The latest investigative stories in Texas that uncovered hidden facts and held officials accountable:
Apple served with search warrant in Sutherland Springs shooting | The San Antonio Express-News
Texas Rangers investigating the mass shooting in Sutherland Springs have served a search warrant on Silicon Valley giant Apple Inc. and are seeking digital photos, messages, documents and other types of data that might have been stored by gunman Devin Patrick Kelley, who was found with an iPhone after he killed himself. Story by John Tedesco and Kelsey Bradshaw
At the Texas Capitol, victims of sexual harassment must fend for themselves | The Texas Tribune
Sexual harassment is rampant at the Texas Capitol. Here's what victims told us: https://t.co/pgkgSQ3oYZ #txlege pic.twitter.com/yVTpTcjiF1
— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) November 15, 2017
“Interviews with more than two dozen current and former lawmakers and legislative aides indicate sexual harassment regularly goes unchecked at the Texas Capitol. And sexual harassment policies rely on officials with little incentive or authority to enforce them, particularly in cases of harassment by lawmakers.” Story by Alexa Ura, Morgan Smith, Jolie McCullough and Edgar Walters
Reversing course, Austin council to reveal city manager finalists | The Austin American-Statesman
What a difference a week makes. What a difference a newspaper makes. https://t.co/jQBRSTwVdf pic.twitter.com/oZlGOjI2qO
— John Bridges (@JohnBridges) November 10, 2017
“Austin City Council members will reverse course on their secret search for a city manager and release up to five finalists’ names in the next few days, a week after the American-Statesman staked out candidate interviews and sued the city over refusing to release records on the search.” Story by Elizabeth Findell
Arkema documents: Planning, mechanical failures led to Harvey chemical fires | The Houston Chronicle
Arkema documents show planning, mechanical failures led to chemical fires during Harvey https://t.co/vihYKEihNB via @HoustonChron
— James Drew (@Jamesjdrew) November 15, 2017
Poor planning and a series of cascading equipment failures led to dangerous chemicals erupting into flames in late August during the height of Hurricane Harvey at Arkema’s Crosby plant. “The miscalculations indicate the company’s lack of preparation for more than 3 feet of flooding, reflected by an emergency management plan that barely addressed how to handle such a storm.” Story by Matt Dempsey and Jacob Carpenter
Investigation finds corruption, intimidation at Temple VA campus | The Austin American-Statesman
They entered the VA work program hoping to overcome addiction and get their lives on track. Instead, TX veterans were abused, intimidated and forced to do personal work for high ranking VA officials. And that’s not the worst thing that happened in Temple. https://t.co/AnMHDK9eqO
— Jeremy Schwartz (@JinATX) November 17, 2017
Struggling veterans who work at the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Temple campus have lodged nearly 50 grievances in the past decade, claiming they’ve endured verbal tirades, witnessed thefts and were forced to perform personal work at the homes of high-ranking VA officials. An internal VA inquiry has finally corroborated their complaints. Story by Jeremy Schwartz
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