Sonal Shah

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is handing more of his office’s work to costly private lawyers Despite having an office with hundreds of attorneys, Ken Paxton frequently opts to hire private lawyers. One cost taxpayers more than $24,000 in one day.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is handing more of his office’s work to costly private lawyers
www.texastribune.org/2025/07/24/k...

Meet the Californian who pushed Texas lawmakers to help fix the state’s housing crisis A bipartisan coalition, organized by Nicole Nosek, played a role in getting the Legislature to pass laws tackling the state’s housing affordability woes.

Meet the Californian who pushed Texas lawmakers to help fix the state’s housing crisis
www.texastribune.org/2025/07/23/t...

Trump’s “one-two punch” targeting immigration courts will test Texas detention centers, experts warn Moves to end bond for migrants and fire dozens of immigration judges deprive undocumented detainees of due process and may keep them in overcrowded centers longer, experts say.

Trump’s “one-two punch” targeting immigration courts will test Texas detention centers, experts warn
www.texastribune.org/2025/07/25/t...

August increase in Mexico tariffs could strain Texas economy A vast majority of trade between Mexico and the U.S. has been exempt from tariffs for months. That could change on Monday.

August increase in Mexico tariffs could strain Texas economy
www.texastribune.org/2025/07/25/t...

In Kerr County, some summer camps are reopening after the devastating July 4 flood At least two summer camps in the Texas Hill Country have invited campers back after sustaining little to no damage from the flood. Other camps are still combing through the rubble.

In Kerr County, some summer camps are reopening after the devastating July 4 flood
www.texastribune.org/2025/07/25/t...

As Trump looks to net five GOP seats through Texas redistricting, Democrats grasp for response President Donald Trump said he thinks Republicans could flip a handful of congressional districts in Texas next year through “​​just a very simple redrawing."

As Trump looks to net five GOP seats through Texas redistricting, Democrats grasp for response.
www.texastribune.org/2025/07/15/t...

AG Ken Paxton announces $2.9 million fundraising haul in first 12 weeks of Senate campaign Paxton’s GOP primary opponent, Sen. John Cornyn, has yet to release his fundraising numbers but is starting with a deeper campaign war chest.

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AG Ken Paxton announces $2.9 million fundraising haul in first 12 weeks of Senate campaign
www.texastribune.org/2025/07/11/k...

Can sirens help save lives in the next flood? Yes, but there’s more to it. While sirens can help in areas with shaky cell service, experts say officials also need to consider alert fatigue and provide education on what to do in an emergency.

Can sirens help save lives in the next flood? Yes, but there’s more to it.
www.texastribune.org/2025/07/11/k...

Texas leaders have repeatedly claimed the state’s voting maps are race blind. Until the Trump DOJ disagreed. Gov. Greg Abbott has acknowledged DOJ concerns that some districts were drawn “along strict racial lines.” Critics say it’s a political ploy.

Texas leaders have repeatedly claimed the state’s voting maps are race blind. Until the Trump DOJ disagreed.
www.texastribune.org/2025/07/11/t....

Texas officials say more than 160 people still missing from floods that killed over 100 others Gov. Greg Abbott vowed Tuesday to continue rescue and recovery efforts in the flood-ravaged Hill Country “until every missing person is accounted for.”

Texas officials say more than 160 people still missing from floods that killed over 100 others
www.texastribune.org/2025/07/07/t...

Hill Country flooding death toll rises to 32 as search continues for missing girls, other survivors Twenty-seven girls from the Camp Mystic summer camp remain missing. More rain is expected Saturday in many parts of Texas.

Hill Country flooding death toll rises to 32 as search continues for missing girls, other survivors
www.texastribune.org/2025/07/05/t...

HILL COUNTRY FLOODS
Hill Country flooding: Here’s how to give and receive help
www.texastribune.org/2025/07/05/t...

After El Paso joined Abbott’s border crackdown, the number of dead migrants in the New Mexico desert surged Since El Paso joined Operation Lone Star in 2022, migrant remains discovered in the desert west of the city have increased every year, even as they have declined in every other border sector.

After El Paso joined Abbott’s border crackdown, the number of dead migrants in the New Mexico desert surged www.texastribune.org/2025/06/16/t... via @texastribune.org

Federal trial opens to determine whether Texas discriminated in redrawn redistricting maps The trial in El Paso will hear a challenge over the redistricting maps drawn by the Legislature that are based on the 2020 census.

Federal trial opens to determine whether Texas discriminated in redrawn redistricting maps www.texastribune.org/2025/05/21/t... via @texastribune.org

Texas House, Senate lawmakers reach $8.5 billion school funding deal The deal, confirmed by three lawmakers familiar with the discussions, appears to strike a face-saving compromise for both chambers over how to increase funds for the state’s public schools.

Texas House, Senate lawmakers on verge of reaching $8.5 billion school funding deal www.texastribune.org/2025/05/21/t... via @texastribune.org

Texas businesses feel the pinch from Trump’s tariffs, Fed survey finds The higher taxes on imports will shrink Texas businesses’ profits and raise costs for consumers, business owners say.

Texas businesses feel the pinch from Trump’s tariffs.

The higher taxes on imports will shrink Texas businesses’ profits and raise costs for consumers, business owners say.

www.texastribune.org/2025/05/16/t...

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String of law enforcement suicides rattles first responders and exposes gaps in state support Four people tied to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office committed suicide recently, calling attention to ongoing mental health struggles among law enforcement.

String of law enforcement suicides rattles first responders and exposes gaps in state support
www.texastribune.org/2025/04/14/t...

Supreme Court blocks deportations of Venezuelans held in northern Texas under an 18th century wartime law The high court acted in an emergency appeal from the American Civil Liberties Union contending that immigration authorities appeared to be moving to restart removals under the Alien Enemies Act of 179...

Supreme Court blocks deportations of Venezuelans held in northern Texas under an 18th century wartime law www.texastribune.org/2025/04/19/s... via @texastribune.org

House Republicans refuse to pass ceremonial resolution honoring Cecile Richards Normally, memorial resolutions to honor Texans who have died are passed without controversy. But the resolution for Richards, a former president of Planned Parenthood who died this year, sparked a cas...

House Republicans refuse to pass ceremonial resolution honoring Cecile Richards www.texastribune.org/2025/04/17/t... via @texastribune.org

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Texas AG investigating insurance company accused of spying on lawmakers, journalists, other Texans Superior HealthPlan’s CEO, whom lawmakers grilled about the company’s alleged hiring of private investigators, was reportedly fired after the inquiry was announced.

"Texas AG investigating insurance company accused of spying on lawmakers, journalists, other Texans"
www.texastribune.org/2025/03/27/t...

Jewish Texans disagree on how to combat antisemitism in schools during hearing on Senate bill Lawmakers propose addressing antisemitism by requiring schools to use a set definition. Critics say the measure will stifle speech.

"Jewish Texans disagree on how to combat antisemitism in schools during hearing on Senate bill"
www.texastribune.org/2025/03/25/t...

Texas is running out of water. Here’s why and what state leaders plan to do about it. The state’s water supply faces numerous threats. And by one estimate, the state’s municipal supply will not meet demand by 2030 if there’s a severe drought and no water solutions are implemented.

Texas is running out of water. Here’s why and what state leaders plan to do about it. www.texastribune.org/2025/03/13/t... via @texastribune.org

In Texas, private firms cash in on property tax late fees, piling debt onto struggling homeowners Texans who fall behind on their property taxes face one of the most punitive systems in the nation, where private collection companies can tack up to 20% onto their bill.

In Texas, private firms cash in on property tax late fees, piling debt onto struggling homeowners www.texastribune.org/2025/03/13/t... via @texastribune.org

Robert Morris, Texas megachurch pastor and former Trump adviser, indicted for child sex crimes Morris is a former spiritual adviser to President Donald Trump, and Gateway — one of the nation’s largest megachurches — has been particularly active in Dallas-area GOP politics.

"Robert Morris, Texas megachurch pastor and former Trump adviser, indicted for child sex crimes"
www.texastribune.org/2025/03/12/r...

With Texas facing soaring electricity demand, the politics of energy quietly shift at the Capitol The Legislature has tried to clamp down on renewable energy resources in the past, but many lawmakers are recognizing the need to support all types of generation to meet record demand growth.

"With Texas facing soaring electricity demand, the politics of energy quietly shift at the Capitol"
www.texastribune.org/2025/03/06/t...

Venezuelan parents watch from home as their son is buried in Texas after drowning Gustavo Alfonso Garcia Olivares died at 24, drowning in the Rio Grande not far from where he was buried Thursday at the Maverick County Cemetery in Eagle Pass.

"Venezuelan parents watch from home as their son is buried in Texas after drowning"
www.texastribune.org/2025/03/08/v...

Texas A&M Board of Regents names Glenn Hegar as university system’s next leader Hegar, who currently serves as Texas comptroller, will replace A&M Chancellor John Sharp in leading the 157,000-student system.

"Texas A&M Board of Regents names Glenn Hegar as university system’s next leader"
www.texastribune.org/2025/03/07/t...

Why a Rio Grande Valley hospital is helping to feed its patients As the Edinburg facility and others seek to assist people experiencing food insecurity, state lawmakers have more than a dozen bills that could tackle Texas’ food deserts.

"Why a Rio Grande Valley hospital is helping to feed its patients"
www.texastribune.org/2025/03/06/s...