Past Contributions

• The cost of recruiting athletes has doubled at top Texas colleges. At some schools, students help foot the bill.

  By Shannon Najmabadi and Daniel Levitt May 1, 2018

  The growth in spending is happening even at colleges whose sports programs can't sustain themselves financially. Full Story 

• From the Chinese government to the Koch Brothers, outside donors receive scrutiny at Texas universities

  By Shannon Najmabadi April 24, 2018

  Under pressure to keep up with rising expenses, colleges in Texas and across the country have turned to outside groups to underwrite certain initiatives. But bringing in outside funders can lead to questions about whether their donations come with strings attached. Full Story 

• As college costs rise, some Texas students go hungry. Will food scholarships help?

  By Shannon Najmabadi April 10, 2018

  Students at many Texas colleges struggle to find enough food to eat — and struggle academically as a result. Houston Community College hopes giving them healthy food will change that. Full Story 

• Texas college students: How have rising tuition costs changed the way you live?

  By Shannon Najmabadi and Bobby Blanchard April 10, 2018

  To plug a growing gap in their finances, students are making lifestyle sacrifices. We want to hear about how tuition has changed the way you live. Full Story 

• A teacher says a coworker grabbed her “behind.” The Texas Supreme Court tossed her lawsuit.

  By Shannon Najmabadi April 6, 2018

  The court found that the woman who sued didn't prove that the female coworker who harassed her was gay, so it's not clear that the incident constituted "sexually motivated touching." Full Story 

• Lawmakers weigh changing Texas law that lets rent-to-own stores file criminal charges on customers

  By Jay Root and Shannon Najmabadi April 4, 2018

  The chairman of the House Business & Industry Committee said he was "stunned" to learn there is an obscure law that makes it easy for rent-to-own companies to file criminal charges against customers who fall behind on payments. The committee is looking at changing the law after a joint investigation by The Texas Tribune and NerdWallet. Full Story 

• Lawmakers: Change state law that bars Texans in default on student loans from renewing work licenses

  By Shannon Najmabadi Updated: April 4, 2018

  The conservative House Freedom Caucus called for the Legislature to address "head on" a state statute they say impedes Texans' ability to work and makes it even harder for them to pay back their debt. Full Story 

• Thousands of Texans protest for gun control across state in March for Our Lives rallies

  By Shannon Najmabadi Updated: March 24, 2018

  “This is a defining moment for our city, our state and our country,” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said at the city's Tranquility Park Saturday morning, speaking at one of several rallies in Texas that collectively drew tens of thousands of attendees. Full Story 

• Departing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson emerges as a potential candidate for UT System chancellor

  By Matthew Watkins and Shannon Najmabadi Updated: March 23, 2018

  Tillerson's exit from the U.S. Department of State was announced less than two weeks ago. Full Story 

• Abilene Christian University bans same-sex relationships for some student employees

  By Shannon Najmabadi March 23, 2018

  After the decision, leaders of the West Texas university affiliated with Churches of Christ said their “first instinct is not exclusion but to love.” Full Story