Texas Tribune Brief
808 episodes - English - Latest episode: 8 months ago - ★★★★★ - 103 ratingsGet the latest news on Texas politics and policy from The Texas Tribune now on Amazon Alexa. With reporters based in Austin, Washington, D.C., and on the U.S.–Mexico border, we are your go-to source for news on statewide issues.
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Episodes
Uvalde superintendent recommends firing police Chief Pete Arredondo
July 21, 2022 10:00 - 4 minutes - 6.78 MBThe school board plans to meet Saturday to vote on the proposal, days after a Texas House committee report highlighted widespread failures in the police response to the Robb Elementary shooting.
Universities in Texas grapple with how to provide reproductive health care information to students amid new abortion laws
July 20, 2022 10:00 - 4 minutes - 5.99 MBTexas’ abortion ban will go into effect around the start of the fall semester. The changing legal landscape is raising questions for public colleges about how to talk to students about reproductive health care options and creating hesitancy among students about whether they can trust their universities’ health centers.
Texas Department of Public Safety investigating how 91 of its troopers and Rangers responded to Uvalde school shooting
July 19, 2022 10:00 - 5 minutes - 6.99 MBThe department’s officers made up nearly one-fourth of the 376 law enforcement members who responded to Texas’ deadliest school shooting. Announcement of the inquiry came one day after a report criticized police response to the massacre.
“Systemic failures” in Uvalde shooting went far beyond local police, Texas House report details
July 18, 2022 10:00 - 4 minutes - 5.73 MBIn total, 376 law enforcement officers descended upon the school, according to the most extensive account of the shooting to date. It says that better-equipped departments should have stepped up to fill a leadership void after the Uvalde schools police chief failed to take charge.
Uvalde police officer criticized for checking his phone was waiting to hear from his dying wife
July 15, 2022 10:00 - 5 minutes - 7.62 MB“I couldn’t say nothing seeing this man, who’s lost everything, maligned as if he was indifferent or actively malicious,” state Rep. Joe Moody, a member of the Uvalde House Investigating Committee, said on Twitter.
Texans asked to conserve energy to protect the power grid for the second time in a week
July 14, 2022 10:00 - 4 minutes - 6.7 MBTexans have been asked to turn up their thermostats and avoid using large appliances from 2 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. The power grid operator said it does not expect rolling blackouts.
House committee to release Uvalde shooting video to public on Sunday
July 13, 2022 10:00 - 4 minutes - 5.83 MBState Rep. Dustin Burrows will lead a private briefing for victims’ families in Uvalde on Sunday morning, allowing them to see the hallway video from a Robb Elementary School surveillance camera and discuss the committee’s preliminary report. Later, the footage will be released for anyone to watch.
State grid operator urges electricity conservation as heat wave drives up demand
July 12, 2022 10:00 - 4 minutes - 5.67 MBThe state’s grid operator asked that Texans voluntarily reduce their power use on Monday as the blistering heat continues — and said no rolling blackouts are expected this week.
Texans have been slow to vaccinate their youngest against COVID-19, but they’re slightly ahead of the national average
July 11, 2022 10:00 - 3 minutes - 4.52 MBFor some parents of kids under 5 who want to vaccinate them, the wait has been excruciating, fraught with delays and close calls. Others are hesitant to have their young children vaccinated.
Gov. Greg Abbott empowers state authorities to return migrants to border crossings
July 08, 2022 10:00 - 4 minutes - 6.32 MBImmigration law enforcement is a federal responsibility. Abbott appears to be testing the limits of state authority by empowering state law enforcement to bring migrants to the ports of entry — stopping short of using state resources to expel migrants from the country.
Uvalde officer asked permission to shoot gunman outside school but got no answer
July 07, 2022 10:00 - 5 minutes - 7.29 MBThe report by the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center says authorities missed other opportunities to stop the gunman before he killed 19 students and two teachers in Robb Elementary.
Uvalde shooting victims aren’t getting compensated from state fund as intended, officials say
July 06, 2022 06:24 - 5 minutes - 7.74 MBState Sen. Roland Gutierrez and Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin are asking Gov. Greg Abbott to remove the Uvalde County district attorney from overseeing the Uvalde Together Resiliency Center.
State of Texas can enforce 1925 abortion ban, state Supreme Court says
July 05, 2022 10:00 - 4 minutes - 6.27 MBThe ruling Friday night exposes abortion providers to fines and lawsuits even before the state’s trigger law goes into effect.
Supreme Court rules Biden administration can end “remain in Mexico” policy, sending case back to a Texas court
July 01, 2022 10:00 - 4 minutes - 6.29 MBThe Trump administration created the Migrant Protection Protocols, also called the “remain in Mexico,” program in 2019 before the Biden administration canceled it in 2021. The ruling sends the case back to a Texas federal court.
53 people who died in human smuggling tragedy came from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador
June 30, 2022 10:00 - 4 minutes - 6.39 MBTexas will increase checkpoints for trucks crossing from Mexico
DPS Director Steve McCraw says officers in Uvalde could have taken down gunman within 3 minutes had commander not hesitated
June 22, 2022 10:00 - 5 minutes - 7.04 MBMcCraw testified before a Texas Senate committee, laying blame on local police officers in Uvalde for not acting faster to save children in school shooting.
Senate Democrats in Texas call again for a special session on gun safety in response to Uvalde shooting
June 21, 2022 10:00 - 5 minutes - 7.91 MBThe senators said they would support proposals like raising the age to legally own an assault weapon from 18 to 21, creating red flag laws and regulating private gun sales.
The race for governor between Abbott and O’Rourke tightens, according to first poll since Uvalde shooting
June 16, 2022 10:00 - 5 minutes - 7.72 MBA new Quinnipiac University poll shows that Gov. Greg Abbott’s 15-point lead has shrunk to 5 points over Beto O’Rourke as more Texas voters now say gun policies are a top priority.
Greg Abbott’s handwritten notes raise fresh questions over who “misled” him about Uvalde shooting response
June 15, 2022 10:00 - 5 minutes - 7.9 MBThe nine pages of blue ink on white lined paper, first published by the Houston television station KTRK, show how the governor prepared his remarks for a news conference May 25, the day after the shooting — presumably based on information being given to him.
Texas House Speaker pitches spending more than $100 million for mental health, school safety programs
June 14, 2022 10:00 - 4 minutes - 5.92 MBHouse Speaker Dade Phelan is also asking for more money for mental health and school safety programs.
U.S. senators reach deal on gun legislation in aftermath of Uvalde shooting
June 13, 2022 10:00 - 4 minutes - 6.63 MBSen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, was one of the lead negotiators for the proposal, which would expand background checks for people under 21 and encourage states to enact “red flag” laws. Biden and House Democrats had wanted to go further.
Uvalde schools police Chief Pete Arredondo’s talks with The Texas Tribune
June 10, 2022 10:00 - 5 minutes - 7.45 MBUvalde schools police Chief Pete Arredondo and his attorney granted an exclusive interview to The Texas Tribune to detail his version of what happened inside Robb Elementary School on May 24, when a shooter killed 21 people.
Federal investigation into law enforcement’s response to Uvalde shooting won’t be criminal, DOJ says
June 09, 2022 10:00 - 5 minutes - 8.13 MBAuthorities have been criticized for waiting over an hour to enter the school and confront the shooter. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said law enforcement agencies have promised to cooperate with the federal inquiry.
Uvalde native Matthew McConaughey visits White House to push for stricter gun laws and mental health reform
June 08, 2022 10:00 - 4 minutes - 5.84 MBThe Texas actor spoke at a press briefing Tuesday after meeting with President Joe Biden about responding to mass shootings. A Uvalde gunman killed 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school last month.
Republicans want to arm more school employees, but few districts are opting in
June 07, 2022 10:00 - 6 minutes - 8.25 MBSince Texas launched the school marshal program in 2013, just 84 school districts out of more than 1,200 have armed school staff. Educators say the program’s lack of popularity shows that teachers don’t want to be the ones to defend schools from mass shootings.
Some Texas GOP donors urge Congress to act on gun control measures like “red flag” laws, expanded background checks
June 06, 2022 10:00 - 2 minutes - 4.1 MBMore than 250 self-declared gun enthusiasts, including donors who have contributed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s campaigns, have signed on to an open letter supporting Sen. John Cornyn’s efforts at bipartisan gun reform legislation.
Bonus Episode: City Cast Houston presents, "Hurricanes 101"
June 04, 2022 10:00 - 16 minutes - 22.5 MBHurricane season is here. City Cast Houston host Lisa Gray dives into how gulf coast residents can prepare with Hurricanes 101.
Uvalde school district’s police chief didn’t know about 911 calls coming from inside the school, lawmaker says
June 03, 2022 10:00 - 7 minutes - 9.85 MBState Rep. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, said the commanding officer at the scene of the shooting was not informed about the calls that Uvalde police were receiving, calling the lack of coordination a “system failure.”
Uvalde students and staff not returning to Robb Elementary School after deadly shooting
June 02, 2022 10:00 - 4 minutes - 6.25 MBThe district’s superintendent said students will be moved to other campuses but did not confirm reports that the Robb Elementary School building may be razed.
Uvalde buries 10-year-old Amerie Jo Garza, the first of many funerals to come
June 01, 2022 10:00 - 6 minutes - 8.99 MBShe wanted to be an art teacher. Her favorite color was purple. She was laid to rest three weeks after her birthday.
Uvalde worshippers pray for peace, healing and the souls of 21 lives lost
May 31, 2022 10:00 - 5 minutes - 6.93 MBResidents of Uvalde, a deeply religious community, prayed, cried and embraced each other on the first Sunday since a gunman killed 21 people at an elementary school.
Authorities took an hour to stop Uvalde gunman, raising questions about law enforcement response
May 27, 2022 10:00 - 4 minutes - 6.64 MBOfficials clarified the timeline of the shooting Thursday after giving varying accounts. They refused to answer many questions about the tactics.
Uvalde elementary school shooter chronicled his actions on social media, Gov. Greg Abbott says
May 26, 2022 10:00 - 4 minutes - 5.88 MBTop Texas Republicans also resist gun control and push for more armed teachers and police at schools in wake of Uvalde shooting
19 children and 2 adults dead in Uvalde elementary school shooting
May 25, 2022 03:44 - 3 minutes - 4.14 MBThe governor said the shooter is also dead and is believed to have been killed by responding officers.
Texas voters will finalize which Democratic and Republican primary candidates will be on the ballot in the November general election
May 24, 2022 10:00 - 3 minutes - 5.05 MBIn 50 races in the March 1 primary, no candidate exceeded 50% of the vote, bringing about runoff races between the candidates who came in first and second.
Judge blocks Biden administration from lifting public health order used to quickly expel migrants
May 23, 2022 10:00 - 4 minutes - 6 MBThe administration was set to end Title 42, a pandemic-era rule aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19, on Monday. A lengthy legal battle is likely.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn calls Ken Paxton scandals an “embarrassment” when asked about attorney general runoff
May 20, 2022 10:00 - 3 minutes - 5.01 MBCornyn is the most prominent Texas Republican to criticize the attorney general’s rocky record ahead of his runoff election against George P. Bush.
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is the target of a bar association complaint over his role in undermining the 2020 election results
May 19, 2022 10:00 - 4 minutes - 6.37 MBA group of lawyers says Cruz played an outsized role in the efforts to void the 2020 election results and accuses him of repeatedly making false claims about voter fraud.
Power grid leaders say they’re confident the lights will stay on in Texas this summer
May 18, 2022 10:00 - 4 minutes - 5.73 MBTexas Public Utility Commission Chair Peter Lake and ERCOT President Brad Jones said the power grid is prepared for record-breaking summer electricity demand.
The federal emergency declaration is expected to last through at least mid-October and has kept states from dropping people from Medicaid ro
May 17, 2022 10:00 - 5 minutes - 8 MBThe federal emergency declaration is expected to last through at least mid-October and has kept states from dropping people from Medicaid rolls.
Early voting starts today for May 24 primary runoffs
May 16, 2022 10:00 - 3 minutes - 5.05 MBThe early voting period runs through Friday. Mail-in ballots must be returned by May 24.
Republican-backed Texas law prohibiting social media companies from banning users over their viewpoints reinstated by appeals court
May 13, 2022 00:42 - 3 minutes - 5.48 MBThe court did not evaluate the law on its constitutionality but will allow it to go back into effect while a legal case plays out. Texas lawmakers passed the law, saying social media platforms have an anti-conservative bias.
U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz, John Cornyn poised to once again vote against bill to legalize abortions
May 11, 2022 10:00 - 2 minutes - 3.98 MBIn February, Cruz and Cornyn voted against a similar bill that was inspired after Texas passed its abortion restriction law.
The state of Texas isn’t ready to support more parents and kids in a post-Roe world, advocates warn
May 10, 2022 10:00 - 5 minutes - 7.18 MBMore than a quarter of women of childbearing age are uninsured in Texas, the highest rate in the nation, and the state has chosen to cap Medicaid benefits for new moms earlier than other states.
Voters in Texas approve two modest property tax relief measures
May 09, 2022 10:00 - 3 minutes - 4.3 MBThe state’s high property taxes have taken center stage as Texas’ real estate market explodes and drives up home values.
With piles of campaign cash, a Christian cellphone company is making North Texas school board races a state battleground
May 06, 2022 10:00 - 4 minutes - 6.03 MBIn Tarrant County, conservative PACs animated about the teaching of race and sexuality are flooding school board races with hundreds of thousands of dollars.
78% of Texas voters think abortion should be allowed in some form, UT poll shows
May 05, 2022 10:00 - 4 minutes - 5.99 MBOnly 15% of respondents to a recent University of Texas at Austin poll said access to the procedure should be completely outlawed.
If Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, Texas will completely ban abortion
May 04, 2022 10:00 - 3 minutes - 5.25 MBPolitico said it obtained a draft Supreme Court majority opinion indicating the landmark abortion ruling will be overturned. Abortion is still legal in Texas up to six weeks of pregnancy.
Gov. Greg Abbott redirects $500 million from other agencies to fund border security mission through end of fiscal year
May 03, 2022 10:00 - 3 minutes - 4.77 MBAbbott said the money would be taken from the budgets of other Texas agencies, including nearly $210 million from the state’s Health and Human Services Commission over two years and about $160 million from the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Gov. Greg Abbott asks for private donations to bus migrants to D.C. after criticism for using taxpayer money
April 29, 2022 10:00 - 3 minutes - 4.73 MBThe decision to crowdfund the free bus trips for migrants is a new development since his initial announcement on April 6 that the rides would be paid for by Texas taxpayers.