https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/kiah-collier/The latest news by Kiah Collier.enTue, 20 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/20/ken-paxton-kenny-hansmire-partner-on-opioid-program/While launching a statewide program to distribute packets to dissolve opioids, Attorney General Ken Paxton worked to connect Kenny Hansmire with the state’s comptroller, who oversees the distribution of millions of dollars in opioid settlement money.Kiah Collier, The Texas Tribune and ProPublicaTue, 20 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/20/ken-paxton-kenny-hansmire-partner-on-opioid-program/Kenny Hansmire, right, stands alongside Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and State Sen. Donna Campbell at a news conference in Austin last October to announce a pilot program to dispose of opioid medications.Kenny Hansmire, President of the American Football Coaches Foundation speaks during a news conference at the William P. Clements State Office Building on a pilot program to dispose of medications, especially opioids on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2022 in Austin, TX. Paxton was joined by a group of former athletes and coaches to make the announcement. (Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune)Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/08/inside-30-years-kenny-hansmire-troubled-businesses/Politicians across the country have allocated millions to the National Child Identification Program. The company stands out as a success amid a decadeslong string of businesses plagued by legal and financial problems.Kiah Collier and Lexi Churchill, The Texas Tribune and ProPublicaMon, 08 May 2023 05:05:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/08/inside-30-years-kenny-hansmire-troubled-businesses/Lauren Crow for The Texas Tribune and ProPublicahttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/08/kenny-hansmire-persuades-politicians-to-fund-child-id-kits/Texas is among at least 11 states that have agreed to distribute fingerprinting kits sold by Kenny Hansmire’s Waco-based National Child Identification Program. Some are spending millions even though similar kits are available for free.Kiah Collier and Jeremy Schwartz, The Texas Tribune and ProPublicaMon, 08 May 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/08/kenny-hansmire-persuades-politicians-to-fund-child-id-kits/Lauren Crow for The Texas Tribune and ProPublicahttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/13/air-pollution-epa/The EPA has proposed tougher air pollution rules for chemical plants and other industrial facilities after ProPublica found an estimated 74 million Americans near those sites faced an elevated risk of cancer.Lisa Song, ProPublica, Kiah Collier, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica, and Maya Miller, ProPublicaThu, 13 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/13/air-pollution-epa/The Laredo sterilization plant owned by Midwest Sterilization Corporation released far more ethylene oxide on average than any plant of its kind in the country during the five-year period covered by ProPublica’s analysis.Midwest Sterilization Corporation in Laredo Texas, operates 24/7 and emits more ethylene oxide than any other sterilizer plant in the country, according to the ProPublica analysis, which relies on self-reported emissions data from companies. That makes it the most toxic facility of its kind in the country and the 11th most toxic overall.Kathleen Flynn, special to Texas Tribune/ProPublicahttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/06/texas-gun-background-check-juvenile-mental-health/After a ProPublica-Texas Tribune investigation found courts failed to report juvenile mental health hospitalizations to the federal firearm background check system, lawmakers from both parties are backing bills to ensure compliance with the law.Jeremy Schwartz and Kiah Collier, The Texas Tribune and ProPublicaMon, 06 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/06/texas-gun-background-check-juvenile-mental-health/Legislation requiring Texas officials to report court-ordered mental health hospitalizations of juveniles to the federal background check database has received bipartisan support.The state Capitol in Austin on Feb. 9, 2023.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2022/08/29/laredo-air-pollution-monitoring/Two air monitoring initiatives are moving forward in Laredo after an analysis by the news outlets showed that a plant emitting ethylene oxide elevated the estimated lifetime cancer risk for nearly 130,000 people, including over 37,000 children.Kiah Collier, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica, and Maya Miller, ProPublicaMon, 29 Aug 2022 09:30:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2022/08/29/laredo-air-pollution-monitoring/Students at Julia Bird Jones Muller Elementary School in Laredo, Texas, could be at high risk for cancer because of ethylene oxide emissions from the nearby Midwest Sterilization Corporation plant.A woman directs traffic as students are dropped off at Muller Elementary, which could be at extreme risk due to ethylene oxide emissions from the Midwest plant in Laredo, Texas. Juan Jose “JJ” Nevares attended the school a year before he was diagnosed with cancer.Kathleen Flynn for The Texas Tribune and ProPublicahttps://www.texastribune.org/2022/08/04/epa-laredo-toxic-air-pollution/One of them is in Laredo, which has elevated rates of cancer, according to a recent state analysis. The findings come after reporting by ProPublica and The Texas Tribune.Kiah Collier, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica, and Maya Miller, ProPublicaThu, 04 Aug 2022 15:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2022/08/04/epa-laredo-toxic-air-pollution/Midwest Sterilization Corporation in Laredo, Texas, operates 24/7 and emits more ethylene oxide than any other sterilizer plant in the country, according to ProPublica’s analysis, which relies on self-reported emissions data from companies. That makes it the most toxic facility of its kind in the country and the 11th most toxic overall.Midwest Sterilization Corporation in Laredo Texas, operates 24/7 and emits more ethylene oxide than any other sterilizer plant in the country, according to the ProPublica analysis, which relies on self-reported emissions data from companies. That makes it the most toxic facility of its kind in the country and the 11th most toxic overall.Kathleen Flynn, special to Texas Tribune/ProPublicahttps://www.texastribune.org/2022/07/13/texas-guns-background-checks-juvenile/Lawmakers tried in 2009 to require that the state report all court-ordered mental health hospitalizations to a federal gun background check system. Juveniles have been left out.Jeremy Schwartz and Kiah Collier, The Texas Tribune and ProPublicaWed, 13 Jul 2022 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2022/07/13/texas-guns-background-checks-juvenile/Thousands of roses and handwritten notes, hundreds of candles, and dozens of stuffed animals surround a fountain in the center of the City of Uvalde Town Square in Texas on May 29.Thousands of roses and handwritten notes, hundreds of candles and dozens of stuffed animals surround a fountain in the center of the City of Uvalde Town Square in Ulvade on May 29, 2022.Kaylee Greenlee Beal for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2022/05/26/gun-buying-age-texas-handguns-rifles-uvalde/This week’s massacre in Uvalde highlights disparities in how federal laws regulate rifles and handguns. The shooter bought two rifles days after his 18th birthday.Kiah Collier and Jeremy Schwartz, The Texas Tribune and ProPublicaThu, 26 May 2022 16:10:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2022/05/26/gun-buying-age-texas-handguns-rifles-uvalde/Weapons for sale at a gun store in Austin.Guns at McBride's GunsCallie Richmond for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2022/01/28/texas-epa-toxic-air/In the wake of an investigation by ProPublica and The Texas Tribune into the widely used chemical ethylene oxide, the EPA has moved to reject a less protective standard crafted by Texas regulators and backed by the chemical industry.Kiah Collier, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica, and Maya Miller, ProPublicaFri, 28 Jan 2022 17:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2022/01/28/texas-epa-toxic-air/Barbara Fasken Elementary School in Laredo, TexasKathleen Flynn, special to ProPublicahttps://www.texastribune.org/2021/12/27/laredo-texas-ethylene-oxide/Nobody told Yaneli Ortiz’s family that the factory they lived near emitted ethylene oxide. Not when the EPA found it causes cancer. Not when she was diagnosed with leukemia. And not when Texas moved to allow polluters to emit more of the chemical.Kiah Collier, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica, and Maya Miller, ProPublicaMon, 27 Dec 2021 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2021/12/27/laredo-texas-ethylene-oxide/In 2019, Yaneli Ortiz was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia, a cancer that’s been linked to ethylene oxide exposure. Her hip bone has deteriorated due to steroids that diminished the blood supply through her leg and joints, leaving her in constant pain.Yaneli Ortiz closes her eyes as her father helps her get ready before her quinceañera in Laredo Texas. In 2019 Yaneli was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia, a cancer that’s been linked to ethylene oxide exposure. Her legs and hip are in almost constant pain. Her hip bone had begun to die due to steroids that had diminished the blood supply through her leg and joints. Up to half of children treated for acute lymphocytic leukemia develop some degree of this condition, called avascular necrosis.Kathleen Flynn, special to ProPublica/Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2021/03/08/oportun-lending-pandemic-texas/Oportun Inc., a small-dollar loan company, disclosed to investors that it is the subject of a probe by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau following reporting by The Texas Tribune and ProPublica.Kiah Collier and Ren Larson, The Texas Tribune and ProPublicaMon, 08 Mar 2021 13:30:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2021/03/08/oportun-lending-pandemic-texas/An Oportun location in Brownsville on March 5.An Oportun location in Brownsville on March 5, 2021.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2021/02/22/texas-power-grid-extreme-weather/Texas regulators and lawmakers knew about the grid’s vulnerabilities for years, but time and again they furthered the interests of large electricity providers.Jeremy Schwartz, Kiah Collier and Vianna Davila, The Texas Tribune and ProPublicaMon, 22 Feb 2021 17:31:57 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2021/02/22/texas-power-grid-extreme-weather/Jacob Duran cooked his meals outside last week after his apartment lost power in Southeast Austin.Jacob Duran prepares wood for a grill. Duran has been cooking meals outsides after his apartment lost power. Feb. 18, 2021.Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2021/01/08/oportun-loan-latinos-lawsuits-bank/Oportun, which lends in only a dozen states, applied for a bank charter late last year. Consumer and Latino civil rights groups are pushing back, citing the findings of a joint investigation by ProPublica and The Texas Tribune.Kiah Collier and Ren Larson, The Texas Tribune and ProPublicaFri, 08 Jan 2021 07:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2021/01/08/oportun-loan-latinos-lawsuits-bank/Oportun, located at 3909 North Interstate 35 in Austin.Oportun, located at 3909 North Interstate 35 in Austin.Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2020/08/31/texas-oportun-lender-latinos/A monthslong investigation revealed that Oportun Inc. routinely uses lawsuits to intimidate a vulnerable population into keeping up with high-interest loan payments — even amid COVID-19.Kiah Collier, Ren Larson and Perla Trevizo, The Texas Tribune and ProPublicaMon, 31 Aug 2020 14:30:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2020/08/31/texas-oportun-lender-latinos/Analleli Solis.Analleli Solis. Pu Ying Huang for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2020/08/31/texas-oportun-lender-lawsuits/Justice of the peace courts, where a majority of debt claims are filed in Texas, aren’t required to report case-level information. Here’s how ProPublica and Texas Tribune reporters got around it to reveal one company’s aggressive tactics.Ren Larson and Kiah Collier, The Texas Tribune and ProPublicaMon, 31 Aug 2020 14:30:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2020/08/31/texas-oportun-lender-lawsuits/An Oportun location in Austin.Oportun, located at 3909 North Interstate 35 in Austin.Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2020/07/28/texas-oportun-lender/The company didn’t say exactly how many pending lawsuits it would drop in Texas and elsewhere, but it confirmed that “several thousand cases” would be impacted.Kiah Collier and Ren Larson, The Texas Tribune and ProPublicaTue, 28 Jul 2020 17:15:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2020/07/28/texas-oportun-lender/Oportun, which has a location in north Austin, announced Tuesday that it would drop all the lawsuits it has filed against borrowers who fell behind on payments, including during the pandemic.Oportun, located at 3909 North Interstate 35 in Austin.Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2020/05/14/texas-coronavirus-enforcement/Texas cities and counties have dramatically different interpretations of the state’s COVID-19 emergency orders. Complaint data from a dozen cities shows that disparate approaches to enforcement, particularly among businesses, have been incredibly common.Lexi Churchill, Kiah Collier, Vianna Davila and Ren Larson, The Texas Tribune and ProPublicaThu, 14 May 2020 13:30:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2020/05/14/texas-coronavirus-enforcement/Gov. Greg Abbott announced a strike force in charge of laying steps to reopen the Texas economy at a press conference in the Capitol on April 17, 2020.Gov. Greg Abbott announced a strike force in charge of laying steps to re-open the Texas economy at a press conference in the capitol on April 17, 2020.Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/22/texas-coronavirus-debt-collectors/Kim Boatswain's tax refund could have helped her get through the coronavirus slowdown. But debt collectors seized it. There are few options for Texans like Boatswain whose money was taken just before the state temporarily banned such garnishments.Kiah Collier and Ren Larson, The Texas Tribune and ProPublicaWed, 22 Apr 2020 13:30:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/22/texas-coronavirus-debt-collectors/Credit card debt illustration.Credit card debt illustration.Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/02/texas-churches-coronavirus-stay-open/COVID-19 has spread rapidly in Texas, and many congregations closed their doors and moved religious services online. But there are some religious groups who say it’s their right to remain open because they believe they provide an essential service to their communities.Kiah Collier, Perla Trevizo and Vianna Davila, The Texas Tribune and ProPublicaThu, 02 Apr 2020 17:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2020/04/02/texas-churches-coronavirus-stay-open/Worshippers arrived for a service Wednesday at City on a Hill Church in Houston. Rubber gloves were handed out, and a sign on the door asked people to sit 6 feet apart.Worshippers arrive for a church service at City on a Hill Church in Houston. Rubber gloves were handed out as people arrived and a sign on the door asked people to sit six feet apart as a precaution. April 1, 2020.Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune