https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/sofia-sorochinskaia/The latest news by Sofia Sorochinskaia.enTue, 13 May 2025 19:58:05 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/13/texas-dei-ban-k-12/Conservative lawmakers say DEI efforts are discriminatory and push liberal ideologies on children. Critics point to research showing a diverse teacher body helps students succeed academically.By Sofia SorochinskaiaTue, 13 May 2025 19:58:05 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/13/texas-dei-ban-k-12/The Texas House Public Education Committee on Tuesday discussed a bill that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion practices in the state's public schools.Instructor's Aid, Nicole Johnson, walks JoAnn Zavala's pre-K students down the hall to music class, their first "specials" visit for the day, on Sept. 5, 2019.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/13/texas-legislature-public-education/Student discipline, uncertified teachers and school bans on DEI and cellphones are some of the topics being debated at the Texas Legislature this session.By Sofia SorochinskaiaTue, 13 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/13/texas-legislature-public-education/Texas lawmakers' public education agenda for this year's legislative session goes beyond school vouchers and school finance. Legislation still under consideration includes a ban on DEI initiatives in K-12 schools and a bill that would require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in classrooms.A classroom at Kennedy-Powell Elementary in Temple on April 17, 2025.Ilana Panich-Linsman for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/09/texas-attorney-general-judgment-pollution-skull-creek/A Texas business illegally dumped industrial waste into Skull Creek in Colorado County six years ago, then residents complained to the attorney general’s office.By Sofia SorochinskaiaFri, 09 May 2025 15:16:11 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/09/texas-attorney-general-judgment-pollution-skull-creek/Earthen dams separate black water (top) from muddy water (bottom) at Inland Environmental & Remediation, Inc., south of Columbus on April 14, 2019.Earthen dams separate black water (top) from muddy water (bottom) at Inland Environmental & Remediation, Inc., south of Columbus, Texas, on April 14, 2019.Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/07/university-texas-dallas-new-president-prabhas-moghe/Moghe, Rutgers University’s chief academic officer, is a biochemical and biomedical engineer and a former international student. He is expected to start in his new role later this year.By Sofia SorochinskaiaWed, 07 May 2025 14:00:30 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/07/university-texas-dallas-new-president-prabhas-moghe/The University of Texas System Board of Regents on Wednesday named Prabhas Moghe as the sole finalist in the running to become the next president of the University of Texas at Dallas.The University of Texas System Board of Regents has named Prabhas V. Moghe as the sole finalist for the next presidency at The University of Texas at Dallas.University of Texas System websitehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/02/texas-legislature-teachers-parents-protections/A fiery debate on the House floor Friday gave way to the Senate Bill 412’s final vote. Supporters say it’s needed to protect children.By Jess Huff and Sofia SorochinskaiaFri, 02 May 2025 19:16:33 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/02/texas-legislature-teachers-parents-protections/Critics say Senate Bill 412 will lead teachers and librarians to remove any materials out of fear it could be seen as too mature. Supporters maintain it is a crucial next step in protecting Texas children.The library at Blanco Vista Elementary in San Marcos on Nov. 4, 2021.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/29/texas-school-districts-split-keller-isd/A House bill would require school districts to hold an election before breaking into smaller entities.By Sofia SorochinskaiaTue, 29 Apr 2025 15:16:47 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/29/texas-school-districts-split-keller-isd/The Texas House of Representatives' Public Education Committee hears public testimony on March 18, 2025. Lawmakers in the committee heard public testimony Tuesday on a bill that would create new rules for school districts considering to split into smaller entities.The Texas House of Representatives Public Education Committee hears public testimony on House Bill 1481 relating to the use of personal wireless communication devices during school hours and activities in Austin on March 18, 2025.Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/29/texas-lgbtq-students-k12-dei-ban/Students are concerned the legislation could silence supportive teachers, dismantle safe spaces, lead to overenforcement and prevent honest conversations about identity.By Sofia SorochinskaiaTue, 29 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/29/texas-lgbtq-students-k12-dei-ban/Marshall Romero, 16, poses for a portrait outside of Alief Early College High School in Houston on Friday, April 25, 2025. Romero worries schools would become less welcoming for LGBTQ+ Texans like him under state legislation under consideration this session.Marshall Romero, 16, poses for a portrait outside of Alief Early College High School in Houston on Friday, April 25, 2025.Joseph Bui for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/25/attract-prepare-retain-best-teachers-texas/At a Texas Tribune event, education experts discussed challenges facing Texas public schools and potential ways to solve them.By Sofia SorochinskaiaMon, 28 Apr 2025 11:03:49 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/25/attract-prepare-retain-best-teachers-texas/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/03/trump-tariffs-texas-revenue-growth/Respondents to a Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas survey expressed concern about a reduction in consumer demand and a potential recession.Story by Sofia SorochinskaiaThu, 03 Apr 2025 17:20:24 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/03/trump-tariffs-texas-revenue-growth/The Trade Partnership Worldwide estimates that tariffs could cost Texas businesses $47 billion and cut the state’s gross domestic product growth by 1.5 percentage points.A parklet with diners outside of City Tavern along Elm Street in downtown Dallas near the Santander Tower, on Nov. 07, 2023. Texas metros have a glut of vacant offices space driven by the rise of remote work, overbuilding and other factors during the pandemic. One option companies are doing to combat the changes, is to convert office space into residential housing.Ben Torres for The Texas Tribune