The Texas Tribune
The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
Federal DEI funding cuts threaten the work of the few remaining Black farmers in East Texas
| July 18, 2025
It has embroiled the federal government in disputes with colleges and universities. Big cities are reevaluating programs to ensure they don’t lose grants. And Fortune 500 companies seeking favor from the new administration have ended their DEI practices. And it has frozen cash flow for Black farmers, many of whom live in East Texas.
Most Texas prisoners don’t have AC access and it’s unclear when they will get it
| July 18, 2025
Two thirds of people incarcerated in Texas’ prisons face another summer without air conditioning after lawmakers again declined to pass legislation that would mandate a timeline for installing climate control in state facilities.
Senate passes GOP’s tax and spending bill with Cornyn, Cruz priorities included
| July 2, 2025
ECONOMY | EDUCATION | greg abbott | lawmakers | laws | NATIONAL NEWS | national politics | TEXAS | Texas Lead Story
Following a 26-hour marathon voting session and lengthy, late-night negotiations, the U.S. Senate has passed its version of Republicans’ landmark tax and spending bill with both Texas senators, John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, voting for the legislation.
Texas House signals expanding state’s medical marijuana program
| May 13, 2025
bills | ECONOMY | equity | HEALTH | HEALTHCARE | inclusion | lawmakers | laws | marijuana | politcal | political | politics | state legislature | TEXAS | TEXAS ECONOMY | TEXAS HOUSE | TEXAS LEGISLATURE | TEXAS POLITICS | weed
House Bill 46 would increase the number of health conditions eligible and would offer smokeable products under the state’s medical marijuana program.
Texas House votes to strictly define man and woman, excluding trans people from state records
| May 12, 2025
bills | censorship | CIVIC ENGAGEMENT | CIVIL RIGHTS | dei | diversity | EQUALITY | equity | HEALTHCARE | lawmakers | laws | LGBTQ | politcal | political | politics | state legislature | TEXAS | TEXAS LEGISLATURE | TEXAS POLITICS | women's health
If it becomes law, the bill would define sex based on reproductive organs and require state documents and policies to comply with that framework.
At UT, a Day of Drag and Defiance
| May 5, 2025
bills | censorship | CIVIL RIGHTS | college | COLLEGE STUDENTS | Community | CULTURE | dei | diversity | EDUCATION | EQUALITY | equity | greg abbott | HIGHER EDUCATION | inclusion | lawmakers | LGBTQ | local | old texas | politcal | political | politics | public education | public school | schools | state legislature | TEXAS | TEXAS LEGISLATURE | TEXAS POLITICS
Students gathered for a joyful protest of the university system’s drag show ban.