Some schools in Texas are starting classes earlier this year
Some school districts in Texas are planning to take advantage of an exemption that allows class to begin earlier than the required fourth Monday of August this year. Full Story
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Cassandra Pollock
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Cassandra Pollock was a state politics reporter for the Tribune. She joined the Tribune full-time in June 2017 after a fellowship during the 85th Texas Legislature. Pollock spent her first two years at the Trib as an engagement reporter, which meant her name likely landed in your inbox every weekday morning with “The Brief,” a newsletter on all things Texas politics and public policy. Pollock is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin’s School of Journalism. Pollock left The Texas Tribune in 2021.
Past Contributions
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The Bookshelf: Aug. 3, 2017
In this week's Bookshelf, our content partner Kirkus Reviews highlights "Black Holes." Full Story
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Retaining teachers in rural Texas schools is getting harder to do
Recruiting and retaining teachers in rural schools across Texas is a growing challenge. Full Story
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Federal student loan serving system may take alternate route
The U.S. Department of Education announced that the Trump administration might be shifting its plan for a single loan provider to monitor the federal student loan system. Full Story
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![Tuition costs are rising in Texas as per-student state funding for higher education shrinks.]()
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The Brief: Legislature divided over retired teachers' health care
The House and Senate are trying to agree on how to pump $212 million into an unfunded health insurance program for more than 1 million retired teachers in the state. Full Story
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The Brief: Texas schools grappling with free lunch quandary
Texas has more kids than ever who are eligible to receive free summer meals — so why is the state feeding fewer kids? Full Story
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![School children at Cantu Elementary in San Juan, Texas, are shown eating breakfast on April 24, 2013.]()
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The Brief: Battles over bathrooms, taxes on the horizon as Legislature hits 15-day mark
The Texas Legislature hits the halfway point today in a special session that's expected to take up most if not all of the 30 days it's allowed. While the Senate has passed 20 bills related to 18 items on Gov. Greg Abbott's agenda and the House has passed eight bills touching on four of his priorities, legislation has yet to hit the governor's desk. Full Story
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![From left: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Joe Straus.]()
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The Brief: As special session enters third week, here's where things stand
As the Texas Legislature kicks off its third week of a special legislative session, let's quickly recap some news you might have missed before delving into what's coming down the pipe at the Texas Capitol. Full Story
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![The Texas Capitol in Austin on June 20, 2017.]()
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The Brief: Special session week two wraps up today
The House approved a few pieces of legislation dealing with trees and other matters on Thursday while the Senate took a break for the day, but both chambers are back in business today to finish off week two of the special legislative session. Full Story
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![State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, debates an amendment to House Bill 13 on July 27, 2017, as Rep. Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress, looks on. The bill would refine reporting requirements for abortion providers.]()
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The Brief: With most of Abbott’s special session items passed, Senate takes the day off
The Senate ended their Wednesday with what Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called a milestone — in one week, senators had passed most of Gov. Greg Abbott's special session items, and they only had to plow through several hours of debate and late nights to get the job done. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick gavels out the state Senate on July 26.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune
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