A Professor Criticized a Public Official. Then Her University Suspended Her. Texas A&M placed a professor on paid leave for criticizing Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in a lecture on the opioid crisis. Reason · Jul 27, 2023
Faculty worry about Texas A&M’s future after controversies over higher ed politicization The university has been rattled by two cases in which university officials were apparently rushed into making faculty employment decisions due to political pressure. The Texas Tribune · Jul 27, 2023
Black and Hispanic Lubbock residents want federal intervention in zoning, environmental policies A new federal complaint comes as the city updates its zoning laws for the first time since the 1970s. The Texas Tribune · Jul 26, 2023
A Texas A&M professor was suspended for allegedly criticizing lieutenant governor Joy Alonzo was suspended and investigated after she allegedly criticized Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at a lecture on the opioid crisis. Free speech advocates call the probe "blatantly inappropriate." WEKU · Jul 26, 2023
Texas A&M suspends prof for GOP critique Opioid crisis expert Joy Alonzo raised questions about the extent of political interference in higher education Salon · Jul 25, 2023
Texas professor suspended hours after criticizing lieutenant governor in lecture Joy Alonzo accused by student of disparaging Dan Patrick in lecture on opioid crisis at Texas A&M University The Guardian - US · Jul 25, 2023
Texas A&M suspended professor accused of criticizing Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in lecture 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. The Texas Tribune · Jul 25, 2023
For Black Aggies, questions over professor’s botched hiring persist after president’s departure In the fallout from A&M’s failure to hire Kathleen McElroy, students and alumni lament the missed opportunity to revive the university’s journalism program and provide students with mentorship. The Texas Tribune · Jul 22, 2023
Texas A&M president 'retires immediately' over fallout from botched journalist hire The university announced in June it hired Kathleen McElroy, a former New York Times journalist, to lead its journalism program. The hire quickly drew backlash from conservatives across Texas. WEKU · Jul 21, 2023
Ex-Mayor Lori Lightfoot sued to keep a letter about the city treasurer secret from the Tribune. Will Brandon Johnson continue her fight? CHICAGO -- Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration is so far continuing a public records legal battle he inherited from predecessor Lori Lightfoot over a letter regarding alleged misconduct at the city treasurer’s office. Chicago Tribune · Jul 20, 2023
Texas A&M president says she didn’t know about job offer changes that led to professor’s botched hiring M. Katherine Banks told faculty she was unaware of successive, diminished offers to Kathleen O. McElroy, who was recruited to revive a journalism program. Professors demanded an investigation. The Texas Tribune · Jul 20, 2023
COPA unable to find victims in probe of Chicago officers allegedly having sex with migrants housed at stations Leaders of Chicago’s Civilian Office of Police Accountability on Tuesday said they have been unable to identify any victim in their investigation of claims that at least one officer engaged in a sexual relationship with a migrant being housed at a West Side police facility, but said another allegation has… Chicago Tribune · Jul 18, 2023
This summer is on track to be among Texas’ most extreme June was only the 16th-warmest on record in Texas, but a mid-month heatwave brought an unusually high number of 100-degree days. The Texas Tribune · Jul 18, 2023
Texas A&M interim dean resigns after university backtracks on hiring professor to revive journalism program José Luis Bermúdez, who led the school’s College of Arts and Sciences, will leave his position after a deal to hire respected journalist Kathleen O. McElroy fell apart amid conservative pushback. The Texas Tribune · Jul 18, 2023
The Texas Tribune · Jul 17, 2023 “Unbearable”: Doctors treating trans kids are leaving Texas, exacerbating adolescent care crisis Texas doctors fear a new era of government intrusion into medicine as lawmakers ban transition care for kids following prohibitions on abortion.
The Texas Tribune · Jul 14, 2023 A&M faculty leaders decry “appearance of outside influence” in botched hiring of journalism professor The university announced the hiring of Kathleen McElroy, a Black former New York Times journalist, but later backtracked on its offer amid conservative pushback.
Tribune News Service · Jul 14, 2023 Francis Wilkinson: Harassing good Samaritans is on brand for GOP The Republican war on migrants and asylum seekers has been one of the more successful GOP campaigns of recent years if you measure success by volume of vitriol.
Chicago Tribune · Jul 14, 2023 Northwestern dismisses Jim Foster as head baseball coach amid controversy CHICAGO — Northwestern University has relieved Jim Foster as head baseball coach days after news surfaced of controversy surrounding him.
Sports Illustrated · Jul 13, 2023 Northwestern Fires Second Head Coach in Four Days After Probe Into Abusive Behavior The move comes after an investigation into bullying and abusive behavior by the coach.
Reason · Jul 13, 2023 Texas A&M's Treatment of Journalism Director Raises Academic Freedom Concerns Political appointees should have no role in faculty hiring decisions.
Chicago Tribune · Jul 13, 2023 From thousands of miles away, an Army veteran and ‘big brother’ fights to keep a promise in aftermath of war The pleading text messages would come at all hours of the day and night from Kabul, Afghanistan.
The Independent UK · Jul 12, 2023 Former Minneapolis police officer sentenced to nine months after fatally crashing into a man A former Minneapolis police officer has been sentenced to nine months in a county workhouse after fatally crashing into a man two years ago
The Texas Tribune · Jul 11, 2023 Texas A&M recruited a UT professor to revive its journalism program, then backtracked after “DEI hysteria” The university celebrated its decision to hire Kathleen McElroy to revive its journalism program. She says she’s staying at UT after she felt judged because of her race and gender.
The Texas Tribune · Jul 7, 2023 Deer Park chemical fire in 2019 could have been prevented, federal investigation finds The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board found that the ITC tank farm lacked crucial equipment to warn workers about the failure that led to the three-day fire.
The Texas Tribune · Jul 5, 2023 As veteran disability claims soar, unaccredited coaches profit off frustration with VA system Austin-based VA Claims Insider says it has helped hundreds of thousands of clients. It has also touched off complaints and investigations.