Past Contributions

• Gov. Greg Abbott deploys state troopers to “anti-gang effort” in Uvalde after two juveniles are injured in shooting

  By William Melhado Sept. 8, 2022

  The two victims of a Thursday shooting at Uvalde Memorial Park are being treated in San Antonio hospitals. Abbott’s decision to send in DPS comes as the agency faces questions over its role in the May 24 shooting at Robb Elementary School. Full Story 

• Top Texas health official who led response to coronavirus pandemic is retiring

  By William Melhado and Karen Brooks Harper Sept. 8, 2022

  Dr. John Hellerstedt, who has led the Texas Department of State Health Services since 2016, will retire at the end of the month. Dr. Jennifer Shuford, the chief state epidemiologist, has been named his interim replacement. Full Story 

• Two constables, four police chiefs and over 3,000 other Texans were members of the Oath Keepers, report says

  By Sneha Dey and William Melhado Updated: Sept. 8, 2022

  A recent analysis of Oath Keepers’ membership rolls leaked last year found that Texas had more members of the far-right extremist group than any other state — and the most who worked as elected officials, law enforcement officers or members of the military. Full Story 

• Five Department of Public Safety officers face a formal investigation over Uvalde shooting response

  By William Melhado, Zach Despart and Uriel J. García Updated: Sept. 6, 2022

  Hundreds of law enforcement officers from several local, state and federal agencies have been heavily criticized for the delayed response in confronting the gunman during the worst school shooting in Texas history. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott said rape victims can take Plan B. But emergency contraception isn’t widely available for the state’s poorest people.

  By William Melhado Sept. 3, 2022

  Abbott said that victims of rape could take Plan B to prevent a pregnancy. Due to the state’s health care landscape, accessing emergency contraception may not be feasible for low-income Texans. Full Story 

• Authorities report nine drowning victims after deadly Rio Grande crossing

  By William Melhado Sept. 3, 2022

  On Saturday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed that nine migrants had died while trying to cross the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass. Full Story 

• Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s office calls Gov. Greg Abbott’s migrant busing strategy “racist”

  By William Melhado Updated: Sept. 1, 2022

  Abbott late Wednesday announced Chicago would be a new destination for migrants bused from Texas in his strategy to draw attention to the influx of people at the southern border. Chicago leadership welcomed the migrants “with dignity and respect.” Full Story 

• A conservative school district and Texas lawmaker try to outmaneuver efforts to subvert “In God We Trust” law

  By William Melhado Aug. 31, 2022

  After protesters solicited donations to distribute posters to schools across the state in Arabic, state Sen. Bryan Hughes sent a letter to the Texas Education Agency clarifying his legislation requiring schools to display signs with the national motto. Full Story 

• After a decade of hype, Dallas-Houston bullet train developer faces a leadership exodus as land acquisition slows

  By William Melhado Aug. 30, 2022

  Texas Central has made little visible progress financing the high-speed rail project and acquiring property for the route in recent years. The company maintains that the bullet train is still being developed but declined to provide details about the path forward. Full Story 

• Families of the Uvalde shooting victims denounce Gov. Greg Abbott’s inaction on gun reform

  By William Melhado Updated: Aug. 30, 2022

  The governor has made a vocal enemy in the families of Robb Elementary shooting victims. They are demanding a special legislative session to reach a compromise on the minimum age to purchase semi-automatic rifles. Full Story