Houston Democrats push for guardrails on school takeovers

A squad of Democratic lawmakers is pushing to limit the power of state-appointed officials who step in and take over struggling school districts, ousting locally elected trustees. A commission out of Houston, where the public school district is facing the largest school takeover in Texas history, recommended raising the bar for when the education commissioner […]
‘We have to suck it up’: Ken Paxton privately suggests cutting federal benefit programs to reduce national deficit

In a conversation that has been leaked in pieces to multiple publications, the GOP Senate nominee called for “reasonable cuts to mandatory spending,” which is driven by Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
Democrat Nathan Johnson pitches back-to-basics attorney general’s office after 12 years under Paxton

Johnson is hoping enough moderates are tired of Paxton-era culture wars to cross party lines. His GOP opponent, Mayes Middleton, is running as the outgoing incumbent’s ideological heir.
What to know about Texas’ affordability crisis and how candidates want to fix it

From groceries to childcare, Texans are spending more to live here. Here’s how much costs have risen, why it’s happening and what candidates are proposing to fix it.
Greg Abbott outraised Gina Hinojosa but burned through much of his campaign cash in Texas governor’s race

Abbott outspent Hinojosa 6-to-1 from July to late September, but the governor’s narrow polling lead was largely unchanged as he tapped a war chest that once topped $100 million.
TribCast: Are Texas’ voter systems ready for a contentious election?

Votebeat’s Natalia Contreras joins TribCast to explain the state of Texas’ voter rolls one month before election day.
Democrat Jon Rosenthal outraises Bo French in Railroad Commission race in latest report

A big chunk of Rosenthal’s haul came after French’s racist social media comments following a UT-Austin football game went viral.
Texas agency sues to stop release of data center records that it says could aid terrorists

A lawsuit will test whether Texas officials can withhold data center location details under the state Homeland Security Act.
Texas governor 2026: Who is running and what to know

The governor is Texas’ chief executive, with a hand in everything from enforcing laws to setting budget priorities and responding to crises. Here’s a look at where GOP candidate Gov. Greg Abbott and Democratic candidate Gina Hinojosa stand.
Texas execution would be first in U.S. since Tennessee failure

Lawyers for Jamaal Howard are asking Gov. Greg Abbott for a 30-day reprieve after two lethal injections failed to kill Christa Pike, leaving her hospitalized.