Past Contributions

• Civic engagement or illegal electioneering? How a school voting project became a conservative target

  by Emma Platoff Feb. 9, 2018

  Powerful conservatives have taken several shots over the past few months at an educational advocacy group aiming to promote voting. Full Story 

• Julián Castro says he has "every interest" in running for president in 2020

  by Emma Platoff Feb. 6, 2018

  Julián Castro, the former mayor of San Antonio and a major fixture in Texas Democratic politics, said this week he has "every interest" in running for president in 2020. Full Story 

• National Weather Service, AccuWeather trade blame for false tsunami warning that alarmed Texans

  by Emma Platoff Feb. 6, 2018

  Just weeks after false reports of a nuclear missile terrified Hawaiians, an erroneous tsunami warning was sent to individuals in Texas and along the East Coast. Full Story 

• As state Sen. Carlos Uresti's fraud trial drags on, one defrauded investor's testimony could be key

  by Emma Platoff Feb. 5, 2018

  State Sen. Carlos Uresti's criminal fraud trial has entered its third week. The case could hinge on the testimony of one of Uresti's former legal clients. Full Story 

• State Rep. Poncho Nevárez fined $15,000 for campaign finance report violations

  by Emma Platoff Feb. 5, 2018

  State Rep. Poncho Nevárez, D-Eagle Pass, violated campaign finance regulations in four semiannual reports he filed to the Texas Ethics Commission between January 2013 and January 2015. Full Story 

• Federal judge grants Texas request to block Obama-era restrictions on criminal background checks in hiring

  by Emma Platoff Feb. 1, 2018

  Texas filed suit in 2013 over an Obama-era policy aimed at making it easier for convicted criminals to find work. In 2012, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission advised employers to use criminal background checks during job screenings only when job-related or necessary for the business. Full Story 

• At University of Texas, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson calls for modernizing NAFTA

  by Emma Platoff Feb. 1, 2018

  While visiting his alma mater on Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the North American Free Trade Agreement is due for an update. Full Story 

• Texas Rangers to investigate famed Karolyi Ranch in wake of Nassar trial

  by Ayan Mittra and Emma Platoff Updated: Jan. 30, 2018

  Gov. Greg Abbott has asked the Texas Rangers to investigate misconduct allegations at the famed Karolyi Ranch, the Texas training facility where Larry Nassar treated athletes. Full Story 

• In report, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott boasts economic growth, record unemployment

  by Emma Platoff Jan. 29, 2018

  Gov. Greg Abbott released his second "Report to the People of Texas," which chronicles the state's victories in 2017. But it skims over a few major challenges Texas faced during the past year. Full Story 

• Texas state Rep. Leighton Schubert will resign to work at a local junior college

  by Emma Platoff and Patrick Svitek Jan. 26, 2018

  State Rep. Leighton Schubert, who previously said he wouldn't seek re-election this year, has decided to resign early to take a job at a local junior college. Full Story 

• Offering no hints about her future, Texan Cecile Richards confirms she's leaving Planned Parenthood

  by Emma Platoff Jan. 26, 2018

  Longtime Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards confirmed Friday morning that she will step down from the women's health organization, which she has led since 2006. Full Story 

• How might Texas win Amazon's second headquarters? Not because of flashy financial incentives.

  by Emma Platoff Jan. 25, 2018

  Some cities fighting to house Amazon's coveted second headquarters have offered up billion-dollar financial incentives. If a Texas city lands the headquarters, experts don't expect incentives to be the main reason. Full Story 

• Report: Texan Cecile Richards to step down as Planned Parenthood president

  by Emma Platoff Jan. 24, 2018

  Cecile Richards, the long-serving president of the women's health organization Planned Parenthood, will step down from her role, Buzzfeed reported Wednesday. Full Story 

• In fraud trial, lawyer for Carlos Uresti claims senator’s ignorance of business partners’ wrongdoing

  by Emma Platoff Jan. 22, 2018

  In opening arguments in the federal criminal case against state Sen. Carlos Uresti, prosecutors alleged that he used his reputation as a public official to lend credibility to a frac-sand company's Ponzi scheme. But defense attorneys for the San Antonio Democrat claim he was never aware of the company's criminal activity. Full Story 

• Federal judge says Texas still needs oversight to fix its "broken" foster care system

  by Marissa Evans and Emma Platoff Updated: Jan. 19, 2018

  In a 116-page order, U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack said Texas has dragged its heels on foster care reform and continues to need oversight as it tries to find fixes. Full Story 

• Two Texas cities — Austin and Dallas — on short list for second Amazon headquarters

  by Emma Platoff and Matthew Watkins Jan. 18, 2018

  Austin and Dallas are among 20 North American cities being considered for a second headquarters for Amazon, the online retail giant announced Thursday morning. Full Story 

• Nearly a year after FBI raid, Texas Sen. Carlos Uresti heads to trial to face 11 felony charges

  by Emma Platoff Jan. 18, 2018

  State Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, a two-decade veteran of the Texas Legislature, is heading to trial in a criminal fraud case. Full Story 

• A Texas House candidate mocked a sheriff on social media. Did he violate the law?

  by Emma Platoff Dec. 15, 2017

  Bo French says the "Thief Bill Waybourn" Facebook page he created to mock Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn was merely satire. Three law enforcement groups are calling it a "scandalous crime." Full Story 

• State Sens. West and Burton call for “due process” in colleagues’ harassment allegations

  by Emma Platoff Dec. 15, 2017

  Watch the full video of our conversation in Dallas with state Sens. Konni Burton and Royce West. Or check out our recap below. Full Story 

• Former Texas Solicitor General James Ho wins confirmation for federal court

  by Emma Platoff Dec. 14, 2017

  James Ho, a well-respected Dallas attorney and former state solicitor general, was confirmed Thursday to the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. He joins Don Willett, a longtime Texas Supreme Court justice who was confirmed Wednesday. Full Story