The latest state government news from The Texas Tribune.
The committees were made to honor slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk and come as university faculty have come under online scrutiny. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/01fe5d1da9968d62bb5647d2173a65d9/UNT%20Free%20Speech%20Protest%20EL%20TT%2021.jpg)
HB 7, which passed the Legislature this month, allows private citizens to sue abortion pill providers and manufacturers, mirroring a 2021 law that allows private enforcement of abortion bans. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dc0e0adf47478cba19557a7908aa37e0/Mifepristone%20REUTERS%2002.JPG)
Dr. Hector Granados of El Paso said he wished AG Ken Paxton’s office had let him show he stopped providing gender-affirming care for youths before the law took effect. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b811baddbe75a3bfd82422c316af33f8/20250121%20Hector%20Granados%20AP%2001.jpg)
Thomas Alter is the second professor in the state to be terminated for allegedly violating university policy after a video was posted on social media. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9817b5088353c61f65c27bd9027a1da0/TXST%20COVID%20JV%20TT%2027.jpg)
An attorney for Melissa McCoul, seen in a video clashing with a student over gender-identity content in her class, said the professor is weighing her legal options. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/427cfef51c6aa14a31b735e8a76db817/20250909%20TAMU%20Children%20Literature%20AE%2006.jpg)
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Friday called Abbott’s decision a pathway to full legalization of cannabis, including marijuana which is still federally illegal. Hemp-derived THC is legal. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/74984939d3bb74c31bd972f5ca1b410a/20250505%20Weed%20File%20LW%2005.jpg)
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Tribune reporter Sneha Dey and the Commit Partnership’s Bridget Worley about the changes to the state’s standardized test. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7c8df64afa5448558d57053e7cf7855f/TribCast%20Sept%209.jpg)
Opponents of reunification therapy say it can psychologically harm children, while supporters say it’s unnatural for children to reject parents. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/37ae66a5a4ae23e35950785fea1dee0d/080825%20Reunification%20LW%2003.JPG)
Three Texas charter school districts underreported compensation paid to top leaders. They also recently had failing or near-failing performance ratings. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0bee2fe9ec671315722bea044af537d5/Superintendent%20Pay%20illustration%203_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg)
The new state ban took effect on Sept. 1, and Texas’ more than 1,200 public school districts have adopted policies ranging from secure phone pouches to increased monitoring. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/da21b218976598cb1fc76ba816852647/20250909%20Cell%20Phone%20Ban%20SF%2014.jpg)
After the video fueled outrage, a professor was fired and two college leaders removed from their administrative roles for approving content inconsistent with the course’s description. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/60e9c12ead2aefa14387e17dcaebc6b6/0819%20FAFSA%20Delays%20IS%2025.jpg)
Letitia James, New York’s attorney general, said Texas has no authority to “impose its cruel abortion ban here.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5ea45af63b8a1b00bcdb5651b617e90c/20250805%20Letitia%20James%20REUTERS%2001.jpg)
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. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/16daebb4d5694521e039fb7276186f6b/20250903%20House%20Floor%20KG%2011.JPG)
The details were revealed in more than 25,000 pages of records released after a yearslong legal fight by news outlets including ProPublica and The Texas Tribune. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a729b6b54502da88f07b50eb17b2255c/Robb%20Memorial%202%20EL%2005_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg)
While Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick remains adamant about a ban, hemp industry representatives say they would compromise on creating a 21 age limit to purchase. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e97c35d0ee282a90057ac2cbed935e7e/0505%20Weed%20File%20LW%2001.JPG)
Previously, parents had to wait for the state to mail them the exemption form. They still have to get the form notarized before submitting it to the school for enrollment purposes. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e151f513f2cc4452d4c24ce1a486046a/Under%20Five%20Vax%20JR%2011.jpg)
Both legislative chambers adjourned without agreeing on changes to Senate Bill 2, which aimed to create new training and licensing requirements for local officials. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0e3878e882f2eaea81b331eb6b7fe546/0705%20Hill%20Country%20Floods%20BB%20TT%2043.jpg)
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. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f7831effc4afea86d0c54a07522b2a8d/20250903%20House%20Floor%20KG%2003.JPG)
The parents of children who died at Camp Mystic advocated for the new legislation, which now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott for his signature. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a99f64a2f60b9d5cc846043809fde9bd/0707%20Kerr%20County%20Flooding%20BB%2003.jpg)
Legislators couldn’t reach a last-minute deal to tighten regulations on consumable hemp products. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9f3fa692cff5a0b3752dfffacf11edb8/0523%20THC%20Farmers%20AR%2004.jpg)