At Texas Democratic Party convention, recognition of high stakes and a tough road ahead
Attendees in Dallas seemed energized by the state’s abortion ban, lax gun laws and power grid failures. But they also knew they face major headwinds. Full Story
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Joshua Fechter is the Dallas-based urban affairs reporter for The Texas Tribune, covering policy — including housing affordability, housing and property taxes, evictions, policing and transportation — and politics in Texas' major metropolitan areas. Before joining the Tribune in August 2021, Joshua covered City Hall for the San Antonio Express-News. He holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin.
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![An attendee claps during the general caucus of the Texas Democratic Convention at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas on July 15, 2022.]()
Credit: Kylie Cooper/The Texas Tribune -
After Uvalde school shooting, Texas police wonder how much training is enough — and will it matter?
Police officials and law enforcement experts say there’s no guarantee that officers will follow their training and confront a shooter — no matter how much training they have. Full Story
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![Uvalde police car next to Uvalde High School following a press conference on May 25, 2022, in Uvalde.]()
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Protesters across U.S. and Texas join March for Our Lives rallies against gun violence
Outside the Capitol in Austin, relatives of Jackie Cazares, 9, and Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez, 10, two of the 19 students killed at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, tearfully addressed a crowd. Full Story
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![Demonstrators gathered on the south side of the Capitol for the Austin March For Our Lives rally on Saturday, June 11, 2022.]()
Credit: Kylie Cooper/The Texas Tribune -
Police chief who led the response to the school shooting in Uvalde had no radio at the scene, reports say
The revelation is the latest to point to deficiencies and missteps in authorities’ response to the shooting at Robb Elementary School. Police opted to wait for reinforcements and tactical gear, taking more than an hour to confront and take down the shooter. Full Story
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![Authorities prepare to evacuate students and teachers after a gunman entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde on May 24, 2022.]()
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Narratives, and blame, shift again as dysfunction engulfs shooting probe
The Texas Department of Public Safety said a local police chief had stopped cooperating. It also walked back a statement that a teacher had propped open a door used by the shooter to enter the school. Full Story
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![Uvalde school police chief Pete Arredondo speaks at a press conference following the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.]()
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“The wrong decision”: Texas DPS says local police made crucial error as school shooting continued
Uvalde’s local incident commander thought the active shooting had stopped and that the gunman had barricaded himself inside the school. Inside, the killing continued. Full Story
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![Crosses for the children killed at Robb Elementary School on Thursday, May 26, 2022.]()
Credit: Lauren Witte/The Texas Tribune -
Authorities took an hour to stop Uvalde gunman, raising questions about law enforcement response
Officials clarified the timeline of the shooting Thursday after giving varying accounts. They refused to answer many questions about the tactics. Full Story
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![Victor Escalon, an official with the Texas Department of Public Safety, offered additional details Thursday about the law enforcement response to a mass shooting at a Uvalde elementary school.]()
Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune -
Texas law enforcement provide some details about Uvalde school shooting, but many questions remain
The governor said the 18-year-old gunman shared each step of his rampage on Facebook, but the social media giant says they were private text messages — not public posts. Full Story
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![Police block off the road leading to the scene of a school shooting at Robb Elementary on May 24, 2022, in Uvalde.]()
Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune -
Top Texas Republicans resist gun control and push for more armed teachers and police at schools in wake of Uvalde shooting
As President Joe Biden vowed to enact stricter gun laws following the Uvalde shooting, top Texas Republicans worked to create distance between the shooting and potential gun restrictions. Full Story
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![Police block off the road leading to the scene of a school shooting at Robb Elementary on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 in Uvalde, TX. A school shooting was reported this afternoon after a high school student opened fire inside Robb Elementary School where two teachers and 14 students were killed.]()
Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune -
Texas voters approve two modest property tax relief measures
The state’s high property taxes have taken center stage as Texas’ real estate market explodes and drives up home values. Full Story
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![New home construction in east Longview's Mission Creek subdivision on Friday December 17, 2021. (Michael Cavazos/Photo)]()
Credit: Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune