Texas officials are cracking down on “illegal birth tourism.” Here’s what that means.
Read full article: Texas officials are cracking down on “illegal birth tourism.” Here’s what that means.Texas officials have sued a Houston area postpartum center as well as investigated Rio Grande Valley hospitals over allegations of soliciting foreigners to have babies on U.S. soil.
How suing Biden more than 100 times fueled Ken Paxton’s rise and reshaped Texans’ lives
Read full article: How suing Biden more than 100 times fueled Ken Paxton’s rise and reshaped Texans’ livesAs attorney general, Paxton threw unprecedented resources into stopping Biden’s agenda. That record is his sword and shield as he runs for U.S. Senate.
“Who do I vote for?”: Cornyn voters weigh Paxton, Talarico or sitting out in November
Read full article: “Who do I vote for?”: Cornyn voters weigh Paxton, Talarico or sitting out in NovemberThe Tribune spoke with nine people who voted for the senior senator in the primary, offering a window into how that key voting bloc is thinking about the general election.
Days after fatal ICE shooting, Texas GOP leaders remain silent about calls for independent probes
Read full article: Days after fatal ICE shooting, Texas GOP leaders remain silent about calls for independent probesAlmost none of the state’s major Republican officials have weighed in on the killing of a Houston man by federal agents, and U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia of Houston said she had not spoken with Gov. Greg Abbott.
Houston mayor vows local investigation into ICE shooting but says feds aren’t sharing information
Read full article: Houston mayor vows local investigation into ICE shooting but says feds aren’t sharing information"They control the scene, the deceased, the van, the witnesses. So yes, they control the investigation," Mayor John Whitmire said.
Harris County prosecutor will investigate ICE shooting but cautions that feds control access to evidence
Read full article: Harris County prosecutor will investigate ICE shooting but cautions that feds control access to evidenceDistrict Attorney Sean Teare said he is in contact with prosecutors in Minnesota who are investigating the January shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents.
What to know about Houston ICE shooting and other migrant deaths in Texas
Read full article: What to know about Houston ICE shooting and other migrant deaths in TexasMost migrant deaths in Texas have occurred while they were detained since President Donald Trump began his immigration crackdown. Several were from natural causes.
Texas’ ACA enrollment shrinks by 4% after tax credit expiration, new federal data shows
Read full article: Texas’ ACA enrollment shrinks by 4% after tax credit expiration, new federal data showsAs of February, 21% of Texans who enrolled in a plan through the federal marketplace did not pay their first premium.
Crowd demands justice at vigil for Houston man killed in ICE shooting
Read full article: Crowd demands justice at vigil for Houston man killed in ICE shootingSpeakers at the vigil and a statement from Lorenzo Salgado Araujo’s family elevated calls for an independent investigation into his death and raised doubts about ICE’s description of events.
State lawmakers to explore banning foreign nationals from using Texas surrogates
Read full article: State lawmakers to explore banning foreign nationals from using Texas surrogatesLast month, the Texas Republican Party included in its platform a ban on foreigners using American surrogates, arguing the practice allows children born under these circumstances to obtain U.S. citizenship.
Four years after Dobbs, Texas abortion-rights advocates struggle to break through in Washington
Read full article: Four years after Dobbs, Texas abortion-rights advocates struggle to break through in WashingtonJust 2% of Texas voters call abortion the state’s most pressing problem. Advocates are reframing the issue as one of reproductive healthcare that affects families’ pocketbooks.
Catholic bishop seeks information on “wildly disturbing” ICE arrest of nun walking to South Texas church
Read full article: Catholic bishop seeks information on “wildly disturbing” ICE arrest of nun walking to South Texas churchICE detained the 56-year-old nun from Nigeria on Sunday but released her later that day after federal lawmakers intervened.
Democrats in half of states sue Trump administration over Medicaid work rules
Read full article: Democrats in half of states sue Trump administration over Medicaid work rulesDemocrats in 25 states and the District of Columbia are suing the Trump administration over its interpretation of new Medicaid work requirements.
Americans' pride in US history and democracy drops, and fewer are proud to be American, polls find
Read full article: Americans' pride in US history and democracy drops, and fewer are proud to be American, polls findA new AP-NORC poll finds that Americans have grown less proud of the country’s history or the way its democracy works over the past several years.
Unease about Talarico’s Black support on display at Texas Democratic Convention
Read full article: Unease about Talarico’s Black support on display at Texas Democratic ConventionBlack elected officials said the Senate nominee had more work to do to engage voters in their communities, while noting there was still time to do so before November.
Texas Rep. Gene Wu says underfunded schools are fueling juvenile justice challenges
Read full article: Texas Rep. Gene Wu says underfunded schools are fueling juvenile justice challengesState Rep. Gene Wu says Texas must do more to support public education and address the root causes of youth crime, arguing that underfunded schools and a lack of mental health resources are contributing to problems in the state’s juvenile justice system.
Supreme Court clears way for Trump administration to revive restrictive immigration policy
Read full article: Supreme Court clears way for Trump administration to revive restrictive immigration policyIn a 6-3 decision, the justices green-lit the practice of limiting the number of people who can apply for asylum each day.
Ken Paxton and James Talarico are neck and neck in U.S. Senate race, new poll finds
Read full article: Ken Paxton and James Talarico are neck and neck in U.S. Senate race, new poll findsThe vast majority of Republicans indicated they had moved on from the bitter GOP primary and now support Paxton. Talarico had commanding leads among independents and moderates.
Austin-area hospitals denied miscarriage care despite clarification to Texas’ abortion ban, federal complaint alleges
Read full article: Austin-area hospitals denied miscarriage care despite clarification to Texas’ abortion ban, federal complaint allegesLynn Callaway says she was sent home from two hospitals, despite an infection, due to healthcare providers’ fear of the state’s abortion ban.
Which Bible passages are in Texas’ proposed student reading list? Here’s what the selections reveal.
Read full article: Which Bible passages are in Texas’ proposed student reading list? Here’s what the selections reveal.The chosen readings, to be voted on soon by the State Board of Education, draw heavily from Christian perspectives.
First-of-its-kind GOP midterm convention coming to Dallas in September, Trump says
Read full article: First-of-its-kind GOP midterm convention coming to Dallas in September, Trump saysThe Republican National Committee has not yet announced the midterm convention or its location, but it has teased the event as an opportunity to put Trump on the ballot.
Texas Railroad Commission race pits oil field engineer against energy trader running on culture wars
Read full article: Texas Railroad Commission race pits oil field engineer against energy trader running on culture warsRepublican Bo French is keeping Islam, immigration and LGBTQ+ issues at the fore of his campaign for Texas’ oil regulatory agency. Democratic foe Jon Rosenthal is betting on his technical expertise.
Emboldened Senate Democrats block even bipartisan bills in hardball approach to counter Trump
Read full article: Emboldened Senate Democrats block even bipartisan bills in hardball approach to counter TrumpThe decision by Senate Democrats to let a key surveillance authority lapse comes as they're increasingly emboldened in their legislative fights against President Donald Trump.
Democratic land commissioner nominee diagnosed with cancer, announces he’s in remission
Read full article: Democratic land commissioner nominee diagnosed with cancer, announces he’s in remissionBenjamin Flores, who will face GOP incumbent Dawn Buckingham in November, said he would remain in the race.
Texas GOP Chair Abraham George ousted by second-in-command D’rinda Randall
Read full article: Texas GOP Chair Abraham George ousted by second-in-command D’rinda RandallRandall’s supporters were animated by a mix of factors, including the perception that George was too friendly to establishment Republicans.
A key US government surveillance program is set to expire. A look at what that means
Read full article: A key US government surveillance program is set to expire. A look at what that meansA key surveillance tool seen as vital in preventing terror attacks and catching foreign spies is set to expire after congressional efforts to temporarily extend it failed in bipartisan fashion.
Corpus Christi’s delayed water response bubbles up to Texas governor’s race
Read full article: Corpus Christi’s delayed water response bubbles up to Texas governor’s raceFrustrated by a lack of progress, Gov. Greg Abbott threatened state action. Gina Hinojosa, his Democratic opponent, accused him of backing industry over people.
East Texas county judge urges state lawmakers to help locals combat data center proliferation
Read full article: East Texas county judge urges state lawmakers to help locals combat data center proliferationA proposed data center in Angelina County will occupy more than 1,000 acres outside of Lufkin. The county judge says there's nothing he can do to stop it.
Ken Paxton's attorney in his impeachment trial endorses James Talarico in US Senate race
Read full article: Ken Paxton's attorney in his impeachment trial endorses James Talarico in US Senate raceAn attorney who defended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in his impeachment trial has endorsed Paxton's Democratic opponent in the U.S. Senate race.
Christian Menefee’s congressional win is a generational shift backed by cryptocurrency
Read full article: Christian Menefee’s congressional win is a generational shift backed by cryptocurrencyMenefee, 38, unseated U.S. Rep. Al Green, 78, to represent a redrawn Harris County congressional district. The men faced off after Republicans combined parts of their current districts into one.
National Democrats aim to flip 12 Texas House seats under newly expanded target list
Read full article: National Democrats aim to flip 12 Texas House seats under newly expanded target listRepublicans would have just a 76-74 majority in the Texas House if the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee succeeds in flipping its targeted GOP districts.
Mullin faces Senate grilling on DHS budget, immigration crackdown and World Cup worries
Read full article: Mullin faces Senate grilling on DHS budget, immigration crackdown and World Cup worriesHomeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is set to appear in the Senate to discuss the agency's budget.
Trump reconsidering $1.8 billion fund, AP source says, as Justice Department temporarily pauses it
Read full article: Trump reconsidering $1.8 billion fund, AP source says, as Justice Department temporarily pauses itPresident Donald Trump is reconsidering whether to move forward with a $1.8 billion fund meant to compensate his allies, a person familiar with his thinking said Monday.
ICE sued over “inhumane” conditions at Camp East Montana in West Texas
Read full article: ICE sued over “inhumane” conditions at Camp East Montana in West TexasThe El Paso tent camp has seen at least three detainee deaths, a measles outbreak and nearly 50 detention standards violations in less than a year of operation.
Outside spending blitz defined the close of Texas’ District 35 Democratic runoff
Read full article: Outside spending blitz defined the close of Texas’ District 35 Democratic runoffTo counter what appeared to be a GOP push to elevate Maureen Galindo, who’d voiced antisemitic stereotypes, national Democrats carpet-bombed the San Antonio area with $1.7 million worth of ads.
In Harris County judge runoff, a Democratic upset underscores voters’ desire for new blood
Read full article: In Harris County judge runoff, a Democratic upset underscores voters’ desire for new bloodFormer Houston City Council member Letitia Plummer defeated longtime local politician Annise Parker to win the Democratic nomination for Harris County judge in what political experts say might be a sign of the changing of the guard.
From Cornyn to Paxton: How Trump helped accelerate the Texas GOP’s transformation
Read full article: From Cornyn to Paxton: How Trump helped accelerate the Texas GOP’s transformationThe power struggle between old-school Bush Republicans and hardline conservatives predates President Donald Trump. But he has used his clout to help tip the scales.
In new memoir, Jill Biden wonders whether acknowledging Joe's poor debate would have been better
Read full article: In new memoir, Jill Biden wonders whether acknowledging Joe's poor debate would have been betterIn her new memoir, Jill Biden reflects on Joe Biden's poor 2024 presidential debate performance against Donald Trump.
Tala-freak-o vs. Ken the Criminal: Texas candidates sharpen attacks as U.S. Senate race locks in
Read full article: Tala-freak-o vs. Ken the Criminal: Texas candidates sharpen attacks as U.S. Senate race locks inTexas' Ken Paxton and James Talarico focus their energies — and attack ads — on each other as the fight for U.S. Senate narrows to two.
One in five Latino Trump voters in Texas would not repeat vote if given redo, poll finds
Read full article: One in five Latino Trump voters in Texas would not repeat vote if given redo, poll findsThe survey is the latest to measure eroding Latino support for the president and the GOP after historic gains in 2024. But a polling expert said Democrats were “still underperforming” among the bloc.
Colin Allred tops Julie Johnson in redistricting-driven runoff battle of Dallas Democrats
Read full article: Colin Allred tops Julie Johnson in redistricting-driven runoff battle of Dallas DemocratsJohnson succeeded Allred in Congress, but Republican redistricting pushed them into an unusual primary confrontation for the 33rd Congressional District.
Paxton-backed Thomas Smith defeats Alison Fox in GOP runoff for Texas’ highest criminal court
Read full article: Paxton-backed Thomas Smith defeats Alison Fox in GOP runoff for Texas’ highest criminal courtThe all-Republican Court of Criminal Appeals has undergone extensive turnover since AG Ken Paxton began targeting incumbent judges.
Christian Menefee defeats longtime Houston Rep. Al Green in Texas’ new 18th Congressional District
Read full article: Christian Menefee defeats longtime Houston Rep. Al Green in Texas’ new 18th Congressional DistrictGreen’s loss means the Texas House delegation is losing one of its most senior members, who served more than 20 years in Congress.
Travel industry worries after Trump administration reiterates threat to sanctuary city airports
Read full article: Travel industry worries after Trump administration reiterates threat to sanctuary city airportsThe travel industry is on edge after Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin reiterated his threat to withdraw U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers from airports in so-called “sanctuary cities” in a move that could jeopardize international flights.
Rallies, ad blitzes and a Trump endorsement: inside the final days of the Cornyn-Paxton runoff
Read full article: Rallies, ad blitzes and a Trump endorsement: inside the final days of the Cornyn-Paxton runoffNearly 14 months and $135 million later, Texas’ blockbuster Republican Senate primary will finally be decided Tuesday.
House Democratic runoff heats up in the Rio Grande Valley, where the party hopes to reverse GOP gains
Read full article: House Democratic runoff heats up in the Rio Grande Valley, where the party hopes to reverse GOP gainsTexas House District 41 was opened by the retirement of Rep. Bobby Guerra, a Democrat. Donald Trump carried the district with 50.3% of the vote in 2024.
In Democratic runoff, Reps. Al Green and Christian Menefee clash over influence of big money in politics
Read full article: In Democratic runoff, Reps. Al Green and Christian Menefee clash over influence of big money in politicsThe clash embodies the tension for Democrats who rely on large fundraising hauls to remain competitive, even as they denounce the outsized political influence of corporate cash.
Colorado Democrats censure governor for conspiracy theorist sentence commutation
Read full article: Colorado Democrats censure governor for conspiracy theorist sentence commutationColorado Democrats have voted overwhelmingly to censure the state's governor for commuting the prison sentence of an election conspiracy theorist.
Ken Paxton wanted to limit forum shopping. Now lawyers say he’s improperly seeking favorable courts.
Read full article: Ken Paxton wanted to limit forum shopping. Now lawyers say he’s improperly seeking favorable courts.ProPublica and The Texas Tribune have identified at least 30 lawsuits filed by the attorney general over the past nine years that have a tenuous connection to the counties in which they were filed.
Texas’ GOP Senate runoff pits an old guard-backed institutionalist against a Trump-picked flamethrower
Read full article: Texas’ GOP Senate runoff pits an old guard-backed institutionalist against a Trump-picked flamethrowerThe GOP establishment has gone to bat for John Cornyn, touting the statesmanship and Washington know-how that make him a favorite of his colleagues and a pariah among Paxton’s base.
Dems slam Maureen Galindo’s comments as antisemitic in TX-35 runoff
Read full article: Dems slam Maureen Galindo’s comments as antisemitic in TX-35 runoffSome party leaders are also also alleging GOP interference on behalf of Galindo, who said she would “turn Karnes ICE Detention Center into a prison for American Zionists” if elected.
Election for oil regulator becomes battleground for wealthy donors
Read full article: Election for oil regulator becomes battleground for wealthy donorsIn the GOP runoff for Texas Railroad commissioner, billionaires, big oil companies and trade groups flood the campaign pockets of candidates Jim Wright and Bo French.
Justice Department announces a $1.7B fund to compensate Trump allies in a deal to drop IRS suit
Read full article: Justice Department announces a $1.7B fund to compensate Trump allies in a deal to drop IRS suitThe Trump administration has announced the creation a $1.7 billion fund to compensate allies of the Republican president who believe they have been unjustly investigated and prosecuted.
Senate parliamentarian deals blow to $1 billion security proposal for White House
Read full article: Senate parliamentarian deals blow to $1 billion security proposal for White HouseA proposal to fund $1 billion in security additions for the White House campus and the president’s new ballroom fails to meet procedural rules.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For many Americans, Trump's immigration crackdown is personal, new AP-NORC poll shows
Read full article: For many Americans, Trump's immigration crackdown is personal, new AP-NORC poll showsA new AP-NORC poll finds about 6 in 10 U.S. adults say the country is no longer a great place for immigrants, though they believe it used to be.
Southern Republicans press ahead with election-year redistricting of US House despite protests
Read full article: Southern Republicans press ahead with election-year redistricting of US House despite protestsRepublicans are rapidly pursuing redistricting efforts across the South following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that affects majority-Black congressional districts.
Texas’ 18th Congressional District Democratic runoff: Who is running and what to know
Read full article: Texas’ 18th Congressional District Democratic runoff: Who is running and what to knowThe Democratic runoff for the Houston-based seat — a longtime bastion of Black political power — pits the Texas delegation’s newest member, Christian Menefee, against one of its longest-tenured, Al Green.
Rep. Greg Casar unveils bill targeting utility costs as part of progressives’ “affordability agenda”
Read full article: Rep. Greg Casar unveils bill targeting utility costs as part of progressives’ “affordability agenda”The proposal is part of a package from the Casar-led Congressional Progressive Caucus focused on cost of living. It’s unlikely to go anywhere but could give Democrats a campaign blueprint.
Rep. Christian Menefee introduces first bill to set national deadline for filling vacant House seats
Read full article: Rep. Christian Menefee introduces first bill to set national deadline for filling vacant House seatsHouston congressman Christian Menefee is making his first move in Washington with a proposal aimed at speeding up how quickly vacant seats in the U.S. House are filled.
Christian Menefee’s district sat vacant for 11 months. His first bill in Congress would set a deadline for special elections.
Read full article: Christian Menefee’s district sat vacant for 11 months. His first bill in Congress would set a deadline for special elections.The Houston Democrat was elected earlier this year to finish out the term of Rep. Sylvester Turner, who died in March 2025. The safely blue district was left vacant for 334 days.
Top Democratic PAC books $22 million in ads, Republican counterpart reserves $14 million for U.S. House seats in South Texas
Read full article: Top Democratic PAC books $22 million in ads, Republican counterpart reserves $14 million for U.S. House seats in South TexasHouse Majority PAC is targeting five majority-Hispanic seats, including the 23rd Congressional District, which was recently vacated by Republican Tony Gonzales. The top Republican group is spending $13.9 million on two seats.
AG Ken Paxton blocked from suing Democratic donor platform ActBlue
Read full article: AG Ken Paxton blocked from suing Democratic donor platform ActBluePaxton filed a lawsuit against ActBlue in late April, claiming the platform allows improper donations from people outside the United States and those who have already hit the mandated donor limits.
Texas Democrats feud over party leadership as hundreds back Kendall Scudder’s chairmanship
Read full article: Texas Democrats feud over party leadership as hundreds back Kendall Scudder’s chairmanshipNearly 800 elected officials, party activists and local Democratic leaders signed onto a letter supporting Scudder after three dozen called on him to forgo reelection.
A big midterms year in Arizona kicks off with the state's largest county embroiled in election drama
Read full article: A big midterms year in Arizona kicks off with the state's largest county embroiled in election dramaMuch of the political spotlight this election year in Arizona has been focused on the office that runs elections in Maricopa County, the state’s largest.
Three dozen Texas Democrats urge Kendall Scudder not to seek reelection as state party chair
Read full article: Three dozen Texas Democrats urge Kendall Scudder not to seek reelection as state party chairIn an open letter, former staffers and other insiders said the state party has fallen short on strategy and failed to act with urgency under Scudder’s leadership.
House rejects effort to withdraw US forces from the Iran war as Republicans stick with Trump
Read full article: House rejects effort to withdraw US forces from the Iran war as Republicans stick with TrumpThe House has rejected a resolution requiring President Donald Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from the war with Iran unless Congress authorizes military action.
House Democrats will try anti-corruption message to gain traction against Trump
Read full article: House Democrats will try anti-corruption message to gain traction against TrumpHouse Democrats are launching what they call an anti-corruption task force in an attempt to strengthen ethics rules and protect voting access.
Texas House Democrats who walked out over congressional map fined over $8,000 each
Read full article: Texas House Democrats who walked out over congressional map fined over $8,000 eachA Republican-led House committee approved the penalties Friday, charging Democrats $500 for each day they were absent, plus costs borne by law enforcement to bring them back.
Bills to pay FAA and TSA workers during shutdowns get introduced but keep stalling in Congress
Read full article: Bills to pay FAA and TSA workers during shutdowns get introduced but keep stalling in CongressMembers of Congress have repeatedly introduced bills to ensure the federal employees who control air traffic and conduct airport security screenings get paid during government shutdowns.
Enhanced role for immigration officers at US airports as shutdown frustrates travelers and screeners
Read full article: Enhanced role for immigration officers at US airports as shutdown frustrates travelers and screenersPresident Donald Trump’s decision to order federal immigration agents to U.S. airports to help with security is drawing concerns that their presence may escalate tensions among air travelers and screeners.