In South Texas, “quinceañera” dig becomes campaign fuel for Tejano musician Bobby Pulido
By Olivia Borgula, The Texas Tribune April 9, 2026 Jimena Sáenz’s glittery blue quinceañera gown caught the light and sparkled as she swayed to the Tejano music flowing through the Edinburg event center last month. Her friends and family formed a circle around her, some mouthing lyrics as they filmed on their phones and danced…
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Texas summer camps sue to block new internet rule, saying it threatens their ability to operate
By Emily Foxhall, The Texas Tribune April 8, 2026 Nineteen camps in Texas have filed a lawsuit seeking to invalidate a new state requirement for them to install “end-to-end fiber optic facilities” in order to operate this summer. The requirement that the camps install fiber optic internet does not make their properties safer, violates the…
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Texas expected to pay $700 million in penalties to the feds for SNAP errors by 2027
By Terri Langford, The Texas Tribune April 8, 2026 New Trump administration rules designed to cut waste in the nation’s food stamp program means Texas taxpayers will have to pay the federal government $700 million more each year to participate, state officials told lawmakers on Wednesday. Texas Health and Human Services officials disclosed the cost…
Read MoreDemocrats seek to pause Texas’ social studies revamp over $70K grant from conservative think tank
By Jaden Edison, The Texas Tribune April 8, 2026 Democrats on the State Board of Education want to pause Texas’ overhaul of its social studies curriculum after finding out that the university department of a historian advising the group received a financial contribution from an influential conservative think tank. In a letter provided to The…
Read MoreDan Patrick says Republicans will “have a tough time” holding Texas House majority in November
By Alejandro Serrano, The Texas Tribune April 8, 2026 Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Wednesday said Texas Republicans are “going to have a tough time” holding onto their majority in the state House this fall, the latest and perhaps most notable sign yet of GOP unease about the midterm elections. Speaking at the Texas Public…
Read MoreTexas cannabis businesses sue state to block smokeable hemp ban
By Stephen Simpson, The Texas Tribune April 8, 2026 Texas hemp industry leaders and advocacy groups have sued the state to block new regulations that eliminate natural smokeable hemp products and increase licensing fees. The Texas Hemp Business Council, Hemp Industry & Farmers of America, and several Texas-based dispensaries and manufacturers filed for a temporary…
Read MoreAmid license review, Camp Mystic being investigated by Texas Rangers and state health officials
By Emily Foxhall, The Texas Tribune April 8, 2026 Texas health investigators are looking into complaints filed against Camp Mystic with help from the Texas Rangers, while the health agency also evaluates whether to renew the camp’s license to operate this summer, according to state officials. The Texas Department of State Health Services is reviewing…
Read MoreOp-Ed: Insurance Red Tape Is Delaying Care for Millions of Americans
By Sally C. Pipes Few things frustrate patients more than the insurance paperwork that stands between them and the care they need. A new poll from KFF shows just how serious the problem has become. Nearly seven in ten Americans say insurer prior authorization requirements are a “burden.” More than one-third call them the biggest…
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