Gov. Greg Abbott sets Nov. 4 special election for open state Senate seat
The contest coincides with the state’s November uniform election, when voters across Texas will already be at the polls to decide local offices and ballot measures. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6605814801d76f282eb2cb24a848bcb0/Senate%20Action%20SP%20TT%2068.jpg)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Atirikta_Kumar.jpg)
Atirikta Kumar was a summer 2025 Austin-based reporting fellow. She graduated from the University of Houston in May with majors in journalism and political science and minors in English and history. Atirikta previously interned for Community Impact and at NPR’s Houston affiliate station. She also worked as the community assistant editor for her campus newspaper, The Cougar. Atirikta is fluent in Hindi and hails from Nacogdoches. She loves to read in her free time, find new coffee shops and cheer on her favorite sports teams: the NHL’s Boston Bruins and Formula One’s Ferrari.
Latest Contributions
-
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick presides over the Senate on July 14, 2021.]()
Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune -
Is THC as dangerous as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick makes it out to be?
Although Patrick and hemp industry leaders have quarreled over the risks and benefits of THC, cannabis researchers say it can be addictive but doesn’t usually cause widespread psychosis or brain damage. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/175baa79eafddff8a9b1f562de0d7855/0623%20THC%20Special%20Session%20RB%2003%20TT.jpg)
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks during a press conference at the Texas Captiol in Austin, Texas on Monday 23, June 2025.]()
Credit: Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribune -
Texas A&M, university systems in other red states will create their own agency to review schools’ quality standards
The creation of the new accrediting agency comes as Republicans have criticized existing ones for reinforcing a liberal bias in the country's higher ed institutions. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/baca06d66205f2d6c0d852fa6d764ed7/TAMU%20File%20AG%20TT%2014.jpg)
![People take photos with the 3-ton bronze replica of the Haynes Aggie Ring at Texas A&M University on Monday, June 15, 2020 in College Station. The ring is located outside the Clayton W. Williams Jr. Alumni Center near Kyle Field.]()
Credit: Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribune -
Former Houston Mayor Annise Parker announces run for Lina Hidalgo’s seat atop Harris County government
If Hidalgo decides to seek another term, she and Parker would face off in the March 2026 Democratic primary. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/74bb938ae317e060da4896c37ac1e380/Annise%20Parker%20JV%20TT%2007.jpg)
![Annise Parker speaks at The Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on Sept. 28, 2019.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas high school students’ STAAR scores show gains in STEM fields, struggles in reading and literacy
Education policy experts say the results align with Texas’ workforce goals but note that students still need help. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/55932e55b31a722530b517c7fee51b0e/Elsik%20High%20School%20PYH%20TT%2001.jpg)
![A 9th grade student prepares for a pre-test in a program that provides support for students taking the STAAR test, at Elsik High School in Houston on April 19, 2018.]()
Credit: Pu Ying Huang for The Texas Tribune -
San Antonio lawmakers reflect on vouchers, water conservation and redistricting
State Rep. Ray Lopez and Sen. José Menéndez, Democrats from San Antonio, seemed reluctant to travel to Austin if called for a special session to redraw the state’s district lines. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5188910ad3463eb1d41f644708c1b42c/06-18_SASession-Lead-Logo-v1.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Watch a conversation with North Texas lawmakers on legislative session’s impact
State Reps. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, and Salman Bhojani, D-Euless, discussed the House’s move toward the right. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/539e944f2fc36e08cfc148ff5201480f/06-13_NTSession-Lead-Logo-v1.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
San Antonio cannot fund trips for abortion, court rules
Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the city in April after it approved $100,000 to help residents travel out of the state for abortions. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/33217bebb21d21d054f941e988f9a8a3/Redo%20-%20San%20Antonio%20File%20MGO%20TT%2007.jpg)
![Pedestrians walk by La Antorcha de la Amistad sculpture in downtown San Antonio on Nov. 2, 2021.]()
Credit: Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribune -
UT-Austin student’s lawsuit over arrest during pro-Palestinian demonstrations may proceed, judge rules
Ammer Qaddumi alleges UT-Austin violated his First Amendment rights. He is also challenging his suspension from the university. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/af72206c0c130b2a0354bd22f8ce4e9c/0424%20UT%20Protests%20JS%20TT%2063.jpg)
![Palestine Solidarity Committee student organizer Ammer Qaddumi is detained by University of Texas Police, during a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Texas at Austin campus, on April 24, 2024.]()
Credit: Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribune