Texas Tribune
banner
texastribune.org
Texas Tribune
@texastribune.org
Member-supported, nonprofit and nonpartisan newsroom informing & engaging Texans on state politics & policy. Sign up for our daily email: http://trib.it/signup
Pinned
Hello! We’re holding this space while planning our Bluesky approach. Feel free to follow our staff. 👇

go.bsky.app/Pp9Zwtm
New: In a lawsuit filed Thursday, AG Ken Paxton asked a judge to declare CAIR as a foreign terrorist organization and transnational criminal organization, and prohibit them from operating in Texas.

This is the latest in a deluge of investigations and litigation against Muslim groups in Texas.
AG Ken Paxton sues to shut down Muslim advocacy group CAIR
This is the latest in a deluge of investigations and litigation against Muslim groups in Texas.
www.texastribune.org
February 5, 2026 at 6:45 PM
GOP Senate candidates John Cornyn, Wesley Hunt and Ken Paxton refused to participate in our candidate Q&A.

We used their past statements and voting history to show where they differ on major issues, ranging from foreign policy to artificial intelligence.
Q&A: Republican candidates in Texas’ 2026 Senate primary
GOP candidates John Cornyn, Wesley Hunt and Ken Paxton refused to participated in a candidate Q&A on major issues, ranging from foreign policy to artificial intelligence. We used their past statements...
www.texastribune.org
February 5, 2026 at 4:51 PM
GOP operatives expect a close race between state Rep. Briscoe Cain and former Harris County judge candidate Alex Mealer, who have consolidated much of the fundraising and endorsements among the crowded Republican primary for Texas' 9th Congressional District.
Briscoe Cain, Alex Mealer lead 9th Congressional District pack
Cain, a state lawmaker, and Mealer, a former Harris County judge candidate, have consolidated much of the fundraising and endorsements in the 9th Congressional District’s Republican primary.
www.texastribune.org
February 5, 2026 at 2:56 PM
A federal district judge on Wednesday declared Senate Bill 13 — a 2021 law restricting state investments in companies boycotting the fossil fuel industry — unconstitutional, calling it “facially overbroad” and citing First and Fourteenth Amendment concerns.
Texas fossil fuel boycott law ruled unconstitutional
A judge ruled Senate Bill 13, passed in 2021, violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments. The law prevented state investments in firms it deemed as boycotting oil and gas companies.
www.texastribune.org
February 5, 2026 at 12:33 AM
A Travis County judge on Wednesday rejected a challenge from two voters to a new $3 billion dementia research fund, which still can’t take effect despite voter approval last November. An appeal could keep the program tied up in court.
Despite court win, Texas dementia fund still paused
A Travis County judge on Wednesday ruled against a request to stop the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, but because the lawsuit is still in play, the fund can’t go into effect.
www.texastribune.org
February 4, 2026 at 11:45 PM
With new business-friendly laws and the launch of the Texas Stock Exchange, state leaders aim to remake Texas into a corporate and financial hub. We’ll look at the politics, promises and real-world impacts of that effort. In Dallas & online, March 24. RSVP: trib.it/9czcZb
February 4, 2026 at 10:22 PM
New: Former Texas A&M lecturer Melissa McCoul is suing the university months after Texas A&M fired her over a gender identity lesson.

McCoul alleges that administrators knowingly violated her free speech and due process rights to appease political critics.
Fired after gender lesson, former professor sues Texas A&M
Melissa McCoul, arguing she was fired to appease political critics, is seeking to get her job back and other restitution.
www.texastribune.org
February 4, 2026 at 6:55 PM
When Texas Tech faculty sought clarification on new restrictions limiting how race, gender and sexuality can be discussed in classrooms, administrators said they could offer little guidance, according to two internal emails reviewed by The Texas Tribune.
Texas Tech struggles with new policy on gender, race
The system’s chancellor meant to instill clarity and accountability, but three weeks into the spring semester, some instructors say the standards have led to “censorship.”
www.texastribune.org
February 4, 2026 at 5:57 PM
We asked Democratic Senate candidates Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico where they fall on major issues, ranging from international policy to taxes.

Here's where they stand, and how they differ.
Q&A: Democratic candidates in Texas’ 2026 Senate primary
To help primary voters differentiate between the two, we asked Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico where they fall on major issues, ranging from international policy to taxes. See where they stand, an...
www.texastribune.org
February 4, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Texans have until March 17 to apply for the state's voucher program, which allows families to receive taxpayer dollars to send children to private school or educate them at home.

Here’s what to know about the applications.
Texas families begin applying for private school vouchers
The application period will close March 17. If demand exceeds the $1 billion available, the state will prioritize students based on family income and whether they have a disability.
www.texastribune.org
February 4, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Reposted by Texas Tribune
Two weeks ago, the El Paso Medical Examiner ruled the death of a 55yo Cuban detainee at an immigration center in El Paso was a homicide.

ICE bypassed the county ME w/ the latest death, sending the body to an Army hospital instead.
www.texastribune.org/2026/02/03/t...
February 4, 2026 at 3:20 PM
The body of a migrant who died at an El Paso immigration detention center was sent to a military hospital rather than the county medical examiner who investigated two previous deaths at the facility — and concluded that one of them was a homicide rather than a suicide.
ICE bypasses El Paso medical examiner for autopsy on migrant
ICE bypassed the county medical examiner in favor of a military facility for the autopsy of a Nicaraguan man and won’t release a ruling to the public.
www.texastribune.org
February 3, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Matt Boms joins this week's episode of TribCast to discuss the Texas electrical grid's strong performance during the recent winter storm.
Tribcast: Assessing the strength of Texas’ power grid
In this week’s episode of The Texas Tribune’s podcast, our hosts speak with Matt Boms about the Texas electrical grid's strong performance during the recent winter storm. Does that mean the problems o...
www.texastribune.org
February 3, 2026 at 8:49 PM
As a part of a yearlong study, Texas county jails are collecting data about pregnant inmates’ prenatal care, mental health indicators, pregnancy outcomes and more.
Texas is studying its pregnant jail inmates
As a part of a yearlong study, Texas county jails are collecting data about pregnant inmates’ prenatal care, mental health indicators, pregnancy outcomes and more.
www.texastribune.org
February 3, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Concerned about Texas’ social studies overhaul, Democrats on the State Board of Education used a recent meeting to push for the inclusion of more Black and Indigenous perspectives and for young children to learn about the horrific nature of slavery.
Texas Democrats make late push for social studies inclusion
Concerned about Texas’ social studies overhaul, Democrats on the State Board of Education used a recent meeting to push for the inclusion of more Black and Indigenous perspectives and for young childr...
www.texastribune.org
February 2, 2026 at 8:21 PM
Reposted by Texas Tribune
A reminder that if you are a lawyer representing people in ICE detention, including the Dilley family facility, who have had issues with medical care while detained or have information about deaths in custody, please reach out to me: [email protected] and 832-729-3421 on Signal/ Whatsapp.
“In this setting, the public health emergency is more dire because detention creates near-universal exposure risk ... This has the potential to quickly overwhelm local health resources"

Latest on the measles outbreak at the #Dilley family detention center in TX

www.texastribune.org/2026/02/02/m...
Measles detected at Dilley immigrant family detention center
The cases come amid renewed nationwide scrutiny of the facility following the transfer there of Liam Conejo Ramos, a 5-year-old Ecuadorian boy who federal agents arrested along with his father in Minn...
www.texastribune.org
February 2, 2026 at 7:47 PM
The General Land Office oversees investments that earn billions of dollars for public education, manages state lands, operates the Alamo and distributes benefits to Texas veterans.

Here’s a look at who’s running in the 2026 Democratic and Republican primaries and where they stand.
Texas land commissioner 2026 primary race
The General Land Office oversees investments that earn billions of dollars for public education, manages state lands, operates the Alamo and distributes benefits to Texas veterans. Here’s a look at wh...
www.texastribune.org
February 2, 2026 at 5:51 PM
Observers of the race said Taylor Rehmet’s working-class appeal, along with Latino and suburban backlash to GOP policies, fueled his win in a district Donald Trump carried by 17 points.
How Democrats flipped a ruby red Senate seat in North Texas
Observers of the race said Rehmet’s working-class appeal, along with Latino and suburban backlash to GOP policies, fueled his win in a district Donald Trump carried by 17 points.
www.texastribune.org
February 2, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Feb. 2 is the last day to register to vote and to submit an address change for Texas' midterm primaries.

Here's what you need to know about checking your registration, registering to vote and submitting a name or address change. 🧵
February 2, 2026 at 4:53 PM
Breaking: Democrat Taylor Rehmet wins solidly red Texas Senate seat in stunning special election upset.
Democrat wins special election for red Texas Senate seat
With ballots tallied from all but a handful of voting centers, Rehmet had 57% of the vote, besting the 43% for his GOP opponent, Leigh Wambsganss, who had a massive spending advantage.
www.texastribune.org
February 1, 2026 at 5:21 AM
Houston Democrat Christian Menefee wins special election to complete Sylvester Turner’s term in Congress.
Menefee defeats Edwards in special election for Congress
The former Harris County attorney defeated Amanda Edwards in Texas’ 18th Congressional District. The two will face off again in the March 3 primary for a redrawn version of the district.
www.texastribune.org
February 1, 2026 at 4:24 AM
State Rep. James Talarico began 2026 armed with about $1.5 million more than U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett as the two compete to be the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in the March 3 primary.
Talarico holds cash lead over Crockett in Senate primary
Crockett raised about $2 million between her Dec. 8 campaign launch and year’s end, about one-third of Talarico’s haul over the first three weeks of his Senate bid.
www.texastribune.org
February 1, 2026 at 3:56 AM
Democrat Taylor Rehmet takes early lead in special election for red Texas Senate seat.
Democrat leads in special election for red Texas Senate seat
Democrat Taylor Rehmet had an unexpectedly strong performance in the November special election to win the solidly red seat. He faces Republican Leigh Wambsganss in the runoff.
www.texastribune.org
February 1, 2026 at 3:18 AM
New: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick released a list of priorities for Texas senators to consider before next year’s legislative session, including property taxes and “preventing Sharia law in Texas,” which comes amid a wave of anti-Muslim rhetoric and actions taking over GOP campaigns this election cycle.
Property taxes, Sharia law among Dan Patrick’s 2027 to-dos
Patrick’s initial five-item to-do list also included assessing risks posed by hostile foreign entities to the grid’s supply chain and preventing fraud in Texas’ health and human services.
www.texastribune.org
January 30, 2026 at 9:55 PM
New: The Texas Education Agency has to correct roughly 4,200 errors in a Bible-infused elementary school curriculum that was approved by the state two years ago, the State Board of Education said Friday.
TEA moves to fix 4,200 errors in Bible-infused curriculum
State Board of Education members criticized the publishing errors and postponed their vote on the agency’s request until their next meeting.
www.texastribune.org
January 30, 2026 at 9:10 PM