https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/lomi-kriel/The latest news by Lomi Kriel.enMon, 11 Aug 2025 22:31:56 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/11/uvalde-new-records-media-lawsuit-texas/Local records released this week — after a yearslong lawsuit —affirm previous reporting about law enforcement’s flawed response to Texas’ deadliest school shooting.By Lomi Kriel, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica, and Alex Nguyen and Paul Cobler, The Texas TribuneMon, 11 Aug 2025 22:31:56 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/11/uvalde-new-records-media-lawsuit-texas/Hundreds of flowers, toys, and candles surround the crosses in memorial of the 21 victims of the Robb Elementary school shooting at Robb Elementary in 2022.Hundreds of flowers, toys, and candles surround the crosses in memorial of the 21 victims of the school shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, on June 9, 2022.Evan L'Roy for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/21/texas-hill-country-flooding-inaction-state-legislature/Texas lawmakers’ inaction on flood prevention often hits rural and economically disadvantaged communities the hardest, experts said.By Lexi Churchill and Lomi Kriel, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica, Research by Misty Harris, The Texas Tribune and ProPublicaMon, 21 Jul 2025 13:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/21/texas-hill-country-flooding-inaction-state-legislature/Community members add flowers to a memorial on July 9 honoring victims of the flood in Kerrville.Photos and flowers hang on a fence as a memorial to flood victims.Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/05/texas-e-verify-requirements-immigration/Texas’ conservative Legislature has again and again refused to mandate that most private businesses use E-Verify. Experts say that Republican resistance is rooted in how the system could impact the state’s labor supply and economy.By Lomi Kriel, The Texas Tribune and ProPublicaThu, 05 Jun 2025 11:15:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/05/texas-e-verify-requirements-immigration/Republican state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, center, proposed a bill this session that would have required all Texas employers to use E-Verify, a federal computer program that checks a worker’s authorization status. Several Republican states require that private companies use the system. Gov. Greg Abbott, left, has frequently positioned Texas as harsher on immigration than many of those states, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, right, as a senator unsuccessfully pushed legislation to hold employers accountable for hiring immigrants here illegally. But neither has made E-Verify a legislative priority.A photo illustration showing Texas politicians superimposed against images of immigration documents and construction work, in a pattern that mimics torn paper, in green, orange, and black and white.Photo illustration by Emily Scherer for The Texas Tribune and ProPublica. Source images: The Texas Tribune, Reuters and public documents.https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/14/office-of-refugee-resettlement-immigration-enforcement-trump/The Office of Refugee Resettlement’s welfare mission appears to be undergoing a stark transformation as President Donald Trump seeks to ramp up deportation numbers, current and former officials told The Texas Tribune and ProPublica.By Lomi Kriel, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica, and Mica Rosenberg, ProPublicaWed, 14 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/14/office-of-refugee-resettlement-immigration-enforcement-trump/A Venezuelan father and his son outside their apartment in San Antonio, where they say they were visited by federal immigration enforcement agents who claimed that they needed to check if the boy was safe.A Venezuelan father and his son outside their apartment in San Antonio, where they say they were visited by federal immigration enforcement agents who claimed that they needed to check if the boy was safe.Chris Lee for The Texas Tribune and ProPublicahttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/19/trump-refugee-executive-order-afghan-allies/Trump’s executive orders have blocked entrance to the country for thousands of Afghans, including those who worked with the U.S. military and their relatives. Two brothers hope permission comes quickly for their sister and her husband, who they say are in danger.By Lomi Kriel, The Texas Tribune and ProPublicaWed, 19 Feb 2025 15:15:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/19/trump-refugee-executive-order-afghan-allies/An Afghan American member of the Army Reserve, shown at his home in Houston, Texas, resettled in the U.S. with his brother as the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. Their sister can’t join them because her entry has been blocked by Trump’s executive order on refugees.A man in camo uniform looks down and pulls the brim of his hat low. His face is out of focus.Annie Mulligan for ProPublica and The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/04/trump-medicaid-cuts-texas-residents/State leaders have shown a decadeslong antipathy toward the health insurance program. If Trump makes severe reductions, it’s unlikely leaders would have the political will to make up any lost federal funds with state money, experts say.By Lomi Kriel and Jessica Priest, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica, Data reporting by Dan Keemahill, The Texas Tribune and ProPublicaWed, 04 Dec 2024 10:30:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/04/trump-medicaid-cuts-texas-residents/A hospital bedMaria Crane for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/08/uvalde-school-shooting-videos-released-lawsuit/The new videos largely affirm prior reporting and investigations that detailed law enforcement’s failures to confront the gunman who killed 19 children and two teachers.By Lomi Kriel and Lexi Churchill, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica, and Zach Despart, Terri Langford and Pooja Salhotra, The Texas TribuneTue, 08 Oct 2024 11:36:54 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/08/uvalde-school-shooting-videos-released-lawsuit/Previously released video shows officers gathered in the hallway of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. A gunman killed 19 students and two teachers in May 2022.Previously released video shows officers gathered in the hallway of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde.Obtained by The Texas Tribune and ProPublicahttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/26/texas-medicaid-unwinding-consequences/Texas officials acknowledged some errors after they stripped Medicaid coverage from more than 2 million people, most of them children. A ProPublica and Texas Tribune review of records shows that these mistakes and others were preventable.By Eleanor Klibanoff, The Texas Tribune, and Lomi Kriel, The Texas Tribune and ProPublicaThu, 26 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/26/texas-medicaid-unwinding-consequences/Micaela Hoops with her children at their home in Sherman. Hoops’ three sons lost insurance after she misunderstood the state’s deadline and failed to submit their renewal for the first time in three years. When the North Texas mother discovered her error, she frantically reapplied, putting her children at the back of an ever-lengthening waitlist.Micaela Hoops with her children at their home in Sherman, Texas. Hoops’ three sons lost insurance after she misunderstood the state’s deadline and failed to submit their renewal for the first time in three years. When the North Texas mother discovered her error, she frantically reapplied, putting her children at the back of an ever-lengthening waitlist.Danielle Villasana for ProPublica and the Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/14/uvalde-shooting-police-footage/Chief Homer Delgado said the department has turned over the footage to the district attorney’s office and ordered an investigation into how the error occurred.By Zach Despart, The Texas Tribune, and Lomi Kriel, The Texas Tribune and ProPublicaWed, 14 Aug 2024 09:36:02 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/14/uvalde-shooting-police-footage/Robb Elementary School in Uvalde.Robb Elementary in Uvalde, on July 11, 2022.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/10/uvalde-school-shooting-records-release-lawsuit/The city’s release ends a legal battle with news outlets, but other government agencies are withholding materials.By Lomi Kriel and Lexi Churchill, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica, and Zach Despart, Terri Langford and Kayla Guo, The Texas TribuneSat, 10 Aug 2024 12:37:21 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/10/uvalde-school-shooting-records-release-lawsuit/Authorities gather outside of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde after a gunman entered and killed 19 students and two teachers on May 24, 2022.Authorities gather outside of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde after a gunman entered and killed 19 students and two teachers on May 24, 2022.Courtesy of Pete Luna/Uvalde Leader-Newshttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/29/uvalde-shooting-investigations-status-personnel-changes/As a grand jury considers whether any law enforcement officers are criminally charged for their inaction during the Robb Elementary shooting, some families say they feel they’ve been let down and betrayed by elected officials.By Lexi Churchill and Lomi Kriel, The Texas Tribune and ProPublicaFri, 29 Mar 2024 11:20:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/29/uvalde-shooting-investigations-status-personnel-changes/A copy of the Department of Justice’s review of law enforcement officers’ actions at Robb Elementary School.Copy of the Department of Justice's Critical Incident Review Active Shooter at Robb Elementary School, at the Herby Ham Activity Centerin Uvalde on Jan. 18, 2024.Chris Stokes for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/08/active-shooter-training-schools-law-enforcement/No states mandate annual active shooter training for police officers, according to an analysis by The Texas Tribune, ProPublica and FRONTLINE. In comparison, at least 37 states require such training in schools, typically on a yearly basis.By Lexi Churchill and Lomi Kriel, The Texas Tribune and ProPublicaThu, 08 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/08/active-shooter-training-schools-law-enforcement/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/18/uvalde-school-shooting-federal-investigation-police-response/U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said that had responding officers followed general procedures, some victims would have survived.By Lomi Kriel, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica, Alejandro Serrano, The Texas Tribune, and Lexi Churchill, The Texas Tribune and ProPublicaThu, 18 Jan 2024 09:33:37 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/18/uvalde-school-shooting-federal-investigation-police-response/Students flee after a gunman entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde on May 24, 2022.Students flee and authorities help others evacuate after a gunman entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde on May 24, 2022.Courtesy of Pete Luna/Uvalde Leader-Newshttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/27/police-reponse-mass-shooting-reports-questions/A lack of national standards leads to wide variability in after-action examinations of law enforcement’s response, ProPublica, The Texas Tribune and FRONTLINE found.By Lexi Churchill and Lomi Kriel, The Texas Tribune and ProPublicaWed, 27 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/27/police-reponse-mass-shooting-reports-questions/After-action reports can vary widely in what they examine and what information they release because there is no national standard for how they should be conducted.After-action reports can vary widely in what they examine and what information they release because there is no national standard for how they should be conducted.Compilation image by The Texas Tribune and ProPublicahttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/05/uvalde-officer-student-trainings-mass-shootings/Across the country, states require more training to prepare students and teachers for mass shootings than for those expected to protect them. The differences were clear in Uvalde, where children and officers waited on opposite sides of the door.By Lomi Kriel and Lexi Churchill, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica, and Jinitzail Hernández, The Texas TribuneTue, 05 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/05/uvalde-officer-student-trainings-mass-shootings/Collage by ProPublica. Body camera stills obtained by ProPublica and The Texas TribuneCollage by ProPublica. Body camera stills obtained by ProPublica and The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2022/12/20/uvalde-medical-response/Previously unreleased video, audio and interviews show for the first time how the medical response faltered after police finally confronted the Robb Elementary shooter.By Zach Despart, Lomi Kriel, Alejandro Serrano, Joyce Sohyun Lee, Arelis R. Hernández, Sarah Cahlan, Imogen Piper and Uriel J. GarcíaTue, 20 Dec 2022 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2022/12/20/uvalde-medical-response/The scene outside Robb Elementary School minutes after officers killed the shooter who had been occupying two adjoining classrooms.Helicopter footage gathered by the Texas Rangers and obtained by The Texas Tribune, The Washington Post and ProPublica. Graphics by Imogen Piper/The Washington Posthttps://www.texastribune.org/2022/11/01/uvalde-911-dispatch-recordings/Audio obtained by The Texas Tribune and ProPublica shows just how long police and dispatchers likely knew that children and teachers were in danger before taking action at Robb Elementary School.By Lomi Kriel, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica, and Zach Despart, Alejandro Serrano and Roxanna Asgarian, The Texas TribuneTue, 01 Nov 2022 18:45:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2022/11/01/uvalde-911-dispatch-recordings/At 12:33 p.m. May 24, exactly an hour after the gunman entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, a group of unidentified police officers began advancing toward the classrooms where he had trapped more than 30 students and teachers. But after one officer said “no, no, no,” they stopped. That moment exemplified the overall failed law enforcement response.At 12:33 p.m. May 24, exactly an hour after the gunman entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, a group of unidentified police officers began advancing toward the classrooms where he had trapped more than 30 students and teachers. But after one officer said “no, no, no,” they stopped. That moment exemplified the overall failed law enforcement response.State trooper body camera footage obtained by The Texas Tribune and ProPublicahttps://www.texastribune.org/2022/10/21/dps-state-trooper-uvalde-response-fired/Department of Public Safety Sgt. Juan Maldonado is the first state police officer fired in the aftermath of a botched police response to the shooting. He was the highest-ranking state trooper to initially respond to Robb Elementary School.By Zach Despart and William Melhado, The Texas Tribune, and Lomi Kriel, The Texas Tribune and ProPublicaFri, 21 Oct 2022 19:08:40 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2022/10/21/dps-state-trooper-uvalde-response-fired/Hundreds of flowers, toys and candles surround a memorial in June for the 21 victims killed in the Robb Elementary shooting in Uvalde.Hundreds of flowers, toys, and candles surround the crosses in memorial of the 21 victims of the school shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, on June 9, 2022.Evan L'Roy for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2022/09/06/texas-state-police-uvalde-shooting/State troopers outnumbered local law enforcement 2-to-1 outside Robb Elementary, but the Department of Public Safety has blocked the release of records and carefully shaped the narrative to cast local authorities as incompetent.By Lomi Kriel, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica, and Zach Despart, The Texas TribuneTue, 06 Sep 2022 19:40:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2022/09/06/texas-state-police-uvalde-shooting/A Texas Department of Public Safety officer, right, watches as a family looks toward the back door of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde on May 30. A shooting at the school on May 24 left 19 students and two teachers dead.A family looks over a chain-link fence towards the back door of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde on May 30, 2022. The 18-year-old gunman entered through this door and opened fire on a classroom, killing 19 students and two teachers.Kaylee Greenlee Beal for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2022/07/20/texas-postpartum-medicaid-abortion/Greg Abbott claimed Texas provides expectant mothers “necessary resources so that they can choose life for their child,” but it is now one of a dwindling number of states not to offer Medicaid coverage for a full year after residents give birth.By Lomi Kriel, The Texas Tribune and ProPublicaWed, 20 Jul 2022 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2022/07/20/texas-postpartum-medicaid-abortion/Connie Bunch with her 6-month-old son Aiden in her home in Austin on July 6.Connie Bunch with her 6-month-old son Aiden in her home in Austin, Texas, on July 6.Montinique Monroe for ProPublica/The Texas Tribune