bills aimed at easing access to guns as a new pediatric study links state legislation to increased firearm deaths.By Ayden RunnelsWed, 18 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/18/texas-legislature-gun-restrictions/Among the gun-related bills waiting for Gov. Greg Abbott's approval is Senate Bill 3053, which bans gun buyback programs.San Antonio police officers collect firearms and ammunition during a gun buyback event that exchanges unused or unwanted firearms for H-E-B gift cards, at the Alamodome on Nov. 24, 2024.Scott Stephen Ball for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/14/texas-protests-anti-trump-immigration-no-kings/Demonstrations in McAllen, Midland, Odessa, Austin and elsewhere in Texas were largely peaceful, as some protests went well into the night.By Berenice Garcia, Carlos Nogueras Ramos, Ayden Runnels and Jessica Shuran YuSat, 14 Jun 2025 15:40:48 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/14/texas-protests-anti-trump-immigration-no-kings/Beth Vaughan, center, chants as protesters march up Walker Street during a “No Kings” protest at Houston City Hall on June 14.Beth Vaughan, at center, chants as protestors march up Walker Street during a No Kings protest at City Hall, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Houston.Antranik Tavitian for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/14/texas-credible-threats-lawmakers/The agency said there was no additional active threat, as Austin demonstrators took aim at the Trump administration.By Renzo Downey and Ayden RunnelsSat, 14 Jun 2025 14:19:58 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/14/texas-credible-threats-lawmakers/Texas Department of Public Safety vehicles outside of the state Capitol on Aug. 11, 2021.Texas Department of Public Safety vehicles outside of the state Capitol on Aug. 11, 2021.Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/11/greg-abbott-texas-national-guard-immigration-raid-protests/Demonstrations against immigration raids began in Los Angeles last week and have spread across the country, including to Texas. More are planned this weekend.By Jessica Shuran Yu and Ayden RunnelsWed, 11 Jun 2025 14:31:55 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/11/greg-abbott-texas-national-guard-immigration-raid-protests/Gov. Greg Abbott speaks to law enforcement officials during a Southern Border Coalition event in Austin on April 29, 2025.Gov. Greg Abbott speaks to law enforcement officials during a Southern Border Coalition event in Austin on April 29, 2025.Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/11/texas-bills-restrictions-lgbtq-transgender/Of the more than 100 bills aimed at LGBTQ+ people in the state, less than 10 were approved by lawmakers this session.By Ayden RunnelsWed, 11 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/11/texas-bills-restrictions-lgbtq-transgender/Austin Pride Parade attendees wave rainbow flags as they pass the Capitol building on Aug. 20, 2022.Austin Pride Parade attendees wave rainbow flags as they pass the Capitol building, on Aug. 20, 2022.Azul Sordo/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/09/austin-protest-immigration-customs-enforcement/Thirteen people were arrested on various charges during the protest Monday, which ended when officers fired tear gas into a crowd that neared a federal building.By Ayden RunnelsMon, 09 Jun 2025 23:04:19 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/09/austin-protest-immigration-customs-enforcement/Demonstrators march in front of the Capitol in Austin during a protest against ICE on Monday, June 9, 2025.Demonstrators march in front of the Capitol in Austin during a protest against ICE on Monday, June 9, 2025.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribune