https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/kate-mcgee/The latest news by Kate McGee.enTue, 14 Oct 2025 18:12:30 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/14/sid-miller-usda-texas-new-world-screwworm/The federal agency accused Miller of disregarding proven strategies to combat the parasitic pest “in favor of clickbait publicity stunts.”By Kate McGeeTue, 14 Oct 2025 18:12:30 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/14/sid-miller-usda-texas-new-world-screwworm/Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller speaks to press during a Trump Rally at Million Air in Austin on Oct. 25, 2024.Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller speaks to press during a Trump Rally at Million Air in Austin on Oct. 25, 2024.Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/14/brian-harrison-texas-a-m-gender-social-media-higher-education/State Rep. Brian Harrison has been on a crusade against Texas universities, scouring course catalogs and university websites for examples of “gender ideology” or LGBTQ+ curriculum, and riling up his X followers about “liberal indoctrination” on campuses.By Kate McGee and Kayla GuoTue, 14 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/14/brian-harrison-texas-a-m-gender-social-media-higher-education/State Rep. Brian Harrison, R-Midlothian, in his office at the state Capitol in Austin on Sept. 29, 2025State Rep. Brian Harrison, R-Midlothian, in his office at the state Capitol in Austin on Sept. 29, 2025.Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/29/sid-miller-dei-letter-university-of-texas/In May 2023, Miller wrote a letter urging university leaders to reconsider admitting a student whom he described as a “biracial Latina,” who was also the daughter of his political associate.By Kate McGeeMon, 29 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/29/sid-miller-dei-letter-university-of-texas/Sid Miller, state agriculture commissioner, speaks during a Make America Great Rally on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, at the Burleson County Expo Center in Caldwell.Sid Miller, state agriculture commissioner, speaks during a Make America Great Rally on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, at the Burleson County Expo Center in Caldwell.Olivia Anderson/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/19/texas-a-m-welsh-firing-professor-gender-mccoul/Officials have struggled to detail the exact reasons for the A&M professor’s termination, citing a technical issue with her course description. Faculty say the move was politically motivated.By Jessica Priest, Nicholas Gutteridge and Kate McGeeFri, 19 Sep 2025 12:32:32 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/19/texas-a-m-welsh-firing-professor-gender-mccoul/Classroom 466, where former professor Melissa McCoul taught her ENGL 360: Literature for Children class, inside the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at Texas A&M University on Sept. 18, 2025 in College Station.Room 466 inside the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at Texas A&M University, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in College Station. (Antranik Tavitian for The Texas Tribune)Antranik Tavitian for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/28/jodey-arrington-brandon-creighton-texas-tech-chancellor/Arrington represents Lubbock in Congress. Creighton is a longtime state lawmaker.By Kate McGee, Gabby Birenbaum and Jessica PriestThu, 28 Aug 2025 16:51:32 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/28/jodey-arrington-brandon-creighton-texas-tech-chancellor/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/25/texas-agriculture-department-todd-smith-sid-miller-hemp-licenses/Todd Smith was Miller’s longtime political consultant when he admitted to soliciting bribes for licenses the agency typically issues for $100. Miller then put him on the payroll at $218,000 per year.By Kate McGeeMon, 25 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/25/texas-agriculture-department-todd-smith-sid-miller-hemp-licenses/Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller speaks during a Make America Great Rally at the Burleson County Expo Center in Caldwell on Aug. 1, 2024.Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller speaks during a Make America Great Rally at the Burleson County Expo Center in Caldwell on Aug. 1, 2024.Olivia Anderson/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/14/alex-fairly-texas-republican-party-censures-primary-ballot/The Amarillo businessman said he would tap into the $20 million political action committee he launched last year to preserve ballot access for censured Republicans.By Kate McGee and Renzo DowneyFri, 15 Aug 2025 08:32:31 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/14/alex-fairly-texas-republican-party-censures-primary-ballot/Alex Fairly attends a board of directors meeting for the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation on Monday, April 21, 2025, in Amarillo.Alex Fairly attends a board of directors meeting for the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation on Monday, April 21, 2025, in Amarillo.Eli Hartman for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/11/texas-redistricting-map-vote-senate/Democrats' absence has halted work in the Texas House, which must also approve the new boundaries, for more than a week.By Ayden Runnels and Kate McGeeTue, 12 Aug 2025 12:38:31 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/11/texas-redistricting-map-vote-senate/The Texas Senate approved new congressional boundaries Tuesday as House Democrats stayed away from Austin, paralyzing the lower chamber from approving the maps ordered up by President Donald Trump.A newly released redistricting map of Texas is visible on a laptop during a Senate session on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/31/sid-miller-hemp-dea-texas-marijuana-gummies/Miller denies wrongdoing after allegations surfaced during an investigation into one of his aides, who pled guilty to bribery. The agriculture commissioner has not been charged with a crime.By Kate McGeeThu, 31 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/31/sid-miller-hemp-dea-texas-marijuana-gummies/Sid Miller, state agriculture commissioner, speaks during a Make America Great Rally on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, at the Burleson County Expo Center in Caldwell.Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller speaks to press during a Trump Rally at Million Air in Austin on Oct. 25, 2024.Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/06/texas-gop-in-state-tuition-undocumented-students/In 2001, Texas Republicans saw expanding college access for certain undocumented students as a way to build an educated workforce. Now, some GOP lawmakers feel only U.S. citizens should receive those benefits.By Kate McGeeFri, 06 Jun 2025 12:30:31 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/06/texas-gop-in-state-tuition-undocumented-students/Gov. Rick Perry delivers his State of the State speech to a joint session of the Texas Legislature on Feb. 12, 2003.Governor Rick Perry delivers his State of the State speech to a joint session of the Texas Legislature on Feb. 12, 2003.Bob Daemmrichhttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/02/ethics-lawsuit-michael-quinn-sullivan-supreme-court/Former Empower Texans leader Michael Quinn Sullivan has challenged a $10,000 fine from the Texas Ethics Commission for failure to register as a lobbyist for more than 10 years at nearly every level of the state court system.By Kate McGeeMon, 02 Jun 2025 10:14:12 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/02/ethics-lawsuit-michael-quinn-sullivan-supreme-court/Publisher of Texas Scorecard Michael Quinn Sullivan speaks during the Texas GOP Convention Thursday, May 23, 2024 in San Antonio.Publisher of Texas Scorecard Michael Quinn Sullivan speaks during the Texas GOP Convention Thursday, May 23, 2024 in San Antonio.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/28/texas-legislature-ethics-bills-campaign-lobbying/Lawmakers filed dozens of bills that would increase transparency around spending in elections and strengthen penalties for campaign and lobbying violations. None are poised to pass.By Kate McGeeWed, 28 May 2025 11:31:58 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/28/texas-legislature-ethics-bills-campaign-lobbying/Members work to get bills in by deadline on the House floor on May 15, 2025. May 15 was the final day for the House to file bills, with the hard deadline at midnight.Members work to get bills in by deadline on the House floor on May 15, 2025. May 15 was the final day for the House to file bills, with the hard deadline at midnight.Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/14/texas-campaign-finance-limits-legislature-out-of-state-donations/The bill would cap out-of-state political donations to a candidate or lawmaker to $5,000 for a statewide election, $2,500 for a district office and $1,000 for a county office.By Kate McGeeWed, 14 May 2025 17:02:07 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/14/texas-campaign-finance-limits-legislature-out-of-state-donations/The Texas Capitol in Austin on Oct. 19, 2021.The Texas Capitol in Austin on Oct. 19, 2021.Evan L'Roy for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/12/alex-fairly-texas-house-tim-dunn-takeaways-republican/Texas’ newest Republican megadonor Alex Fairly got a look under the hood of Texas’ far-right political machine, and didn’t like what he saw. Here are six takeaways from his exclusive interview with The Texas Tribune.By Kate McGeeMon, 12 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/12/alex-fairly-texas-house-tim-dunn-takeaways-republican/Alex Fairly attends a board of directors meeting for the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation on Monday, April 21, 2025, in Amarillo. Fairly is the latest GOP megadonor to the Texas Legislature.Alex Fairly attends a board of directors meeting for the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation on Monday, April 21, 2025, in Amarillo.Eli Hartman for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/08/alex-fairly-texas-republican-donor-tim-dunn-texas-house/Fairly, an Amarillo businessman, backed many candidates aligned with conservative West Texas billionaire Tim Dunn’s political operation in 2024. Now he’s disavowing what he says are dishonest and aggressive campaign tactics while pondering his path forward.By Kate McGee, Graphics by Carla AstudilloThu, 08 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/08/alex-fairly-texas-republican-donor-tim-dunn-texas-house/Alex Fairly speaks to Amarillo residents about an economic development project in the Texas Panhandle, during a Conservative Patriots 4 Texas PAC meeting on Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Amarillo. Fairly is a new GOP megadonor backing Republican candidates in the Texas Legislature.Alex Fairly speaks to Amarillo residents during a Conservative Patriots 4 Texas meeting on Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Amarillo.Eli Hartman for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/30/texas-house-ai-ethics-political-ads-fakes-speech/The bill faced fierce opposition from hardline conservatives who say it is policing speech and could allow the state to jail people over silly political memes.By Kate McGeeWed, 30 Apr 2025 16:03:12 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/30/texas-house-ai-ethics-political-ads-fakes-speech/State Rep. and former House Speaker Dade Phelan talks with supporters on May 28, 2024 outside of a runoff polling location in Beaumont.State Rep. and former House Speaker Dade Phelan talks with supporters on May 28, 2024 outside of a runoff polling location in Beaumont.Mark Felix for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/25/republicans-texas-house-calendar-democrats/After Republicans and Democrats fight over the budget and constitutional amendments, GOP members stake out a new battlefield.By Kate McGee and Renzo DowneyFri, 25 Apr 2025 15:14:54 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/25/republicans-texas-house-calendar-democrats/In the Texas House of Representatives, Democrats have maneuvered to frustrate elements of the Republican agenda. Republicans pushed back by blocking a series of Democratic measures that usually attract little opposition.Members of the Texas House of Representatives on the House floor on April 10, 2025.Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/14/houston-police-ICE-deportation-orders/The new guidance comes after ICE added 700,000 individuals with deportation orders to a national crime database that law enforcement uses to track warrants.By Kate McGeeFri, 14 Mar 2025 21:55:48 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/14/houston-police-ICE-deportation-orders/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/27/dan-patrick-texas-legislature-higher-education-cut-dei/At a public event last week, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said higher ed would get less funding if they don’t “kick DEI out of their schools,” a few weeks after lawmakers proposed a massive cut to public universities.By Kate McGeeThu, 27 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/27/dan-patrick-texas-legislature-higher-education-cut-dei/The Academic Building at Texas A&M University in College Station on Aug. 18, 2023.The Academic Building at Texas A&M University in College Station on Aug. 18, 2023.Meredith Seaver for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/23/texas-am-system-chancellor-search/Sources indicate the board has narrowed its search to five candidates: Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar, U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, Texas A&M Foundation President Tyson Voelkel, University of Alabama President Stuart Bell and state Rep. Trent Ashby, R-Lufkin.By Kate McGee and Jessica PriestSun, 23 Feb 2025 14:46:21 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/23/texas-am-system-chancellor-search/The Texas A&M University campus on June 15, 2020 in College Station.The Texas A&M University campus on June 15, 2020 in College Station.Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribune