Gov. Greg Abbott orders minors banned from THC products
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Friday called Abbott’s decision a pathway to full legalization of cannabis, including marijuana which is still federally illegal. Hemp-derived THC is legal. Full Story
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![THC products sit near the cash register in Hyde Park Market in Austin on May 5, 2025.]()
Credit: Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribune -
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The history-making former interior secretary, Houston’s longtime state senator and CNN’s lead DC anchor join us in Austin this November Full Story
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Texas voters have mixed views on redistricting and Trump’s megabill, poll finds
The statewide survey found that more voters disapprove of the mid-decade redraw than support it, fueled by overwhelming opposition from independent and Democratic voters. Full Story
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![A map of Tarrnant County sits on State Rep. Chris Turner’s, D-Grand Prairie, desk in the house chamber in Austin on August 20, 2025.]()
Credit: Kaylee Greenlee for the Texas Tribune -
Abbott expected to issue executive order setting age requirements for THC-products, other restrictions
The executive order comes after the Legislature ended a special session without the House, Senate and governor agreeing on restrictions. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott at a press conference in Austin on Aug. 15, 2025.]()
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In U.S. Senate bid, Rep. James Talarico promises to take on GOP billionaires and bridge political divides
A former public school teacher, Talarico has emerged as one of Texas Democrats’ strongest communicators. He joins Colin Allred and Terry Virts in the primary. Full Story
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![Texas Rep. James Talarico D-Austin speaks during a redistricting rally at Delco Activity Center Friday, July 25, 2025 in Austin, Texas.]()
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NY attorney general will intervene in Texas abortion pill access lawsuit
Letitia James, New York’s attorney general, said Texas has no authority to “impose its cruel abortion ban here.” Full Story
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![New York Attorney General Letitia James, appears at the NYPD 78th Precinct as part of National Night Out in Brooklyn, New York on Aug. 5, 2025.]()
Credit: Kyle Mazza/CNP/Sipa USA via REUTERS -
How Democrats pressured U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett to step aside for the next generation
Doggett’s shocking decision to retire signals U.S. Rep. Greg Casar’s growing strength among Democrats in Austin politics and in Congress. Full Story
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![U.S. Reps Lloyd Doggett and Rep. Greg Casar, both of Austin, at a press conference with Texas Democratic leaders at the state Capitol on July 31, 2025.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
A Houston mother held by ICE must choose: indefinite detention or be deported without her family
Margarita Avila, a Houston mother of nine, was detained by ICE after an altercation that led to no charges. Her close-knit family weigh their futures if she is deported. Full Story
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![José Avila and his two sons, Jeremiah (left) and Isaac, attend church service at the Iglesia Pentecostal Del Nombre de Jesus on Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Houston.]()
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Texas Rep. James Talarico to launch Democratic primary bid for U.S. Senate
The Austin Democrat has made a name for himself with his viral social media presence. His entry to the race pits him against former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred in the increasingly crowded primary. Full Story
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![Texas Rep. James Talarico D-Austin speaks during a redistricting rally at Delco Activity Center Friday, July 25, 2025 in Austin, Texas.]()
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Powerful GOP fundraising group calls Rep. Wesley Hunt’s speculative Senate bid a wasteful “vanity project”
In a memo, the National Republican Senate Committee asked Hunt’s donors to tell him to stop wasting resources and endorse Sen. John Cornyn’s reelection. Full Story
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![UNITED STATES - APRIL 10: Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, walks up the House steps for the vote on the budget resolution in the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call/Sipa USA)]()
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Retailers relieved that Texas skirted a THC ban — again
While Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick remains adamant about a ban, hemp industry representatives say they would compromise on creating a 21 age limit to purchase. Full Story
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![THC products sit near the cash register in Hyde Park Market in Austin, Texas on May 5, 2025. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has partnered with the senate in pursuing a complete ban on THC products across the state.]()
Credit: Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribune -
Texas Republicans in Congress scaled back town halls during summer recess amid criticism over Trump megabill
Some who did host public events were interrupted by protesters and heckled for their support of President Donald Trump and his signature legislation. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud gives remarks at a Port of Corpus Christi event celebrating the completion of the ship channel improvement project on June 2, 2025.]()
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Texas Republican Party sues state to end open primaries
Currently, any Texas voter can cast a ballot in GOP primaries. The party wants to limit eligibility to registered members. Full Story
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![Newly elected Republican Party of Texas Vice-Chair D’rinda Randall, left, and Chair Abraham George and speak during the Texas GOP Convention Saturday, May 25, 2024 in San Antonio.]()
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Texas launches downloadable form to exempt kids from school-required vaccines
Previously, parents had to wait for the state to mail them the exemption form. They still have to get the form notarized before submitting it to the school for enrollment purposes. Full Story
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![Mateo Cardona, 4, receives a vaccine in Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston on June 28, 2022.]()
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Lawmakers redrew Texas’ congressional districts. See how yours changed.
The new maps, which aim to flip five Democratic seats to favor Republicans, will go into effect for the 2026 midterms, barring court intervention. Full Story
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![Shapes of the new Congressional districts with the red Republicans on the left and the blue Democrat ones on the right.]()
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Bill overhauling disaster emergency response misses final approval in Texas Senate
Both legislative chambers adjourned without agreeing on changes to Senate Bill 2, which aimed to create new training and licensing requirements for local officials. Full Story
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![Camp Mystic along the banks of the Guadalupe River in Hunt on July 5, 2025.]()
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Texas Legislature ends second special session marked by new political maps, slew of conservative wins
Between cracking down on abortion pills and restricting transgender restroom use, lawmakers also tackled flood safety and the STAAR test. Left untouched: Texas’ hemp industry. Full Story
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![House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, oversees roll call on the House floor in Austin on Sept. 3, 2025.]()
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Texas kids’ camps must remove cabins from floodplains, operate warning systems under new laws
The parents of children who died at Camp Mystic advocated for the new legislation, which now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott for his signature. Full Story
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![Damaged cabins seen along the river in Ingram on Monday July7, 2025.]()
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Texas is officially replacing STAAR. Here is what schools’ new standardized tests will look like.
House Bill 8 scraps the unpopular exam for three shorter tests at the beginning, middle and end of the year starting in the 2027-28 school year. Full Story
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![Nimitz Middle School teacher Selena Olivares leads her 7th grade class in an activity Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 in Odessa.]()
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Most Texas THC products remain legal after GOP leaders fail to break legislative impasse
Legislators couldn’t reach a last-minute deal to tighten regulations on consumable hemp products. Full Story
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![Hemp plants are seen at Caprock Family Farms, Friday, May 23, 2025, in Lubbock.]()
Credit: Annie Rice for The Texas Tribune