U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz speaks during a conservative conference.

Jet-setter Ted Cruz spotted in Florida spring break spot as DHS shutdown drags on

Ol’ Cancun Cruz appeared to have sailed through airport security while others were stuck in TSA lines.

by Michael Karlis April 1, 2026April 1, 2026

As the partial government shutdown drags on, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has been spotted taking yet another ill-timed jaunt to a sunny locale — this time, the spring break hotspot of Fort Lauderdale, Florida — TMZ reports. A fellow traveler spotted Cruz at the Fort Lauderdale airport Tuesday as Congress remains at an impasse over funding […]

U.S. Rep. Greg Casar (left) and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (right) get into a war of words at the Austin airport.

San Antonio News

John Cornyn gets into pissing match with congressman at Austin airport over DHS funding

Friday marked the first time since the partial shutdown started that TSA agents didn’t get a full paycheck, leading some to walk off the job.

by Michael Karlis March 16, 2026March 16, 2026

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, speaks with reporters in the U.S. Capitol during the last votes of the year on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025.

Texas News

With ACA subsidies set to expire, Texas Republicans in Congress remain hazy about path forward

Texas’ entire House GOP delegation voted this week for a health care package that lets the tax credits lapse. They will be forced to vote on a three-year extension of the subsidies in January.

by Marijke Friedman, The Texas TribuneDecember 19, 2025December 19, 2025

Smoke rises from the 2019 ITC fire in suburban Houston.

Bad Takes

Bad Takes: ‘We have the best political system right now that private money can buy’

Sadly, what was once labeled corruption has become the way U.S. politics works.

by Kevin Sanchez November 26, 2025November 26, 2025

Shops selling THC-containing hemp products proliferated statewide after both Congress and the Texas Legislature approved the sale of hemp crops.

Cannabis News

Fresh off defeating state THC ban, Texas hemp industry faces wipeout under federal deal to end shutdown

The issue roiled Texas politics earlier this year when Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed a ban on THC products spearheaded by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.

By Marijke Friedman, The Texas TribuneNovember 13, 2025November 13, 2025

Michelle Martinez and her daughter, Jaelyn, 5, FaceTime with Martinez’s other daughter, Jazlyn, 3, who is staying with family three hours away after her Head Start program closed due to the government shutdown.

Texas News

Texas Head Start closures during government shutdown add to state’s child care woes

Hundreds of families lost child care when certain programs weren’t funded earlier this month, and scores more may be affected if Congress doesn’t fund the government by Dec. 1.

by Jess Huff, The Texas Tribune November 12, 2025November 12, 2025

San Antonio International Airport experienced delays and cancellations over the weekend.

San Antonio News

Cancellations at San Antonio International Airport pile up as shutdown drags on

So far, 10 Monday flights into or out of the airport have been scrapped, and dozens are delayed.

by Sanford Nowlin November 10, 2025November 10, 2025

A flight moves down the runway at San Antonio International Airport.

San Antonio News

San Antonio not among airports forced to cut flights, but travelers here could see effect

‘It is possible that travelers may be impacted by reductions in service at other airports,’ officials said.

By Malaki LinggNovember 6, 2025November 6, 2025

Volunteers unload pallets at a San Antonio Food Bank distribution.

San Antonio News

SNAP benefits to restart at reduced rate, but it will be days before San Antonio residents see them

Local residents could be waiting until Monday before their state-issued Lone Star Cards are replenished.

by Sanford Nowlin November 3, 2025November 3, 2025

Affordable Care Act assistance hours at Bibliotech, a digital public library in San Antonio, on Jan. 17, 2014.

Texas News

Texas ACA insurers hike monthly premiums by 35% on average

The amount Texans will pay toward their ACA premiums will likely rise more steeply, with enhanced subsidies set to expire.

by Gabby Birenbaum, The Texas Tribune with data reporting by Dan Keemahill November 3, 2025November 3, 2025

A customer stocks up on produce at an Austin H-E-B on Jan. 13, 2024.

Texas News

Feds ordered to pay for SNAP as millions of Texans face cuts during government shutdown

It’s not clear how soon assistance could reach people and the rulings could be appealed, The Associated Press reported.

By Lindsey Byman, The Texas TribuneOctober 31, 2025October 31, 2025

News

San Antonio raises $1.6 million to help families in need as SNAP benefits expire

The funds will be be issued in the form of $150 H-E-B gift cards.

by Michael Karlis October 31, 2025October 31, 2025

From left, House Speaker Dustin Burrows, Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick hold a bill signing ceremony at the Texas Capitol on April 23, 2025 to create a Texas Department of Government Efficiency.

Texas News

Texas Democrats urge Gov. Greg Abbott to direct emergency funds to address the looming food crisis

Democrats say Abbott has used his authority during COVID-19, the Uvalde shooting and border operations to free up emergency funds.

By Terri Langford, Stephen Simpson and Lindsey Byman, The Texas Tribune October 30, 2025October 30, 2025

News

North Texas GOP Chairman in hot water again for appearing to refer to Black Americans as ‘chimps’

Tarrant County GOP Chairman Bo French’s tweet was in reference to SNAP benefits ending Nov. 1.

by Michael Karlis October 29, 2025October 29, 2025

The McAllen Produce Terminal Market in McAllen on April 14, 2022.

Texas News

SNAP cutoff could hurt Texas grocers and the rest of the economy, experts say

The ongoing government shutdown means more than $600 million per month won’t go to millions of Texas SNAP beneficiaries who pump that money into the state economy.

by Paul Cobler, The Texas Tribune October 29, 2025October 29, 2025

Customers stock up on groceries at an Austin H-E-B on Jan. 13, 2024.

Texas News

The federal shutdown will halt November SNAP benefits. Here’s what you need to know.

In Texas, 3.5 million Texans — including 1.7 million children — rely on SNAP, also referred to as food stamps, each month.

By Terri Langford and Gabby Birenbaum, The Texas Tribune October 28, 2025October 28, 2025

Avila-Thomas say she will be sharing some of her food with fellow union members and community members who weren’t able to attend the food bank themselves.

Texas News

Part-time jobs, loans and worry: Texas federal workers contend with government shutdown

Many federal workers missed their first full paycheck this weekend as the shutdown nears the one-month mark.

By Marijke Friedman, the Texas TribuneOctober 27, 2025October 27, 2025

San Antonio Food Bank volunteers assist with a distribution.

Texas News

3.5 million Texans will see food assistance halted if government shutdown continues

Texas officials say food stamp benefits, which go to 1.7 million children, would not be distributed in November under an extended shutdown.

by Terri Langford, The Texas Tribune October 17, 2025October 17, 2025

Boxes of Narcan nasal spray at Janel Rodriguez's home in Hays County on March 30, 2023.

News

$68 million COVID-era federal funding loss and other potential cuts threaten Texas opioid fight

In addition to the cuts, local nonprofits are also having problems accessing federal help for opioid reversal medication, such as Narcan.

by Stephen Simpson, The Texas Tribune October 7, 2025October 7, 2025

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro speaks during an event.

San Antonio News

Tens of thousands in San Antonio will lose health coverage if Congress doesn’t extend tax credits, Castro says

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro said failure to reach a deal to extend tax cuts for Affordable Care Act premiums would devastate local families.

by Sanford Nowlin October 6, 2025October 6, 2025