Voters in several Texas cities have sought to decriminalize marijuana. However, their efforts have been met by reluctant city councils that say they can’t go against state law.

A report from Department of Family and Protective Services watchdogs paints a picture of a roughshod safety-net system that is unprepared to protect its youthful charges from predators and unable to keep them from endangering themselves.

Home to more than 260,000 people, the West Texas town of Lubbock is no stranger to passing local laws by petition. In 2021, residents overwhelmingly approved a local ban on abortion.

The COVID-19 pandemic also cut down on clinics’ revenue and underscored broadband access disparities in rural Texas, health care providers said in a conversation with The Texas Tribune.

Officials say several tornadoes confirmed by the National Weather Service have caused widespread damage in Central Texas north of Austin.

The doughnut district would be in Bell County, a traditionally red area that has trended blue in recent years as the diverse community around the nation’s biggest military installation grows.

AUSTIN, Texas U.S. Army officials on Tuesday said that the body of a Fort Hood solider was found near the Texas army base, marking the third time in a month that a Fort Hood soldiers body has been discovered. Mejhor Morta, 26, was found unresponsive July 17 in the vicinity of Stillhouse Hollow Lake, according to Fort Hood officials. Morta's awards and decorations include the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. Then on July 1, U.S. Army officials found more human remains, which were later identified as 20-year-old missing Fort Hood soldier Pfc. Vanessa Guillen, near the Leon River in Bell County, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) east of Fort Hood.

HOUSTON Murals featuring fallen Fort Hood soldier, Vanessa Guillen, are being painted across the state in the days since the U.S. Army confirmed that the human remains found near the Leon River in Bell County on June 30 were indeed hers. Many of the murals bear her image and are reminiscent of the hashtags #Justice4Vanessa, #justiceforvanessaguillen #iamvanessaguillen and #vanessaguillen -- trending since she went missing on April 22. HoustonGalvestonKilleenDonnaFort WorthSan JuanWeslacoFresno, TexasAustinCecily Aguilar, 22, is accused of tampering with evidence in connection with the 20-year-old soldiers disappearance. She told investigators her estranged husband, soldier Aaron Robinson killed Guillen with a hammer on April 22 and asked her to help him dispose of the body. Robinson died last week from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Texas EquuSearch will focus on an undisclosed patch of rural property in Bell County Saturday. The group is searching for Houstonian and soldier, Vanessa Guillen, who has been missing since April 22. We don’t know how many people could possibly be involved,” Texas EquuSearch founder Tim Miller said. Miller plans to drive to the Fort Hood area Friday night and meet with a team of about two dozen. Mayra said that she planned on being with Texas EquuSearch in Bell County this weekend.