Lauren McGaughy
@lmcgaughy.bsky.social
Soon: Texas politics correspondent @nytimes.com | Past: @kutnews.bsky.social @dallasnews.com @houstonchronicle.com @nolanews.bsky.social | FOIA nerd📍Austin, TX
Signal: lmcgaughy.40
📧: lmcgaughy@proton.me
☎︎: 512-436-3641
Signal: lmcgaughy.40
📧: lmcgaughy@proton.me
☎︎: 512-436-3641
Pinned
National Welcomes Texas Politics Correspondent | The New York Times Company
www.nytco.com
📰 After two years in public radio, next week will be my last with @kutnews.bsky.social @npr.org.
I'll soon join @nytimes.com as their first Texas politics correspondent. I'm staying in #ATX, and am excited to jump back into daily coverage.
Here I come, y'all!
www.nytco.com/press/nation... #txlege
I'll soon join @nytimes.com as their first Texas politics correspondent. I'm staying in #ATX, and am excited to jump back into daily coverage.
Here I come, y'all!
www.nytco.com/press/nation... #txlege
For all those reaching out: I start my new job at The New York Times at the end of the month. Taking a little break until then.
For now, send tips via Signal at LMcGaughy.40 or on any social media platform. See y’all in March! 👋🏻
For now, send tips via Signal at LMcGaughy.40 or on any social media platform. See y’all in March! 👋🏻
a black cat is sitting in front of an apple laptop computer .
ALT: a black cat is sitting in front of an apple laptop computer .
media.tenor.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:26 PM
For all those reaching out: I start my new job at The New York Times at the end of the month. Taking a little break until then.
For now, send tips via Signal at LMcGaughy.40 or on any social media platform. See y’all in March! 👋🏻
For now, send tips via Signal at LMcGaughy.40 or on any social media platform. See y’all in March! 👋🏻
Reposted by Lauren McGaughy
I know we're having a lot of fun with the whole penis doping thing, but I wouldn't be me if I didn't point out that this should be the scandal in ski jumping that everyone is screaming about apnews.com/article/olym...
An American skier is fighting to open up the last Winter Olympic sport off limits to women
U.S. Nordic combined athlete Annika Malacinski is leading the fight for gender equality at the Winter Olympics after women were excluded from the sport at the upcoming Milan Cortina Games.
apnews.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:02 PM
I know we're having a lot of fun with the whole penis doping thing, but I wouldn't be me if I didn't point out that this should be the scandal in ski jumping that everyone is screaming about apnews.com/article/olym...
Today I published my last story for The Texas Newsroom @KUTNews.
We analyzed years of data from Texas prisons w/o AC and found — more often than not — temps would violate standards for county jails.
Jails must keep temps between 65-85°. State prisons don’t. www.kut.org/crime-justic... #txlege
We analyzed years of data from Texas prisons w/o AC and found — more often than not — temps would violate standards for county jails.
Jails must keep temps between 65-85°. State prisons don’t. www.kut.org/crime-justic... #txlege
Many Texas prisons are regularly topping 90 degrees. The state is about to defend itself in court.
A new comprehensive analysis of state data shows Texas prisons get so hot in summer that temperatures there would routinely violate state standards for other types of lockups. The state will be back i...
www.kut.org
February 2, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Today I published my last story for The Texas Newsroom @KUTNews.
We analyzed years of data from Texas prisons w/o AC and found — more often than not — temps would violate standards for county jails.
Jails must keep temps between 65-85°. State prisons don’t. www.kut.org/crime-justic... #txlege
We analyzed years of data from Texas prisons w/o AC and found — more often than not — temps would violate standards for county jails.
Jails must keep temps between 65-85°. State prisons don’t. www.kut.org/crime-justic... #txlege
Every journalist has that feeling of waking up in the middle of the night to recheck a fact in a story set to publish the next morning.
Last night, mine was, “what k-pop generation did BTS debut in??”
(Spoiler: I got it right)
A fun story, for once! one.npr.org/i/nx-s1-5693...
Last night, mine was, “what k-pop generation did BTS debut in??”
(Spoiler: I got it right)
A fun story, for once! one.npr.org/i/nx-s1-5693...
🔊 Listen Now: K-Pop feels ubiquitous nowadays — but it's been decades in the making
Weekend Edition Saturday on NPR One | 5:13
one.npr.org
January 31, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Every journalist has that feeling of waking up in the middle of the night to recheck a fact in a story set to publish the next morning.
Last night, mine was, “what k-pop generation did BTS debut in??”
(Spoiler: I got it right)
A fun story, for once! one.npr.org/i/nx-s1-5693...
Last night, mine was, “what k-pop generation did BTS debut in??”
(Spoiler: I got it right)
A fun story, for once! one.npr.org/i/nx-s1-5693...
Reposted by Lauren McGaughy
Burkina Faso’s military junta has dissolved all the political parties in the country and scrapped the laws governing them.
Burkina Faso’s junta dissolves all of country's political parties, saying they cause divisions
Burkina Faso’s military junta has dissolved all the political parties in the country and scrapped the laws governing them.
bit.ly
January 31, 2026 at 5:30 AM
Burkina Faso’s military junta has dissolved all the political parties in the country and scrapped the laws governing them.
Recording a radio feature about K-Pop on the same day I finish editing a yearlong data story on prison conditions?
Yeah… that seems about right for my last day @kutnews.bsky.social @npr.org!
I’ve learned a ton at public radio. I hope they have me back to talk about future stories!
#txlege
Yeah… that seems about right for my last day @kutnews.bsky.social @npr.org!
I’ve learned a ton at public radio. I hope they have me back to talk about future stories!
#txlege
January 30, 2026 at 11:32 PM
Recording a radio feature about K-Pop on the same day I finish editing a yearlong data story on prison conditions?
Yeah… that seems about right for my last day @kutnews.bsky.social @npr.org!
I’ve learned a ton at public radio. I hope they have me back to talk about future stories!
#txlege
Yeah… that seems about right for my last day @kutnews.bsky.social @npr.org!
I’ve learned a ton at public radio. I hope they have me back to talk about future stories!
#txlege
📰 After two years in public radio, next week will be my last with @kutnews.bsky.social @npr.org.
I'll soon join @nytimes.com as their first Texas politics correspondent. I'm staying in #ATX, and am excited to jump back into daily coverage.
Here I come, y'all!
www.nytco.com/press/nation... #txlege
I'll soon join @nytimes.com as their first Texas politics correspondent. I'm staying in #ATX, and am excited to jump back into daily coverage.
Here I come, y'all!
www.nytco.com/press/nation... #txlege
National Welcomes Texas Politics Correspondent | The New York Times Company
www.nytco.com
January 23, 2026 at 4:07 PM
📰 After two years in public radio, next week will be my last with @kutnews.bsky.social @npr.org.
I'll soon join @nytimes.com as their first Texas politics correspondent. I'm staying in #ATX, and am excited to jump back into daily coverage.
Here I come, y'all!
www.nytco.com/press/nation... #txlege
I'll soon join @nytimes.com as their first Texas politics correspondent. I'm staying in #ATX, and am excited to jump back into daily coverage.
Here I come, y'all!
www.nytco.com/press/nation... #txlege
"Grind your coffee beans tonight," Jennifer Stayton @kutnews.bsky.social reminds us ahead of winter weather this weekend.
ERCOT does not expect widespread outages like five years ago, but, understandably, Texans are still wary!
More info here: www.kut.org/energy-envir...
ERCOT does not expect widespread outages like five years ago, but, understandably, Texans are still wary!
More info here: www.kut.org/energy-envir...
Winter storm warning issued for Austin area from Saturday morning to Sunday at noon
The National Weather Service says the Austin area can expect freezing temperatures this weekend, along with wind chills in the single digits and the possibility of freezing rain or sleet.
www.kut.org
January 23, 2026 at 3:28 PM
"Grind your coffee beans tonight," Jennifer Stayton @kutnews.bsky.social reminds us ahead of winter weather this weekend.
ERCOT does not expect widespread outages like five years ago, but, understandably, Texans are still wary!
More info here: www.kut.org/energy-envir...
ERCOT does not expect widespread outages like five years ago, but, understandably, Texans are still wary!
More info here: www.kut.org/energy-envir...
Y’ALL. It’s happening!
January 22, 2026 at 10:54 PM
Y’ALL. It’s happening!
Update on Austin police’s ICE cooperation:
At a protest outside city hall this week, council members told @mosebuchele.bsky.social they could not guarantee APD officers wouldn’t call ICE on undocumented people they encounter.
APD to release new guidelines soon. kutkutx.studio/austin-signa...
At a protest outside city hall this week, council members told @mosebuchele.bsky.social they could not guarantee APD officers wouldn’t call ICE on undocumented people they encounter.
APD to release new guidelines soon. kutkutx.studio/austin-signa...
January 22, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Update on Austin police’s ICE cooperation:
At a protest outside city hall this week, council members told @mosebuchele.bsky.social they could not guarantee APD officers wouldn’t call ICE on undocumented people they encounter.
APD to release new guidelines soon. kutkutx.studio/austin-signa...
At a protest outside city hall this week, council members told @mosebuchele.bsky.social they could not guarantee APD officers wouldn’t call ICE on undocumented people they encounter.
APD to release new guidelines soon. kutkutx.studio/austin-signa...
NEW: Austin City Council members have strong thoughts on when APD should cooperate with ICE.
(tl;dr they say rarely/never)
But the city/police chief say state law hampers their ability to bar all contact. Story by @mosebuchele.bsky.social.
www.kut.org/crime-justic... #ATX #ICE
(tl;dr they say rarely/never)
But the city/police chief say state law hampers their ability to bar all contact. Story by @mosebuchele.bsky.social.
www.kut.org/crime-justic... #ATX #ICE
Austin City Council reacts to APD chief's statement on ICE policy
Council members hope Austin police can find a way to minimize contact with federal immigration agents, despite state laws that stop cities from prohibiting local police from cooperating with ICE.
www.kut.org
January 15, 2026 at 10:39 PM
NEW: Austin City Council members have strong thoughts on when APD should cooperate with ICE.
(tl;dr they say rarely/never)
But the city/police chief say state law hampers their ability to bar all contact. Story by @mosebuchele.bsky.social.
www.kut.org/crime-justic... #ATX #ICE
(tl;dr they say rarely/never)
But the city/police chief say state law hampers their ability to bar all contact. Story by @mosebuchele.bsky.social.
www.kut.org/crime-justic... #ATX #ICE
Updated: This story now includes comments from Councilman Chito Vela and a city memo about APD's new ICE policy.
Vela told us he does not believe APD will freely cooperate with ICE under the dept’s new policy because superior officers will be involved in when to alert federal officers.
Vela told us he does not believe APD will freely cooperate with ICE under the dept’s new policy because superior officers will be involved in when to alert federal officers.
#Breaking: Last week, Austin police called ICE on a mother and her five-year-old kid.
Now, @mosebuchele.bsky.social reports APD will update its policies to explicitly state that local police can cooperate with ICE. www.kut.org/crime-justic... #txlege #ICE
Now, @mosebuchele.bsky.social reports APD will update its policies to explicitly state that local police can cooperate with ICE. www.kut.org/crime-justic... #txlege #ICE
Austin police will change policy on ICE cooperation after detention of mother, daughter
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis says new policy will reflect the fact that officers have greater leeway over when to report people to ICE when they are suspected of civil immigration violations.
www.kut.org
January 15, 2026 at 3:13 AM
Updated: This story now includes comments from Councilman Chito Vela and a city memo about APD's new ICE policy.
Vela told us he does not believe APD will freely cooperate with ICE under the dept’s new policy because superior officers will be involved in when to alert federal officers.
Vela told us he does not believe APD will freely cooperate with ICE under the dept’s new policy because superior officers will be involved in when to alert federal officers.
#Breaking: Last week, Austin police called ICE on a mother and her five-year-old kid.
Now, @mosebuchele.bsky.social reports APD will update its policies to explicitly state that local police can cooperate with ICE. www.kut.org/crime-justic... #txlege #ICE
Now, @mosebuchele.bsky.social reports APD will update its policies to explicitly state that local police can cooperate with ICE. www.kut.org/crime-justic... #txlege #ICE
Austin police will change policy on ICE cooperation after detention of mother, daughter
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis says new policy will reflect the fact that officers have greater leeway over when to report people to ICE when they are suspected of civil immigration violations.
www.kut.org
January 14, 2026 at 8:30 PM
#Breaking: Last week, Austin police called ICE on a mother and her five-year-old kid.
Now, @mosebuchele.bsky.social reports APD will update its policies to explicitly state that local police can cooperate with ICE. www.kut.org/crime-justic... #txlege #ICE
Now, @mosebuchele.bsky.social reports APD will update its policies to explicitly state that local police can cooperate with ICE. www.kut.org/crime-justic... #txlege #ICE
NEW: We got hundreds of never-before-released text messages between county leaders sent during deadly July 4 Texas floods.
They show confusion among those in charge with how to respond to the devastating event. We published with @texastribune.org. www.kut.org/energy-envir... #txlege
They show confusion among those in charge with how to respond to the devastating event. We published with @texastribune.org. www.kut.org/energy-envir... #txlege
Texts among officials show confusion about missing campers during July 4 floods
Hundreds of newly published text messages add more detail to the devastating timeline of the deadly July 4 Texas floods.
www.kut.org
January 14, 2026 at 12:48 PM
NEW: We got hundreds of never-before-released text messages between county leaders sent during deadly July 4 Texas floods.
They show confusion among those in charge with how to respond to the devastating event. We published with @texastribune.org. www.kut.org/energy-envir... #txlege
They show confusion among those in charge with how to respond to the devastating event. We published with @texastribune.org. www.kut.org/energy-envir... #txlege
🚨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]