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texastribune.org

Friday, Dec 6

21

Texas’ maternal mortality committee faces backlash for not reviewing deaths from first two years post-Dobbs

Committee members said it was necessary to skip the two years after Texas passed its restrictive abortion laws to offer more timely recommendations.

20

The Texas House speaker race isn’t over. Here’s where it stands.

With Speaker Dade Phelan out of the race, Republican state Reps. David Cook and Dustin Burrows will now face off.

16

What does the Texas House speaker do and why are Republicans fighting?

Texas Republicans are poised to pick the statehouse lower chamber’s next leader this weekend.

Speaker Dade Phelan abandons bid for third term amid bruising leadership battle

Phelan, a Beaumont Republican, had previously insisted he had enough votes to thwart a challenge from the right led by state Rep. David Cook of Mansfield.

13

Texas lawmakers are scrutinizing university professors’ influence. Here's how faculty shape their universities.

Faculty senates have long played a key role in developing curriculum and protecting open inquiry. State leaders have also accused them of liberal indoctrination.

A 2006 study found undocumented immigrants contribute more than they cost Texas. The state hasn’t updated it since.

A comptroller’s report found that deporting the estimated 1.4 million undocumented immigrants living in Texas in 2005 would have cost the state about $17.7 billion in gross domestic product.

Thursday, Dec 5

18

Houston Rep. Gene Wu to lead Texas House Democrats through GOP-dominated legislative session

Wu defeated incumbent Trey Martinez Fischer on Thursday to become the next chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus.

13

Texas weighs social media bans for minors as schools and police face challenges

A Texas lawmaker has introduced a bill prohibiting minors from using social media accounts as school districts become a “hunting ground” for online dangers.

At this Fort Worth charter school, Texas adults are getting a second chance at a diploma

The Texas Legislature has prioritized getting high school dropouts the skills they need to enter the workforce.

06

Texas Senate to pursue ban on THC products next year, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says

Patrick contends retailers have exploited a law passed in 2019 to sell unregulated and potentially harmful consumable tetrahydrocannabinol products.

Wednesday, Dec 4

18

If Trump makes cuts to Medicaid, Texas officials could seize the opportunity to further slash the program

State leaders have shown a decadeslong antipathy toward the health insurance program. If Trump makes severe reductions, it’s unlikely leaders would have the political will to make up any lost federal funds with state money, experts say.

13

Texas’ push to meet soaring power demand with nuclear energy could spark uranium mining revival

State leaders want nuclear reactors to provide consistent, low-carbon power to large industrial facilities. But in South Texas, locals worry what a uranium mining boom could mean for their groundwater.

Henry Cuellar pitched adding buoys in Rio Grande to deter migrants years ago

The congressman said he joined other Democrats in opposition to the use of the floating barriers and razor wire at Texas’ border because of the lack of permits.

Texas conservatives plan to further restrict trans lives this legislative session

Emboldened by the recent election, some Texas lawmakers are already filing bills that would dictate bathroom use, limit gender identity markers on documents and restrict funding for surgeries.

After Texas banned puberty blockers and hormones for trans kids, adults lost care, too

As limitations on trans teens increase, doctors have left the state, weakening an already threadbare system for trans adults.

Tuesday, Dec 3

22

Grid operator says Texas is better prepared for extreme cold this winter

ERCOT says conditions this winter could spark extreme cold, but additional power supply and continued weatherization efforts will lower the risk of power outages.

19

Daniel Pullin will become new Texas Christian University chancellor as longtime leader leaves role

Victor Boschini is stepping down next year, but will remain chancellor emeritus. Under his leadership, the university reached a $1 billion fundraising goal.

13

Rural providers, advocates push Texas Legislature to "rescue" maternal health care system

Almost half of Texas counties have nowhere to get prenatal care, let alone deliver a baby. This plan offers legislative proposals to shore up what’s left.

Texas has billions pledged to expand broadband. Spending it is taking a while.

Despite the efforts of local governments and others, the move to provide internet access to millions of Texans has been slow and faces new challenges.

Monday, Dec 2

Texas farmers say sewage-based fertilizer tainted with “forever chemicals” poisoned their land and killed their livestock

The fertilizer was promoted as an environmental win-win for years. An untold number of farmers and ranchers across Texas have spread it on their land.

Handshakes, murals and ministry: A reopened Texas prison focuses on rehabilitation

The Bartlett Unit in Williamson County will house 1,049 male inmates who will participate in educational programs aimed to help them secure a job after they’ve served their time.

Saturday, Nov 30

21

Trial judge in Robert Roberson’s death row case agrees to recusal

www.texastribune.org

Senior District Judge Deborah Oakes Evans recused herself after a challenge to her impartiality over longtime relationships with case prosecutors and judges.

Thursday, Nov 28

01

Feds can’t destroy razor wire Texas installed near Eagle Pass, appeals court rules

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton had sued the Biden administration after Border Patrol agents had cut the razor wire.

Wednesday, Nov 27

18

Houstonian Mark Swidan to be released from Chinese imprisonment

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The Texan has been imprisoned in China for 12 years on charges of drug trafficking.

13

How David Cook went from Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan’s ally to lead the movement to replace him

www.texastribune.org

The two-term Republican caught many Capitol observers off guard when he emerged as the standard-bearer for a coalition that wants to depose Phelan and reshape how the House operates.

Community college “deserts” deter Texas students from getting a degree, report says

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Black and Hispanic high schoolers who have to drive more than 30 minutes to a community college are less likely to pursue a degree, the report found.

Meet the new Texans in Congress

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Five Texans were newly elected to Congress this year, four of whom are set to serve in January.

A third woman has died under Texas’ abortion ban as doctors reach for riskier miscarriage treatments

www.texastribune.org

Porsha Ngumezi bled to death as she was miscarrying after her doctor opted against an emergency procedure used to end pregnancies.

02

Donald Trump’s tariffs on Mexico could devastate border region, Texas economists warn

www.texastribune.org

The president-elect said he intends to levy a 25% tariff on goods imported from Mexico and Canada until drugs and undocumented migrants stop crossing the border.

Tuesday, Nov 26

19

Texas offers Trump administration more land and support for mass deportations

www.texastribune.org

Two events in the Rio Grande Valley on Tuesday made clear Texas officials will work with the Trump administration on immigration.