Texas Tribune
@texastribune.org
Member-supported, nonprofit and nonpartisan newsroom informing & engaging Texans on state politics & policy. Sign up for our daily email: http://trib.it/signup
Pinned
Texas Tribune
@texastribune.org
· Nov 18
Hello! We’re holding this space while planning our Bluesky approach. Feel free to follow our staff. 👇
go.bsky.app/Pp9Zwtm
go.bsky.app/Pp9Zwtm
New: The families of five Camp Mystic campers and two counselors who died during the July 4 flooding filed a lawsuit against the camp on Monday, alleging that camp officials’ failure to evacuate the camp caused their children’s deaths.
Parents of flood victims suing Camp Mystic for negligence
The lawsuit, filed Monday, alleges Camp Mystic officials’ lack of planning and stalled evacuation contributed to the deaths of several children and counselors.
www.texastribune.org
November 10, 2025 at 11:57 PM
New: The families of five Camp Mystic campers and two counselors who died during the July 4 flooding filed a lawsuit against the camp on Monday, alleging that camp officials’ failure to evacuate the camp caused their children’s deaths.
The Texas A&M University System will vote on Thursday on whether to prohibit faculty at its 11 universities from teaching “race or gender ideology” unless those lessons are pre-approved by each campus president or a delegate.
Texas A&M to vote on banning “race and gender ideology”
The proposal appears to mark the first time a Texas university system offers definitions of what kind of instruction related to race and gender should not be permitted.
www.texastribune.org
November 10, 2025 at 10:23 PM
The Texas A&M University System will vote on Thursday on whether to prohibit faculty at its 11 universities from teaching “race or gender ideology” unless those lessons are pre-approved by each campus president or a delegate.
Heart O’ the Hills Camp for Girls will relocate several miles north of its original location along the Guadalupe River after it suffered serious damage during the deadly July 4 flooding, according to a statement from new camp management.
Heart O’ the Hills to relocate after damage from floods
Heart O’ the Hills Camp for Girls will construct new facilities out of the Guadalupe River floodplain, according to its new operators Elisabeth and John Hay.
www.texastribune.org
November 10, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Heart O’ the Hills Camp for Girls will relocate several miles north of its original location along the Guadalupe River after it suffered serious damage during the deadly July 4 flooding, according to a statement from new camp management.
⏰The stage is set — only 3 days until TribFest! Join 300+ inspiring leaders and changemakers in downtown Austin, Nov. 13–15. With 100+ sessions, you’ll leave ready to bring your own big ideas to life. Get tickets: trib.it/tribfest2025... #TribFest25
November 10, 2025 at 6:23 PM
⏰The stage is set — only 3 days until TribFest! Join 300+ inspiring leaders and changemakers in downtown Austin, Nov. 13–15. With 100+ sessions, you’ll leave ready to bring your own big ideas to life. Get tickets: trib.it/tribfest2025... #TribFest25
A draft of the first-of-its-kind Texas Department of Transportation plan released in October outlines the need for boosted public transportation in rural and smaller urban areas as well as a greater array of travel options, including rail, between the state’s major urban centers.
TxDOT: Car-dominant Texas needs more public transit
As the state’s population grows, more travel options are needed in rural and smaller urban areas and between major cities, according to a draft of the first-of-its-kind plan.
www.texastribune.org
November 10, 2025 at 4:08 PM
A draft of the first-of-its-kind Texas Department of Transportation plan released in October outlines the need for boosted public transportation in rural and smaller urban areas as well as a greater array of travel options, including rail, between the state’s major urban centers.
Rep. Al Green switches congressional districts in bid for reelection.
Al Green switches congressional districts in reelection bid
The veteran lawmaker whose current district was redrawn to benefit Republicans would face the winner of the 18th Congressional District special election runoff.
www.texastribune.org
November 8, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Rep. Al Green switches congressional districts in bid for reelection.
Texas AG Ken Paxton sues Galveston ISD for not displaying Ten Commandments in classrooms.
Texas sues Galveston ISD over Ten Commandments law
A federal judge has barred 11 school districts from implementing the state law, calling it unconstitutional. Paxton has ordered all other districts to display the Ten Commandments.
www.texastribune.org
November 7, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Texas AG Ken Paxton sues Galveston ISD for not displaying Ten Commandments in classrooms.
A former middle school teacher who served as New Mexico’s secretary of education will oversee the Fort Worth ISD as Texas takes control.
Texas appoints Fort Worth ISD conservator
Christopher Ruszkowski will monitor district operations and ensure academic improvement while the state appoints a board of managers, the education commissioner said.
www.texastribune.org
November 7, 2025 at 8:12 PM
A former middle school teacher who served as New Mexico’s secretary of education will oversee the Fort Worth ISD as Texas takes control.
U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn filed legislation that would limit the U.S. from sending Mexico future deliveries of water and would allow the U.S. president to stop engaging with Mexico in certain business sectors that benefit from U.S. water.
Cruz, Cornyn want U.S. to stop sending water to Mexico
The bill is the latest effort from the Texas delegation that demands the U.S. get tougher with Mexico for failing to honor a 1944 treaty that in part governs Rio Grande water.
www.texastribune.org
November 7, 2025 at 3:22 PM
U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn filed legislation that would limit the U.S. from sending Mexico future deliveries of water and would allow the U.S. president to stop engaging with Mexico in certain business sectors that benefit from U.S. water.
Will Texas actually run out of water? Your questions about the state’s water supply answered.
Your questions about Texas’ water supply answered
You asked our AI chatbot about Texas’ water supply. We answered some of the questions that it couldn’t.
www.texastribune.org
November 7, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Will Texas actually run out of water? Your questions about the state’s water supply answered.
A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to fully fund SNAP, following a week of indecision about the program’s fate during the government shutdown.
Feds ordered to fully fund SNAP, but Texans could face delays
Trump administration officials said earlier this week they’d only partially fund SNAP payments.
www.texastribune.org
November 6, 2025 at 11:50 PM
A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to fully fund SNAP, following a week of indecision about the program’s fate during the government shutdown.
New: Texas can enforce a 2023 law that restricts some public drag shows, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday.
Senate Bill 12 prohibits drag performers from dancing suggestively or wearing certain prosthetics in front of children.
Senate Bill 12 prohibits drag performers from dancing suggestively or wearing certain prosthetics in front of children.
Texas can enforce ban on sexually explicit drag shows
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals’ ruling suggested not all drag shows are sexually explicit.
www.texastribune.org
November 6, 2025 at 9:52 PM
New: Texas can enforce a 2023 law that restricts some public drag shows, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday.
Senate Bill 12 prohibits drag performers from dancing suggestively or wearing certain prosthetics in front of children.
Senate Bill 12 prohibits drag performers from dancing suggestively or wearing certain prosthetics in front of children.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is asking a judge to block the maker of Tylenol from distributing $400 million of dividends to its shareholders amid the state’s litigation against the company.
Paxton tries to stop Tylenol maker from paying shareholders
The filing is likely intended to create financial uncertainty for the company — something Texas has promised corporations they could avoid in a bid to lure business to the state.
www.texastribune.org
November 6, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is asking a judge to block the maker of Tylenol from distributing $400 million of dividends to its shareholders amid the state’s litigation against the company.
Cornyn “open to” changing Senate filibuster, Hunt and Paxton back Trump’s call to scrap it
Cornyn open to filibuster reform; Hunt, Paxton want it gone
The president has sharpened his calls for Senate Republicans to kill the longstanding legislative maneuver, saying the GOP’s electoral success could hinge on it.
www.texastribune.org
November 6, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Cornyn “open to” changing Senate filibuster, Hunt and Paxton back Trump’s call to scrap it
Voters across Texas shot down bids by school districts and cities to increase funds to hire teachers and police officers, pave roads and keep schools humming.
More than half of those measures failed in Tuesday’s elections, according to a Tribune analysis.
More than half of those measures failed in Tuesday’s elections, according to a Tribune analysis.
Texas voters shot down property tax increases this week
Even voters in Austin, one of the state’s most liberal cities, shot down a measure to raise property taxes.
www.texastribune.org
November 6, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Voters across Texas shot down bids by school districts and cities to increase funds to hire teachers and police officers, pave roads and keep schools humming.
More than half of those measures failed in Tuesday’s elections, according to a Tribune analysis.
More than half of those measures failed in Tuesday’s elections, according to a Tribune analysis.
Billionaire Jeff Yass donated $100 million to offer free tuition permanently to students who enroll at the University of Austin, the fledgling private university founded by critics of traditional higher education who argue colleges have grown hostile to free speech and merit.
Jeff Yass gives $100M to University of Austin for tuition
Yass, a school voucher supporter and an influential figure in Texas politics, said the only condition for the gift was for the school not to receive government funding.
www.texastribune.org
November 5, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Billionaire Jeff Yass donated $100 million to offer free tuition permanently to students who enroll at the University of Austin, the fledgling private university founded by critics of traditional higher education who argue colleges have grown hostile to free speech and merit.
We’re taking over Austin’s Congress Avenue for a FREE street fest! Join us at Open Congress on Nov. 15 for bold conversations, live performances, tastings, book signings, interactive exhibits and so much more. RSVP: trib.it/oc25-bluesky.
November 5, 2025 at 7:46 PM
We’re taking over Austin’s Congress Avenue for a FREE street fest! Join us at Open Congress on Nov. 15 for bold conversations, live performances, tastings, book signings, interactive exhibits and so much more. RSVP: trib.it/oc25-bluesky.
Residents of a rural North Texas community who have long complained about noise from a nearby Bitcoin facility lost their effort to regulate the facility after 62% of the 138 voters who cast ballots rejected a proposal to incorporate as a city.
Texas community votes no on incorporating to fight Bitcoin mine
Some Hood County residents wanted the same power that cities have to set noise limits, but did not secure enough votes.
www.texastribune.org
November 5, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Residents of a rural North Texas community who have long complained about noise from a nearby Bitcoin facility lost their effort to regulate the facility after 62% of the 138 voters who cast ballots rejected a proposal to incorporate as a city.
As of Wednesday, Texans still haven’t seen any November SNAP benefits, which could take days to roll out.
Texans are still waiting for November SNAP benefits
Although the federal government has said it will deposit half of November benefits, Texans are still unsure when money will land in their accounts.
www.texastribune.org
November 5, 2025 at 5:53 PM
As of Wednesday, Texans still haven’t seen any November SNAP benefits, which could take days to roll out.
Democrat Taylor Rehmet and Republican Leigh Wambsganss are headed to a runoff in the special election for the North Texas Senate seat vacated by Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock.
Rehmet, Wambsganss head to runoff in Senate special election
With the GOP vote fractured between Wambsganss and another Republican, Rehmet led the three-person contest for the red-leaning district.
www.texastribune.org
November 5, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Democrat Taylor Rehmet and Republican Leigh Wambsganss are headed to a runoff in the special election for the North Texas Senate seat vacated by Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock.
Menefee advances to runoff, Edwards leads Jones for second spot in special election for Houston congressional seat.
Menefee advances to runoff for Houston-based CD-18
The runoff winner will serve out the term of U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner, who died in office earlier this year. The seat will immediately be up for election again in 2026 for a full two-year term.
www.texastribune.org
November 5, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Menefee advances to runoff, Edwards leads Jones for second spot in special election for Houston congressional seat.
Democrat Rehmet, Republican Wambsganss appear headed to runoff in special election for North Texas Senate seat.
Rehmet, Wambsganss head to runoff in Senate special election
With the GOP vote fractured between Wambsganss and another Republican, Rehmet narrowly led the three-person contest for the red-leaning district.
www.texastribune.org
November 5, 2025 at 4:46 AM
Democrat Rehmet, Republican Wambsganss appear headed to runoff in special election for North Texas Senate seat.
Breaking: All 17 Texas Constitution amendments on verge of approval.
The propositions include restrictions on the creation of certain taxes, new tax exemptions, investments on water infrastructure and dementia research.
The propositions include restrictions on the creation of certain taxes, new tax exemptions, investments on water infrastructure and dementia research.
All 17 Texas Constitution amendments on verge of approval
The propositions include restrictions on the creation of certain taxes, new tax exemptions, investments on water infrastructure and dementia research.
www.texastribune.org
November 5, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Breaking: All 17 Texas Constitution amendments on verge of approval.
The propositions include restrictions on the creation of certain taxes, new tax exemptions, investments on water infrastructure and dementia research.
The propositions include restrictions on the creation of certain taxes, new tax exemptions, investments on water infrastructure and dementia research.
Texans set to approve $3 billion dementia research fund.
The Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas fund, a priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, will provide $3 billion in grants to researchers.
The Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas fund, a priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, will provide $3 billion in grants to researchers.
Texans set to approve $3 billion dementia research fund
The Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas fund, a priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, will provide $3 billion in grants to researchers.
www.texastribune.org
November 5, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Texans set to approve $3 billion dementia research fund.
The Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas fund, a priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, will provide $3 billion in grants to researchers.
The Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas fund, a priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, will provide $3 billion in grants to researchers.
Texans approve $850 million endowment for Texas State Technical College.
The funds will help the workforce training institution fix campus infrastructure and expand its footprint at a time when the state has seen a decline in skilled workers in some fields.
The funds will help the workforce training institution fix campus infrastructure and expand its footprint at a time when the state has seen a decline in skilled workers in some fields.
Texans approve endowment for Texas State Technical College
The funds will help the workforce training institution fix campus infrastructure and expand its footprint at a time when the state has seen a decline in skilled workers in some fields.
www.texastribune.org
November 5, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Texans approve $850 million endowment for Texas State Technical College.
The funds will help the workforce training institution fix campus infrastructure and expand its footprint at a time when the state has seen a decline in skilled workers in some fields.
The funds will help the workforce training institution fix campus infrastructure and expand its footprint at a time when the state has seen a decline in skilled workers in some fields.