Fines issued to Scott Beard of Abilene’s Fountaingate Fellowship and two pastors follow reporting from ProPublica and The Texas Tribune that revealed the churches donated to his campaign for local office despite state and federal prohibitions.
The Texas Tribune-ProPublica Investigative Unit
The Texas Tribune-ProPublica Investigative Unit uncovers big stories that matter to Texans and the nation, taking aim at corruption, injustice and malfeasance across the state. Read on for the latest stories, and be sure to sign up to get the latest on the people and policies shaping the future of Texas with the Tribune’s weekday newsletter.
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Investigations
After decades of lobbying by Christian conservative donors, school voucher legislation may finally have the votes
Gov. Greg Abbott succeeded in his campaign against Republicans who defied him on school vouchers. Now he may finally get the votes he needs to pass a bill.
Posted in
Investigations
How Ken Paxton is stretching the boundaries of consumer protection laws to pursue political targets
The attorney general repeatedly uses laws meant to protect against fraudulent or deceptive practices to target hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and LGBTQ+ groups.
Posted in
Investigations
Here are the organizations that Ken Paxton targeted using consumer protection laws
Attorneys general have increasingly used their power to pursue investigations targeting organizations whose work conflicts with their political views. Paxton is among the most aggressive.
Watch a conversation on the U.S.-Mexico border and the election
In a virtual event held in partnership with ProPublica, we discussed landmark federal policy shifts that precipitated last year’s deadly Juárez detention center fire, and how immigration is shaping the presidential election.
Posted in
Investigations
Texas appeals court orders dismissal of lawsuit against Texas Tribune, ProPublica
The court ruled that MRG Medical filed its lawsuit against the news organizations past the statute of limitations.
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Investigations
Help ProPublica and The Texas Tribune report on your community’s school board and bond elections
We want to hear about how heated elections affect the people learning, teaching and living in districts across Texas.
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Investigations
A GOP Texas school board member campaigned against schools indoctrinating kids. Then she read the curriculum.
Courtney Gore, a Granbury ISD school board member, has disavowed the far-right platform she campaigned on. Her defiance has brought her backlash.
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Investigations
Former far-right hard-liner says pro-voucher billionaires are using school board races to sow distrust in public education
The largesse from billionaires Tim Dunn and brothers Farris and Dan Wilks has made its way into local politics. Courtney Gore, a Republican school board member in Granbury, says it’s part of their strategy to build support for vouchers.
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T-Squared
The Texas Tribune has been named a Pulitzer Prize finalist for the first time
Alongside partners ProPublica and FRONTLINE, the Tribune was recognized in the explanatory reporting category for our investigative coverage of the 2022 Uvalde school shooting.