https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/kayla-guo/The latest news by Kayla Guo.enTue, 16 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/16/james-talarico-texas-senate-democrat-religion-christianity-viral/The Austin lawmaker says his faith fuels his vision of a Democratic Party that “fights back” against billionaires. Republican critics say his stances are at odds with Scripture.By Kayla GuoTue, 16 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/16/james-talarico-texas-senate-democrat-religion-christianity-viral/State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, sits for a portrait in his office on Aug. 27, 2025.State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, sits for a portrait in his office on Wednesday, August 27, 2025.Manoo Sirivelu/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/09/james-talarico-texas-senate-democrat-primary/A former public school teacher, Talarico has emerged as one of Texas Democrats’ strongest communicators. He joins Colin Allred and Terry Virts in the primary.By Kayla GuoTue, 09 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/09/james-talarico-texas-senate-democrat-primary/Texas Rep. James Talarico D-Austin speaks during a redistricting rally at Delco Activity Center Friday, July 25, 2025 in Austin, Texas.Texas Rep. James Talarico D-Austin speaks during a redistricting rally at Delco Activity Center Friday, July 25, 2025 in Austin, Texas.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/05/james-talarico-texas-senate-democrat-2026/The Austin Democrat has made a name for himself with his viral social media presence. His entry to the race pits him against former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred in the increasingly crowded primary.By Kayla Guo and Eleanor KlibanoffFri, 05 Sep 2025 15:30:33 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/05/james-talarico-texas-senate-democrat-2026/Texas Rep. James Talarico D-Austin speaks during a redistricting rally at Delco Activity Center on July 25, 2025 in Austin.Texas Rep. James Talarico D-Austin speaks during a redistricting rally at Delco Activity Center Friday, July 25, 2025 in Austin, Texas.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/05/texas-legislature-special-session-ends-democrats-sidelined-republicans/Democrats in the Texas House began the year by elevating a new speaker and left Austin relegated to the sidelines in the one chamber that had granted them at least scraps from the table.By Kayla GuoFri, 05 Sep 2025 13:21:35 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/05/texas-legislature-special-session-ends-democrats-sidelined-republicans/Texas House members vote on House Bill 8, a measure replacing STAAR with three shorter tests, at the Capitol in Austin on Sept. 3, 2025.Members vote on HB 8 in Austin on Sept. 3, 2025.Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/04/texas-legislature-adjourns-special-session-sine-die/Between cracking down on abortion pills and restricting transgender restroom use, lawmakers also tackled flood safety and the STAAR test. Left untouched: Texas’ hemp industry.By Kayla Guo and Alejandro SerranoThu, 04 Sep 2025 01:03:38 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/04/texas-legislature-adjourns-special-session-sine-die/House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, oversees roll call on the House floor in Austin on Sept. 3, 2025.House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, oversees roll call on the House floor in Austin on Sept. 3, 2025.Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/03/texas-legislature-thc-deal-ban-hemp/Legislators couldn’t reach a last-minute deal to tighten regulations on consumable hemp products.By Alex Nguyen, Kayla Guo, Renzo Downey and Paul CoblerWed, 03 Sep 2025 15:03:41 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/03/texas-legislature-thc-deal-ban-hemp/Hemp plants are seen at Caprock Family Farms, Friday, May 23, 2025, in Lubbock.Hemp plants are seen at Caprock Family Farms, Friday, May 23, 2025, in Lubbock.Annie Rice for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/02/alma-allen-retiring-texas-house-houston-democrat/Allen, known for her focus on public education issues, announced her retirement after 20 years in the House. She endorsed her son, Lawrence Allen Jr., to succeed her.By Kayla GuoTue, 02 Sep 2025 18:09:48 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/02/alma-allen-retiring-texas-house-houston-democrat/State Rep. Alma Allen, D-Houston, at a press conference with fellow Texas Legislative Black Caucus members urging passage of the CROWN Act, prohibiting discrimination against hairstyles, at the Texas Capitol on Apr. 13, 2023.State Rep. Alma Allen, D-Houston, at a press conference with fellow Texas Legislature Black Caucus members urging the passage of the CROWN act, prohibiting discrimination against hairstyles, in the state Capitol on Apr. 13, 2023.Leila Saidane/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/02/texas-legislature-voter-registration-address-change-special-session/Lawmakers passed a bill earlier this year allowing voters to update their address at the polls and immediately vote on elections tied to that new residence, as long as the move was within the county. This bill walks it back.By Kayla GuoTue, 02 Sep 2025 17:27:27 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/02/texas-legislature-voter-registration-address-change-special-session/Voters enter a polling place on Election Day at the Hays County Government Center in San Marcos on Nov. 2, 2021.Voters enter the polling place on Election Day at the Hays County Government Center in San Marcos on Nov. 2, 2021.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/28/john-lujan-congress-35th-congressional-district-gop-redistricting/Lujan, a Republican, represents a state House district that covers southern and eastern portions of San Antonio, overlapping with the new congressional seat.By Kayla GuoThu, 28 Aug 2025 09:57:24 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/28/john-lujan-congress-35th-congressional-district-gop-redistricting/State Rep. John Lujan, R-San Antonio, at the state Capitol in Austin on Jan. 11, 2023.State Rep. John Lujan, R-San Antonio, at the state Capitol in Austin on Jan. 11, 2023.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/25/texas-democrats-quorum-break-retribution-penalties/Democrats said the walkout inspired a national protest against GOP redistricting. But it also greased the path for other bills they oppose and unified Texas Republicans.By Kayla GuoMon, 25 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/25/texas-democrats-quorum-break-retribution-penalties/State Rep. Mihaela Plesa, D-Plano, rips up her "permission slip" in front of the Texas House, vowing she will stay the night in the House Chamber in support of fellow Democrat Nicole Collier on August 19, 2025. At left is Rep. Rhetta Bowers, D-Garland, at right is Rep. Cassandra Garcia Hernandez, D-Farmer's Branch.State Rep. Mihaela Plesa, D-Plano, rips up her "permission slip" in front of the Texas House vowing she will stay the night in the House Chamber in support of fellow Democrat Nicole Collier on August 19, 2025. At left is Rep. Rhetta Bowers, D-Garland, at right is Rep. Cassandra Hernandez, D-Farmer's Branch.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/22/texas-congressional-redistricting-map-senate-governor-desk/Republican lawmakers pushed the map through over fierce Democratic opposition, positioning the GOP to net up to five additional seats in Texas.By Kayla Guo and Ayden RunnelsFri, 22 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/22/texas-congressional-redistricting-map-senate-governor-desk/State lawmakers gather around Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's desk before the final vote on the mid-decade redistricting bill in the Texas Senate.Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick gathers the senators at his desk before the final vote on the mid-decade redistricting bill in the Texas Senate on Aug. 22, 2025.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/21/texas-legislature-flood-response-bills-camp/Here’s where the proposed laws to address camp safety, flood warnings and emergency response stand in the Legislature.By Emily Foxhall, Ayden Runnels, Kayla Guo and Alejandra MartinezThu, 21 Aug 2025 17:43:47 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/21/texas-legislature-flood-response-bills-camp/Parents of the Camp Mystic girls who died during the Guadalupe River flooding of July 4, 2025, fill seats in the Senate chamber Thursday night to view the passage of Senate Bill 1, called the Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act, which strengthens summer camp regulations to help prevent future tragedies.Parents of Camp Mystic girls lost during the Guadalupe River flooding of July 4, 2025 pack seats in the Senate Chamber to view passage of Senate Bill 1 which strengthens summer camp regulations to help prevent future tragedies.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/20/texas-house-vote-congressional-map-redistricting-democrats-trump/Republican lawmakers are pursuing the unusual mid-decade redistricting plan amid pressure from President Donald Trump to protect the GOP’s slim majority in the U.S. House.By Kayla Guo and Alejandro SerranoWed, 20 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/20/texas-house-vote-congressional-map-redistricting-democrats-trump/Democratic state lawmakers line up to question Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, as the Texas House votes to pass a Republican-led, mid-decade redistricting effort that was delayed by a two-week Democratic walkout, on Aug. 20, 2025.Democratic State Representatives line up to question State Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, during the second reading of HB4 in the house chamber in Austin on August 20, 2025.Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/19/nicole-collier-texas-house-dps-escort-redistricting-quorum/The Fort Worth Democrat refused to sign a permission slip that allowed quorum-breaking lawmakers to leave the Capitol while being shadowed by a state trooper.By Kayla Guo and Ayden RunnelsTue, 19 Aug 2025 11:05:39 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/19/nicole-collier-texas-house-dps-escort-redistricting-quorum/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/18/ray-lopez-texas-house-san-antonio-retire/The San Antonio Democrat was first elected to the Legislature in 2019.By Alejandro Serrano and Kayla GuoMon, 18 Aug 2025 14:46:47 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/18/ray-lopez-texas-house-san-antonio-retire/State Rep. Ray Lopez, D-San Antonio, followed by Rep. John Bryant, D-Dallas, gets off a charter bus from the Austin airport outside the State Archives building on the east side of the Texas Capitol upon their return to Austin following a two-week quorum break, on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025.State Rep. Ray Lopez, D-San Antonio, followed by Rep. John Bryant, D-Dallas, gets off a charter bus from the Austin airport outside the State Archives building on the east side of the Texas Capitol upon their return to Austin following a two-week quorum break, on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/18/texas-democrats-return-redistricting-map-illinois/After two weeks out of state, Democratic lawmakers returned to Austin, paving the way for Republicans to pass their proposed congressional map.By Kayla GuoMon, 18 Aug 2025 10:04:07 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/18/texas-democrats-return-redistricting-map-illinois/Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, and other Texas Democrats who left the state earlier this month return to the Capitol on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. Their return paves the way for Republicans to pass their proposed congressional map, which could net the GOP up to five more seats in Texas.Texas Democrats, who left the state earlier this month in protest of proposed congressional maps, return to the Capitol on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/15/texas-abbott-second-special-session-legislature-redistricting-flooding/The second session is set to consider the same agenda that stalled in the first, with redistricting and disaster response at the top of the governor’s priorities.By Kayla GuoFri, 15 Aug 2025 11:07:37 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/15/texas-abbott-second-special-session-legislature-redistricting-flooding/Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a news conference Friday, Aug. 15, 2025 in Austin. Abbott, among several topics, addressed California Gov. Gavin Newsom's comments and actions regarding redistricting. Earlier in the day, the Texas House adjourned the first special session sine die and Abbott immediately called for a second special session to begin.Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference at the Capitol in Austin Aug. 15, 2025.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/12/texas-floods-political-redistricting-battle/With Democrats’ walkout over redistricting bringing the House to a standstill, both parties are accusing each other of abandoning Central Texas flood victims.By Kayla Guo and Emily FoxhallTue, 12 Aug 2025 14:45:59 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/12/texas-floods-political-redistricting-battle/The House chamber on Aug. 5, 2025, on the second day the chamber failed to have a quorum after most House Democrats fled the state to halt a GOP congressional redistricting effort.Texas Representatives look towards the voting board as attendance is called in the House Chambers on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025 in Austin. It was the second day that representatives failed to meet quorum after Texas Democrats left the state in protest of new congressional maps.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/12/attorney-general-ken-paxton-beto-orourke-texas/Paxton sued O’Rourke and his political group, Powered by People, last week, arguing that the group was deceptively fundraising for and illegally supporting Texas Democrats’ walkout.By Kayla GuoTue, 12 Aug 2025 11:25:06 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/12/attorney-general-ken-paxton-beto-orourke-texas/Former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke speaks during the People vs. the Power Grab rally at the Ridglea Theater in Fort Worth on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025.Former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke speaks during the People vs. the Power Grab rally at the Ridglea Theater in Fort Worth on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025.Desiree Rios for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/08/james-talarico-texas-democrat-senate-race-2026/The Democratic state lawmaker has inquired about Senate television ad rates, two sources told the Tribune.By Gabby Birenbaum and Kayla GuoFri, 08 Aug 2025 14:03:58 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/08/james-talarico-texas-democrat-senate-race-2026/State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, smiles during a redistricting rally at the Delco Activity Center in Austin on Friday, July 25, 2025.Texas Rep. James Talarico D-Austin smiles during a redistricting rally at Delco Activity Center Friday, July 25, 2025 in Austin, Texas.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribune