Sid Miller is challenging a debt relief program that the U.S. Department of Agriculture saw as a way to correct historic discrimination. An advocate for Black Texas farmers says the challenge “pushes us back even further.”
James Pollard
James Pollard is a student at Northwestern University and a fall reporting fellow. James interned this summer on the NBC Owned Television Stations digital team. He has covered his hometown of St. Louis as an intern with the Riverfront Times and reported on President Donald Trump’s first impeachment trial for Medill News Service. He has also been managing editor of The Daily Northwestern.
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Texas 2022 Elections
Beto O’Rourke’s blunt support of marijuana legalization gives advocates hope for policy change
While the Texas Legislature has been hesitant to embrace policy change, advocates hope the O’Rourke campaign’s attention to marijuana legalization will give the issue a political boost.
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Politics
Ted Cruz has never recouped more than $500,000 he loaned his first campaign. He’s working to overturn the law that’s blocked him.
The Supreme Court next month will hear arguments in his challenge to the law that prevents the repayment, prompting fears among watchdog groups that another rollback of campaign finance regulations might be looming.
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State Government
Federal judge blocks Texas law that would stop social media firms from banning users for a “viewpoint”
The law was passed this year after outcry from Republicans over perceived anti-conservative bias among major tech companies.
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Politics
State Board of Education approves one sex ed textbook for Texas middle school students
Last November, the board expanded curriculum standards to include birth control in addition to abstinence education.
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Public Education
U.S. Department of Education investigates claims of racial and gender discrimination at North Texas school district
The inquiry comes after several high-profile controversies at Carroll ISD, including an administrator’s call for teachers to provide an “opposing” view of the Holocaust.
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Texas 2022 Elections
Beto O’Rourke went after assault rifles in his run for president. Will that hurt him with gun-loving Texans?
“Hell yes, we’re going to take your AR-15, your AK-47,” O’Rourke said at a debate when he was running for president. Now he’s running for governor and said he won’t be backing down from the statement.
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University of Texas/Texas Tribune Polls
Texas voters say the state and country are worse off than a year ago and heading in the wrong direction, UT/TT Poll finds
Thirty-eight percent of respondents said the state economy is doing worse than a year ago, further evidence that Texans are still feeling the pandemic’s consequences.
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Health care
Vaccination slots filling up as Texas children ages 5-11 receive first COVID-19 vaccines
Appointment slots filled up quickly for the first pediatric doses. More kid-friendly shot sites come with therapy dogs, toys and snacks.
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Criminal Justice
Austin voters reject ballot proposition to hire more police officers
Supporters of Proposition A argued that boosting the ranks of the police force was necessary to combat the city’s growing homicide rate, a trend seen in cities nationwide. Opponents and city leaders warned it would lead to fewer firefighters, medics and librarians.