A program started in Hawaii that closely oversees criminal offenders’ probation periods is starting a test run in Texas. The experiment, which is getting federal funds, will help determine how the program translates to the mainland.
Emily Foxhall
Emily Foxhall is The Texas Tribune's climate reporter. She joined the Tribune as an energy reporter in December 2022, focused on the state’s transition to green energy and the reliability of the power grid. She completed a year-long Knight Science Journalism Fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in May 2025. Emily is based in Houston, where she grew up. After a stint as a Tribune student intern in 2012, she began her career at the Los Angeles Times and its community papers. She later worked at the Houston Chronicle where her environmental reporting uncovered the effects of climate change and pollution on the region. She won several Texas Managing Editors awards and was part of the 2017 team that was named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for breaking news coverage of Hurricane Harvey. Emily graduated from Yale University in 2013, where she studied English and was a Yale Journalism Scholar.
Posted inState Government
Interactive Map: Texas DPS Office Locations
If preclearance for the state’s voter ID law is granted, the state has promised to issue free “election identification certificates,” forms of photo ID for use only in voting. But some argue that Texas voters could have a tough time reaching the Department of Public Safety offices to get those IDs. Take a look for yourself at our map of the all the DPS driver’s license offices in Texas.
Posted in
Energy
Legislators Hone Question of Eminent Domain
The Texas House Committee for Land and Resource Management heard testimony Monday regarding the use of eminent domain by oil and gas companies to build on private land for what they say is the public good.
Posted in
Health care
At Capitol, Protesters Criticize Perry’s Medicaid Announcement
About 150 Texans gathered in front of Gov. Rick Perry’s Capitol office on Tuesday to protest his announcement that Texas would not expand Medicaid or establish a health insurance exchange.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
New Facility is Haven for Victims of Sex Trafficking
Freedom Place, outside of Houston, is Texas’ first privately run safe house that provides long-term housing for American girls who are victims of sex trafficking.
Posted inState Government
Updated: Testimony Ends in Voter ID Trial, But Decision Could Be Far Off
Testimony in the federal court trial over Texas’ voter ID law ended Friday, but a decision on the law requiring a photo ID to cast a ballot may be far off.
Posted inState Government
Political Newcomer Challenges Rep. Hopson in New Territory
After his district was redrawn, state Rep. Chuck Hopson is defending himself against a first-time candidate who is making hay out of the longtime legislator’s switch to the Republican Party.
Posted inState Government
Old Arguments Rehashed as Voter ID Trial Begins
Opening arguments were made and witnesses testified Monday in a five-day trial pitting Texas against the federal government in a showdown over the state’s voter ID law.
Posted in
Transportation
TxDOT Releases First Rural Transportation Plan
TxDOT released the state’s first transportation plan for rural areas last week, intending it as a “blueprint” for future transportation projects and services in rural areas through 2035.
Posted in
Energy
Former EPA Official Al Armendariz Joining Sierra Club
Two months after Al Armendariz resigned from his post as a Texas-based regional director for the Environmental Protection Agency, the Sierra Club has announced that Armendariz is joining its “Beyond Coal” campaign.
