The Brief: Convictions Remain Rare When Police Shoot
As national scrutiny of police shootings remains intense, prosecutions of Texas police officers who use lethal force remain a rare occurrence. Full Story
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Alex Samuels is a political reporter for The Texas Tribune, where she helps with national campaign coverage, writes stories about the intersection of race and politics in Texas, and covers the hottest political news bubbling out of local communities. She is also one of the primary authors of The Blast, the Tribune’s subscription-only daily newsletter for political insiders. Alex was previously the Tribune’s community reporter, but she began her stint with the organization as a fellow in 2016. She graduated in 2017 from the University of Texas at Austin’s School of Journalism. She originally is from Massachusetts and is the best pingpong player at the Tribune.
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The Brief: Here’s What Texas Officers Face on Mental Health Calls
Confronting an unstable individual is one of the more challenging situations faced by police officers. Full Story
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Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
The Bookshelf: Sept. 1, 2016
In this week's Bookshelf, our content partner Kirkus Reviews highlights ADHD Nation. Full Story
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Arkansas Hosts Community Forums to Discuss School Accountability
In preparation for submitting its state-specific accountability plan, Arkansas education leaders are petitioning the public to play a critical role in the process of deciding how best to serve its students. Full Story
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Survey Finds Adults Don’t Agree on Public Education Priorities
Results of an annual Phi Delta Kappa International poll offer updated insight into the adult public’s perception of public schools in the U.S. Full Story
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![Sophomore student Miguel Nava works on a science experiment at the San Juan Idea Public Schools Tuesday morning in San Juan,…]()
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Military Communities Use Academics to Stop Base Closures
As others battle over possible base closures, many communities are preemptively defending their benefits to service members and their families — namely through high-quality public education. Full Story
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![Cpl. Danielle Aldrich, a landing support specialist with the 2nd Combat Logistics Battalion, directs a U.S. Army CH-47 Chino…]()
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The Q&A: Ted Graf
In this week’s Q&A, we interview Ted Graf, the head of school at Headwaters School in Austin. Full Story
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Despite Underperformance, Test Scores Improve in California
Although less than half of all California public school students who took this year’s state standardized test actually met the state’s learning goals, officials are pointing to progress over last year’s test results. Full Story
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Texas Study Informs Massachusetts Vote on Charter School Additions
As Massachusetts gears up for a much-anticipated public vote on expanding its charter school network, a recently published study paints a less-than-favorable picture of charters’ performance in Texas. Full Story
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Adaptive App Builds English Learners’ Fluency
As programs for English language learners face significant budget constraints, teachers are turning to alternative tools to facilitate language acquisition in school environments. Full Story
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Texas Launches Voter Education Campaign Amid Scrutiny of Voter ID Law
Texas on Wednesday kicked off a voter education campaign ahead of the November elections. The state is required to spend $2.5 million to educate voters about its voter ID requirements. Full Story
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![Secretary of State Carlos Cascos speaks to a University of Texas class about what students need to know to vote in November.]()
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The Brief: Reckoning with the Numbers on Police Shootings
Recent police shootings across the nation have raised uncomfortable questions about how the police interact with minorities. Full Story
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The Brief: Could Perry Soon be Dancing With the Stars?
Former Gov. Rick Perry may be taking a break from campaigning to bust a move on the dance floor, following reports that he may be joining the next season of "Dancing With the Stars." Full Story
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The Brief: DPS Requests $1 Billion for Border Security
Security along the U.S.-Mexico border could become a $1 billion expense to the state, according to a total budget request from the Department of Public Safety. Full Story
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The Brief: Travis County GOP Looks to Replace Chairman
Controversial conspiracy theorist Robert Morrow's brief turn at the head of the Travis County GOP could be over by today. Full Story
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The Brief: UT Students Wage Sex Toy Protest on First Day of Class
Students and activists at the University of Texas at Austin voiced their displeasure with the new campus carry law by strapping sex toys to their backpacks. Full Story
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UT-Austin Students Snatch Up Free Dildos for Gun Protest
Cocks Not Glocks, a UT-Austin group formed in response to legislation allowing concealed handguns on college campuses, passed out thousands of multicolored sex toys Tuesday evening in preparation for a Wednesday protest rally. Full Story
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Credit: Qiling Wang for The Texas Tribune