Latest Contributions

• Texas fire departments are fighting stigma and pushing to provide firefighters mental health help

  By Stephen Simpson Nov. 27, 2023

  Department leaders say they recognize that post-traumatic stress and other mental health issues are among the biggest dangers of the job. Full Story 

• Convicted murderer Scott Panetti isn’t sane enough to be executed, federal judge rules

  By Stephen Simpson Sept. 28, 2023

  Panetti murdered his in-laws in 1992. The U.S. Supreme Court in 2007 set new court precedent with his case, raising the bar on the constitutional restriction against executing the insane. Full Story 

• Nonprofit drug treatment center for low-income Texas teens shutters amid opioid crisis

  By Karen Brooks Harper and Stephen Simpson Sept. 27, 2023

  Phoenix House is the latest casualty in an escalating funding crisis for Texas treatment centers as the state struggles with startling increases in overdose deaths, particularly among young people. Full Story 

• Texas inmate killed by cellmate during a statewide prison lockdown

  By Stephen Simpson Updated: Sept. 21, 2023

  The killing of inmate Billy Chemirmir in the Coffield Unit occurred during a statewide lockdown of prisons, promoted by a rise in inmate homicides. A day before the lockdown, another incident at the same prison resulted in the firings of seven correctional officers and the resignations of another six. Full Story 

• Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo extends mental health leave

  By Stephen Simpson Sept. 14, 2023

  The county’s top elected official will be discharged from a mental health facility this weekend and plans to return to work on Oct. 2 after two weeks of outpatient therapy. Full Story 

• Texas prison system issues statewide lockdown to combat illegal drugs, inmate violence

  By Stephen Simpson Sept. 6, 2023

  The state has canceled all visits to Texas prison inmates until a comprehensive search of all 100 correctional facilities for contraband has been completed. Full Story 

• Will Texas’ new fentanyl awareness curriculum for public schools succeed where other anti-drug messaging failed?

  By Stephen Simpson Aug. 23, 2023

  Historically, anti-drug messaging in schools has failed to acknowledge the mental health reasons that youth self-medicate. Without that key lesson, advocates worry House Bill 3908 will be another D.A.R.E. campaign. Full Story 

• University of Texas at Austin and MD Anderson Cancer Center will partner to create a new $2.5 billion hospital

  By Stephen Simpson Aug. 14, 2023

  The new medical facility, to be located in downtown Austin, will help expand the University of Texas System’s reputed cancer center outside of the Houston area. Full Story 

• Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo takes leave of absence to treat depression

  By Joshua Fechter and Stephen Simpson Aug. 7, 2023

  Hidalgo said she was diagnosed with the condition last month and aims to return to her post in September. More people across the country have been diagnosed with the condition since the COVID-19 pandemic. Full Story 

• A&M faculty leaders decry “appearance of outside influence” in botched hiring of journalism professor

  By Stephen Simpson July 14, 2023

  The university announced the hiring of Kathleen McElroy, a Black former New York Times journalist, but later backtracked on its offer amid conservative pushback. Full Story