Past Contributions

• East Texas official arrested for alleged mail-in voter fraud involving 2018 Democratic primary for local seat

  By Emma Platoff Sept. 24, 2020

  The indictments center on about 38 ballots or applications for ballots in a Gregg County Commissioners Court race. Experts say voter fraud is rare. Full Story 

• Texas Department of State Health Services withdraws data on school infections, citing "issues"

  By Emma Platoff and Mandi Cai Updated: Sept. 25, 2020

  Data released this week showing reported coronavirus infection breakdowns by school district has been withdrawn by state health officials after "issues" were discovered. Full Story 

• As Texas college towns emerge as coronavirus hot spots, universities try to keep students from infecting locals

  By Emma Platoff, Shawn Mulcahy and Anna Novak Sept. 22, 2020

  In counties where four-year college students make up at least 10% of the population, cases have grown 34% since Aug. 19, according to a Texas Tribune analysis. That’s compared with 23% in counties with a smaller proportion of students. Full Story 

• State releases numbers showing low Texas public school infection rates, but the data is limited

  By Aliyya Swaby and Emma Platoff Sept. 17, 2020

  The state's first effort to publicly report coronavirus data from schools shows low statewide infection rates. Breakdowns by school districts should be reported next week. Full Story 

• With colorful masks and many new rules, Mrs. Hogan’s “honeybees” arrive for kindergarten

  By Emma Platoff Sept. 9, 2020

  In-person classes resumed at Highland Village Elementary School on Tuesday. The youngest students wore masks printed with pepperoni pizza and Polly Pocket, adjusting to new safety protocols. Full Story 

• Many Texas students will return to classrooms Tuesday. Little will be normal.

  By Aliyya Swaby and Emma Platoff Sept. 8, 2020

  As students across Texas return to schools for in-person classes, there will be masks, distancing and lunches eaten at desks. Many students will remain at home, joining in on laptops and phones. Full Story 

• Absent widespread testing, Texas schools have limited tools to prevent coronavirus spread

  By Emma Platoff Sept. 2, 2020

  Coronavirus cases are inevitable as Texas schools reopen. The challenge for administrators will be preventing large-scale outbreaks. Full Story 

• Judge won't be removed from criminal case against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton

  By Emma Platoff Updated: Aug. 21, 2020

  Paxton's team had asked that the judge, Jason Luong, be recused from the case because the Texas attorney general's office is representing him — along with about 20 other Houston-area judges — in an unrelated lawsuit. Full Story 

• Bucking local health warnings, two private religious schools are set to reopen in hard-hit Rio Grande Valley

  By Emma Platoff Aug. 21, 2020

  Desperate to slow the spread of the coronavirus, Cameron County has ordered all schools to keep classrooms closed until late September. But state officials say local health orders don't apply to private religious schools. Full Story 

• In shift, Texas begins publishing some data on coronavirus cases at child care centers

  By Aliyya Swaby and Emma Platoff Aug. 20, 2020

  Without numbers on how many children or staff are in Texas child care facilities — which the state does not report — it’s hard to gauge the magnitude of infections. Full Story