https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/ayden-runnels/The latest news by Ayden Runnels.enFri, 11 Apr 2025 03:09:30 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/11/texas-house-budget-approval/The lower chamber’s plan largely aligns with the Senate’s proposal and puts billions toward teacher pay, border security and property tax cuts.By Jasper Scherer, Kayla Guo and Ayden RunnelsFri, 11 Apr 2025 03:09:30 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/11/texas-house-budget-approval/Texas House Parliamentarian Sharon Carter, listens as state Reps. Cody Vasut, R-Angleton (from left), Richard Hayes, R-Hickory Creek, Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress, and Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, negotiate in the lower chamber on April 10, 2025.House Parliamentarian Sharon Carter, left, listens as state Reps: Cody Vasut, Richard Hayes, Tom Oliverson and Trey Martinez Fischer, negotiate in the Texas House on April 10, 2025.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/09/texas-universities-international-students-legal-status/The UT System said Monday that 176 students at its 14 institutions have been affected but did not provide a breakdown by school. Students at other universities have also been impacted.By Ayden Runnels and Jessica PriestWed, 09 Apr 2025 19:25:46 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/09/texas-universities-international-students-legal-status/Nineteen University of Texas at Dallas students were removed from the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System database, according to UTD officials, who said they were working through the situation with those affected.University of North Texas students walk past the eagle statue on Feb. 13, 2024. The Soaring Eagle Statue was comissioned in celebration of UNT's centennial in 1990.Maria Crane/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/07/texas-eagle-pass-shelby-park-reopens-operation-lone-star/The Texas Department of Public Safety and National Guard presence has largely disappeared from Shelby Park, which sits next to the Rio Grande.By Ayden RunnelsMon, 07 Apr 2025 15:49:51 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/07/texas-eagle-pass-shelby-park-reopens-operation-lone-star/The state seized control of Shelby Park in Eagle Pass in 2024 to use it as an operating base for Operation Lone Star, Gov. Greg Abbott's border security initiative.Operation Lone Star activity at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass on Jan. 18, 2024.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/04/ken-paxton-whistleblower-case-judgment/Paxton vowed to appeal the “bogus ruling” that found he improperly fired the four plaintiffs after they reported him to the FBI on allegations of corruption.By Ayden Runnels and Jasper SchererFri, 04 Apr 2025 22:41:04 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/04/ken-paxton-whistleblower-case-judgment/In a statement Friday night, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton called the ruling that found his former aides were fired improperly “a ridiculous judgment that is not based on the facts or the law.”Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at the Republican Party of Texas Convention in San Antonio on May 23, 2024..Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/02/texas-lottery-tickets-couriers-legislature/Lottery couriers have gained newfound scrutiny in Texas after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick raised questions about the use of a courier to sell an $83.5 million jackpot ticket.By Ayden Runnels, Graphics by Chris EssigWed, 02 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/02/texas-lottery-tickets-couriers-legislature/Some workers for Jackpocket, a lottery courier service, were tasked with scratching off game tickets in the company's fulfillment center in Austin, according to one former employee.Texas Lottery cards in a 7-Eleven in Central Austin on Feb 20, 2025.Leila Saidane for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/31/ken-paxton-transgender-athlete-ban-dallas/Paxton’s office launched an investigation into the district’s policy after an administrator was caught on tape discussing a possible loophole in the state’s ban.By Ayden RunnelsMon, 31 Mar 2025 18:13:12 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/31/ken-paxton-transgender-athlete-ban-dallas/Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wants Dallas school officials to testify under oath about its transgender athlete policy.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton addresses the crowd during a rally at the Tarrant County Republican Party Headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.Emil T. Lippe for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/26/carole-strayhorn-texas-comptroller-died/She served on the Texas Railroad Commission, and was the first woman elected Austin mayor.By Ayden RunnelsWed, 26 Mar 2025 21:21:20 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/26/carole-strayhorn-texas-comptroller-died/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/19/texas-lottery-jackpot-win-withheld/The winning ticket, purchased online through the courier Jackpocket, is being scrutinized by lawmakers concerned about the legality of third-party services.By Ayden RunnelsWed, 19 Mar 2025 18:13:48 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/19/texas-lottery-jackpot-win-withheld/The Lotto Texas ticket that won an $83.5 million jackpot was purchased via a courier in February at Winner's Corner in Austin.Winners Corner TX LLC in Austin, on Feb. 20, 2025.Leila Saidane for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/17/texas-lottery-commission-bingo-senate/A possible reassignment of the charitable games comes as 15 bills in the Legislature seek to either alter or abolish the troubled agency.By Ayden RunnelsMon, 17 Mar 2025 19:18:43 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/17/texas-lottery-commission-bingo-senate/Senate Bill 1721 would move bingo operations from the Texas Lottery Commission to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.A player keeps a collection of good luck charms among her cards, computer and other bingo supplies at Bingoland Evening Bingo Hall in Corpus Christi on May 12, 2021.Eddie Seal for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/12/texas-tech-university-lubbock-explosion-closure/A day after the incident in which green flames could be seen coming out of manholes, 40% of the university in Lubbock remains without power.By Ayden RunnelsWed, 12 Mar 2025 23:11:57 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/12/texas-tech-university-lubbock-explosion-closure/Firefighters work the scene after an explosion at LP&L Brandon Power Station sparked a campus-wide power outage at Texas Tech University in Lubbock on March 12, 2025.Firefighters work the scene after an explosion at LP&L Brandon Power Station sparked a campus-wide power outage on March 12, 2025.Courtesy of Jacob Lujan/The Daily Toreadorhttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/11/texas-execution-stay-david-leonard-wood/The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals did not clarify why it halted the execution of David Wood in its order granting the stay.By Ayden RunnelsTue, 11 Mar 2025 18:51:35 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/11/texas-execution-stay-david-leonard-wood/The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals' brief order on Tuesday recognized the claims in death row inmate David Leonard Wood’s appeal and granted an indefinite stay of his execution.The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Jan. 15, 2020. Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/07/texas-capitol-house-transgender-staff/Mo Jenkins is one of only a few openly transgender staffers working in the Capitol as lawmakers are making headway in restricting rights for LGBTQ+ Texans.By Ayden RunnelsFri, 07 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/07/texas-capitol-house-transgender-staff/Mo Jenkins, center, walks with state Rep. Lauren A. Simmons, D-Houston, at left, ahead of a House session on Feb. 11. Jenkins works as Simmons’ chief of staff, a role she earned after working five years in the state Capitol.Mo Jenkins walks with State Rep. Lauren A. Simmons (D-Houston) ahead of a House meeting on Feb. 11, 2025.Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/05/texas-house-bathroom-bill-transgender/House Bill 239, which echoes a bathroom bill that failed in 2017, includes new provisions for shelters and prisons.By Ayden RunnelsWed, 05 Mar 2025 20:34:23 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/05/texas-house-bathroom-bill-transgender/House Bill 239, which seeks to segregate the use of restrooms and other private spaces based on the state's definitions of sex, is authored by Rep. Valoree Swanson, R-Spring.Bathroom stalls at the Austin Convention Center in 2017.Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/27/texas-senate-lottery-tickets-couriers-ban/Unanimous passage in the Senate comes after top Texas officials say the third-party services undermine trust in the lottery.By Ayden RunnelsThu, 27 Feb 2025 12:56:08 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/27/texas-senate-lottery-tickets-couriers-ban/The bill passed by the Texas Senate would ban lottery ticket sales through third-party courier services.Texas Lottery stand at an Austin convenience store on Feb. 20, 2025.Leila Saidane for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/26/texas-lottery-courier-ban-investigations/AG Ken Paxton’s office joins two other investigations by state officials into the commission as one service suspends operations due to the agency’s ban.By Ayden RunnelsWed, 26 Feb 2025 22:00:58 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/26/texas-lottery-courier-ban-investigations/Two major Lotto Texas jackpot wins that went to buyers who used courier services to obtain tickets have prompted investigations into the Texas Lottery by state officials.Texas Lottery stand at an Austin convenience store on Feb. 20, 2025.Leila Saidane for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/25/texas-death-row-ruben-gutierrez-supreme-court/Ruben Gutierrez wants to be able to sue prosecutors to compel them to test evidence that he says will prove he did not kill a Brownsville woman in 1998.By Ayden RunnelsTue, 25 Feb 2025 01:01:29 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/25/texas-death-row-ruben-gutierrez-supreme-court/A ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court on Texas death row inmate Ruben Gutierrez's case is expected to be delivered in the next few months.The Supreme Court building in Washington on Jan. 15, 2025.Luke Johnson for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/24/texas-lottery-couriers/The policy shift was announced before state senators, skeptical of the move, grilled officials with the department and courier services in a hearing on SB 28.By Ayden Runnels and Jasper SchererMon, 24 Feb 2025 11:37:58 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/24/texas-lottery-couriers/A Texas Lottery stand at an Austin convenience store on Feb. 20, 2025.A Texas Lottery stand at an Austin convenience store on Feb. 20, 2025.Leila Saidane for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/23/Texas-lottery-commission-resign/Clark Smith, one of five members of the commission, stepped down Friday as lawmakers have raised questions about the role of lottery couriers and agency governance.By Ayden RunnelsSun, 23 Feb 2025 21:36:36 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/23/Texas-lottery-commission-resign/A Texas Lottery display at Winners Corner, a board game lottery and gift store, in Austin on Feb. 20, 2025.A Texas Lottery display at Winners Corner, a board game, lottery and gift store, in Austin on Feb. 20, 2025.Leila Saidane for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/21/texas-lottery-tickets-courier-services/While the Lottery Commission says it can’t regulate sales to couriers, lawmakers want changes after two major jackpots were won using those services.By Ayden Runnels and Jasper SchererFri, 21 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/21/texas-lottery-tickets-courier-services/Texas Lottery officials have come under fire recently over the sales of tickets to draw games via third-party services.Texas Lottery cards at an Austin convenience store on Feb. 20, 2025.Leila Saidane for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/13/texas-execution-richard-tabler-2025/In his final statement, Richard Tabler asked for forgiveness from his victims’ family members, some of whom reportedly witnessed his death.By Ayden RunnelsThu, 13 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/13/texas-execution-richard-tabler-2025/Texas death row inmate Richard Tabler was executed Thursday evening in Huntsville. Tabler was the second man to be executed in Texas in 2025.The Huntsville Unit Texas State Penitentiary houses the execution chamber of Texas and is located in Huntsville on Jan. 31, 2024.Maria Crane/The Texas Tribune