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Texas Tribune News Feed

Texas State University professor reinstated by court after being fired for “inciting violence”

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 19:01:30 -0500

Thomas Alter, who was fired for comments he made during an online socialist conference, won’t be allowed to teach but will be reinstated with pay, the university said.

https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17172503/texas-state-university-fired-professor-court-reinstatement

Texas A&M System regents authorize settlement with former president

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 18:19:23 -0500

Details of the agreement with Mark A. Welsh III, who resigned as leader of the flagship university on Sept. 19, will not be revealed until it is finalized.

https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17172491/texas-a-m-regents-settlement-president-mark-welsh

State approves $562 million Texas Energy Fund loan for power plant near Baytown

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 16:26:25 -0500

The low-interest loan to NRG Energy for a gas-fired power plant is the largest of three loans approved through the $7 billion fund since its creation in 2023.

https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17172423/texas-energy-fund-loan-nrg-baytown

Texas Tech’s limits on gender identity discussion deepen fears of politics breaching academic freedom

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 11:00:23 -0500

Professors are afraid to publicly speak out, system leaders left key questions unanswered and advocates worry for LGBTQ+ students’ mental health.

https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17172253/texas-tech-university-system-transgender-identity-restrictions

Texas’ guidance on end of in-state tuition for undocumented students doesn’t clear confusion, advocates say

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500

The state is being criticized for advising colleges to verify students’ status with immigration authorities, which could put them at risk.

https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17172053/texas-colleges-undocumented-students-guidance

Angelo State University bans classroom discussions of transgender identities, stirring criticism and confusion

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 17:02:20 -0500

Instead of a campus-wide announcement, faculty members say the restrictions have trickled down through department chairs and college meetings.

https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17171578/texas-tech-transgender-restrictions-angelo-state-university

Data centers are thirsty for Texas’ water, but state planners don’t know how much they will need

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 11:00:00 -0500

A wave of massive data centers is expanding across Texas, prompting warnings from experts who say the new water demands could push the state’s already strained supply to the brink.

https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17171389/texas-data-center-water-use

Texas Democratic Party’s move to Dallas prompts top staff exodus, roils organization ahead of 2026

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Party insiders said the way the move was handled undercuts Chair Kendall Scudder’s rhetoric about winning back working class voters, who lurched to the right in 2024.

https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17171150/texas-democratic-party-dallas-staff-resignations-kendall-scudder

Texas executes man convicted of killing 13-month-old girl in 2008

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Blaine Milam, who was pronounced dead at 6:40 p.m. Thursday, is the fifth death row inmate executed by the state in 2025.

https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17171151/texas-execution-blaine-milam

Texas counties struggle to process voter registrations using state’s new system

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500

State officials push back on complaints about software problems. Meanwhile, unprocessed applications are piling up.

https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17171149/texas-voter-registration-system-TEAM-county-election-officials

Christian activist David Barton will advise Texas State Board of Education during social studies overhaul

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 18:39:21 -0500

Barton’s appointment comes ahead of what is expected to be a politically charged debate over how and what children should learn about history.

https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17170528/texas-sboe-social-studies-standards-david-barton

Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson will not seek clemency ahead of October execution

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 14:18:43 -0500

Roberson, convicted of capital murder in 2003 for the death of his 2-year-old daughter, will continue to push for a new trial. He has maintained his innocence.

https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17170392/robert-roberson-death-row-clemency-execution-new-trial

Houston businessman Andrew White launches Democratic challenge to Gov. Greg Abbott

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 11:47:09 -0500

The son of the late former Gov. Mark White vowed to run as an independent in the Democratic gubernatorial primary.

https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17170307/andrew-white-texas-governor-democrat-primary-greg-abbott

Shooter’s notes say he intended to target ICE officers, authorities say

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 08:39:54 -0500

Federal authorities said the notes indicate the 29-year-old who killed an ICE detainee and wounded two others expressed hatred for the federal government and acted alone.

https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17169740/dallas-ICE-shooting-fatalities

Texas teachers, parents fear STAAR overhaul won’t take testing pressure off kids

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Skeptics of the replacement, which requires three exams throughout the year, want to see less restrictions on testing day and more teacher input.

https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17169616/texas-staar-replacement-map-testing

Cornyn nabs endorsements from 15 former GOP members of Congress in primary vs. Paxton

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500

It’s a further sign of how the Washington establishment has consolidated behind the senior Texas senator, who is being backed by the Senate GOP’s campaign arm in his primary.

https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17169614/john-cornyn-congress-endorsements-gop-senate-primary-paxton

Starbase will take partial control of beach near Elon Musk’s SpaceX launch site

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500

The deal between the new South Texas city and Cameron County mirrors a similar agreement with South Padre Island and requires a plan to combat beach erosion.

https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17169615/starbase-spacex-beach-agreement

“Unthinkable”: Camp Mystic parents condemn reopening plans after devastating floods

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 20:06:52 -0500

Despite a plea by the family of a camper who is still missing to halt all discussions of reopening and memorials to those who died, Mystic officials say they’ll proceed with their plans.

https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17169354/camp-mystic-flood-reopening-cypress-lake-2026

TribCast: Texas’ changing congressional delegation

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 15:22:30 -0500

In this week’s episode, Texas Tribune Washington, D.C. correspondent Gabby Birenbaum explains how redistricting and retirements will reshape Texas’ representation on the Hill.

https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17169228/tribcast-texas-congress-redistricting

Many Texas retailers can no longer sell THC to customers under 21

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 11:46:07 -0500

The age limit is expected to go into effect Tuesday after the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission approved the rule. Enforcement won’t begin until Oct. 1.

https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17169109/texas-minors-21-age-limit-thc-hemp