Sen. Cassidy battles Trump-backed challenger in Louisiana Republican primary
Read full article: Sen. Cassidy battles Trump-backed challenger in Louisiana Republican primaryRepublican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana is fighting for his political life in Saturday's primary against a challenger who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump.
$1.7 billion contract awarded “for border wall in Big Bend” amid public confusion over construction plans
Read full article: $1.7 billion contract awarded “for border wall in Big Bend” amid public confusion over construction plansThe contract comes just a week after Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott said the agency would not build a wall in Big Bend National Park.
Supreme Court rejects Virginia's bid to restore congressional map favoring Democrats
Read full article: Supreme Court rejects Virginia's bid to restore congressional map favoring DemocratsThe Supreme Court has rejected Virginia’s bid to restore a congressional map that would have given Democrats a chance to pick up four seats in the closely divided House of Representatives.
Colorado's Democratic governor commutes ex-election clerk Tina Peters' sentence after Trump pressure
Read full article: Colorado's Democratic governor commutes ex-election clerk Tina Peters' sentence after Trump pressureColorado Gov. Jared Polis is commuting the sentence of a former county clerk and election conspiracy theorist following pressure from President Donald Trump.
Trump administration prepares to seek Raúl Castro indictment as it pressures Cuba, AP sources say
Read full article: Trump administration prepares to seek Raúl Castro indictment as it pressures Cuba, AP sources sayThe Justice Department is preparing to seek an indictment against former Cuban President Raúl Castro, three people familiar with the matter tell The Associated Press.
Texas high court rejects removal of Democratic lawmakers who led quorum break over redistricting
Read full article: Texas high court rejects removal of Democratic lawmakers who led quorum break over redistrictingThe Texas Supreme Court has refused to declare that Democratic state lawmakers who briefly left the state last year in a quorum break to stop a vote on new congressional voting maps pushed by President Donald Trump vacated their offices.
Texas Supreme Court rejects Abbott’s request to remove Democratic Rep. Gene Wu from office over redistricting protest
Read full article: Texas Supreme Court rejects Abbott’s request to remove Democratic Rep. Gene Wu from office over redistricting protestMore than 50 Democrats, including Wu — the House Democratic leader — left the state last August to shut down the Legislature and stall passage of the GOP’s map.
Texas Children’s Hospital must create country’s first “detransition clinic” under legal settlement with state
Read full article: Texas Children’s Hospital must create country’s first “detransition clinic” under legal settlement with stateAttorney General Ken Paxton said on Friday that Texas Children’s must also pay $10 million to the state because it illegally provided transgender care to kids.
Election denial is a fault line in Republican primary for Georgia secretary of state
Read full article: Election denial is a fault line in Republican primary for Georgia secretary of stateThe 2020 election continues to haunt Georgia's political landscape, especially in the Republican primary for secretary of state.
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Louisiana's primaries
Read full article: AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Louisiana's primariesLouisiana voters will participate in a revamped and stripped-down state primary Saturday and decide the political fate of an embattled Republican U.S. senator targeted for defeat by President Donald Trump.
Long Island Rail Road workers go on strike, halting busiest US commuter rail system
Read full article: Long Island Rail Road workers go on strike, halting busiest US commuter rail systemWorkers on New York’s Long Island Rail Road are on strike, paralyzing the busiest commuter rail system in North America.
Here are the donors bankrolling John Cornyn and Ken Paxton’s record-breaking Senate primary
Read full article: Here are the donors bankrolling John Cornyn and Ken Paxton’s record-breaking Senate primaryThe incumbent senator has dominated financially, thanks to an array of megadonors and dark money groups. The Tribune assembled a guide to the money behind the most expensive Senate primary ever.
Seesaw rulings on Texas’ smokeable hemp ban is bad for business, retailers say
Read full article: Seesaw rulings on Texas’ smokeable hemp ban is bad for business, retailers saySome smoke shops say the flurry of court actions since March 31 has already forced them to scale back hours, cut staff and prepare to shut down.
Trump administration sues Catholic diocese to seize land on religious site near El Paso for border barrier
Read full article: Trump administration sues Catholic diocese to seize land on religious site near El Paso for border barrierThe lawsuit argues that 14 acres on Mount Cristo Rey, which features a 29-foot-tall statue of Jesus, are needed for barriers and other technology to secure the border.
Federal judge halts parts of Texas immigration law the day before it was set to take effect
Read full article: Federal judge halts parts of Texas immigration law the day before it was set to take effectA U.S. judge on Thursday granted a preliminary injunction against critical sections of Senate Bill 4, but a provision allowing police to arrest people suspected of illegal entry did activate.
Lawyers urge judge to block Trump order that would create eligible voter list, limit mail ballots
Read full article: Lawyers urge judge to block Trump order that would create eligible voter list, limit mail ballotsVoting rights groups are arguing that a federal judge should stop President Donald Trump's executive order restricting mail voting because he doesn’t have the authority to do so.
Abbott’s public safety wish list includes statewide prosecutor, more bail restrictions
Read full article: Abbott’s public safety wish list includes statewide prosecutor, more bail restrictionsSome items on Abbott's agenda would require amending the Texas Constitution, meaning they would need supermajority support in the Legislature.
Texas AG finds over 100 cities out of compliance with audit and transparency requirement; bars property tax hikes
Read full article: Texas AG finds over 100 cities out of compliance with audit and transparency requirement; bars property tax hikesTexas Attorney General Ken Paxton sent letters to over 130 cities, including multiple cities in Southeast Texas, notifying them that they are prohibited from raising ad valorem taxes above the no-new-revenue tax rate.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton blocks more than 130 cities from raising property taxes
Read full article: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton blocks more than 130 cities from raising property taxesAttorney General Ken Paxton accused the cities, most of them small, of violating a state law aimed at preventing cities from unduly raising property taxes.
Justice Department accuses Yale medical school of illegally using race in admissions
Read full article: Justice Department accuses Yale medical school of illegally using race in admissionsThe Justice Department is accusing Yale University of illegally considering race in its medical school admissions.
Powell's tenure as Fed chair marked by fight for independence while trying to tame inflation
Read full article: Powell's tenure as Fed chair marked by fight for independence while trying to tame inflationWhen Jerome Powell was sworn in as chair of the Federal Reserve eight years ago, economists worried that inflation and interest rates were too low and that too few Americans had jobs.
Ex-aide to California Democrats admits guilt in scheme to steal campaign funds from health secretary
Read full article: Ex-aide to California Democrats admits guilt in scheme to steal campaign funds from health secretaryA top California Democratic political aide has pleaded guilty in a scheme to steal campaign funds from Xavier Becerra when he served as the federal health secretary.
Former Texas lottery director re-indicted for abuse of office by grand jury
Read full article: Former Texas lottery director re-indicted for abuse of office by grand juryGary Grief, former executive director of the now-dissolved Texas Lottery Commission, is alleged to have used his position to defraud the state during a 2023 Lotto Texas drawing.
Lacy Lakeview needs Waco’s help to realize its data center dreams. It’s not going well.
Read full article: Lacy Lakeview needs Waco’s help to realize its data center dreams. It’s not going well.Lacy Lakeview’s hasty approach to the data center project has alienated the Waco officials who would control water service to the site. “Without the City of Waco agreeing to it, Lacy Lakeview can’t do anything out there and neither can Infrakey," State Rep. Pat Curry said. "Those guys don’t know what the hell they’re doing.”
Louisiana senators pass new US House map while South Carolina plans for extra redistricting work
Read full article: Louisiana senators pass new US House map while South Carolina plans for extra redistricting workState senators in Louisiana have passed a new congressional map after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the previous one.
Vance promotes Trump administration's work to counter fraud while criticizing Democrats in Maine
Read full article: Vance promotes Trump administration's work to counter fraud while criticizing Democrats in MaineVice President JD Vance is highlighting the Trump administration’s efforts to combat fraud in a visit to Maine ahead of the state’s primary elections for several high-profile races.
Here are the megadonors and dark money groups boosting James Talarico’s anti-billionaire Senate bid
Read full article: Here are the megadonors and dark money groups boosting James Talarico’s anti-billionaire Senate bidAs the Austin Democrat campaigns against big money in politics, he is being supported by a super PAC bankrolled by several billionaires, as well as nonprofits that do not have to disclose their funders.
Census: As North Texas’ far-flung towns grow, Dallas and its bigger suburbs shrink
Read full article: Census: As North Texas’ far-flung towns grow, Dallas and its bigger suburbs shrinkSix of Texas’ largest cities lost residents in 2025: Dallas, El Paso, Arlington, Plano, Irving and Garland.
Cornyn and Paxton bury each other in negative ads as Senate GOP runoff enters final stretch
Read full article: Cornyn and Paxton bury each other in negative ads as Senate GOP runoff enters final stretchThe incumbent senator and his allies have massively outspent the pro-Paxton side, though polling points to a tight finish in the May 26 election.
Jeffries' job grows more difficult in race for House and speaker's gavel
Read full article: Jeffries' job grows more difficult in race for House and speaker's gavelHouse Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries had warned Republicans they would come to regret the congressional redistricting fight.
New Mexico politicians grapple with oil windfall from Iran war that's both 'awesome' and awkward
Read full article: New Mexico politicians grapple with oil windfall from Iran war that's both 'awesome' and awkwardA global oil bottleneck in the Strait of Hormuz has created a financial windfall on the other side of the world in New Mexico that is both enviable and politically sensitive in a Democratic-dominated state.
Denise Powell wins Democratic primary in Nebraska’s ‘blue dot’ 2nd District
Read full article: Denise Powell wins Democratic primary in Nebraska’s ‘blue dot’ 2nd DistrictDenise Powell has won the Democratic primary in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District in a contest focused on the state’s “blue dot” status in presidential elections.
China's Xi warns Trump that differences over Taiwan could lead to conflict
Read full article: China's Xi warns Trump that differences over Taiwan could lead to conflictChina’s Xi Jinping has warned President Donald Trump that their two countries could clash over Taiwan if the issue is not handled properly.
Lutnick backs away from his Epstein 'blackmail' claim in interview with House committee
Read full article: Lutnick backs away from his Epstein 'blackmail' claim in interview with House committeeCommerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has backed away from a previous claim that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein blackmailed people.
Parts of Texas immigration law are likely unconstitutional, federal judge signals
Read full article: Parts of Texas immigration law are likely unconstitutional, federal judge signalsThe law, which gives state law enforcement and judges a role in immigration enforcement, is set to go into effect in two days.
AG Ken Paxton demands Dallas County sheriff enter formal partnership with ICE
Read full article: AG Ken Paxton demands Dallas County sheriff enter formal partnership with ICESheriff Marian Brown said her office, which already cooperates with federal immigration authorities, has until Dec. 1 to act.
Greg Abbott expands task force targeting repeat offenders from Houston to other large cities
Read full article: Greg Abbott expands task force targeting repeat offenders from Houston to other large citiesThe effort, which combines federal, state and local law enforcement, will expand to the Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio metro areas.
US and China seek to repair damage from tariff war that sent trade into a freefall
Read full article: US and China seek to repair damage from tariff war that sent trade into a freefallPresident Donald Trump's trade war with Beijing has sent U.S.-China trade into a freefall and forced companies on both sides of the Pacific to regroup.
Louisiana advances plan for new US House districts as Georgia joins redistricting effort for 2028
Read full article: Louisiana advances plan for new US House districts as Georgia joins redistricting effort for 2028Republican senators in Louisiana have advanced a plan to eliminate one of two majority-Black U.S. House districts for this year's elections.
The Latest: Trump in China for Xi meeting to focus on Iran war, trade and US arms sales to Taiwan
Read full article: The Latest: Trump in China for Xi meeting to focus on Iran war, trade and US arms sales to TaiwanU.S. President Donald Trump has arrived in Beijing for his highly anticipated summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at a restless moment for a world worried about war, trade and artificial intelligence.
Inside the furor plaguing Democratic National Committee leader Ken Martin
Read full article: Inside the furor plaguing Democratic National Committee leader Ken MartinDemocratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin is losing the confidence of some Democratic officials, who are concerned about the direction of the party's political machine barely a year into his term.
For Texas GOP, immigration politics show signs of fading potency
Read full article: For Texas GOP, immigration politics show signs of fading potencyTexas voters have listed immigration and border security among their top issues for years, but recent polling found they are less of a priority than at any point in recent history.
Immigration a flashpoint in Allred-Johnson Democratic runoff
Read full article: Immigration a flashpoint in Allred-Johnson Democratic runoffJulie Johnson labels her opponent a “flip-flopper.” Colin Allred said previous votes reflected Rio Grande Valley frustration with Biden-era border policies.
After being deported, allowed to return, then detained again, a Texas DACA recipient fears what’s next
Read full article: After being deported, allowed to return, then detained again, a Texas DACA recipient fears what’s nextJosé Contreras Díaz was one of hundreds of DACA recipients the Trump administration targeted for deportation. He’s one of a few the federal government has allowed to return.
From 'The Hills' villain to LA mayoral contender: Spencer Pratt’s viral video-fueled campaign
Read full article: From 'The Hills' villain to LA mayoral contender: Spencer Pratt’s viral video-fueled campaign“The Hills” reality television show villain Spencer Pratt is running for mayor of Los Angeles, positioning himself as a savior and promising to tackle the city's disorder and dysfunction.
Corpus Christi moves toward mandatory 25% cut in water use if emergency is declared
Read full article: Corpus Christi moves toward mandatory 25% cut in water use if emergency is declaredFinal approval of the curtailment plan is expected at a future City Council meeting. Experts predict that, without significant rainfall, a water emergency could arrive by September.
As Trump heads to China, past US flubs on US policy toward Taiwan can be a warning
Read full article: As Trump heads to China, past US flubs on US policy toward Taiwan can be a warningAmerican presidents have navigated a verbal tightrope for nearly 50 years regarding official U.S. policy toward Taiwan and China.
Former Texas lottery director was indicted by grand jury before case got dismissed
Read full article: Former Texas lottery director was indicted by grand jury before case got dismissedThe indictment accused Gary Grief of misusing his position to defraud the state in a highly scrutinized $95 million 2023 Lotto Texas drawing.
Barack Obama appears with James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa at Austin restaurant
Read full article: Barack Obama appears with James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa at Austin restaurantThe former president greeted patrons while stopping for tacos near the University of Texas at Austin campus — a notable show of support for the Democrats atop the ticket this fall.
Appeals court spares Trump from paying $83 million defamation award to E. Jean Carroll — for now
Read full article: Appeals court spares Trump from paying $83 million defamation award to E. Jean Carroll — for nowPresident Donald Trump won't have to pay an $83 million defamation award to a longtime advice columnist until the U.S. Supreme Court gets a chance to review the case or reject an appeal.
Christian Menefee, Alex Mealer lead Houston-area congressional runoffs, new poll finds
Read full article: Christian Menefee, Alex Mealer lead Houston-area congressional runoffs, new poll findsThe two contests are among the most closely watched U.S. House runoffs in Texas. Menefee, newly elected to Congress, faces longtime Democratic Rep. Al Green in a matchup spawned by GOP redistricting.
Companies moving their legal homes to Texas is good PR, but don’t expect many new jobs
Read full article: Companies moving their legal homes to Texas is good PR, but don’t expect many new jobsA company’s legal home determines which state taxes and laws governing corporations it will be subject to. Some are fleeing Delaware in search of a friendlier environment in Texas.
Texas Republicans spent years courting Indian voters. Then came talk of the “Indian takeover.”
Read full article: Texas Republicans spent years courting Indian voters. Then came talk of the “Indian takeover.”A North Texas city has become the epicenter of a collision between the GOP’s efforts to win over Indian American voters and some conservatives’ nativist agenda.
Hegseth gets bipartisan grilling on rising costs of the Iran war and Trump's end game
Read full article: Hegseth gets bipartisan grilling on rising costs of the Iran war and Trump's end gameDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth has faced tough questions from Republican and Democratic lawmakers about the Trump administration’s end game for the Iran war, the rising cost of the conflict and its impact on diminishing U.S. weapons stockpiles.
Democratic primary for Nebraska's 'blue dot' US House seat is too early to call
Read full article: Democratic primary for Nebraska's 'blue dot' US House seat is too early to callThe Democratic primary for a key U_S_ House seat in Nebraska is too early to call As of late Tuesday, two candidates were separated by a narrow margin in a contest that could decide the fate of the state’s “blue dot."
UT-Austin defends its handling of pro-Palestinian protest in federal trial
Read full article: UT-Austin defends its handling of pro-Palestinian protest in federal trialStudent Ammer Qaddumi is suing the university after he was suspended for his involvement in the 2024 demonstrations, calling it a violation of his free speech rights.
With Trump and Talarico aligned on a gas tax holiday, Cornyn gets on board
Read full article: With Trump and Talarico aligned on a gas tax holiday, Cornyn gets on boardJames Talarico, the Democratic U.S. Senate nominee, has pushed to suspend the federal gas tax amid soaring fuel costs. Cornyn previously opposed the idea.
Supreme Court halts order for Alabama to use US House map with 2 largely Black districts
Read full article: Supreme Court halts order for Alabama to use US House map with 2 largely Black districtsThe U.S. Supreme Court has set the stage for Alabama to get rid of one of two largely Black congressional districts before this year’s midterm elections.
Excessive heat suspected as cause of death after six bodies found in rail car near Laredo
Read full article: Excessive heat suspected as cause of death after six bodies found in rail car near LaredoOfficials said one victim found in a Union Pacific car was from Mexico and another was from Honduras. Five men and a woman are among the dead.
Democrats ask the Supreme Court to halt a Virginia ruling blocking new congressional districts
Read full article: Democrats ask the Supreme Court to halt a Virginia ruling blocking new congressional districtsDemocrats have filed an emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to halt a redistricting rule by Virginia’s top court.
Supreme Court temporarily extends women's access to a widely used abortion pill
Read full article: Supreme Court temporarily extends women's access to a widely used abortion pillThe Supreme Court is leaving women’s access to a widely used abortion pill untouched until at least Thursday, while the justices consider whether to allow restrictions on the drug, mifepristone, to take effect.
Federal appeals court temporarily halts execution of Texas death row inmate Edward Busby
Read full article: Federal appeals court temporarily halts execution of Texas death row inmate Edward BusbyThursday’s execution was blocked by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals “pending further order” from the court.
The Latest: Trump rejects Iran’s latest response to ceasefire proposal ahead of his trip to China
Read full article: The Latest: Trump rejects Iran’s latest response to ceasefire proposal ahead of his trip to ChinaIran and the United States have reached an impasse again over how to end their war while their ceasefire grew increasingly shaky.
Voter confusion and headaches for election officials follow hasty GOP push to redraw US House seats
Read full article: Voter confusion and headaches for election officials follow hasty GOP push to redraw US House seatsRepublican state officials are confusing voters and creating logistical headaches for local election officials across the South by redistricting U.S. House seats as primary season is underway.
Texas took their licenses. Now these immigrant truckers face lost livelihoods, sense of betrayal
Read full article: Texas took their licenses. Now these immigrant truckers face lost livelihoods, sense of betrayalTexas was among the first states to heed Trump administration directives to revoke commercial driver’s licenses from some immigrants as a safety measure.
GOP hardliners aren’t buying into U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar’s bipartisan immigration bill
Read full article: GOP hardliners aren’t buying into U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar’s bipartisan immigration billThe latest version of the El Paso Democrat’s Dignity Act includes a key change to make it more palatable to Republicans. Some have gotten on board, but others are firmly opposed.
Teachers with national certification earn more, but Texas is questioning its worth
Read full article: Teachers with national certification earn more, but Texas is questioning its worthThe National Board Certification is widely considered the most demanding for teachers. Texas leaders are examining whether it fits the state’s merit-based system.
Older Americans say it’s a good time to find a job. Younger people aren’t buying it, new poll finds
Read full article: Older Americans say it’s a good time to find a job. Younger people aren’t buying it, new poll findsA new poll finds that younger Americans are more pessimistic than older ones about the state of the job market.
Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar faces removal attempt following federal fraud indictment
Read full article: Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar faces removal attempt following federal fraud indictmentCuellar has denied that he defrauded the sheriff’s office during the COVID-19 pandemic. His brother is Democratic U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar.
Oregon Democrats found a way to improve roads. Now their gas tax goes before voters as prices soar
Read full article: Oregon Democrats found a way to improve roads. Now their gas tax goes before voters as prices soarA referendum on Oregon's primary ballot seeking to repeal a Democratic gas tax increase is complicating the affordability message central to the party's midterm election strategy.
Rejecting church and state separation is on the wish list for Trump's religious liberty commission
Read full article: Rejecting church and state separation is on the wish list for Trump's religious liberty commissionPresident Donald Trump's Religious Liberty Commission is preparing to make recommendations after more than a year of hearings.
Tennessee redistricting plan splits Memphis neighbors and reshapes midterms as other states follow
Read full article: Tennessee redistricting plan splits Memphis neighbors and reshapes midterms as other states followA new congressional map in Tennessee splits the majority-Black city of Memphis into three districts.
Feds investigate Houston ISD for plans to separate students with disabilities
Read full article: Feds investigate Houston ISD for plans to separate students with disabilitiesHouston school administrators say the move would give children who need the support more focused attention. But the U.S. Department of Education worries the plan amounts to segregation.
Big Bend border wall plans canceled for national park after backlash, Border Patrol commissioner says
Read full article: Big Bend border wall plans canceled for national park after backlash, Border Patrol commissioner saysTexans across the political spectrum opposed wall construction in the national park. Now the agency’s plans include roadways and digital surveillance to monitor the rugged region.
In legal dispute over 'The View,' ABC argues Trump administration is trying to chill free speech
Read full article: In legal dispute over 'The View,' ABC argues Trump administration is trying to chill free speechABC is accusing the Trump administration of trying to chill free speech and hinder open political discussion.
Virginia Supreme Court strikes down Democrats' redrawn US House maps, giving Republicans a win
Read full article: Virginia Supreme Court strikes down Democrats' redrawn US House maps, giving Republicans a winThe Virginia Supreme Court has struck down a Democratic congressional redistricting plan that had won voter approval.
The Latest: Trump says a 3-day Russia-Ukraine ceasefire may be 'beginning of the end'
Read full article: The Latest: Trump says a 3-day Russia-Ukraine ceasefire may be 'beginning of the end'President Donald Trump says the leaders of Russia and Ukraine have agreed to his request for a three-day ceasefire and an exchange of prisoners.
By threatening public safety grants, Greg Abbott exerts control over Texas cities
Read full article: By threatening public safety grants, Greg Abbott exerts control over Texas citiesThe governor’s threats have produced quick wins on hot-button issues important to the GOP base – immigration and perceived threats posed by Islam.
Texas’ 35th Congressional District primary runoffs: Who is running and what to know
Read full article: Texas’ 35th Congressional District primary runoffs: Who is running and what to knowTwo Democrats and two Republicans advanced to May runoffs for the open San Antonio-area seat, which was drawn to favor the GOP yet is considered winnable for Democrats in a wave year.
In parched Texas, a state fund to boost water projects falls almost $3 billion short of demand
Read full article: In parched Texas, a state fund to boost water projects falls almost $3 billion short of demandTen water projects received initial approval to split $1.28 billion in state money this year, but 13 others didn’t make the cut — including one that may supply drought-stricken Corpus Christi.