POLITICS
‘More stressed, more unsure’: Texas educators start school year under new DEI ban
DALLAS | dei | DFW | DFW Lead Story | DFW TEXED EXCLUSIVE | diversity | EDUCATION | educators | equity | inclusion | SAN ANTONIO | state legislature | TEXAS
Texas educators applaud increased public school funding, but question if it’s enough
| September 22, 2025
Texas lawmakers provided $8.5 billion in new funding for public schools this year, including a pay raise for teachers.
17 statewide propositions will appear on the November ballot. Here’s what Texas voters need to know.
| September 22, 2025
austin | ballot | CIVIC ENGAGEMENT | election | elections | lawmakers | laws | local politics | TEXAS | texas voter | Voter Resources | Voter Stories | VOTING IN TEXAS
By María Méndez, The Texas Tribune “17 statewide propositions will appear on the November ballot. Here’s what Texas voters need to know.” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Sign up for The […]
What you need to know about THC bans in Texas
| September 19, 2025
Changes are coming to the T💨C industry in Texas.
Although lawmakers failed to pass a blanket ban on consumable h3mp products, Gov. Greg Abbott recently issued an executive order mandating state agencies develop a ban on sales to minors and regulate the products similar to alcohol.
Vape pens containing T💨C are now banned in retailers as well.
Texas teacher fired over Charlie Kirk comments amid free speech crackdown
| September 19, 2025
Hundreds of Texas teachers are being investigated by the Texas Education Agency over social media posts commenting on Charlie Kirk’s death, sparking concerns over free speech.
Houston mayor John Whitmire blasts critics of retiree pay delays
| September 19, 2025
Mayor John Whitmire, facing criticism over a delay in payouts for more than 300 city employees who accepted a buyout to retire, fired back during a recent Houston City Council meeting. He put the blame on the Houston Municipal Employees Pension Plan, which was overwhelmed with processing 1,052 early retirements.
Sherry Mose, chair of the pension plan, told Whitmire and the council during its Sept. 10 meeting that more than 700 of the retirees have been paid. The remainder will be paid by the end of September. The city offered early retirement to workers earlier this year to help address a budget shortfall.
James Talarico opens US Senate campaign denouncing ‘bullies bigots, billionaires’
| September 19, 2025
Feeling scrappy? State Rep. James Talarico reminded supporters that living in a politically red state has taught them how to fight, pointing to Democratic icons like Barbara Jordan, Beto O’Rourke, and Wendy Davis.
Talarico, running for US Senate in 2026, wants to become the first Texas Democrat to win a statewide campaign since 1994.
‘This is not right’: Texas students, educators criticize Ten Commandments in classrooms
| September 16, 2025
Some Texas students and educators are criticizing new laws that added prayer time, Ten Commandments to public schools.
Texas’ DEl ban in K-12 public schools challenged in court
| September 12, 2025
A new Texas law that bans diversity, equity, and inclusion in K-12 public schools claims to be about parental rights, but civil rights groups that are suing to block its enforcement say it’s blatant government overreach.
Texas House votes to end STAAR testing
| September 12, 2025
The Texas House approved a bill that replaces the state’s STAAR exam with three shorter tests given over the course of the school year starting in 2027.
Greg Abbott brushes off NAACP lawsuit over new congressional map
| September 12, 2025
CIVIL RIGHTS | EXCO-Player | Gerrymandering | greg abbott | local politics | old texas | redistricting | TEXAS
Facing a second lawsuit over his new congressional map for Texas—labeled by critics as “racial gerrymandering”—Gov. Greg Abbott curtly dismissed the legal challenges.
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk dies after being shot at Utah college event
| September 10, 2025
Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally of President Donald Trump, was shot and killed Wednesday at a Utah college event in an act that drew renewed attention to the threat of political violence across the United States.
Texas A&M fires professor for discussing gender identity in class
| September 10, 2025
Texas A&M fired a professor and disciplined two administrators over backlash from right-wing lawmakers following a viral video showing a professor discussing LGBTQ+ topics in class.