Texas is the focal point for many issues on the nation's front burner, whether it’s gun violence and mass shootings or concerns about race and the use of deadly force by police.
Texas is the focal point for many issues on the nation's front burner, whether it’s gun violence and mass shootings or concerns about race and the use of deadly force by police. Days after former a white police officer in Dallas
was convicted and sentenced for murdering Botham Jean, a black man, in his own apartment, the Fort Worth Police Department made international news when a white officer there shot and killed a black woman
, Atatiana Jefferson, in her own home. The Fort Worth officer in this new case has left the force and is now charged with murder. One of the issues there, is whether officer was in a "shoot first, ask questions later" posture, given the evidence from his body camera. Could a citizen review board, or some form of citizen oversight, have made a difference? It's one of several important topics we've been exploring. Let us know what you think. And ‘til next Wednesday, we'll see you on the radio.
- David Brown
Texas Senate Committee Seeks Solutions To Mass Violence
Committee member Sen. José Rodríguez wants mandatory background checks for private gun sales, a special legislative session and more.
'Is This It?' Most Ex-Offenders Can Forget Job Advancement After Prison (KERA)
I’ve been an immigration and border reporter for Texas Public Radio since January, covering both sides of the Rio Grande. I was also born and raised in the region. During the last few months,
I’ve done extensive reporting
on the challenges asylum seekers face while waiting for months in Mexico for immigration court hearings in the United States. This is happening under the Trump administration's Remain In Mexico program. Volunteers from both the U.S. and Mexico have been stepping up to fill a void in the lack of help provided for asylum seekers from both governments. That’s when I met Gaby Zavala, who’s been an immigrant rights organizer for several years. One day she got a call from an asylum seeker in Matamoros saying a young girl had just drowned while bathing in the river. The girl was eventually resuscitated, but that moment sprung Zavala into action. She wanted to find a solution so that asylum seekers wouldn’t have to resort to bathing in the Rio Grande – so she figured
out a way to bring clean water and showers for the migrants. I hope you learn something from my reporting, and thanks for reading!
