https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/nina-banks/The latest news by Nina Banks.enWed, 24 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/24/texas-public-school-safety-guide/Texas lawmakers have mandated armed guards at every public school, panic buttons in classrooms and more staff training.By Nina BanksWed, 24 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/24/texas-public-school-safety-guide/Nimitz Middle School students line up to enter their next class Sept. 13, 2023 in Odessa.Nimitz Middle School students line up to enter their next class Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 in Odessa.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/05/texas-election-primary-voters/Many who voted Tuesday said they weren’t excited about their choices. “Morale feels low,” said one Houston voter.By Alejandro Serrano, Jess Huff and Nina BanksTue, 05 Mar 2024 19:34:55 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/05/texas-election-primary-voters/People line up to vote outside of the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center in Houston on March 5, 2024.The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/22/texas-el-paso-lessons-future/During a Texas Tribune symposium, speakers discussed how the region’s mind-set of working together to solve problems can benefit other parts of the state. Panelists also said inaccurate narratives around immigration and border security only hurt progress.By Erin Cobb and Nina BanksThu, 22 Feb 2024 10:54:01 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/22/texas-el-paso-lessons-future/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/22/texas-federal-summer-lunch-program/The USDA estimates the families of 3.8 million children could have received $120 per child to cover summer lunches if the state participated in the new $2.5 billion program launching this summer. Texas is one of 15 states opting out.By Nina BanksThu, 22 Feb 2024 10:49:40 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/22/texas-federal-summer-lunch-program/Siblings Stacy Hurd, 11, Angelica Hurd, 5, and Sheniya Hurd, 8, eat a free meal together at Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, one of more than 70 sites the East Texas Food Bank sponsors in the summer.Siblings Stacy Hurd, 11, Angelica Hurd, 5, and Sheniya Hurd, 8, eat a free meal together at Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, one of more than 70 sites the East Texas Food Bank sponsors in the summer.Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/06/caldwell-county-bail-hearings-lawsuit/The Texas Tribune, the Caldwell/Hays Examiner and advocacy group Mano Amiga sued the county over its practice of holding closed magistrations.By Nina BanksTue, 06 Feb 2024 17:24:24 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/06/caldwell-county-bail-hearings-lawsuit/A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction that orders Caldwell County to open its bail hearings to the public.The courtroom jury box inside the Karnes County Courthouse is seen lit by window light Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023 in Karnes City. The courthouse was initially built in 1894 after the county seat was moved from nearby Helena to Karnes City and the structure was renovated from 2011 to 2018.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/06/texas-democracy-we-the-texans/Sessions at the event, held at the University of Houston-Downtown, tackled voter turnout, local governance, community news and more.By Nina Banks and Sejal GovindaraoTue, 06 Feb 2024 11:44:02 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/06/texas-democracy-we-the-texans/