Lauren McGaughy
@lmcgaughy.bsky.social
Investigative reporter + editor at The Texas Newsroom | @kutnews.bsky.social @npr.org | Covering Texas politics + Elon Musk | FOIA nerd📍Austin, TX
Signal: lmcgaughy.40
📧: lmcgaughy@kut.org lmcgaughy@proton.me
☎︎: 512-436-3641
Signal: lmcgaughy.40
📧: lmcgaughy@kut.org lmcgaughy@proton.me
☎︎: 512-436-3641
Pinned
Lauren McGaughy
@lmcgaughy.bsky.social
· Nov 19
Gov. Abbott released 1,400 pages of emails about Elon Musk. Most are blacked out.
Abbott fought for months to keep secret emails between his office and Elon Musk. Now, hundreds of pages have been released.
www.kut.org
NEW: Remember that story we broke a few months ago with
@propublica.org @texastribune.org?
We reported Texas Gov. Greg Abbott did not want to release his office's emails with #Elon #Musk. Well, we have an update. www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege #FOIA #transparency #Texas
@propublica.org @texastribune.org?
We reported Texas Gov. Greg Abbott did not want to release his office's emails with #Elon #Musk. Well, we have an update. www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege #FOIA #transparency #Texas
🚨We just got the unsealed records in Texas AG Ken Paxton's divorce case and published pertinent documents in the story here.
They show the couple has entered mediation and set aside $20K each from their blind trust to pay for lawyers. www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege
They show the couple has entered mediation and set aside $20K each from their blind trust to pay for lawyers. www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege
Records in Texas AG Ken Paxton’s divorce case are unsealed
A group of eight media organizations had requested records in the divorce case between Paxton, who is running for U.S. Senate, and his wife be made public.
www.kut.org
December 19, 2025 at 6:29 PM
🚨We just got the unsealed records in Texas AG Ken Paxton's divorce case and published pertinent documents in the story here.
They show the couple has entered mediation and set aside $20K each from their blind trust to pay for lawyers. www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege
They show the couple has entered mediation and set aside $20K each from their blind trust to pay for lawyers. www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege
UPDATED: Records in Texas AG Ken Paxton’s divorce case will be unsealed. His lawyers say he wants "full transparency."
www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege
www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege
Records in Texas AG Ken Paxton’s divorce case will be unsealed
A group of eight media organizations had requested records in the divorce case between Paxton, who is running for U.S. Senate, and his wife be made public.
www.kut.org
December 19, 2025 at 4:34 PM
UPDATED: Records in Texas AG Ken Paxton’s divorce case will be unsealed. His lawyers say he wants "full transparency."
www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege
www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege
ICYMI: Last night, we broke the news that Ken Paxton and his wife have agreed to unseal the records in their divorce case.
A hearing will be held this morning in Collin County. I will be there. Follow for live updates.
www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege
A hearing will be held this morning in Collin County. I will be there. Follow for live updates.
www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege
Paxtons agree to unseal records in divorce case after media challenge
A group of eight media organizations had requested records in the divorce case between Paxton, who is running for U.S. Senate, and his wife be made public.
www.kut.org
December 19, 2025 at 2:09 PM
ICYMI: Last night, we broke the news that Ken Paxton and his wife have agreed to unseal the records in their divorce case.
A hearing will be held this morning in Collin County. I will be there. Follow for live updates.
www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege
A hearing will be held this morning in Collin County. I will be there. Follow for live updates.
www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege
BREAKING: The Paxtons have agreed to unseal the records in their divorce case.
Their lawyers just signed an agreement allowing for the full case record to be made public. Eight media orgs had asked the court to force the unsealing.
The judge still needs to sign off.
www.kut.org/politics/202...
Their lawyers just signed an agreement allowing for the full case record to be made public. Eight media orgs had asked the court to force the unsealing.
The judge still needs to sign off.
www.kut.org/politics/202...
Paxtons agree to unseal records in divorce case after media challenge
A group of eight media organizations had requested records in the divorce case between Paxton, who is running for U.S. Senate, and his wife be made public.
www.kut.org
December 19, 2025 at 1:57 AM
BREAKING: The Paxtons have agreed to unseal the records in their divorce case.
Their lawyers just signed an agreement allowing for the full case record to be made public. Eight media orgs had asked the court to force the unsealing.
The judge still needs to sign off.
www.kut.org/politics/202...
Their lawyers just signed an agreement allowing for the full case record to be made public. Eight media orgs had asked the court to force the unsealing.
The judge still needs to sign off.
www.kut.org/politics/202...
ICYMI: A year after the state of Texas blocked #transgender drivers from update the sex listed on their licenses, it has put together a list of more than 100 people who have tried.
Officials won’t say why they're collecting the information.
www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege #LGBT #LGBTQ #trans
Officials won’t say why they're collecting the information.
www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege #LGBT #LGBTQ #trans
The state is making a list of transgender Texans. It’s using driver's licenses to help.
A year after the state blocked transgender Texans from updating their state IDs, it has collected information on more than 100 people who have tried. Officials won’t say what they’re using the list fo...
www.kut.org
December 16, 2025 at 5:59 PM
ICYMI: A year after the state of Texas blocked #transgender drivers from update the sex listed on their licenses, it has put together a list of more than 100 people who have tried.
Officials won’t say why they're collecting the information.
www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege #LGBT #LGBTQ #trans
Officials won’t say why they're collecting the information.
www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege #LGBT #LGBTQ #trans
Reposted by Lauren McGaughy
The State of Texas continues to make a list of transgender Texans, per @lmcgaughy.bsky.social:
www.kut.org/politics/202...
www.kut.org/politics/202...
The state is making a list of transgender Texans. It’s using driver's licenses to help.
A year after the state blocked transgender Texans from updating their state IDs, it has collected information on more than 100 people who have tried. Officials won’t say what they’re using the list fo...
www.kut.org
December 15, 2025 at 9:08 PM
The State of Texas continues to make a list of transgender Texans, per @lmcgaughy.bsky.social:
www.kut.org/politics/202...
www.kut.org/politics/202...
Reposted by Lauren McGaughy
Earlier this year, I reported for @propublica.org and @wisconsinwatch.org how Wisconsin's name change law creates a de facto database of trans people, which is dangerous in times like this. Now @lmcgaughy.bsky.social breaks the news that Texas has done just that: www.kut.org/politics/202...
The state is making a list of transgender Texans. It’s using driver's licenses to help.
A year after the state blocked transgender Texans from updating their state IDs, it has collected information on more than 100 people who have tried. Officials won’t say what they’re using the list fo...
www.kut.org
December 15, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Earlier this year, I reported for @propublica.org and @wisconsinwatch.org how Wisconsin's name change law creates a de facto database of trans people, which is dangerous in times like this. Now @lmcgaughy.bsky.social breaks the news that Texas has done just that: www.kut.org/politics/202...
Reposted by Lauren McGaughy
In 2023, when I realized I was chasing the same lead as my former colleagues and reporter she-roes, we teamed up and did this investigation.
w/ @lmcgaughy.bsky.social and Allie Morris
www.propublica.org/article/ukra...
w/ @lmcgaughy.bsky.social and Allie Morris
www.propublica.org/article/ukra...
Promoters of Election Lies Also Hyped a Hospital for Ukraine. That Never Happened Either.
True the Vote, a group that spread discredited election conspiracy theories, “abandoned” The Freedom Hospital in April 2022, according to its lawyers. Yet board member Gregg Phillips continued to seek...
www.propublica.org
December 10, 2025 at 4:54 PM
In 2023, when I realized I was chasing the same lead as my former colleagues and reporter she-roes, we teamed up and did this investigation.
w/ @lmcgaughy.bsky.social and Allie Morris
www.propublica.org/article/ukra...
w/ @lmcgaughy.bsky.social and Allie Morris
www.propublica.org/article/ukra...
Reposted by Lauren McGaughy
UPDATE: I re-requested a bunch of records about the Hays County multi-agency raid, since the only criminal charges were dropped in October.
DPS declined to release more records, citing an ongoing FBI investigation.
www.texasobserver.org/prosecutors-...
DPS declined to release more records, citing an ongoing FBI investigation.
www.texasobserver.org/prosecutors-...
Prosecutors Drop Only Criminal Cases from Hays County Airbnb Raid
Pending drug charges have been abandoned from the multi-agency April operation that supposedly targeted Tren de Aragua and led to multiple deportations.
www.texasobserver.org
November 21, 2025 at 8:51 PM
UPDATE: I re-requested a bunch of records about the Hays County multi-agency raid, since the only criminal charges were dropped in October.
DPS declined to release more records, citing an ongoing FBI investigation.
www.texasobserver.org/prosecutors-...
DPS declined to release more records, citing an ongoing FBI investigation.
www.texasobserver.org/prosecutors-...
NEW: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton argues divorce records should remain private, accuses press of invading his personal life.
www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege
[h/t to @dallasnews.com for beating me to posting about this]
www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege
[h/t to @dallasnews.com for beating me to posting about this]
Ken Paxton argues divorce records should remain private, accuses press of invading his marital life
The attorney general’s wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, filed for divorce this summer, alleging adultery.
www.kut.org
November 21, 2025 at 4:47 PM
NEW: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton argues divorce records should remain private, accuses press of invading his personal life.
www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege
[h/t to @dallasnews.com for beating me to posting about this]
www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege
[h/t to @dallasnews.com for beating me to posting about this]
Reposted by Lauren McGaughy
NEW:
In 2024, Tierra Walker was sick and getting sicker. She was also pregnant.
She knew abortion was illegal in Texas, but thought there was an exception for women like her, whose health was at risk. Doctors told her there was no emergency.
Then she died.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
In 2024, Tierra Walker was sick and getting sicker. She was also pregnant.
She knew abortion was illegal in Texas, but thought there was an exception for women like her, whose health was at risk. Doctors told her there was no emergency.
Then she died.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
“Ticking Time Bomb”: A Pregnant Mother Kept Getting Sicker. She Died After She Couldn’t Get an Abortion in Texas.
Walker is one of several women ProPublica found with underlying health conditions who died when they couldn’t access abortions.
www.propublica.org
November 19, 2025 at 11:08 AM
NEW:
In 2024, Tierra Walker was sick and getting sicker. She was also pregnant.
She knew abortion was illegal in Texas, but thought there was an exception for women like her, whose health was at risk. Doctors told her there was no emergency.
Then she died.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
In 2024, Tierra Walker was sick and getting sicker. She was also pregnant.
She knew abortion was illegal in Texas, but thought there was an exception for women like her, whose health was at risk. Doctors told her there was no emergency.
Then she died.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
NEW: Remember that story we broke a few months ago with
@propublica.org @texastribune.org?
We reported Texas Gov. Greg Abbott did not want to release his office's emails with #Elon #Musk. Well, we have an update. www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege #FOIA #transparency #Texas
@propublica.org @texastribune.org?
We reported Texas Gov. Greg Abbott did not want to release his office's emails with #Elon #Musk. Well, we have an update. www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege #FOIA #transparency #Texas
Gov. Abbott released 1,400 pages of emails about Elon Musk. Most are blacked out.
Abbott fought for months to keep secret emails between his office and Elon Musk. Now, hundreds of pages have been released.
www.kut.org
November 19, 2025 at 3:20 PM
NEW: Remember that story we broke a few months ago with
@propublica.org @texastribune.org?
We reported Texas Gov. Greg Abbott did not want to release his office's emails with #Elon #Musk. Well, we have an update. www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege #FOIA #transparency #Texas
@propublica.org @texastribune.org?
We reported Texas Gov. Greg Abbott did not want to release his office's emails with #Elon #Musk. Well, we have an update. www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege #FOIA #transparency #Texas
NEW: Gov. Abbott has declared CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood terrorist groups.
The declaration prohibits both groups from purchasing or acquiring land in Texas and allows "increased enforcement" against both groups, the governor said Tuesday.
www.keranews.org/politics/202... #txlege
The declaration prohibits both groups from purchasing or acquiring land in Texas and allows "increased enforcement" against both groups, the governor said Tuesday.
www.keranews.org/politics/202... #txlege
Gov. Abbott declares CAIR, Muslim Brotherhood terrorist groups
Gov. Greg Abbott filed the designation letter Tuesday.
www.keranews.org
November 18, 2025 at 5:11 PM
NEW: Gov. Abbott has declared CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood terrorist groups.
The declaration prohibits both groups from purchasing or acquiring land in Texas and allows "increased enforcement" against both groups, the governor said Tuesday.
www.keranews.org/politics/202... #txlege
The declaration prohibits both groups from purchasing or acquiring land in Texas and allows "increased enforcement" against both groups, the governor said Tuesday.
www.keranews.org/politics/202... #txlege
1/ The Trump admin has targeted the president's perceived enemies with allegations of mortgage fraud.
Letitia James. Adam Schiff. Lisa Cook
But recently one Texas Republican tapped the tactic to allege a statewide official here may also be guilty: Ken Paxton. www.kut.org/crime-justic... #txlege
Letitia James. Adam Schiff. Lisa Cook
But recently one Texas Republican tapped the tactic to allege a statewide official here may also be guilty: Ken Paxton. www.kut.org/crime-justic... #txlege
Trump uses mortgage fraud to target Democrats. A Texas Republican is using it against Ken Paxton.
The Trump administration has aggressively investigated the president’s adversaries for mortgage fraud. But it’s unclear whether the federal housing agency will probe allegations against the Texas atto...
www.kut.org
November 6, 2025 at 2:38 PM
1/ The Trump admin has targeted the president's perceived enemies with allegations of mortgage fraud.
Letitia James. Adam Schiff. Lisa Cook
But recently one Texas Republican tapped the tactic to allege a statewide official here may also be guilty: Ken Paxton. www.kut.org/crime-justic... #txlege
Letitia James. Adam Schiff. Lisa Cook
But recently one Texas Republican tapped the tactic to allege a statewide official here may also be guilty: Ken Paxton. www.kut.org/crime-justic... #txlege
BREAKING NEWS: Sale of Austin queer bar Cheer Up Charlies called off.
www.kut.org/austin/2025-... #ATX #LGBTQ #LGBT #queer
www.kut.org/austin/2025-... #ATX #LGBTQ #LGBT #queer
Sale of Austin queer bar Cheer Up Charlies called off
The deal for Pride Holdings Group to take over the struggling LGBTQ+ club was canceled Tuesday, according to one of Cheer Up Charlies’ owners.
www.kut.org
November 4, 2025 at 11:13 PM
BREAKING NEWS: Sale of Austin queer bar Cheer Up Charlies called off.
www.kut.org/austin/2025-... #ATX #LGBTQ #LGBT #queer
www.kut.org/austin/2025-... #ATX #LGBTQ #LGBT #queer
Guy takes job.
Guy resigns from job under pressure.
Taxpayers pays guy $3.5M.
Good public records hit from @houstonchronicle.com @samanthakett.bsky.social.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston... #txlege #FOIA #TPIA
Guy resigns from job under pressure.
Taxpayers pays guy $3.5M.
Good public records hit from @houstonchronicle.com @samanthakett.bsky.social.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston... #txlege #FOIA #TPIA
Texas A&M to pay $3.5M to former president Mark Welsh after resignation
Welsh agreed to release the university system, its regents and employees from any past or potential legal action related to his employment, according to the agreement.
www.houstonchronicle.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Guy takes job.
Guy resigns from job under pressure.
Taxpayers pays guy $3.5M.
Good public records hit from @houstonchronicle.com @samanthakett.bsky.social.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston... #txlege #FOIA #TPIA
Guy resigns from job under pressure.
Taxpayers pays guy $3.5M.
Good public records hit from @houstonchronicle.com @samanthakett.bsky.social.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston... #txlege #FOIA #TPIA
ICYMI: Houston ISD has sued the Texas AG Ken Paxton after he ordered them to release records of a contract with Los Angeles public relations firm.
abc13.com/post/houston... #FOIA #TPIA
abc13.com/post/houston... #FOIA #TPIA
Houston ISD sues state AG to keep PR firm emails from 13 Investigates
13 Investigates has been formally requesting information about the district's relationship with the agency for months and hasn't gotten any answers, so sending an open records request for emails was o...
abc13.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:57 PM
ICYMI: Houston ISD has sued the Texas AG Ken Paxton after he ordered them to release records of a contract with Los Angeles public relations firm.
abc13.com/post/houston... #FOIA #TPIA
abc13.com/post/houston... #FOIA #TPIA
So fun dressing up as my boy Jinu for Halloween! 😈
I made this jacket myself. Can’t wait to repurpose it into my regular wardrobe. Now, the Mardi Gras countdown starts!
#SajaBoys #kpdh #KPOPDEMONHUNTERS #kpop
I made this jacket myself. Can’t wait to repurpose it into my regular wardrobe. Now, the Mardi Gras countdown starts!
#SajaBoys #kpdh #KPOPDEMONHUNTERS #kpop
November 1, 2025 at 9:18 PM
So fun dressing up as my boy Jinu for Halloween! 😈
I made this jacket myself. Can’t wait to repurpose it into my regular wardrobe. Now, the Mardi Gras countdown starts!
#SajaBoys #kpdh #KPOPDEMONHUNTERS #kpop
I made this jacket myself. Can’t wait to repurpose it into my regular wardrobe. Now, the Mardi Gras countdown starts!
#SajaBoys #kpdh #KPOPDEMONHUNTERS #kpop
NEW: We got a letter from the City of Uvalde today that says the investigation into the Tony Gonzales staffer who burned to death last month is expected to be "closed in the near future without resulting in criminal prosecution against any person."
www.tpr.org/government-p...
www.tpr.org/government-p...
Uvalde PD investigation into death of staffer to Rep. Tony Gonzales expected to conclude
The investigation into the death of 35-year-old Regina Santos-Aviles is expected to conclude without criminal charges.
www.tpr.org
October 30, 2025 at 7:48 PM
NEW: We got a letter from the City of Uvalde today that says the investigation into the Tony Gonzales staffer who burned to death last month is expected to be "closed in the near future without resulting in criminal prosecution against any person."
www.tpr.org/government-p...
www.tpr.org/government-p...
NEW: Immigration enforcement has been very visible in places like Chicago and LA. But what about in red states like Texas?
@mosebuchele.bsky.social reports it may be quieter but it’s still on the rise — with ICE doing sometimes twice daily sweeps at jails. www.kut.org/apple-news/2... #txlege
@mosebuchele.bsky.social reports it may be quieter but it’s still on the rise — with ICE doing sometimes twice daily sweeps at jails. www.kut.org/apple-news/2... #txlege
ICE is removing more people from Austin’s jails. Sometimes coming twice a day.
Data shows a growing number of people in Travis County jails find themselves facing deportation after sometimes routine run-ins with the police.
www.kut.org
October 27, 2025 at 3:26 PM
NEW: Immigration enforcement has been very visible in places like Chicago and LA. But what about in red states like Texas?
@mosebuchele.bsky.social reports it may be quieter but it’s still on the rise — with ICE doing sometimes twice daily sweeps at jails. www.kut.org/apple-news/2... #txlege
@mosebuchele.bsky.social reports it may be quieter but it’s still on the rise — with ICE doing sometimes twice daily sweeps at jails. www.kut.org/apple-news/2... #txlege
BREAKING: Cards Against Humanity settles lawsuit against Elon Musk's SpaceX.
“Soon, the land will be returned to its natural state: no space garbage, and still completely free of pointless [expletive] border walls,” the game company told fans. www.kut.org/crime-justic...
“Soon, the land will be returned to its natural state: no space garbage, and still completely free of pointless [expletive] border walls,” the game company told fans. www.kut.org/crime-justic...
Elon Musk, Cards Against Humanity settle lawsuit over South Texas land
Cards Against Humanity sued SpaceX alleging Musk’s employees trespassed on a piece of land in South Texas and dumped trash.
www.kut.org
October 20, 2025 at 7:22 PM
BREAKING: Cards Against Humanity settles lawsuit against Elon Musk's SpaceX.
“Soon, the land will be returned to its natural state: no space garbage, and still completely free of pointless [expletive] border walls,” the game company told fans. www.kut.org/crime-justic...
“Soon, the land will be returned to its natural state: no space garbage, and still completely free of pointless [expletive] border walls,” the game company told fans. www.kut.org/crime-justic...
Do you live in the U.S. and recently saw your @Tesla #Powerwall go dark?
Powerwall 2s were recalled in Australia bc batteries could catch fire. But I've seen no recall here. I asked @teslaenergy but got no response.
DM me if this has happened to you!
Powerwall 2s were recalled in Australia bc batteries could catch fire. But I've seen no recall here. I asked @teslaenergy but got no response.
DM me if this has happened to you!
October 17, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Do you live in the U.S. and recently saw your @Tesla #Powerwall go dark?
Powerwall 2s were recalled in Australia bc batteries could catch fire. But I've seen no recall here. I asked @teslaenergy but got no response.
DM me if this has happened to you!
Powerwall 2s were recalled in Australia bc batteries could catch fire. But I've seen no recall here. I asked @teslaenergy but got no response.
DM me if this has happened to you!
Friday marked the start of an historic trial, the first murder case for a San Antonio police officer to date.
For Alexis Trovar, the case is simpler. It’ll determine whether the man who shot her mother is held criminally liable.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/10/16/s...
For Alexis Trovar, the case is simpler. It’ll determine whether the man who shot her mother is held criminally liable.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/10/16/s...
‘The Video Speaks for Itself.’ An Historic Murder Case Puts San Antonio Officers on Trial.
San Antonio police officers had never been charged with murder for an on-the-job shooting. Now, a courthouse is packed for an historic trial.
thebarbedwire.com
October 16, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Friday marked the start of an historic trial, the first murder case for a San Antonio police officer to date.
For Alexis Trovar, the case is simpler. It’ll determine whether the man who shot her mother is held criminally liable.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/10/16/s...
For Alexis Trovar, the case is simpler. It’ll determine whether the man who shot her mother is held criminally liable.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/10/16/s...
🧵 Police in some Texas cities get a heads up before ICE raids. Austin is not one of them.
@mosebuchele.bsky.social reached out police and sheriffs across the state. He found out ICE provides advance notice to some local agencies, while keeping others in the dark.
www.kut.org/crime-justic... #txlege
@mosebuchele.bsky.social reached out police and sheriffs across the state. He found out ICE provides advance notice to some local agencies, while keeping others in the dark.
www.kut.org/crime-justic... #txlege
Austin police don’t know when ICE is coming. The chief says that could be dangerous.
ICE doesn’t appear to have a consistent policy of how and when to notify local law enforcement about immigration raids.
www.kut.org
October 15, 2025 at 3:05 PM
🧵 Police in some Texas cities get a heads up before ICE raids. Austin is not one of them.
@mosebuchele.bsky.social reached out police and sheriffs across the state. He found out ICE provides advance notice to some local agencies, while keeping others in the dark.
www.kut.org/crime-justic... #txlege
@mosebuchele.bsky.social reached out police and sheriffs across the state. He found out ICE provides advance notice to some local agencies, while keeping others in the dark.
www.kut.org/crime-justic... #txlege