Domestic violence is up in Texas. Survivors and supporters hope lawmakers will take action.
Reported domestic violence incidents have risen 26% since 2019. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/861e85dd854f7eaaad59d915ca656ba3/0108%20East%20Texas%20Crisis%20Center%20MC%20TT%2004.jpg)
-
![The East Texas Crisis Center, on Wednesday January 8, 2025, in Tyler.]()
Credit: Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune -
A year after Dobbs decision, Texas has settled in to a post-abortion reality
The impact of Texas’ near-total ban on abortion is coming into focus as patients and providers leave the state, legal challenges languish and the state’s social safety net braces for a baby boom. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dcd655fd9380ec002670c1909dd761ac/ATX%20Roe%20Overturned%20EL%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Protesters marched from the federal courthouse to the state Capitol in Austin in opposition to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Meet the Texas House impeachment managers who are taking aim at Ken Paxton
Led by Andrew Murr, a West Texas rancher and lawyer, and Ann Johnson, a former prosecutor, the team of 12 includes 11 with law degrees. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/930e0977a059afd5bb50d7ade7d4a334/GI%20Committee%20Presser%20BD%20TT%2002.jpg)
![House General Investigating Committee impeachment managers, led by Rep. Andrew Murr, R-Junction, answer questions at a press conference on May 29, 2023. From left: State Reps. Erin Gámez, D-Brownsville; Rep. Ann Johnson, D-Houston; Murr; David Spiller, R-Jacksboro; Briscoe Cain, R-Deer Park; Cody Vasut, R-Angleton; and Morgan Meyer, R-University Park.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Alan Vera, a Republican voter-fraud activist, dies at Texas Capitol
Vera, who planned to testify on election legislation, was a regular at the statehouse. Two weeks ago, lawmakers sang “Happy Birthday” to him during a House Elections Committee hearing. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1f2bb286521f732afff8068c72ada5c4/REPS_DAY_THREE___TX-State_desk.jpg)
![SD 7 delegate Alan Vera uses a megaphone to help direct priority ballots among the other delegates of his district during the third and final day of the Republican Party of Texas Convention on Saturday, June 18, 2022, held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.]()
Credit: Michael Wyke, Houston Chronicle/Contributor -
Two GOP Texas House members call for Rep. Bryan Slaton to resign
Reps. Briscoe Cain and Steve Toth, who are usually ideologically aligned with Slaton, said the lawmaker needed to step down. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1e96f775798b8e51ffc568c3fa0e544c/House%20Floor%20Slaton%20EL%20TT%2002.jpg)
![State Rep. Bryan Slaton, R-Royse City, on the House floor during a session at the state Capitol on April 26, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Federal judge dismisses Wendy Davis’ challenge to Texas abortion ban
Davis, best known for her 13-hour filibuster of a 2013 abortion bill, sought to block the state’s ban on abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy. A federal judge found Davis had not “articulated a credible, imminent threat.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4c5eca1dc744d2e14e463205e6cf7569/Texas%20Womens%20Health%20Clinic%20JV%20TT%2032.jpg)
![A sign advertising an organization that offers services to abortion patients is on the wall at Whole Woman’s Health of Austin on Wednesday, September 1, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Businesses that help employees get abortions could be next target of Texas lawmakers if Roe v. Wade is overturned
Fourteen GOP legislators warned Lyft that they’d seek to ban companies that pay for abortions from doing business in Texas. The extent of support for the idea is unclear. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9dbdb2acbd4ec0b893768c37f88d7096/House%20Republican%20Caucus%20JV%20TT%2012.jpg)
![State Rep. Briscoe Cain, R-Deer Park, at a House Republican Caucus press conference at the Capitol on Aug. 16, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Republicans say if Roe falls, they’ll focus on adoptions and preventing women from seeking abortions elsewhere
State leaders say expanding a social safety net for children and prosecuting abortion funders are among their priorities. “We’ll continue to do our best to make abortion not just outlawed, but unthinkable,” said state Rep. Briscoe Cain. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/32c7970cdadc3974d1244079024b77d4/Dan%20Patrick%20Presser%20SP%20TT%2002.jpg)
![State Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speak at a press conference held regarding Democrats breaking quorum and voting legislature at the Texas Capitol on July 21, 2021.]()
Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune -
Former state Sen. Wendy Davis challenges Texas abortion law in court
Davis is best known for her 13-hour filibuster against another restrictive abortion law in 2013. Now, she’s suing to block enforcement of Texas’ current ban on abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/68ec61714c11155a12f1b93c29befdbb/08%20Wendy%20Davis%20MG%20TT.jpg)
![Former State Senator Wendy Davis attends a rally hosted by abortion advocates in protest of abortion bans being proposed across the country. May 21, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Abortion nonprofits say Texas state Rep. Briscoe Cain defamed them in “cease-and-desist” letter
Cain has accused the nonprofits of being “criminal organizations” and has ordered them to stop funding abortions in Texas. Lawyers representing the funds are demanding a retraction. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/af8f63e2eb60801ce7c2eaf0a13ad8f7/House%20Floor%20SB7%20May%2030%20MG%20TT%2001.jpg)
![State Rep. Briscoe Cain, R-Deer Park, on the House floor on May 30, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas sued over bill stopping social media companies from banning users for political views
A judge recently blocked a similar bill in Florida after a lawsuit brought forward by NetChoice and the Computer and Communications Industry Association, the same groups that sued Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/58843b5e3783e21cd74527c297a65dbe/Facebook%20Logo%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
![A 3D-printed Facebook logo on a keyboard in this illustration taken March 25, 2020.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration -
Social media companies can’t ban Texans over political viewpoints under new law
The law requires social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram to produce regular reports of removed content and disclose their content regulations procedures. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b46299514b9b2d78ae1ff6ce8c4a03a2/Big%20Tech%20Social%20Media%20Icons%20IS%20TT.jpg)
![Social media icons on an iPhone screen.]()
Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto -
In push for new Texas voting restrictions, House panel sets up GOP faceoff over which chamber's legislation will advance
The House elections committee gutted the Senate’s priority voting bill and replaced it with language from the House’s preferred legislation, signaling a divide over which new restrictions will make it to the governor’s desk. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/197cafd81363bcd1631a28dd11dcff65/Hays%20County%20Early%20Voting%20JV%20TT%2023.jpg)
![Voters cast their ballots at the Performing Arts Center at Texas State University in San Marcos.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Despite natural gas failures during winter storm, Texas lawmakers target renewable energy in the aftermath
As lawmakers advance bills targeting renewable energy sources, experts call the efforts “discriminatory” and “politically motivated.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/26462eafe44174d8a01638a6eade86eb/Wind%20Turbines%20Permian%20Basin%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
![Wind turbines operated at sunrise in the Permian Basin, an area of oil and natural gas production, in Big Spring in 2019.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Nick Oxford -
Gov. Greg Abbott formally opens Texas GOP bid to clamp down on local efforts expanding voting access
Texas has some of the strictest voting rules, but Republican lawmakers are now hoping to outlaw efforts by local officials in places like Harris County intended to widen access for voters, including drive-thru voting and extended early voting hours. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6c1f9175337bd096cb092b53baf476c5/Houston%20Drive%20Thru%20Voting%20AM%20TT%2002.jpg)
![A poll worker feeds a voting machine and power cord through a voter’s car window in the drive-through line at NRG Stadium in Houston during the first day of early voting on Oct. 13, 2020.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Republican who helped Trump campaign challenge Joe Biden's win will lead election work in Texas House
State Rep. Briscoe Cain was named chair of the House Elections Committee months after traveling to Pennsylvania to help the Trump campaign challenge the results of the 2020 election. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5d731bde2a8a1a6e3492722b8f818117/Briscoe%20cain%20House%20floor%20JF%20TT.jpg)
![State Rep. Cain Briscoe, R-Deer Park, on the House floor on April 11, 2019.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: A rising commotion in Texas’ scattershot response to the pandemic
As Texas leaders struggle to find a balanced response to the pandemic and the lagging state economy, the suggestions for what they ought to do — friendly and hostile — are pouring in. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6d5023d42605ef73b26e91a0667fcfa3/Texas%20Bar%20Owners%20Fight%20Back%20Protest%20JV%20TT%2028.jpg)
![Texas bar owners and workers protest at the Capitol in Austin on June 30, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for the Texas Tribune -
Greg Abbott plans pre-primary tour supporting GOP state House incumbents, candidates
The governor is hitting the campaign trail for at least 10 House incumbents and candidates whom he has endorsed. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6f134dee32f7752580ee0da42f3b455a/Abbott_Resurgent_BD_TT.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott, speaks at the Resurgent Gathering of conservative party activists
in Austin on August 3, 2018.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Donald Trump calls Beto O’Rourke “dummy” over assault-weapon buyback proposal
In a tweet Wednesday morning, the president said presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke is making it harder to make a deal regarding gun control. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6b0f36df6e1a1d22ab2778b0fa23dfd8/04%201st%20Dem%20debate%20Beto%20REUTERS.jpg)
![Former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke speaks at the first debate of Democratic presidential candidates in Miami on June 26, 2019.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Mike Segar -
Texas Republican lawmaker to Beto O'Rourke: "My AR is ready for you"
State Rep. Briscoe Cain's tweet was taken as a death threat against a presidential candidate from a state that recently experienced two mass shootings. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/02/07/_BDC2543_Cain.jpg)
![State Rep. Briscoe Cain, R-Deek Park, talks with Evan Smith during a TTEvents with freshmen representatives on Feb. 7, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune