Vikki Goodwin defeats Houston union leader in lieutenant governor Democratic runoff

The Austin lawmaker now faces an uphill battle against Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the state’s second-highest executive, in November.
Rallies, ad blitzes and a Trump endorsement: inside the final days of the Cornyn-Paxton runoff

Nearly 14 months and $135 million later, Texas’ blockbuster Republican Senate primary will finally be decided Tuesday.
House Democratic runoff heats up in the Rio Grande Valley, where the party hopes to reverse GOP gains

Texas House District 41 was opened by the retirement of Rep. Bobby Guerra, a Democrat. Donald Trump carried the district with 50.3% of the vote in 2024.
Texas sues Discord, arguing online messaging platform endangered children, misled users

The lawsuit comes after a Galveston County family said their 13-year-old daughter was sexually assaulted by a person she interacted with on the platform.
Alexandra Glorioso joins our joint investigative unit with ProPublica

A state government reporter at the Miami Herald, Glorioso was part of the team that reported Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration orchestrated the transfer of $10 million in public funds to a foundation spearheaded by his wife.
UT System, community colleges complying with Texas’ DEI ban, auditors find

The state’s spot review found Texas public colleges were not using diversity, equity and inclusion efforts on campuses.
Trump administration to force foreigners in the U.S. to apply for a green card abroad

The surprise change is the latest step by White House to make legal immigration more difficult for foreigners already in the U.S. and for those hoping to come here.
GOP megadonor turned attorney general front-runner: How Mayes Middleton’s largesse fueled his rise

Middleton helped fund the Legislature’s swing to the right, and an internecine challenge to Ken Paxton. But that’s nothing next to the money he’s spent on himself.
In Democratic runoff, Reps. Al Green and Christian Menefee clash over influence of big money in politics

The clash embodies the tension for Democrats who rely on large fundraising hauls to remain competitive, even as they denounce the outsized political influence of corporate cash.
In the Permian Basin, AI takes on big oil’s dirty water problem

Facing limited options, oil industry turns to AI to handle wastewater from oil production. Producers discovered other uses to streamline the process.