Latest Contributions

• As culture wars envelop schools, North Texas sees a superintendent exodus

  by Brian Lopez and Timia Cobb Feb. 4, 2022

  Several departures come after months of contentious fights over teaching about slavery, requiring pandemic precautions and limiting what books kids can access. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott taps into parent anger to fuel reelection campaign

  by Brian Lopez Jan. 26, 2022

  Abbott promises a “parental bill of rights” amendment to the Texas Constitution. Current education code already provides an array of parent protections when it comes to schools. Full Story 

• Long before Colleyville synagogue standoff, Texas houses of worship were preparing for violent attacks

  by Reese Oxner and Brian Lopez Jan. 23, 2022

  Attacks on houses of worship like the 2017 Sutherland Springs shooting have prompted many religious groups to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars and countless hours to bolster security. Full Story 

• Omicron is surging, but most Texas schools are resuming classes as planned

  by Brian Lopez Dec. 30, 2021

  School officials are putting a greater emphasis on testing, vaccinations and masking to combat the variant’s spread. Full Story 

• “Out of sight, out of mind”: Omicron and Christmas collide in Texas

  by Brian Lopez, Kate McGee and Uriel J. García Dec. 23, 2021

  Texans are taking varying levels of precautions as they finish holiday shopping and prepare for Christmas worship services. Full Story 

• Unhappy holidays: Texas endures another COVID Christmas

  by Cassandra Pollock, Brian Lopez and Uriel J. García Dec. 22, 2021

  After nearly two years of navigating life during a pandemic, many Texans are now scrambling for COVID tests, delaying plans and worrying about relatives who have been exposed to the virus. Full Story 

• Death threats and doxxing: The outcomes of mask mandate and critical race theory fights at a Texas school board

  by Brian Lopez Updated: Dec. 15, 2021

  The fight over race and how to deal with the pandemic has split the Fort Worth community, showcasing what’s being seen across the state and country. Full Story 

• Texas education officials investigating whether Keller school district has books with sexually explicit content

  by Brian Lopez Dec. 9, 2021

  The district appears to be the first one to be investigated since Republicans started raising questions in October about content in public school libraries. Full Story 

• San Antonio-area school district reviews 400 books flagged by a Texas lawmaker’s inquiry

  by Brian Lopez Dec. 6, 2021

  North East ISD, one of the largest districts in the state, appears to be the first one to respond to state Rep. Matt Krause’s investigation into the kinds of books held in school libraries. Full Story 

• Republican bill that limits how race, slavery and history are taught in Texas schools becomes law

  by Brian Lopez Dec. 2, 2021

  The so-called “critical race theory” law prohibits teachers from discussing “a widely debated and currently controversial issue of public policy or social affairs.” Full Story