Politics
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Two Republicans, one Senate seat, no real political difference
The Texas GOP is tearing itself apart over two men who would vote the exact same way. They’re both Texas Republicans who claim the mantle of Donald Trump. Both want the same Senate seat. They cannot stand each other. Ditto their voter bases. On May 26, four-term US Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General…
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Texas can require public schools to display Ten Commandments in classrooms, US appeals court rules
Texas can require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms, a U.S. appeals court ruled Tuesday in a victory for conservatives who have long sought to incorporate more religion into schools.
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How more Texas universities are bending the knee to far-right extremism
Staff at both the University of Texas at Arlington and the University of North Texas have been fired for allegedly violating the state’s diversity, equity, and inclusion ban.
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Texas needs OB-GYNs. This future doctor had to leave to become one
Texan doctor Jennifer Smith (not her real name) is a first-year obstetrics and gynecology resident working at a hospital outside the state. In this interview with COURIER Texas special correspondent Bonnie Fuller, Smith explains why she couldn’t continue her education in Texas—and why she may not be able to return to practice in the state…
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Texas residential construction is breaking down under Trump administration
Texas has long relied on rapid construction to keep housing relatively affordable and to absorb a fast-growing population. But beyond that, the construction sector in Texas is a critical economic engine, contributing $144 billion (5.1%) to the state’s total GDP in early 2025. A slowdown in residential construction has created a drag on overall state…
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Voters to decide fate of $6B Dallas ISD bond package
Dallas Independent School District is asking voters to approve a bond package that would fund campus renovations and increase security measures on May 2.
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Higher education advocates call on lawmakers to fight for academic freedom in Texas
A coalition of educators and union members are calling on Texas lawmakers to adopt a new policy platform that centers the needs of workers and students over billionaires and corporate interests at higher education institutions.
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Democrats on the Texas Board of Education demand investigation into undisclosed grant from conservative group
Democrats on the State Board of Education are asking to pause deliberation over an overhaul to the state’s social studies curriculum after a content advisor in charge of the rewrite received a financial contribution from an influential conservative group in Texas without disclosing it to the board.
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Should Texas stop electing its judges?
A Harris County judge’s viral courtroom meltdown is raising a question reformers have pushed for years: should it stay that way?
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Fort Bend shake up as Brittanye Morris is disqualified and Nicole Roberts moves into the Pct. 4 runoff
A court ruling removes Brittanye Morris from the Precinct 4 race, positioning Nicole Roberts to face April Jones in the May 26 Democratic runoff. Fort Bend County Judge Susan Brown has issued a ruling that reshapes the Democratic runoff for Fort Bend County Precinct 4 commissioner, declaring former Harris County District Judge Brittanye Morris ineligible…
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Inside Texas’s controversial social studies overhaul
The politicization of Texas classrooms continues as the State Board of Education (SBOE) will deliberate rushed social studies teaching standards next week that put a greater emphasis on Western and Texas history at the expense of other cultures.
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Texas private school voucher applications are closed. Now what?
The application period for Texas’ $1 billion private school voucher program ended last night. Here’s what happens next.
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Dallas ISD will offer free pre-K to all students starting next school year
Any preschool-aged student—no matter their economic status or background—will have the option to enroll in free pre-K classes in Dallas ISD starting next school year.
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Texas Education Agency names new Fort Worth ISD superintendent amid state takeover
The state intervened at the district after one campus received five consecutive failing grades on the A-F accountability rating system from 2018-2023.
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Houston Council Members propose ordinance limiting HPD’s role in administrative ICE Warrants
The proposal challenges current HPD procedures as city leaders debate how officers should handle administrative ICE warrants. Council Member Alejandra Salinas, joined by Council Member Abbie Kamin and several community leaders, introduced an ordinance that would clarify how Houston police handle administrative immigration warrants and limit when local officers would contact federal immigration authorities. The…
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Why Texans are voting with education in mind this midterm election
Texans have a chance to elect staunch public education advocates to several statewide seats in November.
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Report: Texans lose billions to online scammers
Texas is one of the worst states in the nation for consumer fraud, according to a report from the Consumer Federation of America.
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Houston, Fort Bend, and Aldine districts announce sweeping school closures
Enrollment drops and budget pressures are driving widespread campus closures across Houston ISD, Fort Bend ISD and Aldine ISD. Three major Houston-area school districts are moving forward with significant school closures, citing declining enrollment, aging facilities, and financial pressures. The decisions have drawn strong reactions from educators, parents, and students, who say the changes will…
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76% of Texas voucher applicants are already enrolled in private schools or home-schooled
Texas’ new $1 billion voucher program allots about $10,000 per student to be used on private school tuition. It’s paid for by taxpayer dollars.
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Texans will head back to the polls for these runoff elections in May
In Texas, a candidate must receive more than 50% of the vote to win an election, otherwise the top two vote-getters face a rematch in a runoff election, which will be held on May 26.
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Do primary results signal a change in Texas politics?
Texas Republicans will return to the polls in May to select their candidate to run for the U.S. Senate.
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James Talarico defeats Jasmine Crockett in US Senate primary
The 36-year-old Presbyterian seminarian and former middle school teacher will face either John Cornyn or Ken Paxton in the general election on Nov. 3.
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Gina Hinojosa wins Democratic primary for Texas Governor
She will face Republican incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott in the general election on Nov. 3.
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Collin County breaks early voting record as Election Day arrives
Early voters in Collin County broke records ahead of today’s primary. Here’s what you need to know.
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Young Houston voters push for new leadership in a tense election year
As early voting closes ahead of Texas’ primary elections, some Houston-area voters say they are approaching the candidates with a renewed sense of urgency, citing concerns ranging from immigration and public education to civil rights and community safety. Roughly 270,000 people cast early ballots in Harris County for the March 3 primary, combining both in‑person…
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Texas Democrat demands that El Paso detention center be shut down
Camp East Montana in El Paso has been operational for six months, and at least three people have died at the site since December 2025.
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University of Texas censors ‘controversial’ topics in class
A new rule requires University of Texas professors to “carefully consider” their teaching material and “exclude unrelated controversial or contested matters.”
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Judge blocks 3 Texas school districts from enforcing DEI ban
Teachers and students in Texas started the 2025-26 school year under a new law that prohibits gender and sexuality alliance clubs at high schools across the state.
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‘ I want to return respect to the profession’: Why this educator is running for the Texas SBOE
Texas voters have a large say in shaping public education this year, as eight out of 15 State Board of Education districts will be on the ballot March 3.
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Hutchins warehouse owner won’t sell or lease to ICE
The owner of a warehouse in Hutchins, located south of downtown Dallas, won’t sell the building to the Department of Homeland Security for it to become a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility.
