Judge denies Texas’ attempt to shut down El Paso migrant shelter
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office has accused Annunciation House, which operates a network of migrant shelters, of human smuggling. 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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![A crowd of people gathers in support of Annunciation House during the press conference. Earlier this week, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, announced a lawsuit against the migrant shelter Annunciation House for allegedly operating a stash house and human trafficking. Annunciation House has been providing aid and shelter to migrants in El Paso, Texas for more than 40 years. February 23, 2024]()
Credit: Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Ethics Commission will require influencers to disclose when they’re paid for advertisement
The action comes after The Texas Tribune reported that influencers were being paid to defend impeached Attorney General Ken Paxton. Full Story
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![The Texas Capitol in Austin on Oct. 19, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy for The Texas Tribune -
Paul Pressler, a former Southern Baptist leader accused of sexual abuse, dead at 94
One of the most influential evangelical figures of the last half-century, Pressler died about six months after he settled a high-profile lawsuit with a former member of his youth group. Full Story
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![Paul Pressler, retired justice of the Texas 14th Circuit Court of Appeals.]()
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Speakers pull out of prominent activist group’s pro-Christian nationalist conference
The venue also canceled, but Fort Worth city officials demanded it still host the event. True Texas Project blamed public backlash on “woke attacks.” Full Story
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![True Texas Project founder Julie McCarty, listens to Fran Rhodes, president of the organization, as she speaks to a crowd during the Saturday closing event of TEXITCon in Waco, on Nov. 11, 2023. Rhodes urged the crowd to get involved in the organization so that they could teach and educate the next generations about Texas politics and activism.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy for The Texas Tribune -
“War on white America”: Influential Texas group hosting pro-Christian nationalism conference
True Texas Project has for years worked with Attorney General Ken Paxton, Sen. Ted Cruz and other prominent Republicans. Full Story
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![Julie McCarty, the founder of the True Texas Project, speaks to a crowd during the Saturday closing event of TEXITCon in Waco, on Nov. 11, 2023.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy for The Texas Tribune -
Texas education leaders unveil Bible-infused elementary school curriculum
The proposed curriculum overhaul was released a week after the Texas GOP proposed requiring the Bible to be taught in public schools. School districts that opt to use them will get more funding. Full Story
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![Mrs. Eden's fourth grade class practice reading tables during a lesson on April 24, 2024 at Jack Frost Elementary School in Georgetown.]()
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Craig Goldman wins GOP runoff in outgoing U.S. Rep. Kay Granger’s district
The high-stakes race pitted an established Republican lawmaker against a right-wing candidate who had Attorney General Ken Paxton’s backing. Full Story
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![State Rep. Craig Goldman speaks on the “Wowtown” panel moderated by Abby Livingston at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2022 in Austin.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Navy veteran Jay Furman will face indicted U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar in South Texas congressional race
Furman won the Republican nomination in a runoff against Lazaro Garza. Cuellar’s criminal charges have suddenly made it a high-profile race. Full Story
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![Henry Cuellar celebrates his victory with his daughter Catherine and wife Imelda Cuellar at an election night party in Laredo on Nov. 8, 2022.]()
Credit: Jessica Rodriguez for The Texas Tribune -
At Texas GOP convention, Republicans call for spiritual warfare
At the three-day convention, delegates moved the needle further to the right, preaching Christian nationalism and approving rules that would give them unprecedented control of elections. Full Story
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![Scenes from the Texas GOP Convention in San Antonio, Texas on May 24, 2024.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Proposed Texas GOP platform calls for the Bible in schools, electoral changes that would lock Democrats out of statewide office
The platform was voted on Saturday, with tallies expected next week. Other planks call abortion homicide and gender-transition care “child abuse.” Full Story
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![Conventioneers listen to speeches during the Texas GOP Convention Friday, May 24, 2024 in San Antonio.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune