Texas Stories

In Texas, where abortion is banned, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, medical associations, and groups on either side of the issue worked together to clarify when abortion can be used in emergencies.

The 2023 law, previously ruled unconstitutional by a Travis County judge, prevents cities from enforcing ordinances that don't align with broad swaths of state law.

Maranatha Christian Center has become a donation center and a safe space for Kerrville's Hispanic and immigrant communities at a time when an increased presence of law enforcement has put many on edge.

Eighteen news organizations including The Texas Tribune have been seeking the records since 2022, when 19 children and 2 teachers were killed at Robb Elementary School.

Most of those voters are in Harris County, home to Houston. Noncitizen voting is illegal and documented instances are rare.

After a roughly 20-minute hearing, Judge Austin Reeve Jackson rejected arguments by Roberson's attorney that his execution should be further delayed because of a pending appeal to the state's highest criminal court.

State Sen. Angela Paxton, the attorney general's wife, asked last week for the records to be sealed. A new judge brought on after the initial judge recused herself granted the request.

The investigation, which also targets Cameron, Eastland and Guadalupe counties, comes ahead of a special legislative session in which state lawmakers will consider giving the attorney general's office the authority to prosecute election crimes. A Houston attorney says the probe is part of a "smoke and mirrors game" to diminish the influence of Democratic voters.

A crisis communication expert says everyday notifications are weakening the impact of life-saving emergency alerts.

Michael Coen, chief of staff of FEMA under former presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, called on the state to be more proactive in preparing for disasters.