Past Contributions

• Kimberly Mata-Rubio, whose daughter died in the Uvalde school shooting, loses bid to become mayor

  By Pooja Salhotra and William Melhado Updated: Nov. 7, 2023

  Mata-Rubio’s daughter Lexi was among 19 children killed in the massacre at Robb Elementary last year. In a special election, Mata-Rubio lost to Cody Smith, who previously held the position. Full Story 

• Relatives of Texans, Jewish and Muslim, remain trapped in Gaza

  By William Melhado Oct. 26, 2023

  Two Texans — a Jewish man, a Muslim woman — want more support from the federal government to bring their loved ones home. Their families are stuck in a war zone, along with hundreds of other Americans. Full Story 

• Texas’ top criminal court halts William Speer’s execution hours before he was scheduled to die

  By William Melhado Updated: Oct. 26, 2023

  Speer has been on death row for decades after strangling another inmate at a Texas prison. The victim’s sister and faith leaders have both called on the parole board to halt the execution. Full Story 

• Texas House priority bill increases education spending in exchange for creating voucher program

  By William Melhado and Brian Lopez Updated: Oct. 20, 2023

  House Bill 1 would make an educational savings account program available to 25,000 Texas students in its first year, with increased participation to follow. The governor’s office indicated that the proposal was lacking. Full Story 

• Texas Senate moves border bill that allows state police to arrest migrants at U.S.-Mexico border

  By Uriel J. García and William Melhado Oct. 12, 2023

  Two immigration bills advanced in the Senate on Thursday evening. A bill that would increase the minimum sentence for smuggling migrants passed with bipartisan support and will head to the House. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott says special lawmaking session will begin on Oct. 9, likely on school vouchers

  By Brian Lopez and William Melhado Sept. 29, 2023

  The session comes as a rift between the Texas House and the Senate grew following Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial, raising questions about the chambers’ ability to compromise on education issues. The governor has threatened to call for more special sessions if lawmakers fail to pass a “school choice” proposal. Full Story 

• First defendant in San Antonio tractor-trailer tragedy pleads guilty to smuggling charges

  By William Melhado Sept. 27, 2023

  Fifty-three migrants died in what remains the nation’s deadliest human smuggling event. Eight children and one pregnant woman were among the victims discovered in the sweltering trailer parked next to an isolated road in 2022. Full Story 

• Texas’ ban on certain drag shows is unconstitutional, federal judge says

  By Alejandro Serrano and William Melhado Updated: Sept. 27, 2023

  Senate Bill 12 would have prohibited performers from dancing suggestively or wearing certain prosthetics in front of children. Critics sued the state, saying it violated the First Amendment. Full Story 

• A unique Texas legal rule lets the attorney general’s office supersede some judges’ orders

  By William Melhado Sept. 25, 2023

  Lawyers criticize a provision they say erodes the separation of powers between Texas’ executive branch and its courts. It’s been used repeatedly this year as Texans try to block new state laws from going into effect. Full Story 

• Sen. Joe Manchin leaves the door open to potential third-party presidential run in 2024

  By William Melhado Sept. 23, 2023

  The West Virginia Democrat said running as an independent would help bring a divided nation together, not hand the election to former President Donald Trump. Full Story