https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/sofia-sorochinskaia/The latest news by Sofia Sorochinskaia.enThu, 12 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/12/texas-parental-rights-bills/Advocates say the bills will give parents more power over their children’s schools. Critics say they don’t give parents anything they didn’t already have and will only strain their relationship with teachers.By Sofia SorochinskaiaThu, 12 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/12/texas-parental-rights-bills/Rachel Preston, a French teacher, at the Texas Capitol on May 23, 2025. Preston said new bills that aim to give parents more power to shape their public schools incorrectly assume teachers are trying to indoctrinate children. She worries that some topics she teaches could be misunderstood or taken out of context under the new legislation.Rachel Preston, a French teacher, at the state Capitol on Friday, May 23, 2025.Julia Zeddies for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/03/texas-legislature-recap-public-education/An agenda driven by conservative priorities, schools’ financial duress and teacher needs led to an $8.5 billion boost, new discipline rules, more Christianity in classrooms and a DEI ban.By Jaden Edison, Sneha Dey and Sofia SorochinskaiaTue, 03 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/03/texas-legislature-recap-public-education/During this year's legislative session, Texas lawmakers approved proposals that will create a private school voucher program, inject $8.5 billion into public education, give schools more flexibility to discipline students, expand religion's presence in the classroom, ban DEI initiatives and prohibit students from using their cellphones during the school day.JoMeka Gray teaches a class of kindergarteners at Kennedy-Powell Elementary in Temple on April 17, 2025.Ilana Panich-Linsman for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/31/texas-house-tempers-flare-gay-club-ban/Tensions flared and the debate turned personal as Republicans said their bill empowered parents and denied predictions that the ban will endanger children.By Sofia SorochinskaiaSat, 31 May 2025 20:26:17 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/31/texas-house-tempers-flare-gay-club-ban/The legislation is aimed in part at pride events at high schools, where students find supportive stickers, flags and buttons.Pride flags, stickers and masks, pronoun buttons and other merch are handed out at the AISD "Pride Out!" Party in the Park event at Eastside Early College High School in Austin on March 26, 2022.Lauren Witte/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/30/texas-public-school-cellphone-ban/Research shows cellphones interfere with students' ability to focus in class. Texas would join at least nine other states that ban students from using their phones during the school day.By Sofia SorochinskaiaFri, 30 May 2025 19:36:16 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/30/texas-public-school-cellphone-ban/A bill that would prohibit K-12 students from using cellphones during the school day is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk.Nimitz Middle School students line up to enter their next class Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 in Odessa.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/28/89th-legislature-texas-future/Policy experts discussed a new school funding bill, a $20 billion package to keep up with water demand and the state’s energy fund.By Joshua Fechter and Sofia SorochinskaiaWed, 28 May 2025 14:58:27 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/28/89th-legislature-texas-future/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/27/ronnie-dugger-texas-observer-obituary/Dugger launched the Observer, a fixture of the Texas media landscape known for its decidedly progressive lens to state affairs, in 1954.By Sofia SorochinskaiaTue, 27 May 2025 18:42:07 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/27/ronnie-dugger-texas-observer-obituary/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/24/texas-dei-ban-schools-senate-bill-12/Senate Bill 12’s supporters say DEI programs use class time and public funds to promote political agendas.By Sofia SorochinskaiaSun, 25 May 2025 00:34:13 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/24/texas-dei-ban-schools-senate-bill-12/Passing period at United South High School in LaredoPassing period at United South High School in Laredo.Rachel Zein for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/23/texas-thc-austin-hemp-store/A bill that would make it illegal to sell THC products could soon head over to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. For a cannabis store employee, lawmakers don't know enough about the industry they're trying to shut down.By Sofia Sorochinskaia and Laura DuclosFri, 23 May 2025 17:12:09 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/23/texas-thc-austin-hemp-store/CBD products sit on display at Sweet Sensi, a cannabis shop five blocks away from the Texas Capitol in Austin on May 22, 2025. Stores like Sweet Sensi are bracing for a ban on THC products inching closer to being approved by the Texas Legislature.Topical CBD products sit on display at Sweet Sensi, a THC shop five blocks away from the Capitol in Austin, Texas, on May 22, 2025.Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/20/texas-life-monument-capitol/Approval of the monument comes as the lower chamber prepares to debate the “Life of the Mother Act” bill later this week.By Sofia SorochinskaiaTue, 20 May 2025 18:13:13 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/20/texas-life-monument-capitol/If installed on the grounds of the Capitol, the Texas Life Monument would be a replicate of the National Life Monument, which depicts a woman and an child.A rendering of the National Life Monument, which will be installed facing the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C. Replicas are planned for all 50 states.National Life Monument websitehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/13/texas-dei-ban-k-12/Conservative lawmakers say DEI efforts are discriminatory and push liberal ideologies on children. Critics point to research showing a diverse teacher body helps students succeed academically.By Sofia SorochinskaiaTue, 13 May 2025 19:58:05 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/13/texas-dei-ban-k-12/The Texas House Public Education Committee on Tuesday discussed a bill that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion practices in the state's public schools.Instructor's Aid, Nicole Johnson, walks JoAnn Zavala's pre-K students down the hall to music class, their first "specials" visit for the day, on Sept. 5, 2019.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/13/texas-legislature-public-education/Student discipline, uncertified teachers and school bans on DEI and cellphones are some of the topics being debated at the Texas Legislature this session.By Sofia SorochinskaiaTue, 13 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/13/texas-legislature-public-education/Texas lawmakers' public education agenda for this year's legislative session goes beyond school vouchers and school finance. Legislation still under consideration includes a ban on DEI initiatives in K-12 schools and a bill that would require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in classrooms.A classroom at Kennedy-Powell Elementary in Temple on April 17, 2025.Ilana Panich-Linsman for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/09/texas-attorney-general-judgment-pollution-skull-creek/A Texas business illegally dumped industrial waste into Skull Creek in Colorado County six years ago, then residents complained to the attorney general’s office.By Sofia SorochinskaiaFri, 09 May 2025 15:16:11 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/09/texas-attorney-general-judgment-pollution-skull-creek/Earthen dams separate black water (top) from muddy water (bottom) at Inland Environmental & Remediation, Inc., south of Columbus on April 14, 2019.Earthen dams separate black water (top) from muddy water (bottom) at Inland Environmental & Remediation, Inc., south of Columbus, Texas, on April 14, 2019.Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/07/university-texas-dallas-new-president-prabhas-moghe/Moghe, Rutgers University’s chief academic officer, is a biochemical and biomedical engineer and a former international student. He is expected to start in his new role later this year.By Sofia SorochinskaiaWed, 07 May 2025 14:00:30 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/07/university-texas-dallas-new-president-prabhas-moghe/The University of Texas System Board of Regents on Wednesday named Prabhas Moghe as the sole finalist in the running to become the next president of the University of Texas at Dallas.The University of Texas System Board of Regents has named Prabhas V. Moghe as the sole finalist for the next presidency at The University of Texas at Dallas.University of Texas System websitehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/02/texas-legislature-teachers-parents-protections/A fiery debate on the House floor Friday gave way to the Senate Bill 412’s final vote. Supporters say it’s needed to protect children.By Jess Huff and Sofia SorochinskaiaFri, 02 May 2025 19:16:33 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/02/texas-legislature-teachers-parents-protections/Critics say Senate Bill 412 will lead teachers and librarians to remove any materials out of fear it could be seen as too mature. Supporters maintain it is a crucial next step in protecting Texas children.The library at Blanco Vista Elementary in San Marcos on Nov. 4, 2021.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/29/texas-school-districts-split-keller-isd/A House bill would require school districts to hold an election before breaking into smaller entities.By Sofia SorochinskaiaTue, 29 Apr 2025 15:16:47 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/29/texas-school-districts-split-keller-isd/The Texas House of Representatives' Public Education Committee hears public testimony on March 18, 2025. Lawmakers in the committee heard public testimony Tuesday on a bill that would create new rules for school districts considering to split into smaller entities.The Texas House of Representatives Public Education Committee hears public testimony on House Bill 1481 relating to the use of personal wireless communication devices during school hours and activities in Austin on March 18, 2025.Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/29/texas-lgbtq-students-k12-dei-ban/Students are concerned the legislation could silence supportive teachers, dismantle safe spaces, lead to overenforcement and prevent honest conversations about identity.By Sofia SorochinskaiaTue, 29 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/29/texas-lgbtq-students-k12-dei-ban/Marshall Romero, 16, poses for a portrait outside of Alief Early College High School in Houston on Friday, April 25, 2025. Romero worries schools would become less welcoming for LGBTQ+ Texans like him under state legislation under consideration this session.Marshall Romero, 16, poses for a portrait outside of Alief Early College High School in Houston on Friday, April 25, 2025.Joseph Bui for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/25/attract-prepare-retain-best-teachers-texas/At a Texas Tribune event, education experts discussed challenges facing Texas public schools and potential ways to solve them.By Sofia SorochinskaiaMon, 28 Apr 2025 11:03:49 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/25/attract-prepare-retain-best-teachers-texas/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/03/trump-tariffs-texas-revenue-growth/Respondents to a Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas survey expressed concern about a reduction in consumer demand and a potential recession.Story by Sofia SorochinskaiaThu, 03 Apr 2025 17:20:24 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/03/trump-tariffs-texas-revenue-growth/The Trade Partnership Worldwide estimates that tariffs could cost Texas businesses $47 billion and cut the state’s gross domestic product growth by 1.5 percentage points.A parklet with diners outside of City Tavern along Elm Street in downtown Dallas near the Santander Tower, on Nov. 07, 2023. Texas metros have a glut of vacant offices space driven by the rise of remote work, overbuilding and other factors during the pandemic. One option companies are doing to combat the changes, is to convert office space into residential housing.Ben Torres for The Texas Tribune