https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ayden-runnels/The latest news by Ayden Runnels.enThu, 09 Jan 2025 19:05:43 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/09/ken-paxton-tiktok-minors-explicit-content/The attorney general argues that the social media company violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act by listing itself as appropriate for children.By Ayden RunnelsThu, 09 Jan 2025 19:05:43 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/09/ken-paxton-tiktok-minors-explicit-content/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/07/greg-abbott-anti-terrorism-new-orleans/The governor is calling for an expansion of in-state anti-terrorism programs and an increase in federal partnerships.By Ayden RunnelsTue, 07 Jan 2025 19:10:37 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/07/greg-abbott-anti-terrorism-new-orleans/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/03/joint-base-san-antonio-military-security/After separate attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas, officials ordered the suspension of the Trusted Traveler policy.By Ayden RunnelsFri, 03 Jan 2025 18:43:14 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/03/joint-base-san-antonio-military-security/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/20/texas-border-wall-auction-biden-trump/Some Texas lawmakers including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick slammed the Biden administration over the auction of wall materials. But the sale was directed by Congress — and Texas has already bought some of it.By Ayden RunnelsFri, 20 Dec 2024 13:53:25 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/20/texas-border-wall-auction-biden-trump/Building supplies and construction equipment sit along a section of state border wall outside of Del Rio in August 2024.Building supplies and construction equipment sit along a section of state border wall Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, outside of Del Rio.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/17/texas-school-districts-special-education-medicaid-shars/The request comes after an audit found Texas improperly billed the federal government for reimbursements related to Medicaid-eligible students.By Ayden RunnelsTue, 17 Dec 2024 16:50:22 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/17/texas-school-districts-special-education-medicaid-shars/Federal officials are asking 573 Texas school districts to return $16 million they received since 2011. Federal officials say Texas improperly billed them for reimbursements they provide to schools for services rendered to Medicaid-eligible students.Students backpacks hang off the back of their chairs in an empty classroom at Blanco Vista Elementary School in San Marcos on Monday August, 23, 2021.Jordan Vonderhaar for the Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/28/texas-new-laws-dei-ban-colleges-universities/Other new laws make changes to the tax code, criminal justice and health care systems.By Ayden RunnelsThu, 28 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/28/texas-new-laws-dei-ban-colleges-universities/Students head to class on the second day of the semester at San Jacinto College's North Campus in Houston in this 2014 file photo.Students head to class on the second day of the semester at San Jacinto College's North Campus in Houston on Aug. 26, 2014. Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/22/texas-midwives/The state agency that oversees midwives is trying to make it easier for women to join the profession, including lowering fees.By Ayden RunnelsFri, 22 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/22/texas-midwives/https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/05/frederick-frazier-plea-deal-impersonating-public-servant-texas/Frazier was indicted in June 2022 on two charges of impersonating a public servant, a felony offense. He pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor charges as part of a plea agreement.By Patrick Svitek and Ayden RunnelsTue, 05 Dec 2023 10:11:10 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/05/frederick-frazier-plea-deal-impersonating-public-servant-texas/State Rep. Frederick Frazier, R-McKinney, on the House floor during Sine Die of the 88th Texas Legislative Session, at the Capitol in Austin, on May 29, 2023.State Rep. Frederick Frazier, R-McKinney, on the House floor during Sine Die of the 88th Texas Legislative Session, at the Capitol in Austin, on May 29, 2023.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/20/texas-2023-population-growth-demographics/According to new Texas Demographic Center figures, the Austin region continues to grow at the fastest rate, but Fort Worth was the city that attracted the most new residents between 2020 and 2023.By Karen Brooks Harper and Ayden RunnelsMon, 20 Nov 2023 17:44:47 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/20/texas-2023-population-growth-demographics/Fort Worth saw more new residents than any other Texas city between 2020 and 2023. But the Austin region is still the fastest-growing metropolitan area in Texas.Downtown Fort Worth.Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/17/texas-transgender-musical-investigation-sherman/The Sherman school board also temporarily ended the superintendent oversight of its fine arts programs pending the results of the investigation.By Ayden RunnelsFri, 17 Nov 2023 16:59:23 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/17/texas-transgender-musical-investigation-sherman/Amy and Phillip Hightower sit with their son Max Hightower in a hotel in Denton on Nov. 9, 2023. Max temporarily lost his role in the Sherman High School musical because he is transgender.Amy and Phillip Hightower sit with their son Max Hightower in a hotel in Denton on Nov. 9, 2023.Azul Sordo for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/10/texas-trans-student-musical-sherman-oklahoma/After Max Hightower scored a role in the seminal American musical, administrators changed their policy on performers’ gender. After backlash, the school board directed the school to produce the original version “Oklahoma!” — not a youth version that cut Hightower’s solo.By Ayden RunnelsFri, 10 Nov 2023 19:23:08 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/10/texas-trans-student-musical-sherman-oklahoma/Max Hightower, 17, poses for a portrait in a hotel in Denton on Nov. 9, 2023.Max Hightower, 17, poses for a portrait in a hotel in Denton on Nov. 9, 2023.Azul Sordo for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/03/proposition-1-constitutional-amendment-farming/Supporters of the amendment say it will protect farmers as the state’s largest cities continue to grow. Opponents suggest the amendment is too broad and ambiguous.By Jayme Lozano Carver and Ayden RunnelsFri, 03 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/03/proposition-1-constitutional-amendment-farming/Plants and vegetables are seen in the community garden at the Catholic Charities Guadalupe Community Center in San Antonio, Texas in 2021.Plants and vegetables are seen in the community garden at the Catholic Charities Guadalupe Community Center in San Antonio, Texas on February 25, 2021.Christopher Lee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/24/arlington-texas-gm-auto-workers-strike/The factory in North Texas is considered one of General Motors’ most profitable.By Ayden RunnelsTue, 24 Oct 2023 16:14:34 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/24/arlington-texas-gm-auto-workers-strike/The new GM logo on the facade of the General Motors headquarters in Detroit, Michigan on March 16, 2021.The new GM logo on the facade of the General Motors headquarters in Detroit, Michigan on March 16, 2021.REUTERS/Rebecca Cookhttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/20/denton-school-district-health-clinic-medicaid/The new clinic met resistance from a vocal group of parents who raised concerns the district was overstepping its authority in caring for students.By Ayden RunnelsFri, 20 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/20/denton-school-district-health-clinic-medicaid/The Denton Independent School District is opening a school-based health clinic for its students who are covered by Medicaid.Passing period at United South High School in Laredo.Rachel Zein for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/06/denton-trans-pride-third-annual/Home to the University of North Texas, organizers say Denton acts as a liberal enclave in the sprawling conservative suburbs in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.By Ayden RunnelsFri, 06 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/06/denton-trans-pride-third-annual/Bowie Brae, right, dances while rehearsing a song Oct. 4, 2023, in Denton. Brae is lead singer of the band Nip Slip, which will headline Denton’s third annual Trans Pride Fest.Lead singer of Nip Slip Bowie Brae, right, dances while rehearsing a song Oct. 4, 2023 in Denton. The band Nip Slip will headline Denton’s third annual Trans Pride festival.Matt Iaia for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/12/texas-tribune-constitutional-amendment-election/The Texas Tribune hosted a multi-panel discussion in Lufkin on the Nov. 7 election and what’s at stake for Texas and Texans.By Ayden RunnelsTue, 12 Sep 2023 14:15:50 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/12/texas-tribune-constitutional-amendment-election/