Past Contributions

• Paxton: Police Use of "In God We Trust" is Permissible

  By Madlin Mekelburg Nov. 4, 2015

  To no one's surprise, Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a formal opinion Wednesday saying there's nothing wrong with the Childress Police Department sporting "In God We Trust" stickers on its patrol cars. Full Story 

• The Brief: Nov. 4, 2015

  By Madlin Mekelburg and John Reynolds Nov. 4, 2015

  Voters statewide went to the polls on Tuesday, but the biggest headlines of the day came from a couple of local elections in Houston, where voters defeated a nondiscrimination ordinance, known as HERO, and sent Sylvester Turner and Bill King to a runoff for mayor. Full Story 

• The Q&A: Fritz Hanselmann

  By Madlin Mekelburg Nov. 3, 2015

  In this week's Q&A, we interview Fritz Hanselmann, chief underwater archaeologist at the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University. Full Story 

• Event: Going, Going, Gone

  By Madlin Mekelburg Nov. 3, 2015

  The Texas Agricultural Land Trust will hold a free seminar on "Impacts of Loss of Rural Land on Water, Wildlife & Agriculture." Full Story 

• The Brief: Nov. 3, 2015

  By Madlin Mekelburg and John Reynolds Nov. 3, 2015

  Texas voters today decide the fate of seven proposed changes to the state constitution. One thing that is known for sure before the votes have been cast is that turnout won't match that normally seen in contested elections. Full Story 

• The Brief: Nov. 2, 2015

  By Madlin Mekelburg and John Reynolds Nov. 2, 2015

  Gov. Greg Abbott's decision to turn up the heat on Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez over her changed approach on federal immigration detainers makes her just the latest local official to be on the hot seat. Full Story 

• Cruz Strikes While Iron Is Hot, Raises $772K Post Debate

  By Patrick Svitek and Madlin Mekelburg Oct. 29, 2015

  Also, Hillary Clinton lends a tweet of support to Houston's HERO ordinance, spurring a rebuke from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Full Story 

• Early Voting Is Up Big Ahead of Amendment Election

  By John Reynolds, Madlin Mekelburg and Kiah Collier Oct. 29, 2015

  Also, Land Commissioner George P. Bush touts his management skills and co-teaches a Texas history class online. Full Story 

• District Embraces Immigrants, Improves Education Outcomes

  By Madlin Mekelburg Oct. 28, 2015

  With a record influx of Spanish-speaking families, educators in Rogers, Ark., are integrating English language students and encouraging them to take high-level courses, resulting in improved test scores for all students. Full Story 

• Specialized Internet Providers Offer K-12 Innovation

  By Madlin Mekelburg Oct. 28, 2015

  A new report from the New Media Consortium suggests that education policymakers and community members should be considering an alternative to high-cost, low-speed Internet providers. Full Story