https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/zach-despart/The latest news by Zach Despart.enWed, 14 Aug 2024 09:36:02 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/14/uvalde-shooting-police-footage/Chief Homer Delgado said the department has turned over the footage to the district attorney’s office and ordered an investigation into how the error occurred.By Zach Despart, The Texas Tribune, and Lomi Kriel, The Texas Tribune and ProPublicaWed, 14 Aug 2024 09:36:02 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/14/uvalde-shooting-police-footage/Robb Elementary School in Uvalde.Robb Elementary in Uvalde, on July 11, 2022.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://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/2024/07/23/texas-ethics-campaign-finance-attorney-general/The number of fines for breaking state campaign ethics laws has exploded in recent years as Ken Paxton’s office rarely pursues stricter enforcement.By Zach Despart, Graphics by Carla AstudilloTue, 23 Jul 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/23/texas-ethics-campaign-finance-attorney-general/Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton enters the 185th Criminal District court at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center for a pretrial hearing in his securities fraud case on March 26, 2024, in Houston.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton enters the 185th Criminal District court at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center for a pretrial hearing in his securities fraud case on March 26, 2024, in Houston.Danielle Villasana for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/22/texas-republicans-attack-harris-border-immigration/Everything wrong with border security is the fault of the Democratic vice president, these Republicans say.By Zach DespartMon, 22 Jul 2024 17:58:03 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/22/texas-republicans-attack-harris-border-immigration/Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the LBJ Museum in Austin on Oct. 8, 2022. Her role on border security is already the focus of criticism from Texas Republicans.Vice President Kamala Harris speak about abortion rights with Mini Timmaraju, President of NARAL Pro-Choice America, and Julieta Garibay, Senior Capacity Building Director for Groundswell Fund, at the LBJ Museum in Austin on Oct. 8, 2022.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/10/ken-paxton-texas-attorney-general-impeach/Attorney General Ken Paxton on Wednesday evening said the Texas House ethics committee, which scheduled a meeting for next week, is planning to recommend impeaching him a second time.By Zach Despart and Jasper SchererWed, 10 Jul 2024 20:10:25 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/10/ken-paxton-texas-attorney-general-impeach/Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks during the Texas GOP Convention Thursday, May 23, 2024 in San Antonio.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks during the Texas GOP Convention Thursday, May 23, 2024 in San Antonio.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/01/john-sharp-texas-am-retire/Sharp leaves after having transformed the institution, embedding it into state government, expanding its reach and boosting its academic and athletic reputation.By Zach DespartMon, 01 Jul 2024 09:14:44 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/01/john-sharp-texas-am-retire/Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp looks at a shelf with photos mementos outside his office on March 27, 2023 in College Station. Texas A&M’s longest serving chancellor has announced he will retire in June 2025.Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp looks at a shelf with photos mementos outside his office on Monday, March 27, 2023 in College Station, TX.Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/19/kerry-max-cook-innocent-texas-court/The Texas Criminal Court of Appeals cited stunning allegations of prosecutorial misconduct that led to Cook spending 20 years on death row.By Zach DespartWed, 19 Jun 2024 10:40:44 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/19/kerry-max-cook-innocent-texas-court/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/31/dade-phelan-texas-speaker-runoff-win/After coming in second in the primary, Phelan was at a disadvantage heading into the runoff. With record breaking cash infusions, Phelan blanketed airwaves and hired an army of campaign staffers.By Zach DespartFri, 31 May 2024 11:11:20 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/31/dade-phelan-texas-speaker-runoff-win/Dade Phelan listens while being interviewed after declaring victory on May 28, 2024 at JW’s Patio in Beaumont, Texas.Dade Phelan listens while being interviewed after declaring victory on May 28, 2024 at JW’s Patio in Beaumont, Texas.Mark Felix for the Texas Tribunnehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/24/dade-phelan-david-covey-texas-house-speaker-runoff/Business-minded Republicans spent millions trying to save Phelan, whose far-right opponent had the backing of Donald Trump, Ken Paxton and Dan Patrick. Phelan won by 366 votes, according to unofficial returns.By Zach DespartTue, 28 May 2024 19:58:22 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/24/dade-phelan-david-covey-texas-house-speaker-runoff/House Speaker Dade Phelan celebrates after declaring victory over challenger David Covey on May 28, 2024 at JW’s Patio in Beaumont.House Speaker Dade Phelan celebrates after declaring victory over challenger David Covey on May 28, 2024 at JW’s Patio in Beaumont.Mark Felix for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/28/texas-election-primary-runoff/Texans are heading to the polls Tuesday to make their final selections for which Democrats and Republicans will run for various seats in the November election.By Jasper Scherer, Zach Despart and Matthew ChoiTue, 28 May 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/28/texas-election-primary-runoff/House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, surveys the chamber during a break in the action on May 11, 2023.House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, surveys the chamber during a break in the action on deadline day May 11, 2023.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/21/dade-phelan-texas-house-speaker-runoff-republicans/Phelan’s primary has emerged as a last stand for the Republican Party’s business-minded establishment against an insurgency primarily motivated by social and cultural issues.By Jasper Scherer and Zach DespartTue, 21 May 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/21/dade-phelan-texas-house-speaker-runoff-republicans/Dade Phelan addresses the floor after being elected for his second term as House speaker on on Jan 10, 2023.Dade Phelan addresses the floor after being elected for his second term as Speaker of the House on the opening day of the 88th legislature on Jan 10, 2023.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/02/jay-hartzell-university-texas-republicans-protest/Hartzell’s protest response has also resulted in condemnations from students and faculty.By Zach Despart and Pooja SalhotraThu, 02 May 2024 11:31:15 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/02/jay-hartzell-university-texas-republicans-protest/The University of Texas at Austin President Jay Hartzell on April 18, 2022.The University of Texas at Austin President Jay Hartzell on April 18, 2022.Lauren Witte/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/24/greg-abbott-tony-gonzales-brandon-herrera-endorse/Gonzales, 43, faces Brandon Herrera in the May primary runoff election for South Texas District 23.By Zach DespartWed, 24 Apr 2024 11:39:25 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/24/greg-abbott-tony-gonzales-brandon-herrera-endorse/U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, gives an interview in his office at Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C. on April 28, 2023. Gonzales is a member of the House Appropriations Committees.U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, gives an interview in his office at Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C. on April 28, 2023. Gonzales is a member of the House Appropriations Committees.Eric Lee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/11/dan-patrick-legislature-texas-priorities-housing-antisemitism/Examining charitable bail organizations and banning Delta 9 were also among Patrick’s priorities in the next legislative session.By Zach Despart and Joshua FechterThu, 11 Apr 2024 13:03:44 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/11/dan-patrick-legislature-texas-priorities-housing-antisemitism/Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick presides over on the Senate floor during the first day of the second special session at the state Capitol in Austin on June 28, 2023.Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick presides over on the Senate floor during the first day of the second special session at the state Capitol in Austin on June 28, 2023.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/03/club-for-growth-texas-house-legislature/Club for Growth announced it will spend $4 million on a TV ad targeting five anti-school voucher Texas House Republicans.By Zach DespartWed, 03 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/03/club-for-growth-texas-house-legislature/House Speaker Dade Phelan in his office in Beaumont on Jan. 26, 2024.House Speaker Dade Phelan in his office in Beaumont on Jan 26, 2024.Mark Felix for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/21/tom-oliverson-dade-phelan-texas-speaker/Oliverson, one of Phelan’s committee chairmen, said the speaker has lost the confidence of the Republican caucus.By Zach Despart and Jasper SchererThu, 21 Mar 2024 10:08:44 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/21/tom-oliverson-dade-phelan-texas-speaker/State Rep. Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress, announces his candidacy for Texas House Speaker during a press conference on March 21, 2024 in Austin.State Rep. Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress, announces his candidacy for Texas House speakership during a press conference Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Austin.Maria Crane/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/19/greg-abbott-dade-phelan-primary/Abbott has so far been silent as Phelan battles for political survival in a tough primary runoff.By Zach DespartTue, 19 Mar 2024 14:36:15 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/19/greg-abbott-dade-phelan-primary/House Speaker Dade Phelan greets Gov. Greg Abbott before speaking to the Texas House during opening ceremonies as the 2021 Texas Legislature gets down to work in Austin on Jan. 12, 2021.Newly-elected House Speaker Dade Phelan greets Gov. Greg Abbott before speaking to the Texas House during opening ceremonies as the 2021 Texas Legislature gets down to work in Austin on Jan. 12, 2021.Bob Daemmrich/CapitolPressPhoto/Poolhttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/07/dade-phelan-texas-speaker-david-covey-paxton/The May 28 runoff promises to be an expensive, high-profile contest that will help reshape the political dynamics of the Texas House.By Zach DespartThu, 07 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/07/dade-phelan-texas-speaker-david-covey-paxton/House Speaker Dade Phelan gavels out the 88th session Sine Die on May 29, 2023.House Speaker Dade Phelan gavels out the 88th session Sine Die on May 29, 2023.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/05/shawn-thierry-houston-democrat-primary-legislature-simmons/Thierry angered fellow Democrats because of a speech she gave on the House floor in support of banning gender-transitioning care for minors.By Zach DespartWed, 06 Mar 2024 11:42:52 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/05/shawn-thierry-houston-democrat-primary-legislature-simmons/Shawn Thierry and Lauren Ashley Simmons.Shawn Thierry and Lauren Ashley Simmons.Thomas Meredith for The Texas Tribune and Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/05/greg-abbott-ken-paxton-texas-house-incumbents-lose/The two state leaders and other prominent Republicans, like Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and former president Donald Trump, endorsed challengers in dozens of races citing the incumbents’ disloyalty to the party.By Zach Despart and Renzo DowneyWed, 06 Mar 2024 01:27:17 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/05/greg-abbott-ken-paxton-texas-house-incumbents-lose/The House voting board in the Texas Capitol in Austin on May 29, 2023.The House voting board in the Texas Capitol in Austin on May 29, 2023.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune