BREAKING NEWS
After immigration crackdown, international students in Texas self-censor to protect their education
Read full article: After immigration crackdown, international students in Texas self-censor to protect their educationStudents told the Tribune they have deleted social media accounts, socialize less and steer clear of charged topics to avoid becoming targets of immigration authorities.
Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta confirmed as Trump’s ambassador to Italy
Read full article: Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta confirmed as Trump’s ambassador to ItalyThe Texas billionaire has said he will drop his position at Landry’s, but will continue his ownership of the Houston Rockets.
More than 250 international students’ immigration statuses revoked across Texas universities
Read full article: More than 250 international students’ immigration statuses revoked across Texas universitiesThe people affected include a University of Houston professor from Korea who was teaching upper level math under a type of student visa that allows graduates to work in their field of study.
Heartbreak for Houston. Florida’s defense holds strong to secure National Championship win
Read full article: Heartbreak for Houston. Florida’s defense holds strong to secure National Championship winThe 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship game started with both teams trading baskets like body blows.
Houston set to chase first NCAA championship against Florida after thrilling Final Four comeback
Read full article: Houston set to chase first NCAA championship against Florida after thrilling Final Four comebackThe University of Houston men’s basketball team is set to face the University of Florida in the NCAA Men’s Final Four National Championship, riding high after a thrilling 14-point comeback against Duke University.
Texas lawmakers seek to transfer University of Houston-Victoria to Texas A&M system
Read full article: Texas lawmakers seek to transfer University of Houston-Victoria to Texas A&M systemSen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, said Texas A&M is better positioned to grow the Victoria school and serve the region’s petrochemical and agriculture industries.
Texas Republicans want more property tax cuts. Here’s how they may do it.
Read full article: Texas Republicans want more property tax cuts. Here’s how they may do it.Gov. Greg Abbott said cutting taxes is a top priority, however, state lawmakers don’t have as much money to plug into tax cuts as they did two years ago.
Queer students look for alternatives after Texas A&M ends transgender health care services
Read full article: Queer students look for alternatives after Texas A&M ends transgender health care servicesThe students saw the move as part of a political environment that has become increasingly hostile against LGBTQ+ people in Texas.
Layoffs and upheaval at Texas universities spur fear as lawmakers continue DEI crackdown
Read full article: Layoffs and upheaval at Texas universities spur fear as lawmakers continue DEI crackdownAs administrators scramble to comply with new limits on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, students and faculty worry more tumult is coming.
University of Houston students face off against administrators over how to spend student fees
Read full article: University of Houston students face off against administrators over how to spend student feesStudents want to reallocate funding for athletics to other student services, but university leaders rejected that recommendation. Regents on Wednesday sent both sides back to the negotiating table.
Some of college basketball's great regular-season games have shaped the AP Top 25
Read full article: Some of college basketball's great regular-season games have shaped the AP Top 25Those last-second shots and breathtaking upsets that make the NCAA Tournament so great tend to get remembered the most by fans.
Proposition 5 on Texas ballot would create new endowment for ‘emerging’ research universities
Read full article: Proposition 5 on Texas ballot would create new endowment for ‘emerging’ research universitiesIf approved, the new fund would provide tens of millions of dollars to the University of Houston, Texas Tech, Texas State University and University of North Texas.
University of Houston students brace for LGBTQ Resource Center closure in response to Texas’ DEI ban
Read full article: University of Houston students brace for LGBTQ Resource Center closure in response to Texas’ DEI banThe announcement confronted students with the impact of a new law that will require all state-funded colleges and universities to close their diversity, equity and inclusion offices.
How Republicans’ threats to tenure and diversity might undercut their own efforts to advance Texas’ universities
Read full article: How Republicans’ threats to tenure and diversity might undercut their own efforts to advance Texas’ universitiesTexas lawmakers are poised to create a new multibillion-dollar endowment to boost emerging research universities in national rankings. But faculty members say banning diversity offices and tenure would stymie those efforts.
University of Houston asked students to wear neon vests after police drew weapon on a Black student
Read full article: University of Houston asked students to wear neon vests after police drew weapon on a Black studentThe university distributed vests to theater students after an officer drew a gun on a Black student rehearsing a violent scene last year. Officials walked back the requirement amid recent student criticism.
College voters held back by Texas election law, lack of on-campus polling sites
Read full article: College voters held back by Texas election law, lack of on-campus polling sitesMany Texas universities don’t have early-voting locations on campus. And state laws regarding voter ID and registration make it hard to turn out younger voters, advocates say.
College-bound Uvalde students grapple with leaving a hometown in mourning
Read full article: College-bound Uvalde students grapple with leaving a hometown in mourningThe students worry how the tragedy will define them in their new environments and struggle with guilt about the people they’re leaving behind.
Settlement with conservative free speech group forces University of Houston to keep amended anti-harassment policy
Read full article: Settlement with conservative free speech group forces University of Houston to keep amended anti-harassment policyThe conservative group Speech First argued that the anti-discrimination policy restricting “offensive speech about personal characteristics such race, ethnicity or gender” violates students’ First Amendment rights. The university agreed to keep its amended policy as part of a settlement.
The pandemic showed some Texas universities that they didn’t need the SAT. They might never go back.
Read full article: The pandemic showed some Texas universities that they didn’t need the SAT. They might never go back.Many Texas public universities have committed to accepting students who do not submit SAT or ACT standardized test scores, signaling that test-optional policies could be here to stay.
T-Squared: Texas Tribune will host yearlong Scripps Howard Foundation fellows in data visuals and multimedia
Read full article: T-Squared: Texas Tribune will host yearlong Scripps Howard Foundation fellows in data visuals and multimediaFabiana Chaparro will join the multimedia team, and Caroline Covington will join the data visuals team.
UT Austin will allow students to live together on campus regardless of gender or sexual identity
Read full article: UT Austin will allow students to live together on campus regardless of gender or sexual identityThe two-year pilot program comes after at least 15 years of students asking for the change. It will allow UT-Austin students to live together in certain residence halls with students of any gender or sexual identity.
“I’m still trying to recover”: Some Texans are still bearing the brunt of the 2021 winter storm
Read full article: “I’m still trying to recover”: Some Texans are still bearing the brunt of the 2021 winter stormLast February’s winter storm left millions of Texans without power for days in subfreezing temperatures. Watch how one family whose home suffered extensive damage is preparing for the next round of cold weather.
Texas college students confront anxiety, apathy as another pandemic semester begins
Read full article: Texas college students confront anxiety, apathy as another pandemic semester beginsAs Texas universities and colleges begin a fifth semester during the COVID-19 pandemic, many students say they are struggling with uncertainty and an indifference toward school and the future.
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Texas universities got more state funding this year than they anticipated — but they’re still hoping for more support
Read full article: Texas universities got more state funding this year than they anticipated — but they’re still hoping for more supportTwo- and four-year school leaders are looking to the upcoming special session for more support as the state decides how to spend $16 billion in federal stimulus funding
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Almost 70% of ERCOT customers lost power during winter storm, study finds
Read full article: Almost 70% of ERCOT customers lost power during winter storm, study findsAs the updated death toll from February’s winter storm reached 111 deaths last week, the severity of its full force has continued to come into focus. AdThe Electric Reliability Council of Texas manages the state’s main power grid, which represents 90% of Texas’ electric load and serves more than 26 million customers, according to the agency. Black Texans were “modestly more likely” to have lost power than white Texans, according to the study. The company wants lawmakers to create a revenue stream to Berkshire through an additional charge on Texans’ power bills. Ad“In 2011, when we were asking questions about that winter storm, we were receiving promises and commitments that winterization would occur so that sort of thing wouldn't happen again,” he said.
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Point of Order: Higher ed’s gap year
Read full article: Point of Order: Higher ed’s gap yearEvan Smith, CEO of The Texas Tribune. (Audio unavailable. Disclosure: The University of Houston has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
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Man accused of making bomb threat against Texas university during Zoom lecture
Read full article: Man accused of making bomb threat against Texas university during Zoom lectureA man has been arrested after being accused of making a bomb threat against the University of Houston during a Zoom lecture. Ibraheem Ahmed Al Bayati was set to make his initial court appearance Tuesday afternoon, according to U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick. Investigators allege his discussion about the Islamic State was a reference to the terrorist organization. Al Bayati has been charged with making threats or conveying false information to destroy by means of fire or explosives and making a threat over interstate commerce. If convicted, Al Bayati faces up to 10 years in prison.
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Houston mourns loss of former assistant coach that died in helicopter crash with Kobe Bryant
Read full article: Houston mourns loss of former assistant coach that died in helicopter crash with Kobe BryantHOUSTON – John Altobelli, a former University of Houston letterwinner and assistant coach, is among the nine people, including NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, that was killed in a helicopter crash Sunday morning in southern California. Altobelli’s wife and his daughter were also killed in the crash, according to the University of Houston. “John was a huge supporter of the Cougars and numerous players from Orange Coast College have played for us through the years.”Houston mourns the passing of former letterwinner & assistant coach John Altobelli. Altobelli was entering his 28th season as the head coach at Orange Coast College, where he was the longest-tenured baseball coach in school history. OCC baseball team mourning loss of coach John Altobelli in helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant.