Hundreds of Texas Methodist churches vote to split from denomination after years of infighting over gay marriage and abortion
Those leaving are frustrated that the church has taken positions they feel are too liberal. Full Story
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Robert Downen is a reporter covering democracy and the threats to it, including extremism, disinformation and conspiracies. Before joining the Tribune in 2022, he worked for five years at the Houston Chronicle. As a Hearst Media fellow, he developed what would become "Abuse of Faith," a landmark investigation into child sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention that prompted a Department of Justice investigation. Before coming to Texas, Robert was a business reporter in New York's capital region, and the managing editor of six newspapers in his home state of Illinois. He is a 2014 graduate of Eastern Illinois University.
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![Lakeridge Methodist Church in Lubbock on Dec. 3, 2022.]()
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Jewish Texans see surge in antisemitism as a precursor to fascism
Extremism experts and historians sound alarms as politicians, media personalities and celebrities amplify antisemitic conspiracies that have historically led to the killing of Jews. Full Story
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![Outside of the sanctuary at Congregation Beth Israel in Austin on Nov. 1, 2021. Late the night before, an unknown individual set a fire at the front doors of the synagogue. Franklin Barrett Sechriest, then a student at Texas State University in San Marcos, was charged with the crime.]()
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Texas Supreme Court orders Harris County to include more than 2,000 late-cast ballots in certified election results
After a last-minute challenge from the attorney general, county commissioners agreed to certify those provisional votes in time for the canvassing deadline. Full Story
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![Voters wait in line after 7 p.m at the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center in Houston on Nov. 8, 2022. The polling location was one of the Harris County polling locations open until 8 PM on Election Day.]()
Credit: Briana Vargas for the Texas Tribune -
Texas avoided election violence. Advocates say voters still need more protection.
Citing thousands of complaints received throughout the midterm cycle, voter advocacy groups want the Texas Legislature to bolster voter protection and education measures, and revisit recently passed laws that empowered partisan poll watchers. Full Story
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![Signs and electioneers greet voters at the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center in Houston, Tuesday Nov. 8, 2022. (Photo by Michael Stravato for the Texas Tribune)]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Secretary of State John Scott says our elections are secure, but he sometimes muddles that message
Heading into the midterm elections, Scott has repeatedly insisted that Joe Biden is the rightful president and that Texas’ elections are free, fair and secure. But his delivery has been at times ambiguous and given oxygen to election misinformation. Full Story
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![Texas Secretary of State John Scott at a press conference held by Gov. Greg Abbott on April 14, 2022.]()
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Joaquín Castro y grupos latinos advierten sobre la desinformación en español a pocas semanas de las elecciones
Los grupos declaran que las compañías de redes sociales no están haciendo lo suficiente para frenar las falsedades que se esparcen en sus plataformas. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, speaks about a new federal report on the underrepresentation of Latinos in the media industry at the National Press Club in Washington on Oct. 05, 2022.]()
Credit: Lenin Nolly/Sipa USA via Reuters -
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, Latino groups warn about rampant misinformation targeting Spanish speakers ahead of the elections
The groups say social media companies are not doing enough to curb the spread of falsehoods specifically targeting Latinos. Full Story
![U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, speaks about a new federal report on the underrepresentation of Latinos in the media industry at the National Press Club in Washington on Oct. 05, 2022.]()
Credit: Lenin Nolly/Sipa USA via Reuters -
At Houston youth summit, young conservatives weary of GOP infighting
The event came as a younger, more diverse generation of Americans increasingly flocks to the left of the Democratic Party. Full Story
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![Young participants gather for the 3rd Annual Crenshaw Youth Summit on Sunday, October 9, 2022 in Houston, Texas.]()
Credit: Briana Vargas for The Texas Tribune -
How the debunked conspiracy film “2000 Mules” became Texas Republican orthodoxy
Watchdog groups fear the film will fuel chaos in the upcoming midterm elections and could be a pretext for more restrictive voting laws in the future. Full Story
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![From left: Attorney General Ken Paxton, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, and Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller.]()
Credit: The Texas Tribune