EducationEnrollment Drop Hits Texas Public Schools
Isaiah MitchellJanuary 14, 2021
By the time the TEA finalizes the data, this year could mark the first drop in Texas public school enrollment since measurement began.
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87th LegislatureEducationCharter School Advocates Ask Legislature to Ensure Charters Are Treated Fairly by Municipalities, Remove ‘Silent Cap’
Holly HansenJanuary 14, 2021
State lawmakers discussed challenges faced by charter schools and Texas public education as a whole at a pre-session policy event in Austin this week.
FederalImmigration & BorderTrump Says ‘We Can’t Let’ Biden Admin ‘Even Think About’ Deconstructing Border Wall During Texas Visit
Hayden SparksJanuary 12, 2021
The president touted the construction of the border wall in a visit to Alamo, Texas.
Immigration & BorderBorder Authorities Report Increase in Apprehensions of Single Adults from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras
Daniel FriendJanuary 11, 2021
Authorities report that the number of encounters along the southern border has continued to increase, with a greater amount of single adults outside of Mexico.
87th LegislatureTaxes & SpendingEstimated $950 Million Texas Budget Shortfall Projected, Better Than Expected After 2020
Brad JohnsonJanuary 11, 2021
The dire fiscal straits projected last July have improved substantially, but the Texas comptroller still projects a nearly $1 billion shortfall at the end of this biennium.
Immigration & BorderHouston Woman Attempted to Traffic 137 Pounds of Meth Across Border, Feds Say
Hayden SparksJanuary 8, 2021
Border patrol officials say she was trying to smuggle $2.9 million worth of narcotics into Texas.
Immigration & BorderJudicialFour South Texas Men Sentenced for Harboring Illegal Immigrants, Unaccompanied Minors
Hayden SparksJanuary 7, 2021
A federal judge found the men also perpetrated cruelty against the individuals they were harboring, who were from multiple countries.
HealthcareLocal NewsTarrant County Public Health’s Vaccine Rollout Meets Criticism
Kim RobertsJanuary 5, 2021
Vaccine rollout in Tarrant County has received some criticism as demand far surpasses current supply.
IssuesTaxes & SpendingDecember Sales Tax Revenue Down From 2019, Restaurant and Tourism Sectors Continue to Struggle
Brad JohnsonJanuary 4, 2021
Tax collections on motor vehicles were up from December 2019, which may be explained by consumers taking advantage of low interest rates and purchasing a new vehicle for Christmas.
Local NewsState SenateTaxes & SpendingTaxpayer Funded Storage of Mysterious Art Collection Target of New State Legislation
Holly HansenJanuary 4, 2021
Legislation introduced by Sen. Paul Bettencourt takes aim at a collection of African art a Harris County commissioner has stored and maintained at taxpayer expense.
FederalIssuesSen. Cornyn’s Legislation to Establish American Latino Museum Signed into Law with Omnibus
Daniel FriendJanuary 1, 2021
As part of the 5,600-page bill approved by Congress and signed by the president, the Smithsonian will begin planning the creation of an American Latino Museum.
Elections 2020IssuesStatewide NewsLockdowns, Ballots, and Protests: Top Texas Political Stories of 2020
Daniel FriendDecember 31, 2020
From the lockdowns to the George Floyd protests to criminal allegations against the attorney general, here’s a look at the top stories in Lone Star politics from 2020.
EducationFederalTrump Executive Order Could Expand K-12 Options for Disadvantaged Families
Holly HansenDecember 29, 2020
Federal funds allocated to states to alleviate poverty could be used for K-12 private school tuition, home schooling, or other educational services under a new executive order.
FederalHealthcareHospital Price Transparency Rule Moves Forward After Appeals Court Sides with Trump Administration
Brad JohnsonDecember 29, 2020
Starting January 1, 2021, hospitals will be required to list their actual, rather than estimated, healthcare prices.
Civil SocietyEducationUniversity of Texas to Eliminate Campus Speech Investigative Body After Lawsuit
Brad JohnsonDecember 28, 2020
A speech-policing body at the University of Texas will be disbanded after a legal challenge to the school's speech code.
87th LegislatureIssuesLocal NewsState HouseState SenateProposed Bill Would Bar Elected Officials from Closing Churches, Even During Disasters
Isaiah MitchellDecember 24, 2020
The proposed bill would bar government officials at all levels in Texas from shutting down houses of worship.
Immigration & BorderStatewide NewsTexas Challenges the Legality of DACA in Federal Court
Daniel FriendDecember 23, 2020
The eight-year-old DACA program is back in a federal court with the State of Texas challenging its legality.
87th LegislatureEducationState SenateProposed Bill Would Compel Schools to Rehire Teachers Who Quit Due to COVID-19 Concerns
Isaiah MitchellDecember 23, 2020
COVID-wary teachers driven from the job by the virus would be entitled to return to the same pay and benefits under the bill.
Immigration & BorderNovember Border Apprehensions Level Off, but Hit Another Record High
Daniel FriendDecember 22, 2020
Border apprehensions leveled out after a six-month incline, but the total sets a record high for November.
FederalHealthcareImmigration & BorderTaxes & SpendingCongress Passes $2.3 Trillion Omnibus and Coronavirus Relief Bills
Brad JohnsonDecember 21, 2020
With a total price tag of $2.3 trillion, Congress avoided a shutdown and passed an extensive coronavirus relief package.