https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/james-barragan/The latest news by James Barragán.enMon, 04 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/04/ken-paxton-impeachment-trial-operate/Under rules previously adopted by the Texas Senate, the trial will feature crucial votes on dismissing articles of impeachment as well as testimony under oath, private deliberations by senator-jurors and votes conducted without debate or discussion.By Yuriko Schumacher and James BarragánMon, 04 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/04/ken-paxton-impeachment-trial-operate/The Senate gallery as technical staff prepares communications for the impeachment trial of Ken Paxton. Paxton is accused of several ethics violations during his three terms as Texas Attorney General.The Texas Senate gallery as technical staff prepares communications for next week's start in the impeachment trial of Ken Paxton on September 5th. Paxton is accused of several ethics violations during his three terms as Texas Attorney General.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/01/ken-paxton-impeachment-articles/The articles — including bribery, dereliction of duty and disregard of official duty — do not include four accusations originally adopted by the Texas House.By Chuck Lindell and James BarragánFri, 01 Sep 2023 15:33:42 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/01/ken-paxton-impeachment-articles/State Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at a news conference at the Houston Recovery Center on Oct. 26, 2021.State Attorney General Ken Paxton holds a press conference at the Houston Recovery Center on October 26, 2021.Mark Felix for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/01/ken-paxton-impeachment-witnesses-parties/The suspended attorney general has been ordered to appear in the Texas Senate chamber to answer to 16 allegations of misconduct that were approved by the House in May.By Yuriko Schumacher and James BarragánFri, 01 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/01/ken-paxton-impeachment-witnesses-parties/https://www.texastribune.org/2023/08/29/texas-national-guard-migrants-whatsapp-intelligence/Four members of the unit working on Gov. Greg Abbott’s border mission have been punished after whistleblowers reported the surveillance operation violated long-standing rules against state-run spy operations.By Davis Winkie, Military Times, and James Barragán, The Texas TribuneTue, 29 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/08/29/texas-national-guard-migrants-whatsapp-intelligence/Aaron Provost for Military Timeshttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/08/02/texas-dan-patrick-tamu-professor/Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham alleged Wednesday that opioids expert Joy Alonzo told students in a guest lecture that “Your Lt. Governor says those kids deserve to die.” Alonzo denied the claims.By Kate McGee and James BarragánWed, 02 Aug 2023 18:06:57 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/08/02/texas-dan-patrick-tamu-professor/Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham on Wednesday accused Texas A&M University professor Joy Alonzo of telling students during a March lecture, “Your Lt. Governor says those kids deserve to die,” referring to Hays County students who have overdosed. Buckingham shared the claim against Alonzo with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, sparking an internal university investigation.State Sen. Dawn Buckingham, R-Lakeway at the Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 23, 2017.Kelly West for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/07/25/texas-a-m-professor-opioids-dan-patrick/The professor, an expert on the opioids crisis, was placed on paid administrative leave and investigated, raising questions about the extent of political interference in higher education, particularly in health-related matters.By Kate McGee and James BarragánTue, 25 Jul 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/07/25/texas-a-m-professor-opioids-dan-patrick/Joy Alonzo is an expert on the opioid epidemic and a professor in Texas A&M University’s Department of Pharmacy Practice.Joy Alonzo is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the Texas A&M Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy.Texas A&M University Health Science Centerhttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/07/21/ken-paxton-impeachment-brent-webster/Paxton’s top aide told senators that an agency-hired lawyer worked with the Travis County district attorney’s office to investigate a complaint by Nate Paul. County prosecutors dispute that.By James BarragánFri, 21 Jul 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/07/21/ken-paxton-impeachment-brent-webster/Statements before a Senate committee in 2021 by First Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster, shown speaking at a June 2022 news conference, could play a role in the impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton.First Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster speaks during a press conference in the William Clements Building in Austin on June 9, 2022.Kylie Cooper/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/07/13/harriet-oneill-ken-paxton-impeachment/After 18 years as a district and appellate judge, O’Neill returned to private practice in 2010. She called the case against Paxton “clear, compelling and decisive.”By James BarragánThu, 13 Jul 2023 14:51:42 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/07/13/harriet-oneill-ken-paxton-impeachment/Former Texas Supreme Court Justice Harriet O’Neill in a 2010 interview with The Texas Tribune.Former Texas Supreme court Justice Harriet ONeill in a 2010 interview with The Texas TribuneJustin Dehn/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/30/carlos-uresti-prison-release-senator/The Democrat from San Antonio was initially sentenced in 2018 to 12 years in federal prison. His sentence was later reduced, and he will stay in a halfway house until December 2024.By James BarragánFri, 30 Jun 2023 12:32:29 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/30/carlos-uresti-prison-release-senator/Carlos Uresti talks with the media after his sentencing in federal court on June 26, 2018. The former state senator was released from federal prison Friday, his lawyer said.Carlos Uresti talks with the media following his sentencing in Federal Court on June 26, 2018. The former state senator will be released today from federal prison after serving more than 4 years of a 12-year sentence.Robin Jerstad for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/28/texas-legislature-tax-cut-plan/A stalemate among Texas’ top Republicans has dragged on for months. Tax-cut proponents in the House and Senate made their first pitches to end the impasse Wednesday.By Joshua Fechter, Karen Brooks Harper and James BarragánWed, 28 Jun 2023 15:35:22 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/28/texas-legislature-tax-cut-plan/Residents put up flags for the Fourth of July in a neighborhood on the south side of Pasadena on July 1, 2017.Residents put up flags for the Fourth of July in a neighborhood on the south side of Pasadena on July 1, 2017.Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/27/texas-legislature-special-session-ends/Gov. Greg Abbott quickly called lawmakers back to the Capitol for round two, hoping to break an impasse that has outlasted the regular session and one overtime period.By James Barragán and Patrick SvitekTue, 27 Jun 2023 13:08:04 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/27/texas-legislature-special-session-ends/The Texas Capitol seen from a parking garage at sunrise on June 6.The Texas Capitol seen from a parking garage at sunrise on June 6, 2023 in Austin.Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/22/ken-angela-paxton-impeach-recuse/Sen. Angela Paxton will have no say in deliberations to convict or acquit impeached Attorney General Ken Paxton, but she will sit on the Senate court of impeachment. That means 21, not 20, votes will be needed to convict.By James BarragánThu, 22 Jun 2023 18:36:16 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/22/ken-angela-paxton-impeach-recuse/Ken Paxton takes the oath of office to begin his third term as attorney general from Gov. Greg Abbott, as his wife, state Sen. Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, holds the Sam Houston Bible.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton takes the oath of office for the third time from Gov. Greg Abbott, as his wife, state Sen. Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, holds the Sam Houston bible Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/20/ken-paxton-impeachment-trial-senate-rules/Senators, who will sit as a court of impeachment for the suspended attorney general, spent two days drafting rules that were adopted late Wednesday.By James Barragán and Patrick SvitekTue, 20 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/20/ken-paxton-impeachment-trial-senate-rules/Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at a news conference at the Houston Recovery Center on October 26, 2021. Paxton was temporarily suspended from office after the House voted last month to impeach him.State Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at a press conference at the Houston Recovery Center on Oct. 26, 2021.Mark Felix for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/16/ken-paxton-impeachment-allegations/In 2020, deputies in the attorney general’s office met with FBI agents to accuse their boss of misconduct. Their accusations would form the backbone of articles of impeachment against one of the state’s most powerful officials.By James BarragánFri, 16 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/16/ken-paxton-impeachment-allegations/Attorney General Ken Paxton attends the inauguration ceremony for Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Michelle Slaughter at the Capitol in Austin on Jan. 11, 2019.Ken Paxton at the inauguration ceremony of Judge Michelle Slaughter at the state Capitol in Austin on Jan. 11, 2019.Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/16/ken-paxton-impeachment-whistleblowers/Once high-ranking officials in the attorney general’s office, the four were fired after reporting concerns about Paxton’s behavior to law enforcement.By James BarragánFri, 16 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/16/ken-paxton-impeachment-whistleblowers/Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton steps to the podium to make a statement to the press on May 26, 2023, a day before an impeachment vote in the Texas House.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton steps to the podium to make a statement to the press on May 26, 2023, a day before a scheduled impeachment vote. Behind him, from left: Tommy Tran, executive assistant; James R. Lloyd, associate deputy attorney general for civil litigation; Austin A. Kinghorn, associate deputy attorney general for legal counsel; Ryan Fisher, director of government relations; Joshua Reno, deputy attorney general for criminal justice; and Suzanna Hupp, special adviser.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/14/ken-paxton-securities-fraud-houston/The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruling overturns lower-court decisions that had moved the case back to Collin County, where the suspended attorney general lives.By James BarragánWed, 14 Jun 2023 09:52:56 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/14/ken-paxton-securities-fraud-houston/Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton gives a speech in the Senate chamber during his swearing-in ceremony in January.Opening Day action of the 88th Texas Legislature at the Texas Capitol showing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton giving a speech in the Senate chamber during his swearing-in ceremony.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/08/nate-paul-arrested-ken-paxton-impeachment/It is not immediately clear what Paul was charged with, but Travis County officials confirmed he was being held in the jail at the request of the FBI. Paxton’s deputies accused Paul of bribing the now-suspended attorney general in 2020.By James Barragán, William Melhado and Patrick SvitekThu, 08 Jun 2023 19:22:10 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/08/nate-paul-arrested-ken-paxton-impeachment/Nate Paul, the Austin real estate developer central to allegations of illegal conduct by Ken Paxton, Texas’ now-suspended attorney general, was booked into Travis County Jail on Thursday afternoon.Nate Paul is the CEO of World Class, a real estate holding company.World Class websitehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/06/ken-paxton-impeach-tony-buzbee/The boisterous and outspoken attorney will be matched against two legal icons who will prosecute the attorney general in his upcoming trial before the Texas Senate.By Robert Downen and James BarragánTue, 06 Jun 2023 21:39:03 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/06/ken-paxton-impeach-tony-buzbee/Tony Buzbee, the attorney representing suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton, speaks during a press conference at the Travis County Republican Party suite in Austin on June 7, 2023. Dan Cogdell, right, is another prominent Houston-based attorney who specializes in criminal defense and is a member of Paxton’s legal team.Tony Buzbee, the attorney representing suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton, speaks during a press conference at the Travis County Republican Party suite in Austin on June 7, 2023.Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/30/ken-paxton-impeachment-trial-defense/The defense team includes the agency’s chief appellate lawyer and head of its general litigation division.By James Barragán and Patrick SvitekTue, 30 May 2023 17:47:22 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/30/ken-paxton-impeachment-trial-defense/Suspended state Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to reporters on May 26, 2023, a day before the Texas House adopted articles of impeachment against Paxton.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton makes a statement to the press May 26, 2023 a day before a scheduled impeachment vote in the Texas House in a long-running ethics complaint.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/28/ken-paxton-impeach-republican-infighting/As the 88th Legislative Session came to a close, longstanding divisions between traditional conservatives and party’s far right came into focus.By James BarragánSun, 28 May 2023 19:07:52 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/28/ken-paxton-impeach-republican-infighting/From left: State Reps. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, Eddie Morales Jr., D-Eagle Pass, and Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, wait as Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, speaks at Ken Paxton’s impeachment proceeding on May 27, 2023. Canales and Morales voted for impeachment; Toth and Tinderholt voted against it.From left: State Reps. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, Eddie Morales, Jr., D-Eagle Pass, and Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, wait as Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, speaks at the back mike as the impeachment proceedings against Ken Paxton are debated on May 27, 2023.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune