A Texas Austerity Crisis Is Playing Out City by City, School by School
Texas' local governments are facing growing fiscal pain. What’s that mean for the 2026 elections—and the 2027 session?
Education
Alleging ‘Environmental Racism,’ El Paso Activists File Civil Rights Complaint Against School District
“EPISD didn’t propose [a hub for 124 buses] anywhere else because other communities wouldn’t have accepted it,” said Chamizal community organizer Hilda Villegas.
Rural Poverty, Youth Homelessness Abound in Loraine, Pop. 587
Loraine ISD helps homeless students cope, but few other public resources are available for youth in Texas’ remote Big Country.
‘Fail State’ Delves into the Shadowy World of For-Profit Colleges
The film details how the for-profit college industry began, its rise to power and why legislative attempts to rein it in have had only limited success.
Despite ‘Hardship’ Funding, Rural Texas Schools Face Difficult Financial Future
Education advocates don’t think the funding will be enough to avoid staff layoffs and cuts to student services.
New San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg on Priorities, Progressives and the Legislature
Nirenberg doesn’t identify with a specific political party, but thinks future-focused candidates are in a prime position to take back the state.
Dan Patrick Accuses Joe Straus of Ponzi Scheme Ahead of Special Session
Patrick seemed to suggest that spending money on ESL and special needs students is a waste and should be spent on teacher pay.
Critics Fear New Texas Law Giving SBOE Wide Discretion Over Textbooks
Texas lawmakers just gave the State Board of Education more power over textbook content. What could possibly go wrong?
After Freedom Caucus Kills Her Legislation, Lawmaker Announces Anti-‘Lunch Shaming’ Campaign
Feeding Texas is now collecting donations to help pay off school lunch debts and encourage schools to adopt more generous meal policies.