https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/terri-langford/The latest news by Terri Langford.enWed, 11 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/11/texas-medicaid-food-stamps-application-legislature/The request, which includes hiring more staff and updating the online application system, comes as applicants must wait for months to receive approval for benefits.By Terri LangfordWed, 11 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/11/texas-medicaid-food-stamps-application-legislature/Texas Health and Human Services Commission is asking the state Legislature for $300 million next legislative session to improve the Medicaid enrollment process.A Texas Health and Human Services client application on April 24, 2018.Pu Ying Huang for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/30/texas-robert-roberson-judge-recuses/Senior District Judge Deborah Oakes Evans recused herself after a challenge to her impartiality over longtime relationships with case prosecutors and judges.By Terri LangfordSat, 30 Nov 2024 13:14:23 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/30/texas-robert-roberson-judge-recuses/Senior state District Judge Deborah Oakes Evans presides over a hearing in Palestine on Aug. 14, 2018, as Robert Roberson's attorneys seek a new trial. Roberson was convicted and sentenced to death in 2003 for the murder of his 2-year-old daughter Nikki Curtis. Evans, who initially set an execution date of Oct. 17, 2024, has since agreed to recuse herself.Judge Deborah Oakes Evans presides over a hearing in Palestine on Aug. 14, 2018 as Robert Roberson's attorneys seek a new trial. Roberson was convicted and sentenced to death in 2003 for the murder of the murder of his two-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis.Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/25/robert-roberson-joe-moody-jeff-leach-texas-death-penalty/The Criminal Jurisprudence Committee plans to issue a new subpoena to the death row inmate for a Dec. 20 hearing if Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office does not cooperate.By Kayla Guo and Terri LangfordTue, 26 Nov 2024 10:14:54 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/25/robert-roberson-joe-moody-jeff-leach-texas-death-penalty/From left: Texas Tribune reporter Kayla Guo moderates a conversation with State Reps. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, and Joe Moody, D-El Paso, in Austin on Dec. 6, 2024. Moody, who is chairman, serves with Leach on the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence.John Jordan/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/21/texas-alzheimers-dementia-research-dan-patrick/Modeled after the state’s $6 billion cancer research fund, the dementia fund — a legislative priority for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick — could pump hundreds of millions of dollars into Texas researchers.By Terri LangfordThu, 21 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/21/texas-alzheimers-dementia-research-dan-patrick/The facilities of El Faro Health and Therapeutics clinical research facility has an infusion room, pictured here on Nov. 13, 2021, to treat patients with Alzheimer’s disease in Rio Grande City.The facilities of El Faro Health and Therapeutics clinical research facility count with an infusion room to treat patients with Alzheimer’s disease in Rio Grande City on November 13, 2021.Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribune.https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/21/hospitales-texas-preguntas-immigracion/El gobernador Greg Abbott quiere saber cuánto gastan los hospitales en el cuidado de inmigrantes indocumentados. Los hospitales no deben negar atención en ningún caso.By Terri LangfordThu, 21 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/21/hospitales-texas-preguntas-immigracion/La entrada a la sala de emergencias del Centro Medico St. David en Austin el 30 de marzo de 2020.The emergency drop-off at an Austin hospital on March 30, 2020.Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/21/texas-hospitals-immigration-questions/Gov. Greg Abbott wants to know how much hospitals spend caring for undocumented immigrants. Hospitals should not deny care based on how patients respond.By Terri LangfordThu, 21 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/21/texas-hospitals-immigration-questions/The emergency drop-off at an Austin hospital on March 30, 2020.The emergency drop-off at an Austin hospital on March 30, 2020.Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/12/texas-robert-roberson-separation-of-powers-subpoena/The state’s highest civil court ruled that legislators can’t use subpoenas to block death row inmates’ executions, but suggested there’s still time for Roberson to testify before a Texas House panel.By Pooja Salhotra and Terri LangfordTue, 12 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/12/texas-robert-roberson-separation-of-powers-subpoena/Former detective Brian Wharton testifies during a Texas Houst Criminal Jurisprudence Committee hearing about death row inmate Robert Roberson on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. Wharton was an investigator in the case of the death of Nikki Roberson and has expressed his doubts of Roberson's guilt.Former Detective Brian Wharton testifies during a Criminal Jurisprudence hearing on death row inmate Robert Roberson on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024 in Austin, TX. Wharton was an investigator in the case of the death of Nikki Roberson and has expressed his doubts of Roberson's guilt and agrees with stopping his execution. With his scheduled execution drawing closer, a hearing debating the certainty of Robreson's guilt and there is a bipartisan push to stay his execution. Sergio Flores for The Texas TribuneSergio Flores for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/11/texas-counties-ems-ambulance/Although Texas counties are not required to provide ambulance services, many are digging deep to pay for their own fleet or to contract out services.By Terri LangfordMon, 11 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/11/texas-counties-ems-ambulance/The interior of a CareFlite ambulance in Cleburne on November 8, 2024. Johnson County has contracted five full-time ambulances and another part time to serve its unincorporated areas.The interior of a CareFlite ambulance vehicle outside the Johnson County County Commissioners office in Cleburne on November 8, 2024.Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/05/texas-election-day-trump-harris-allred-cruz-congress-legislature/Texas might not be a swing state, but many of its races will have major consequences to the national political landscape and on the lives of everyday Texans.By Texas Tribune Staff, James Barragán, Jasper Scherer, Matthew Choi, Robert Downen, Alejandro Serrano, Joshua Fechter, Kayla Guo, Pooja Salhotra and Terri LangfordTue, 05 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/05/texas-election-day-trump-harris-allred-cruz-congress-legislature/Voters wait in line at the Houston Community College Southeast voting location in Houston on Election Day.Voters wait in line at the Houston Community College Southeast voting location in Houston on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024.Mark Felix for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/01/texas-justice-department-election-monitors/The federal agency agreed their monitors would remain outside polling locations and wouldn’t interfere with voting.By Terri Langford, Joshua Fechter and Kayla GuoFri, 01 Nov 2024 22:44:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/01/texas-justice-department-election-monitors/The Department of Justice announced Friday it would send election monitors to 27 states, including Texas, to keep an eye out for potential voting rights violations on Tuesday.Voters check in to vote at the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center in Houston, Tuesday Nov. 8, 2022.Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/24/texas-legislature-criminal-justice-robert-roberson/Texas’ junk science statute has remained hamstrung for the last decade. So too have other criminal justice reforms, despite efforts from the Texas House.By Jasper Scherer and Terri LangfordThu, 24 Oct 2024 11:47:03 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/24/texas-legislature-criminal-justice-robert-roberson/From left, state Reps. David Cook, R-Mansfield, Jeff Leach, R-Plano, and Brian Harrison, R-Midlothian of the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence hold a hearing on death row inmate Robert Roberson on Oct. 16.From left: State Reps. David Cook, R-Mansfield, Jeff Leach, R-Plano, and Brian Harrison, R-Midlothian, during a House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence hearing on death row inmate Robert Roberson on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024 in Austin.Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/19/greg-abbott-robert-roberson-death-penalty/It’s rare for governors to step in to halt executions. In the case of Robert Roberson, it ended up being state lawmakers who took extraordinary steps.By Terri LangfordSat, 19 Oct 2024 15:12:37 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/19/greg-abbott-robert-roberson-death-penalty/Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at the Texas Public Policy Foundation offices in Austin on June 2, 2023.Gov. Greg Abbott speaks about the recent 88th Legislative Session to an audience at the Texas Public Policy Foundation offices in Austin, on June 2, 2023. Abbott recounted policy victories in regards to fentanyl and the border crisis, as well as limiting gender-affirming care and banning DEI practices in higher education. Abbott ended the event by promising to call a special session for school choice, after the current special session for property tax resolves.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/17/texas-undocumented-immigrants-hospitals-greg-abbott/On Nov. 1, hospitals will begin asking patients their citizenship status. But data suggests uninsured citizens, not immigrants, cost Texas hospitals more.By Terri LangfordThu, 17 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/17/texas-undocumented-immigrants-hospitals-greg-abbott/The emergency center at Ben Taub Hospital in the Texas Medical Center in Houston on June 26, 2020.The emergency center at Ben Taub Hospital in the Texas Medical Center in Houston on June 26, 2020.May-Ying Lam for the Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/11/texas-foster-care-janis-jack-fifth-circuit/U.S. District Judge Janis Jack, the state’s de facto foster care czar, has been overseeing the case since 2011.By Terri LangfordFri, 11 Oct 2024 22:46:46 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/11/texas-foster-care-janis-jack-fifth-circuit/U.S. District Judge Janis Jack, seen in 2008, has been the de facto foster care czar, overseeing the case challenging the care of foster care children in the state’s permanent custody.U.S. District Judge Janis Jack administers the U.S. oath of citizenship to more than 100 area residents representing 25 countries in 2008 aboard the USS Lexington. Jack was the first woman federal judge to serve in Texas south of San Antonio. July 5, 2008.Courtesy of Todd Yates/Corpus Christi Caller-Timeshttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/08/uvalde-school-shooting-videos-released-lawsuit/The new videos largely affirm prior reporting and investigations that detailed law enforcement’s failures to confront the gunman who killed 19 children and two teachers.By Lomi Kriel and Lexi Churchill, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica, and Zach Despart, Terri Langford and Pooja Salhotra, The Texas TribuneTue, 08 Oct 2024 11:36:54 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/08/uvalde-school-shooting-videos-released-lawsuit/Previously released video shows officers gathered in the hallway of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. A gunman killed 19 students and two teachers in May 2022.Previously released video shows officers gathered in the hallway of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde.Obtained by The Texas Tribune and ProPublicahttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/01/texas-child-care-industry-public-schools/A 2019 state law requiring schools to offer full-day pre-K is capturing child care’s most profitable customer base: 3- and 4-year-olds.By Terri LangfordTue, 01 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/01/texas-child-care-industry-public-schools/Tim Kaminski, director of operations for Gingerbread Kids Academy and Gingerbread After School Programs in Richmond, interacts with students preparing crafts for a fall celebration on Sept. 26.Tim Kaminski, director of operations for Gingerbread Kids Academy and Gingerbread After School Programs, smiles as he interacts with students preparing crafts for a fall celebration on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2024, in Richmond, TX.Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/19/texas-medicaid-psychiatric-hospitals/Texas hasn’t increased Medicaid rates for inpatient health care at private hospitals in 16 years, falling behind other states.By Terri LangfordThu, 19 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/19/texas-medicaid-psychiatric-hospitals/The Nix Behavioral Health Center in San Antonio closed in 2019 amid the state's low Medicaid payment rates to private psychiatric hospitals.The Nix Health behavioral health center in San Antonio closed in 2019.Bonnie Arbittier/San Antonio Reporthttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/10/uvalde-school-shooting-records-release-lawsuit/The city’s release ends a legal battle with news outlets, but other government agencies are withholding materials.By Lomi Kriel and Lexi Churchill, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica, and Zach Despart, Terri Langford and Kayla Guo, The Texas TribuneSat, 10 Aug 2024 12:37:21 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/10/uvalde-school-shooting-records-release-lawsuit/Authorities gather outside of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde after a gunman entered and killed 19 students and two teachers on May 24, 2022.Authorities gather outside of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde after a gunman entered and killed 19 students and two teachers on May 24, 2022.Courtesy of Pete Luna/Uvalde Leader-Newshttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/01/small-town-big-possibilities-San-Antonio-symposium/The Tribune’s rural symposium highlighted the challenges the state’s far-flung regions face — and the opportunities they offer.By Alejandra Martinez, Jaden Edison, Kayla Guo, Pooja Salhotra, Terri Langford, Texas Tribune Staff and Xiomara MooreThu, 01 Aug 2024 13:11:13 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/01/small-town-big-possibilities-San-Antonio-symposium/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/12/texas-nursing-homes-assisted-living-generators-beryl/There’s no Texas requirement that nursing homes and assisted living facilities keep generators on hand to power air conditioning after storms.By Terri Langford and Stephen SimpsonFri, 12 Jul 2024 20:42:17 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/12/texas-nursing-homes-assisted-living-generators-beryl/Housekeeper Denise Wright throws out food on Friday that spoiled after Hurricane Beryl caused power outages at the Ella Springs Senior Living Community in Houston. The loss of electricity meant that many residents had to throw out the majority of their cold food items.Denise Wright, a housekeeper, goes through residents’ refrigerators to throw out food that spoiled during the blackout on Friday, July 12, 2024, at Ella Springs Senior Living Community in Houston, Tx. The lack of power meant that many residents had to throw out the majority of their cold food items, no matter how recently purchased.Olivia Anderson/The Texas Tribune