Latest Contributions

• UT-Austin lecturer arrested and fired after confrontation with police at pro-Palestinian demonstration

  By Annie Xia May 10, 2024

  The lecturer’s lawyer disputes the charges, and the university’s decision to fire him has raised concerns from faculty over free speech protections. Full Story 

• Here’s why UT and A&M are unlikely to divest from Israel

  By María Méndez Updated: May 9, 2024

  Protesting students and staff want to draw attention to public university investments in companies supporting Israel, even if divestment is unlikely in Texas. Full Story 

• Misdemeanor charges filed against photojournalist arrested at UT-Austin protest

  By William Melhado Updated: May 1, 2024

  The FOX 7 employee is accused of hitting a trooper with his camera, but the arrested man told reporters he was pushed and didn’t hit any officer. Full Story 

• Travis County rejects all criminal trespass charges against 57 people arrested at UT-Austin protest

  By Pooja Salhotra and Annie Xia Updated: April 26, 2024

  University officials banned all students arrested from campus, except for “academic reasons.” Full Story 

• Police arrest more than two dozen pro-Palestinian demonstrators on UT-Austin campus amid tense standoff

  By Sneha Dey, Ikram Mohamed, Annie Xia and William Melhado Updated: April 24, 2024

  Gov. Greg Abbott expressed support for the arrests, which come amid tensions on college campuses across the country over the Israel-Hamas war. Full Story 

• Republican North Texas congressional candidates debate Ken Paxton’s impeachment, Ukraine relief funding

  By Annie Xia April 20, 2024

  State Rep. Craig Goldman and construction company owner John O’Shea are in a runoff for the GOP nomination to replace U.S. Rep. Kay Granger Full Story 

• A new Texas law allows schools to hire chaplains as counselors. So far, only one school has opted into the program.

  By Annie Xia April 5, 2024

  Many independent school districts, including the largest ones, do not allow chaplains to serve as counselors, which is now allowed under a new Texas law. Full Story 

• To close or stay open? Ahead of the eclipse, Texas schools weighed logistical hurdles versus learning opportunities

  By Annie Xia April 5, 2024

  Some districts will close for the day expecting traffic jams and busy city services. Others will stay open for parents who can’t find child care. Full Story 

• UT-Austin announces round of firings in latest step to comply with Texas’ DEI ban

  By Annie Xia and Sneha Dey Updated: April 2, 2024

  The firings come after state leaders criticized universities for not doing enough to enforce the ban. Students say UT-Austin has already overcorrected. Full Story 

• State Board of Education again delays discussion on whether to approve new Native studies course

  By Annie Xia Updated: April 4, 2024

  The next opportunity for the board to review the course will not happen until its meeting in June. Full Story