The Brief: Will Texas pass school choice this year?
School choice legislation hasn't made much headway in past legislative sessions. But this year could be different — here's why. Full Story
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Bobby Blanchard
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Bobby Blanchard joined The Texas Tribune’s audience team in 2016 and led the team from 2021 to 2023, strategizing to expand the organization’s reach and engagement across all platforms. A graduate of UT-Austin, Bobby spent his first year out of college at The Dallas Morning News as a reporting fellow, covering Texas politics and breaking news. He got his start in journalism in the poorly lit basement of The Daily Texan, followed by internships at the Houston Chronicle, KUT News and the Tribune. Born and raised in the Houston area, Bobby is a native Texan.
Past Contributions
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![National School Choice rally in Austin on January 30th, 2015]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
The Brief: Rex Tillerson inches closer to nomination
The former Exxon CEO and native Texan got the support of two key U.S. senators this weekend: John McCain and Lindsey Graham. With their support, Tillerson likely has the votes for confirmation from the senate. Full Story
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![ExxonMobil Chairman and CEO Rex Tillerson speaks during the IHS CERAWeek 2015 energy conference in Houston,
Texas April 21, 2015.]()
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Texans observe Donald Trump's inauguration with protests, celebrations (live updates)
As Donald Trump becomes the 45th president of the United States with ceremonies in Washington, D.C., multiple protests and celebrations will be unfolding in Texas. Full Story
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![Protesters gather in front of the UT Tower to protest President Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, 2017. Seth Uzman leds the protesters in a "not my president" chant.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
The Brief: On inauguration day, here’s what’s happening in Texas
Multiple protests and demonstrations are planned throughout Friday as Donald Trump officially becomes the next president of the United States. Full Story
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![Preparations in Washington, D.C. are well underway as crowds already begin to gather for Saturday's inauguration.]()
Credit: Caleb Bryant Miller -
The Brief: What to expect from Rick Perry's confirmation hearing
Can former Texas Gov. Rick Perry make it past his 'oops' moment in today's senate confirmation hearing? Full Story
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![Former Gov. Rick Perry gives the closing keynote address at the the Texas Public Finance Conference in Austin on Feb. 3, 2016.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber/The Texas Tribune -
The Brief: Will Planned Parenthood lose its Medicaid funding?
The health care provider says losing Medicaid funds would be "devastating" for poor Texas women; state attorneys make their case today for why the health care provider should be denied. Full Story
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Credit: John Jordan -
The Brief: Dawnna Dukes' case heads to grand jury
Travis County prosecutors will present evidence today to a grand jury and seek an indictment against State Rep. Dawnna Dukes. Here's what you need to know. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin, speaks with media following the presentation of a $15,000 scholarship donation to Huston-Tillotson University at the African American Heritage Festival on the University campus in Austin, TX on Feb. 27, 2016.]()
Credit: Graphic by Gabriel Cristóver Pérez -
The Brief: Who will pay for criminal justice reform in Texas?
A big question remains for lawmakers as they start the session: If the state is going to reform how county jails address mental health, who is going to pay for those changes in a tight budget year? Full Story
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![Rep. Garnet Coleman D-Houston questions Texas DPS Director Steve McCraw during a September 20, 2016 House County Affairs committee hearing]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Hear from Texans at the Capitol on the 85th legislative session's first day
Texans from across the state swarmed the Capitol to watch. Here's what some are hoping to see lawmakers accomplish this session. Full Story
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![Tourists gather around the Lone Star in the Capitol rotunda Jan. 10, 2017 about an hour before the 85th Texas Legislature kicks off.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Following North Carolina's lead, Dan Patrick unveils so-called “bathroom bill”
Texas Republicans on Thursday unveiled Senate Bill 6, which would require transgender people to use bathrooms in public schools, government buildings and public universities based on “biological sex.” Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst unveil the text of Senate Bill 6, which would require transgender people to use bathrooms in public schools, government buildings and universities based on “biological sex,” on Jan. 5, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune