Past Contributions

• After 91 years, coronavirus brings a Texas rancher’s last sunset

  by Emma Platoff Jan. 26, 2021

  Raymond Reeves, a storybook Texas farmer and rancher, died of COVID-19 complications in November, one of Texas’ more than 34,000 deaths. Full Story 

• Two Republicans headed to runoff for Northwest Texas House seat

  by Patrick Svitek and Emma Platoff Updated: Jan. 24, 2021

  David Spiller advances along with second-place finisher Craig Carter in the race to replace outgoing state Rep. Drew Springer, who was elected to the Texas Senate. Full Story 

• Dallas County axes plan to prioritize vaccinating communities of color after state threatens to slash allocation

  by Emma Platoff and Juan Pablo Garnham Jan. 20, 2021

  State officials told Dallas leadership the plan was "not acceptable," and threatened to cut the county's vaccine supply. Full Story 

• With a Democrat back in the White House, Texas Republicans prepare to go on offense

  by Emma Platoff Updated: Jan. 20, 2021

  For the past four years, Texas Republicans have had an ally in the White House. Now they’re readying for the familiar role of conservative counterweight. Full Story 

• Texas laws protecting whistleblowers don't apply to Attorney General Ken Paxton, his agency argues in bid to quash lawsuit

  by Emma Platoff Jan. 14, 2021

  In a lawsuit, four former Paxton aides claim they were wrongfully terminated for reporting alleged criminal behavior on his part. Paxton’s agency wants a judge to quash subpoenas and depositions, saying that as an elected official Paxton is exempt from state whistleblower protection laws. Full Story 

• TribCast: The Texans objecting to Joe Biden's Electoral College victory

  by Emma Platoff and Todd Wiseman Jan. 6, 2021

  In this edition of the TribCast, Emma talks to Abby, Ross and Cassi about Electoral College drama at the U.S. Capitol — and a new session about to start at the Texas Capitol. Full Story 

• After whistleblowers left Texas attorney general’s office, Ken Paxton hired costly outside counsel for Google lawsuit

  by Emma Platoff Jan. 5, 2021

  Texas could pay the outside lawyers tens of millions for their work on the case — an early indication of the costs taxpayers may bear in the latest scandal enveloping Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Full Story 

• Despite committee’s recommendation, ending Texas’ partisan judicial elections looks unlikely

  by Emma Platoff Dec. 31, 2020

  Several Texas lawmakers said they would not vote to end the system of partisan judicial elections, which critics say allows for the appearance of impropriety if not bias itself. Full Story 

• Attorney General Ken Paxton asked Trump administration to take back some of Harris County’s COVID-19 relief money

  by Emma Platoff Dec. 22, 2020

  The county, which is home to the state’s biggest city and is a critical Democratic stronghold, had planned to spend some of the federal dollars on expanding voting options, including printing absentee ballots. Full Story 

• Houston judge Jesse McClure appointed to Texas Court of Criminal Appeals by Gov. Greg Abbott

  by Emma Platoff Dec. 21, 2020

  McClure will replace Judge Michael Keasler, 78, who is retiring at the end of this year. Full Story 

• Texas leads lawsuit against Google, alleging anti-competitive advertising practices

  by Emma Platoff Dec. 16, 2020

  Attorney General Ken Paxton, battling his own legal troubles, announced the long-anticipated federal lawsuit in a video posted on social media. Nine other states with Republican attorneys general are also plaintiffs in the case. Full Story 

• Texas attorney general's office paying lead lawyer $540 per hour to defend against whistleblower lawsuit

  by Emma Platoff Updated: Dec. 14, 2020

  Four former aides sued the agency last month, claiming they were wrongfully terminated after they told law enforcement they believed their boss, Ken Paxton, had broken the law. Full Story 

• U.S. Supreme Court throws out Texas lawsuit contesting 2020 election results in four battleground states

  by Emma Platoff Updated: Dec. 12, 2020

  The lawsuit challenged election results in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. The high court said Texas did not have standing to bring the case. Full Story 

• With election lawsuit, Ken Paxton — like Donald Trump — makes a Hail Mary play

  by Emma Platoff Dec. 10, 2020

  The long-shot lawsuit may be Trump’s last chance to contest the election. For Paxton, it’s helping resuscitate a political career in peril. Full Story 

• Trump, Republicans pin hopes on Texas lawsuit to overturn election results, but legal experts say it's a long shot

  by Emma Platoff Updated: Dec. 9, 2020

  Donald Trump's legal team filed to intervene in the Texas lawsuit contesting the election results on Wednesday. The president reportedly asked U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz if he would argue the case before the U.S. Supreme Court, if it agrees to hear it. Full Story 

• Fourteen U.S. Army leaders fired or suspended at Fort Hood

  by Emma Platoff and Shawn Mulcahy Updated: Dec. 8, 2020

  The shake-ups come in response to an independent review of the base’s command climate and are an effort to correct a yearslong culture of sexual assault and a pattern of violence at the base. Full Story 

• In new lawsuit, Texas contests election results in Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania

  by Emma Platoff Updated: Dec. 9, 2020

  Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to block the battleground states from casting "unlawful and constitutionally tainted votes" in the Electoral College. There is no evidence of widespread voter fraud, experts say. Full Story 

• Last whistleblower fired from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's office days after suing for retaliation

  by Emma Platoff Nov. 24, 2020

  Ryan Vassar, who had served as the deputy attorney general for legal counsel, was one of eight senior aides who told authorities they believed Paxton was breaking the law — a report that has sparked an FBI investigation. Full Story 

• TribCast: Vaccine news a bright spot as coronavirus cases surge in Texas

  by Emma Platoff and Michael Rey de Leon Nov. 18, 2020

  In this week's edition of the TribCast, Emma talks to Ross, Edgar and Patrick about the challenges of vaccine distribution in rural Texas, the latest in the allegations against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and the controversial new head of the state GOP. Full Story 

• FBI is investigating Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, AP report says

  by Emma Platoff Nov. 17, 2020

  The bureau is probing allegations that Paxton broke the law by using the attorney general's office to serve the interests of a political donor, two unnamed sources told the Associated Press. Full Story