Must reads: Texas watchdog journalism roundup for Jan. 28, 2018

Interactive map of aggressive dog locations in San Antonio
Interactive map of aggressive dog locations in San Antonio

Investigative stories in Texas about vicious dog attacks, immigration raids, and a city official using public resources for personal business.

Biting dogs are a vicious problem in San Antonio | The San Antonio Express-News

Two dog owners were on trial last week after their pit bull named “Bully” viciously mauled their neighbor, who lost part of her arm in the attack. The San Antonio Express-News examined gaps in the city’s Animal Care Services system and obtained public data to map where aggressive dogs are located in San Antonio and where they’ve attacked people. Story by Melissa Fletcher Stoeljte, Vincent T. Davis and Luke Whyte

UT declined to sanction professor who pleaded guilty to violent felony | The Austin American-Statesman

After the Austin American-Statesman revealed a professor pleaded guilty to a criminal charge of strangling his girlfriend but kept his job, officials at the University of Texas announced they’re reviewing their disciplinary policy. Story by Ralph K.M. Haurwitz and Ryan Autullo

Turner aide who used city resources for personal business resigns | The Houston Chronicle

Mayor Sylvester Turner’s press secretary, Darian Ward, resigned after the Houston Chronicle revealed she sent or received 5,000 emails discussing her personal business on her city account. Ward tried to prevent the newspaper from obtaining the messages, claiming they were confidential. Story by Rebecca Elliott and Mike Morris

ICE Arrested Nearly Three Times as Many Immigrants During Last Year’s Austin Raid Than Previously Reported | The Texas Observer

A raid last year by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Austin resulted in far more arrests than previously reported, according to an internal tally obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request made by the Texas Observer. The federal agency took nearly a year to release the documents. Story by Gus Bova

Castle Hills councilman accused of pressuring staff to move his street near top of repair list | KSAT-12

Records obtained by the KSAT Defenders show that Castle Hills Councilman Douglas Gregory was accused of pressuring city employees to move his street to the top of the city’s repair list. A former city manager called Gregory a “liar and a cad” after Gregory denied the allegations. Story by Dillon Collier

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