Houstonian Mark Swidan to be released from Chinese imprisonment
The Texan has been imprisoned in China for 12 years on charges of drug trafficking. Full Story
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![Mark Swidan.]()
Credit: Courtesy of Swidan Family Free Mark Campaign -
Meet the new Texans in Congress
Five Texans were newly elected to Congress this year, four of whom are set to serve in January. Full Story
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![The U.S. Capitol surrounded by cherry blossoms on Monday, March 25, 2024 in Washington, D.C.]()
Credit: Maria Crane/The Texas Tribune -
A third woman has died under Texas’ abortion ban as doctors reach for riskier miscarriage treatments
Porsha Ngumezi bled to death as she was miscarrying after her doctor opted against an emergency procedure used to end pregnancies. Full Story
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![Hope and Porsha Ngumezi pose together in a family photo.]()
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How David Cook went from Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan’s ally to lead the movement to replace him
The two-term Republican caught many Capitol observers off guard when he emerged as the standard-bearer for a coalition that wants to depose Phelan and reshape how the House operates. Full Story
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![State Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield, takes the oath of office with his hand on a bible on the first day of the 88th Texas legislative session on Jan 10, 2023.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Donald Trump’s tariffs on Mexico could devastate border region, Texas economists warn
The president-elect said he intends to levy a 25% tariff on goods imported from Mexico and Canada until drugs and undocumented migrants stop crossing the border. Full Story
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![Shipping containers are seen at the container terminal of the port of Oakland, California on October 28, 2021.]()
Credit: Carlos Barria/REUTERS -
Texas offers Trump administration more land and support for mass deportations
Two events in the Rio Grande Valley on Tuesday made clear Texas officials will work with the Trump administration on immigration. Full Story
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![Incoming Trump administration appointee Border Czar Tom Homan speaks to DPS Troopers and National Guard troops at a Thanksgiving dinner event in Edinburg on Nov. 26, 2024.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribune -
"Somebody needs to get fired": Vicente Gonzalez blasts Dem strategy on abortion, trans issues
After Democrats underperformed nationally and in Texas, the McAllen Democrat had some sharp commentary for his party and said he won't be taking their advice. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen, in his office the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. Gonzalez defeated former Republican Representative Mayra Flores to secure the seat for Texas' 34th District in the U.S. House.]()
Credit: Shuran Huang for The Texas Tribune -
Texas ballot secrecy issue draws attention in Legislature, courts
One bill has been filed so far, while a pair of lawsuits focus attention on the issue. Full Story
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![Poll workers return voting equipment to central county station workers at the Brazos Center in Bryan on November 5, 2024.]()
Credit: Montinique Monroe for Votebeat -
Texas bill would reclassify abortion drugs as controlled substances
The bill is modeled after a Louisiana law that doctors say has created chaos for other gynecological issues best treated by these drugs. Full Story
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![Boxes of mifepristone, the first pill given in a medical abortion, are prepared for patients at a clinic in New Mexico on Jan. 13, 2023.]()
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Trump picks Texan Brooke Rollins to lead Agriculture Department
Rollins, who grew up in Glen Rose and once led the Texas Public Policy Foundation, will need Senate confirmation before becoming agriculture secretary. Full Story
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![AFPI President & CEO and Former Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council Brooke Rollins, speaks during the America First Agenda Summit organized by America First Policy Institute AFPI, on July 25, 2022 in Washington, D.C.]()
Credit: Oliver Contreras/Sipa USA via REUTERS -
Trump nominates former Texas lawmaker Scott Turner to lead Housing and Urban Development
Turner served in the Texas House for four years and was also executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council in the first Trump administration. Full Story
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![State Rep. Scott Turner, R-Frisco, gives a personal speech on the House floor in Austin in January 2015 after losing the speaker's race to Joe Straus, R-San Antonio.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Ken Paxton can’t be deposed in whistleblower suit, court says
The attorney general has agreed not to contest a lawsuit brought by former employees accusing him of retaliation after they said he abused his office. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks during the Texas GOP Convention Thursday, May 23, 2024 in San Antonio.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
A tuition freeze without more state aid could leave Texas universities strapped
Regional colleges rely more on tuition revenue to operate than flagship campuses. Gov. Greg Abbott’s desire to pause increases could create tight financial conditions. Full Story
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![Students walk through campus on the first day of classes at the University of Texas at Arlington on Aug. 27, 2021.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
Tribune news quiz: What happened in Texas this week?
How closely did you follow the news in Texas this week? Take The Texas Tribune’s news quiz to find out! Full Story
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![Tribune news quiz]()
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Ken Paxton adds Dallas to list of cities he's sued over marijuana decriminalization
Dallas is the sixth Texas city the attorney general has sued this year over marijuana decriminalization measures that he says conflicts with state law. Full Story
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![FILE: Recently harvested marijuana flowers are hung up to dry in South Austin on April 30, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Why a West Texas county is building a new courthouse even after voters rejected the proposal
Officials took the extraordinary step of taking on new debt to replace the old courthouse, which has been plagued by rats and other pests, elevator breakdowns and flooding. Full Story
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![The Ector County Courthouse shortly before opening on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in Odessa.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune -
Could Texas do for Alzheimer’s research what it did for cancer?
Modeled after the state’s $6 billion cancer research fund, the dementia fund — a legislative priority for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick — could pump hundreds of millions of dollars into Texas researchers. Full Story
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![The facilities of El Faro Health and Therapeutics clinical research facility count with an infusion room to treat patients with Alzheimer’s disease in Rio Grande City on November 13, 2021.]()
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Trump’s first Texas visit after historic Rio Grande Valley win spurs mix of excitement, trepidation
The president-elect was in South Texas to witness a test flight at SpaceX, whose founder, Elon Musk, is co-leading Trump’s government efficiency commission. Full Story
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![U.S. President-elect Donald Trump looks on during a viewing of a SpaceX Starship rocket, in Brownsville, on Nov. 19, 2024.]()
Credit: Brandon Bell/Pool via REUTERS -
Feds approve Texas’ plan for $3 billion to expand broadband access
The federal investment follows the $1 billion approved by Texas taxpayers to help connect the state. Full Story
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![A splice can that contains 432 fiber cables in Louisville, Kentucky on April 19, 2021.]()
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Donald Trump boosted mental health efforts in Texas in his first term. Will he do it again?
The president-elect previously supported community mental health programs in Texas, the 988 hotline and addressed the opioid crisis, but his plan to address homelessness threatens that legacy. Full Story
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![Former US president and 2024 presidential hopeful Donald Trump speaks at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) meeting on February 24, 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland.]()
Credit: Zach Roberts/NurPhoto via REUTERS