The agreement comes after a judge put the Paxtons’ records under seal, prompting The Texas Tribune and other outlets to challenge the order.
Ayden Runnels
Ayden Runnels is the afternoon/evening reporter. Previously, they were a breaking news reporter for the Las Vegas Sun. A graduate of the Mayborn School of Journalism at the University of North Texas, Ayden was a Dallas Press Club Foundation reporting fellow at the Tribune in 2023. They were born in the Houston suburb of Clear Lake and speak English and Arabic. They served as editor-in-chief of the North Texas Daily, UNT's student-run newspaper, and have worked on freelance projects for Newsweek.
Posted in
Panhandle Wildfires
Texas AG Ken Paxton seeks damages from energy company linked to Texas’ largest wildfire
The lawsuit alleges Minnesota-based Xcel Energy failed to maintain utility poles that started the 2024 Panhandle fire that killed three people and thousands of livestock.
Posted in
LGBTQ+ Texans
Enforcement of Texas’ “bathroom bill” draws challenges as colleges, cities implement new policies
In its first week, one group’s test of the new restrictions was met with ID checks at women’s restrooms at the Capitol while the Austin City Council moved to circumvent the law’s intent.
Posted in
2025 Legislative Recap
Texas is restricting the bathrooms trans people can use in government buildings. Here’s how the law works.
The “bathroom bill” doesn’t provide guidance for how government agencies, schools and universities should ensure people use facilities matching their sex assigned at birth.
Posted in
2025 Legislative Recap
As Texas’ “bathroom bill” becomes law, questions remain about how it will be enforced
Some trans Texans worry that the lack of specificity on how the law will be enforced will harm their safety and lives.
Posted in
State Government
Texas adds new ID restrictions on vehicle registrations and renewals
The restrictions, which went into effect on Nov. 18, could upend the ability of many undocumented residents to legally own vehicles.
Posted in
State Government
Former Alamo Trust President Kate Rogers sues over exit
Rogers resigned from her position after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick criticized a 2023 dissertation in which she asserted the importance of Indigenous people’s history at the Alamo.
Posted in
Hill Country floods
Parents of flood victims suing Camp Mystic for negligence
Four lawsuits that were filed separately Monday allege Camp Mystic officials’ lack of planning and stalled evacuation contributed to the deaths of several children and counselors.
Posted in
State Government
Former state Rep. Chris Paddie fined $105,500 for violating revolving door lobbying law
The Marshall Republican began lobbying less than two years after donating campaign funds to other state lawmakers, according to a Texas Ethics Commission order.
Posted in
Hill Country floods
Heart O’ the Hills summer camp moving away from Guadalupe River after July 4 flood
Heart O’ the Hills Camp for Girls will construct new facilities out of the Guadalupe River floodplain, according to its new operators Elisabeth and John Hay.
