State audit finds billion-dollar errors in Texas health agency's contracting process
The new audit is yet another scandal at an agency plagued by contracting woes. Six of the commission's leaders have left in the last several months. Full Story
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Emma Platoff
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Emma Platoff was a reporter at the Tribune from 2017 to 2021, most recently covering the law and its intersection with politics. A graduate of Yale University, Emma is the former managing editor of the Yale Daily News.
Past Contributions
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![The Brown Heatly Health and Human Services building in Austin on Nov. 29, 2017.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
Judge temporarily blocks immediate deportations of reunited immigrant families
Parents should have time to make an "informed, non-coerced decision" about whether they want to leave the country with their children, the ACLU had argued. Full Story
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![Mercedes (right), a Salvadoran asylum seeker, is reunited with her daughter, Maria, in Corpus Christi on July 13 2018. The two were separated by U.S. authorities after crossing the Texas-Mexico border in mid-May.]()
Credit: Eddie Seal for The Texas Tribune -
While migrant families seek shelter from violence, Trump administration narrows path to asylum
Advocates for asylum-seekers at the border say a long difficult process has become increasingly unjust. And the Trump administration shows no signs of changing its tune. Full Story
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![Alisson Nicole, 7, from Chalatenango, El Salvador, in the Albergue Para Migrantes Chahuites in Chahuites, Mexico on April 25, 2016.]()
Credit: Martin do Nascimento for The Texas Tribune -
Some migrant children under 5 unlikely to be reunited with their parents by Tuesday deadline
It will be especially difficult to reunite toddlers with parents who may have been released into the interior United States or even deported back to their home countries, government attorneys argued. Full Story
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![Mario, who did not want to release his last name, holds the number to the hotline parents are suppose to call to try to find their children during a press conference at the Casa Vides Annunciation House immigrant shelter on Monday, June 25, 2018, in El Paso.]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
Feds say they'll reunite separated toddlers with their parents by Tuesday — but warn of vetting challenges
Government officials say they'll meet a pair of court-ordered deadlines to reunite children with their parents. But doing so, HHS Secretary Alex Azar warned, could mean relaxed standards for vetting those parents. Full Story
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![Protesters call for immigrant families to be kept together at a rally in Austin on Thursday, June 14, 2018.]()
Credit: Rachel Zein for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says he will donate metal detectors to Santa Fe ISD after school shooting
The announcement aligns neatly with Texas leadership's goal of "hardening" schools as targets. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks at the Republican Party of Texas convention in San Antonio on Friday, June 15, 2018.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Abbott sets Nov. 6 special election to replace former state Rep. Larry Gonzales
The special election for the remainder of his term in the central Texas district will take place on Nov. 6, the next uniform election date. Full Story
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![Flanked by fellow lawmakers from the House, State Rep. Larry Gonzales, R-Round Rock, speaks at a press conference on May 28, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
With Kennedy’s retirement, Texas abortion opponents see “opportunity” in 2019 and beyond
In deep-red Texas, abortion opponents are already eyeing the new U.S. Supreme Court vacancy as a chance to push more aggressive legislation without fear of judicial override. Full Story
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![Supreme Court Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy speaks during a swearing in ceremony for Judge Neil Gorsuch as an associate justice of the Supreme Court in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 10, 2017.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Carlos Barria -
Potentially expanding his executive power, Gov. Greg Abbott orders agency heads to run proposed rules by him first
Texas has traditionally had a weak governor's office. But Abbott's request could give him more say in how agencies operate. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott gives the keynote Friday speech at the Republican Party of Texas convention in San Antonio on June 15, 2018.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas' U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn likely to play big roles in picking Justice Anthony Kennedy's replacement
The state's two U.S. senators are likely to play pivotal roles in what is expected to be a politically explosive confirmation process. Full Story
![Supreme Court Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy speaks during a swearing in ceremony for Judge Neil Gorsuch as an associate justice of the Supreme Court in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 10, 2017.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Carlos Barria