The Latest Breaking News from Texas Tribune

FBI announces investigations into deaths at Harris County Jail

Since Jacoby Pillow’s death last month, at least three others have died at Harris County Jail. And the year before, the jail hit a record high of 27 in-custody deaths.

The Texas Tribune · Feb 14, 2023

Abbott: Ban transgender college athletes

NCAA vowed to only hold championships in which transgender student athletes can participate without discrimination

Salon · Feb 13, 2023

In an age of repeated crises, these Texans are creating mutual aid networks to help neighbors in need

Community organizations and individuals helped many Texans weather this month’s ice storm. Extreme weather heightens demand for their help — but it can also stress their resources.

The Texas Tribune · Feb 13, 2023

Appeals court ruling says alleged domestic abusers have a constitutional right to keep their guns

Advocates for domestic violence victims were stunned by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling, which continued a string of court decisions citing the Second Amendment to erase gun restrictions.

The Texas Tribune · Feb 9, 2023

Texas Tech reviews its hiring practices as efforts to promote diversity come under fire

Texas Tech’s review comes as Gov. Greg Abbott has instructed state agencies and public universities that “forbidden DEI initiatives” violate federal and state employment discrimination laws.

The Texas Tribune · Feb 9, 2023

Texas Executes John Balentine Despite Racist Trial

Though he confessed to the murders, his lawyers argue he might have been spared a death sentence if not for pervasive bias at his trial.

Texas Observer · Feb 8, 2023

A new winter storm and old problems raise questions about Austin leaders’ response to crises

As newly elected Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and a City Council with an array of fresh faces review their first major crisis, the city’s top officials once again find themselves trying to figure out why the city botched its response to a significant weather event.

The Texas Tribune · Feb 8, 2023

Gov. Greg Abbott tells state agencies to stop considering diversity in hiring

In a memo written Monday and obtained by The Texas Tribune, Abbott’s chief of staff Gardner Pate told agency leaders that using diversity, equity and inclusion policies in hiring violates federal and state employment laws, and hiring cannot be based on factors “other than merit.”

The Texas Tribune · Feb 8, 2023

How freezing rain, tree-lined neighborhoods and above-ground power lines prolonged Austin power outages

Tens of thousands of Austin households and businesses went days without electricity after a winter storm wreaked havoc across Texas.

The Texas Tribune · Feb 8, 2023

After botched response to Uvalde massacre, Texas senator wants better mass shooting training for public safety entities

State Sen. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, wants to prevent communication breakdowns like the ones that occurred in the botched response to the Uvalde school shooting.

The Texas Tribune · Feb 7, 2023