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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.
Legislation to stop automatic payroll deductions for most public employee unions is back after failing two years ago. Supporters say the state shouldn't be involved in collecting union dues; opponents say the GOP is trying to cripple certain unions. Full Story
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Tragedy struck the South Texas town of Victoria six days ago when the community's mosque, a 16-year-old spiritual center for roughly 40 Muslim families, went down in flames. Nothing remains but memories and ash — and a community working hard to rebuild what was lost. Full Story
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A controversial policy that's provoked the ire of Republicans is set to go into effect today in Travis County. Here's what you need to know about the latest sanctuary city fight. Full Story
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Scientists have known that space travel can produce changes in vision, but precisely why was a mystery until researchers measured pressure inside a few people's brains. Full Story
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In this week's Q&A, we interview Rinarani Sanghavi, an associate professor of pediatrics at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Full Story
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In this week's Bookshelf, our content partner Kirkus Reviews highlights Is It All In Your Head? Full Story
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention canceled a planned conference on health and climate change, so former Vice President Al Gore and others countered by finding an alternative venue in Atlanta. Full Story
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A new study shows that cancer mortality has declined 20 percent since 1980, but some areas of the country have pockets of stubbornly high rates. Full Story
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A year after a Fort Worth billionaire died from a degenerative brain disease, work continues to develop new treatments, thanks to ongoing support from his family. Full Story
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In a biomedical breakthrough, human cells have been successfully transplanted into an animal host, raising new prospects for organ transplantation, as well as ethical concerns. Full Story
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