The Latest Breaking News from Erin Zwiener

When the AI Cloud Comes for Texas Water

Legislators are (sort of) beginning to grapple with the grim costs that come with the state’s data center boom.

Texas Observer · Apr 22

Texas State University professor fired again after court revoked initial firing over “inciting violence”

A Texas State spokesperson said Monday evening that the professor’s employment had been “terminated, effective immediately” after a university review. The post Texas State University professor fired again after court revoked initial firing over “inciting violence” appeared first on The Texas Tribune.

The Texas Tribune · Sep 27, 2025

Texas House approves bill that would limit water exports from East Texas — for now

A Dallas businessman has proposed studying the aquifer to see if he can pump millions of gallons out of East Texas, a plan that residents distrust.

The Texas Tribune · Aug 25, 2025

Texas is a young state with older elected officials. Some young leaders are trying to change that.

The average age of Texans last year was 37, while the Legislature’s average age was 55. Hurdles to voting and the unique challenges young candidates encounter fuel the mismatch.

The Texas Tribune · Oct 8, 2024

Texas Observer School Board Investigation Spurs Call for Reform

State Representative Erin Zwiener says Texas must improve campaign finance transparency and adopt contribution limits.

Texas Observer · Dec 7, 2023

New Texas law bans COVID mask, vaccine and shutdown mandates, but some Republicans want more

The bill, recently signed by Gov. Greg Abbott and set to take effect Sept. 1, does not restrict pandemic rules by private entities.

The Texas Tribune · Jun 7, 2023

The Texas House has a record number of LGBTQ representatives as lawmakers face scores of bills focused on gender and sexuality

The Texas Legislature has nine lawmakers who are openly LGBTQ, all Democrats. At the same time, some Republican lawmakers are pushing a slate of bills aimed at drag queens, transgender children and how sexuality is discussed in schools.

The Texas Tribune · Mar 7, 2023

Texas cities debate costly infrastructure investments in age of extreme weather

Experts say local governments should prioritize extreme weather preparedness. Cost can be a deterring factor.

The Texas Tribune · Feb 3, 2023

Texans make the case for why voting matters

The Texas Tribune spoke to Texans across the political spectrum and asked them to make their case for why voting matters this year. The deadline to register to vote was Oct. 11. Early voting runs from Oct. 24 to Nov. 4.

The Texas Tribune · Oct 10, 2022

Mexicans used to go to the US for legal abortions. Now they’re inviting Americans in

Mexico decriminalized abortion in September – nine months before the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade. Now Mexican activists, who for years looked to the US as a beacon of abortion rights, are helping their northern neighbours in a stark turnaround of fortunes, writes Sheila Flynn

The Independent UK · Jun 27, 2022