TEXAS NEWS
Not all paths to college and career readiness pay off equally for Texas students, study finds
Read full article: Not all paths to college and career readiness pay off equally for Texas students, study findsStudents who took English and math college prep courses were less likely to complete college than their peers who were not considered college ready at all.
Texan shot dead by ICE agent months before killings in Minneapolis, records show
Read full article: Texan shot dead by ICE agent months before killings in Minneapolis, records showThe involvement of federal immigration agents in the fatal shooting of Ruben Ray Martinez on South Padre Island in March had not been disclosed in initial reports.
Cuban man’s death at El Paso tent camp was result of “spontaneous use of force,” ICE says
Read full article: Cuban man’s death at El Paso tent camp was result of “spontaneous use of force,” ICE saysHis death is the first homicide in ICE custody in recent history, experts said. It comes after the deadliest year in ICE detention in decades.
Texans shouldn’t expect Supreme Court ruling against tariffs to bring prices down soon, economists say
Read full article: Texans shouldn’t expect Supreme Court ruling against tariffs to bring prices down soon, economists sayThe order wiped out many of the Trump administration's tariffs, but Trump promised Friday to find other ways to restore them.
Decline in international students at UNT leads to $45 million budget shortfall, likely cuts
Read full article: Decline in international students at UNT leads to $45 million budget shortfall, likely cutsTravel restrictions and sharper federal attention are dissuading foreign students from attending U.S. colleges, advocates say, hitting the Denton university harder than most.
Dark money fuels attack ads in final stretch of Texas’ U.S. Senate primaries
Read full article: Dark money fuels attack ads in final stretch of Texas’ U.S. Senate primariesThe latest campaign finance reports show big-money interests are heavily invested in the Texas primaries — but unwilling to reveal their identities at a critical juncture of the race.
Texas Senate candidate says “no strings attached” to $2 million donation from businessman
Read full article: Texas Senate candidate says “no strings attached” to $2 million donation from businessmanRhonda Ward, a first-time candidate for elected office who previously served on the state GOP’s policy committee, is challenging Trent Ashby for the East Texas seat.
Texas refineries see opportunity in Venezuelan oil amid Mexico export declines
Read full article: Texas refineries see opportunity in Venezuelan oil amid Mexico export declinesAs President Donald Trump seeks to boost U.S. investment in Venezuela’s oil fields, Mexico is poised to export less heavy crude to Gulf refineries, creating an opening for Venezuelan oil.
Rep. Tony Gonzales accuses dead staffer’s husband of trying to blackmail him amid affair scandal
Read full article: Rep. Tony Gonzales accuses dead staffer’s husband of trying to blackmail him amid affair scandalThe Republican congressman shared on social media an email requesting a settlement of up to $300,000 in exchange for a nondisclosure agreement.
Texas House candidates in South Texas face allegations of lying about their party affiliation
Read full article: Texas House candidates in South Texas face allegations of lying about their party affiliationRepublicans hope to flip the Rio Grande Valley state House seat, long held by Democrats.
University of Texas regents approve limits on teaching “unnecessarily controversial subjects”
Read full article: University of Texas regents approve limits on teaching “unnecessarily controversial subjects”Opponents warned the policy’s vagueness could push professors to self-censor and leave students less prepared for the workplace.
Texas Appeals Court to decide whether Houston midwife accused of illegal abortions can reopen clinics
Read full article: Texas Appeals Court to decide whether Houston midwife accused of illegal abortions can reopen clinicsA Texas court will hear an appeal this week in a case challenging an injunction that closed three Houston-area maternal health clinics run by a midwife accused under the state’s abortion law.
Some Abbott-backed candidates face political headwinds in Republican primaries
Read full article: Some Abbott-backed candidates face political headwinds in Republican primariesThe governor is supporting two U.S. House candidates whose opponents were recently endorsed by President Donald Trump, while his picks for comptroller and agriculture commissioner are trailing in the polls.
Free drive-thru pet food pantry for Houston families in need
Read full article: Free drive-thru pet food pantry for Houston families in needA free drive-thru pet food pantry event will be held on February 25 at Bella Vista Missionary Baptist Church in Houston, organized by Best Friends Animal Society in partnership with the Houston Humane Society and Houston City Council Member Mario Castillo. The initiative aims to support families facing financial hardship by providing essential pet food on a first-come, first-served basis, helping prevent the surrender of pets due to economic challenges. Community members are encouraged to donate cat and dog food through Best Friends' Amazon Wish List or directly to the Best Friends Pet Lifesaving Center by February 24, as past events have seen high demand and quick depletion of supplies.
Texas sues Dow, claiming “habitual” pollution violations at Gulf Coast chemical plant
Read full article: Texas sues Dow, claiming “habitual” pollution violations at Gulf Coast chemical plantLocal citizens who are preparing their own lawsuit against the chemical giant say Attorney General Ken Paxton’s suit could shield Dow from bigger penalties.
Rep. Tony Gonzales attacks primary opponent amid reporting of his affair with aide who died by suicide
Read full article: Rep. Tony Gonzales attacks primary opponent amid reporting of his affair with aide who died by suicideThe San Antonio Express-News reported on a text message from a staffer admitting to having an affair with Gonzales. The staffer died last year after setting herself on fire in Uvalde.
Texas Tech medical school cancels talk on health, ethical considerations in late-pregnancy abortions
Read full article: Texas Tech medical school cancels talk on health, ethical considerations in late-pregnancy abortionsUniversity leaders declined to give a reason. Abortion opponents said the discussion would have promoted illegal activity, something advocates deny.
How to spot AI-generated images and online content during the 2026 primary elections
Read full article: How to spot AI-generated images and online content during the 2026 primary electionsIdentifying falsified or digitally enhanced videos, photos and ads takes attention and awareness, but helpful tools are out there.
Dan Crenshaw vs. Steve Toth primary is a fight over who’s the real RINO
Read full article: Dan Crenshaw vs. Steve Toth primary is a fight over who’s the real RINOCrenshaw, fighting to remain in his Houston-area congressional seat, has drawn criticism from right-wing media and a challenge from Toth, among the most conservative members of the Texas House.
GOP attorney general candidates tout conservative bona fides at only debate in primary to succeed Ken Paxton
Read full article: GOP attorney general candidates tout conservative bona fides at only debate in primary to succeed Ken PaxtonAll four candidates are vying to prove they are the heir apparent to Paxton, who has solidified the office as a juggernaut in the conservative legal movement.
‘No to the store’: Third Ward residents say proposed gas station could increase crime, threaten property value
Read full article: ‘No to the store’: Third Ward residents say proposed gas station could increase crime, threaten property valueResidents and leaders in Houston’s Historic Riverside Terrace are rallying against a proposed gas station, citing safety, crime, and quality-of-life concerns, and calling for development that reflects the community’s needs.
TribCast: The El Paso airspace fiasco
Read full article: TribCast: The El Paso airspace fiascoIn this week's episode, our host talks with Robert Moore, CEO of El Paso Matters, about the federal government briefly pausing air travel into El Paso. What does it say about the federal government, border security and the lives of El Pasoans?
Rick Perry says his political group will spend “whatever we need” to support John Cornyn in Senate primary
Read full article: Rick Perry says his political group will spend “whatever we need” to support John Cornyn in Senate primaryThe former Texas governor chairs the Lone Star Freedom Project, a group that has already spent almost $18 million boosting Cornyn against Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt.
Smartwatches and rings can track your heart — but your data may be sold
Read full article: Smartwatches and rings can track your heart — but your data may be soldThis American Heart Month, cardiologist Dr. Nidal Ganim explains how smartwatches and rings can track your heart health and why stress, emotions, and lifestyle choices matter.
NRG Energy to build $617M power plant in Harris County, Governor Abbott announces
Read full article: NRG Energy to build $617M power plant in Harris County, Governor Abbott announcesA $617 million investment is coming to Harris County as NRG Energy plans a new 455-megawatt natural gas plant at its Greens Bayou facility — a project state leaders say will strengthen the Texas power grid and support continued growth in the Houston area.
TxDOT, UIL launch statewide ‘Saved by the Belt’ challenge after 132 unbuckled teens killed in Texas crashes
Read full article: TxDOT, UIL launch statewide ‘Saved by the Belt’ challenge after 132 unbuckled teens killed in Texas crashesTxDOT and the UIL are calling on Texas teens to take the “Saved by the Belt” pledge after 132 unbuckled young people died in crashes in 2024.
Texas Democrats launch $30 million coordinated campaign to target key races, flip state in 2026
Read full article: Texas Democrats launch $30 million coordinated campaign to target key races, flip state in 2026The effort is a partnership between the state party, two of its largest political organizations and the House Democrats’ campaign arm.
Chip Roy is known for calling out GOP leaders. He says that’s what Texas needs in an attorney general.
Read full article: Chip Roy is known for calling out GOP leaders. He says that’s what Texas needs in an attorney general.U.S. Rep. Chip Roy has broken with his party, and called out President Donald Trump and Attorney General Ken Paxton. He says his loyalty is to Texas and to the Constitution.
Momentum is building to meet electricity demand in Texas with small nuclear reactors
Read full article: Momentum is building to meet electricity demand in Texas with small nuclear reactorsThe first small modular nuclear reactor could be powering an industrial plant in Texas early in the next decade. And the state is pushing to become the leading site for testing and building the technology.
AG Paxton launches probe into 3 Texas school districts over student protests
Read full article: AG Paxton launches probe into 3 Texas school districts over student protestsAttorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into three Texas school districts—Northeast ISD, Dallas ISD, and Manor ISD—alleging they failed to manage student safety and accountability during immigration enforcement protests.
Attorney General Paxton launches investigations into three Texas school districts over students protesting ICE
Read full article: Attorney General Paxton launches investigations into three Texas school districts over students protesting ICEPaxton said his office is examining claims that administrators and faculty helped organize the demonstrations.
Texas school voucher program tops 100K applications in largest U.S. school choice launch
Read full article: Texas school voucher program tops 100K applications in largest U.S. school choice launchMore than 100,000 Texas families have applied for the state’s new Education Freedom Account program in less than two weeks. Here’s what to know before the March 17 deadline.
Aaron Reitz, Paxton’s endorsed successor, vows to “destroy the left” if elected Texas attorney general
Read full article: Aaron Reitz, Paxton’s endorsed successor, vows to “destroy the left” if elected Texas attorney generalReitz believes the nation is at war with liberals, and the best bulwark against them is a fully empowered Texas attorney general’s office — with him at the helm.
Texas 15th Court of Appeals primaries: Who is running and what to know
Read full article: Texas 15th Court of Appeals primaries: Who is running and what to knowVoters statewide elect three justices to the new 15th Court of Appeals, created in 2023. Gov. Greg Abbott’s GOP appointees face their first election for six-year terms.