Jason Shoumaker, the law school’s former facilities director, was arrested Thursday. The alleged fraud could involve “several million dollars of questionable expenses,” a source familiar with the probe said.
Shannon Najmabadi
Shannon Najmabadi was a reporter at the Tribune from 2017 to 2021, most recently covering women's health. Her stories — on higher education and other topics — have prompted lawmakers to change three state laws, including one involving a very narrow definition of the word “pickle.” She is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley and Columbia University.
Posted in
Higher Education
The cost of recruiting athletes has doubled at top Texas colleges. At some schools, students help foot the bill.
The growth in spending is happening even at colleges whose sports programs can’t sustain themselves financially.
Posted in
Higher Education
From the Chinese government to the Koch Brothers, outside donors receive scrutiny at Texas universities
Under pressure to keep up with rising expenses, colleges in Texas and across the country have turned to outside groups to underwrite certain initiatives. But bringing in outside funders can lead to questions about whether their donations come with strings attached.
Posted in
Higher Education
As college costs rise, some Texas students go hungry. Will food scholarships help?
Students at many Texas colleges struggle to find enough food to eat — and struggle academically as a result. Houston Community College hopes giving them healthy food will change that.
Posted in
Higher Education
Texas college students: How have rising tuition costs changed the way you live?
To plug a growing gap in their finances, students are making lifestyle sacrifices. We want to hear about how tuition has changed the way you live.
Posted in
Public Education
A teacher says a coworker grabbed her “behind.” The Texas Supreme Court tossed her lawsuit.
The court found that the woman who sued didn’t prove that the female coworker who harassed her was gay, so it’s not clear that the incident constituted “sexually motivated touching.”
Posted in
Higher Education
Lawmakers: Change state law that bars Texans in default on student loans from renewing work licenses
The conservative House Freedom Caucus called for the Legislature to address “head on” a state statute they say impedes Texans’ ability to work and makes it even harder for them to pay back their debt.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Lawmakers weigh changing Texas law that lets rent-to-own stores file criminal charges on customers
The chairman of the House Business & Industry Committee said he was “stunned” to learn there is an obscure law that makes it easy for rent-to-own companies to file criminal charges against customers who fall behind on payments. The committee is looking at changing the law after a joint investigation by The Texas Tribune and NerdWallet.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Thousands of Texans protest for gun control across state in March for Our Lives rallies
“This is a defining moment for our city, our state and our country,” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said at the city’s Tranquility Park Saturday morning, speaking at one of several rallies in Texas that collectively drew tens of thousands of attendees.
Posted in
Higher Education
Departing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson emerges as a potential candidate for UT System chancellor
Tillerson’s exit from the U.S. Department of State was announced less than two weeks ago.
