Sign in

Jeremy Schwartz

@jschwartzreporter.bsky.social
17.4K followers 248 following 30 posts

ProPublica/Texas Tribune Investigative Unit reporter in Austin, TX (on book leave until Spring 2026)

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Jeremy Schwartz
Charles Ornstein @charlesornstein.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
SCOOP: Ken Paxton Vowed to Crack Down on “Illegal Voting.” He May Have Violated Texas Election Law. by @zachdespart.bsky.social w/ @texastribune.org
propublica.org
Ken Paxton Vowed to Crack Down on “Illegal Voting.” He May Have Violated Texas Election Law.
The Texas attorney general appears to have used an address where he did not live while voting in six elections in the past two years — despite his warning voters that “it is illegal to misrepresent yo...
36137 0
Jeremy Schwartz @jschwartzreporter.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Hugely important story and brilliant reporting from @jsmithrichards.bsky.social
030 0
Reposted by Jeremy Schwartz
ProPublica @propublica.org · 18/09/2025
“They want to get Christians in office to change the ordinances, laws, rules and regulations to fit the Bible,” said one GOP activist who knows the Wilks family personally. (Published Oct. 2024)
propublica.org
A Pair of Billionaire Preachers Built the Most Powerful Political Machine in Texas. That’s Just the Start.
Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks are poised to take their Christian nationalist agenda nationwide.
47503223 0
Reposted by Jeremy Schwartz
Corey Johnson @coreygjohnson.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
‪After watching and reading comments about the horrific Minnesota shooting, it appears most Americans people missed our stories about the secret roots to the madness. I pray this repost helps. www.propublica.org/article/gunm...
propublica.org
Gun Companies Gave Customers’ Sensitive Personal Information to Political Operatives
At least 10 gun industry businesses, including Glock, Smith & Wesson, Remington and Mossberg, secretly handed over names, addresses and other data to lobbyists, who used the details to rally firearm o...
9377209 0
Reposted by Jeremy Schwartz
Megan O'Matz @megomatz.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
A ProPublica & CBS News investigation revealed that Texas’ funding for anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers was riddled with waste. Now nonprofits must provide a detailed accounting of their expenses. / News tip? Contact: @jeremykohler.bsky.social or @cassandrajaramillo.bsky.social
propublica.org
Texas Overhauls Anti-Abortion Program That Spent Tens of Millions of Taxpayer Dollars With Little Oversight
After a ProPublica and CBS News investigation revealed that Texas’ funding pipeline for anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers is riddled with waste, nonprofits in the program must now provide a detai...
12610 0
Reposted by Jeremy Schwartz
Charles Ornstein @charlesornstein.bsky.social · 05/07/2025
We don’t talk enough about the nexus between weather forecasts and evacuation orders. @jenniferberryhawes.bsky.social did so recently with this stunning story about Hurricane Helene’s unheard warnings in Yancey County, North Carolina
propublica.org
Helene’s Unheard Warnings
As Hurricane Helene barreled toward Yancey County in North Carolina, communities along the Cane River in the Black Mountains were particularly vulnerable. But there were no evacuation orders, and few ...
18469149 0
Reposted by Jeremy Schwartz
NPR @npr.org · 05/07/2025
NPR has compiled a timeline of when local, state and federal officials posted warnings on social media as well as the timeline of events as presented by local officials.
n.pr
Here's a timeline of the catastrophic Texas floods
NPR has compiled a timeline of when local, state and federal officials posted warnings on social media as well as the timeline of events as presented by local officials.
36141231654 0
Jeremy Schwartz @jschwartzreporter.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
The new law is a reminder that journalistic impact can take years, sometimes decades, to bear fruit. And also a reminder to support your daily newspaper!
Austin American-Statesman A1 story titled Broken Promises: How Texas Fails Migrant Farmworkers
052 0
Jeremy Schwartz @jschwartzreporter.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
On the floor of the House, State Rep. Diego Bernal of San Antonio detailed the decade-long fight for the bill, arguing it would help ensure clean, sanitary and safe housing for farmworkers. "This is pure humane treatment." www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc8H...
youtube.com
Rep. Bernal lays out SB 243, regulating migrant labor housing facilities
YouTube video by Texas Impact
140 0
Jeremy Schwartz @jschwartzreporter.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
Texas Policy Research Action, a conservative legislative research organization, urged lawmakers to reject the bill, writing that while "the intent is commendable," the legislation substantially expands "government power" and "imposes new mandates." www.texaspolicyresearch.com/bills/89th-l...
texaspolicyresearch.com
SB 243 - 89th Legislature Regular Session
Relating to the regulation of migrant labor housing facilities; changing the amount of a civil penalty.
100 0
Jeremy Schwartz @jschwartzreporter.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
The new legislation requires the state to spend over $1 million over the next two years to hire staff and create a more robust inspection program for migrant housing facilities and requires the TDHCA to conduct outreach to migratory farmworkers, educating them on their rights under the law.
110 0
Jeremy Schwartz @jschwartzreporter.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
The Austin American-Statesman investigation found state regulators hadn't levied fines despite failing inspections and that Texas spent far less than other states. While Michigan spent $1.1 million in 2015, Texas spent less than $2,500 on housing inspections.
Austin American-Statesman article from 2016 showing the findings of the newspaper's investigation.
100 0
Jeremy Schwartz @jschwartzreporter.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
The bill's analysis cites the Austin American-Statesman's 2016 investigation into farmworker housing, which found migrant agricultural workers "subjected to inhumane living conditions" like shipping containers and homes flooded with sewage.
The bill analysis for SB 243 by Senator Pete Flores
100 0
Jeremy Schwartz @jschwartzreporter.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
Similar versions of the bill, SB 243, died in past sessions. This time, Sen. Pete Flores of Pleasanton, the first Hispanic Republican in the TX Senate, passed the bill 31-0 in the Senate and by a wide majority in the House. Gov. Abbott let the bill take effect w/o his signature.
100 0
Jeremy Schwartz @jschwartzreporter.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
In one of the more surprising moves of the just completed legislative session, Texas lawmakers significantly increased oversight and inspections of migrant farmworker housing, the culmination of nearly a decade of legislative attempts sparked by a 2016 Austin American-Statesman investigation.
Webpage showing the bill's progress through the Texas Legislature. It takes effect on September 1.
270 0
Reposted by Jeremy Schwartz
Bayliss Wagner @baylisswagner.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
NEW: The Texas House is poised to pass legislation to grant parents unprecedented control over school library book selection. SB 13 would require schools to prohibit books that are "indecent," "profane" or "sexually explicit." #txlege www.statesman.com/story/news/p...
statesman.com
Texas Legislature poised to implement sweeping restrictions on school libraries
SB 13 vastly expands parents' control over the school library selection process and prohibits "profane," "indecent" and "sexually explicit" books.
62115 0
Reposted by Jeremy Schwartz
Charles Ornstein @charlesornstein.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
Congrats to @houstonchronicle.com for publishing the first piece out of our new collaboration w/ @texastribune.org and five newsrooms! A Houston megadonor is losing in the Texas Legislature after 30 years of wins
houstonchronicle.com
A Houston megadonor is losing in the Texas Legislature after 30 years of wins
Dick Weekley's lobbying group, Texans for Lawsuit Reform, has fierce opposition and lost allies in a clash with Attorney General Ken Paxton.
201080229 0
Reposted by Jeremy Schwartz
ProPublica Guild @propublicaguild.org · 08/05/2025
1/ 🚨 Yesterday, @propublica.org management confirmed that it will again deny steward representation at disciplinary meetings. Our full statement 👇
Thursday, May 8, 2025
ProPublica management continues to deny steward representation
Yesterday morning, ProPublica management confirmed that it will deny steward representation to at least two more bargaining unit members it plans to discipline next week through the issuance of Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs). 
This is part of a larger pattern: management has denied steward representation in every meeting where members were placed on PIPs. The plans are the first step in a disciplinary process that often leads to termination.
We have raised this issue repeatedly.
Last Thursday, more than 70% of our unit sent an open letter to ProPublica leadership, urging them to stop resisting core union protections including steward access, just cause and accountability in the disciplinary process.
This week, managers informed two employees that they would be placed on PIPs in meetings next week. Shortly afterward, ProPublica’s general counsel told Guild leadership that stewards will not be allowed in those meetings.
ProPublica’s disciplinary process remains opaque, inconsistently applied and shielded from scrutiny. Blocking stewards from these meetings is out of step with our industry and the principles of fairness and accountability the newsroom claims to uphold.
511957 0
Reposted by Jeremy Schwartz
ProPublica @propublica.org · 17/04/2025
The Texas House has approved a $1 billion private school voucher bill — the culmination of more than three decades of work by Christian conservative donors. @jschwartzreporter.bsky.social explains how we got to this moment (published 2024):
propublica.org
Texas Is the Largest GOP Stronghold Without Pro-School Voucher Legislation. Gov. Abbott Is on a Crusade to Change That.
Greg Abbott has campaigned against members of his own party who do not support voucher programs. This fall, he may finally get the votes needed to pass a bill — a win for the Christian conservative do...
69314154 0
Jeremy Schwartz @jschwartzreporter.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
How we got here: Inside the 30-year push to bring school vouchers to Texas, an effort that was revived by the pandemic and allegations of “indoctrination”: www.propublica.org/article/texa...
propublica.org
Texas Is the Largest GOP Stronghold Without Pro-School Voucher Legislation. Gov. Abbott Is on a Crusade to Change That.
Greg Abbott has campaigned against members of his own party who do not support voucher programs. This fall, he may finally get the votes needed to pass a bill — a win for the Christian conservative do...
99828 0
Jeremy Schwartz @jschwartzreporter.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
If you look at item 7b in these meeting minutes, you'll find the textbooks and the chapters: meetings.boardbook.org/Documents/Cu...
meetings.boardbook.org
Custom Minutes for May 6, 2024 at 6:00 PM - Regular Board Meeting - BoardBook Premier
020 0
Jeremy Schwartz @jschwartzreporter.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
Here are the lines in the "Teaching" textbook that came under scrutiny in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD:
Page in textbook contains the lines: "Culturally competent teachers use self-reflection to examine their own unintentional and subtle biases" and "Teachers working toward cultural humility and competence in teaching diverse students are willing to commit the time and energy it takes to learn new ideas."
2275 0
Jeremy Schwartz @jschwartzreporter.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
Experts believe the far-right school board's move will resonate in other conservative-controlled districts as the fight over textbooks moves from State Board of Education to local school boards.
3144 0
Jeremy Schwartz @jschwartzreporter.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
NEW: Leader at the 3rd largest school district in Texas considers chapters in a textbook that discuss how to teach diverse learners, and that raise the concept of cultural competence for aspiring teachers, to be unlawful under the state's landmark "anti-CRT" bill. @propublica.org @texastribune.org
propublica.org
A Texas School Board Cut State-Approved Textbook Chapters About Diversity. A Board Member Says Material Violated the Law
The decision to strip chapters from books that had already won the approval of the state’s Republican-controlled board of education represents an escalation in how local school boards run by ideologic...
1417686 0
Reposted by Jeremy Schwartz
Cengiz Yar @cengizyar.com · 27/03/2025
"The legislation comes in response to a @propublica.org investigation last fall that revealed how three Texas women died after they did not receive critical procedures during miscarriages." www.propublica.org/article/texa...
propublica.org
Texas GOP Lawmakers Propose Amending Abortion Ban Linked to Deaths and a Rise in Sepsis Cases
The bill comes after ProPublica’s reporting on the deaths of three Texas women. It specifies that doctors don’t need to wait until an emergency is “imminent” to terminate pregnancies but leaves in ste...
0154 0
Reposted by Jeremy Schwartz
Doug Bock Clark @dougbockclark.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
1/ A year ago, I was examining North Carolina’s budget when two unusual items caught my attention–spurring an investigation that reveals how political and religious favoritism by lawmakers can harm some of society’s most vulnerable people. #ncpol @propublica.org www.propublica.org/article/nort...
propublica.org
A Political Power Grab Redirected Funds for North Carolina’s Sexual Abuse Survivors. Women in Crisis Paid the Price.
The move, which led to disruptions in services for sexual assault and domestic violence survivors, provides a glimpse of the consequences when a branch of government assumes unprecedented control.
4214101 0
Reposted by Jeremy Schwartz
Charles Ornstein @charlesornstein.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
Power. Politics. Race. Schools. Kids. This story is so important. How Texas Conservatives Use At-Large School Board Elections to Influence What Students Learn @jschwartzreporter.bsky.social and Dan Keemahill w/ @texastribune.org
propublica.org
How Texas Conservatives Use At-Large School Board Elections to Influence What Students Learn
In six Texas districts that used at-large voting systems, ideologically driven conservatives successfully helped elect school board members who have moved aggressively to ban or remove educational mat...
316056 0
Reposted by Jeremy Schwartz
Barry C '71 @barryconsidine.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
I'm a huge supporter of ProPublica's excellent reporting. www.propublica.org/article/texa...
propublica.org
How Texas Conservatives Use At-Large School Board Elections to Influence What Students Learn
In six Texas districts that used at-large voting systems, ideologically driven conservatives successfully helped elect school board members who have moved aggressively to ban or remove educational mat...
0133 0
Reposted by Jeremy Schwartz
Curly sue @moocowsue.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
“What you’re seeing happening in Texas is how at-large districts make it easy for somebody to come in, usually from the outside, and hijack the process and essentially buy a board." www.propublica.org/article/texa...
propublica.org
How Texas Conservatives Use At-Large School Board Elections to Influence What Students Learn
In six Texas districts that used at-large voting systems, ideologically driven conservatives successfully helped elect school board members who have moved aggressively to ban or remove educational mat...
097 0
Reposted by Jeremy Schwartz
Bob Burgess @bobburgess.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
"In six Texas districts that used at-large voting systems, ideologically driven conservatives successfully helped elect school board members who have moved aggressively to ban or remove educational materials that teach children about diversity." www.propublica.org/article/texa...
propublica.org
The Way Texans Elect School Board Members Plays a Key Role in What Students in Diverse Districts Learn
In six Texas districts that used at-large voting systems, ideologically driven conservatives successfully helped elect school board members who have moved aggressively to ban or remove educational mat...
031 0
Reposted by Jeremy Schwartz
Charles Ornstein @charlesornstein.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
On paper, the school districts in Keller and Richardson, Texas, look a lot alike. But they have followed divergent paths in culture war battles. One has been taken over by a conservative school board that is banning books. The other hasn't. @jschwartzreporter.bsky.social explains what's going on.
propublica.org
The Way Texans Elect School Board Members Plays a Key Role in What Students in Diverse Districts Learn
In six Texas districts that used at-large voting systems, ideologically driven conservatives successfully helped elect school board members who have moved aggressively to ban or remove educational mat...
44619 0
Reposted by Jeremy Schwartz
Aliyya Swaby @aliyyaswaby.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
Really smart story by my current and former colleagues in Texas. @alexazura.bsky.social and I wrote about the lawsuit in Richardson for our investigation on the legacy of school segregation in Texas, back in 2018: www.texastribune.org/2018/12/11/r...
texastribune.org
Richardson ISD's student demographics have significantly changed. The makeup of its school board hasn't.
Only one person of color has ever served on the Richardson ISD board. Now, he's suing the district over its method of electing school board members, alleging it denies people of color a fair say in wh...
094 0
Jeremy Schwartz @jschwartzreporter.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
Read the full story from myself and Dan Keemahill in @propublica.org and the @texastribune.org. www.texastribune.org/2025/03/19/t...
texastribune.org
How at-large voting creates conservative majorities on Texas school boards
In six Texas districts that used at-large voting systems, ideologically driven groups successfully helped elect school board members who have moved aggressively to ban or remove educational materials ...
12113 0
Jeremy Schwartz @jschwartzreporter.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
Instead of banning library books, board members have embraced an opt-out policy that allows parents to limit their own children’s access, but keeps books available for other students.
1120 0
Jeremy Schwartz @jschwartzreporter.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
30 miles from Keller, the Richardson ISD switched to single-member voting as a result of a lawsuit shortly before the pandemic. Today, the formerly all-white board has 4 trustees of color.
1140 0
Jeremy Schwartz @jschwartzreporter.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
In 8 nearby districts that use single-member voting systems, we found much less PAC money in campaigns and no board takeovers. Single member systems, where candidates run to represent smaller geographic segments, results in broader representation, research shows.
1121 0
Jeremy Schwartz @jschwartzreporter.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
“What you’re seeing happening in Texas is how at-large districts make it easy for somebody to come in, usually from the outside, and hijack the process and essentially buy a board,” one voting rights expert told us. “It just sort of defeats the idea of representative democracy.”
1141 0
Jeremy Schwartz @jschwartzreporter.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
For example, a teacher at a nearby religious school with no children in the district complained that a children’s biography of acclaimed Black poet @amandagorman.bsky.social , had “traces of CRT.” Administrators pulled the book from the purchase list.
518242 0
Jeremy Schwartz @jschwartzreporter.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
In the North Texas Keller school district, where ideologically driven conservatives won all 7 seats on the board, trustees passed sweeping policies that resulted in books about race being left off of library book purchase lists.
1131 0
Jeremy Schwartz @jschwartzreporter.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
Those districts saw large amounts of money from conservative PACs and a highly organized effort by GOP groups and donors to promote slates of candidates districtwide.
190 0
Jeremy Schwartz @jschwartzreporter.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
@propublica.org and @texastribune.org found that the use of at-large voting, which has been challenged in the courts for its role in diluting the vote of residents of color, has helped facilitate rightwing takeovers in at least 6 suburban districts where students of color are the majority.
2237 0
Jeremy Schwartz @jschwartzreporter.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
NEW STORY🧵: Since the pandemic, Texas school boards have seen ideologically driven conservatives win supermajorities pledging to rid districts of so-called "crt.". A key, if often overlooked, factor in election outcomes, is how those districts elect their trustees. www.propublica.org/article/texa...
propublica.org
The Way Texans Elect School Board Members Plays a Key Role in What Students in Diverse Districts Learn
In six Texas districts that used at-large voting systems, ideologically driven conservatives successfully helped elect school board members who have moved aggressively to ban or remove educational mat...
215037 0
Reposted by Jeremy Schwartz
Charles Ornstein @charlesornstein.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
This is a story about frustration, about watching the West burn when you fully understand why it’s burning — and understand why it did not need to be this bad. They Know How to Prevent Megafires. Why Won’t Anybody Listen? @lizweil.bsky.social (from 2020)
propublica.org
They Know How to Prevent Megafires. Why Won’t Anybody Listen?
This is a story about frustration, about watching the West burn when you fully understand why it’s burning — and understand why it did not need to be this bad.
414857 0
Reposted by Jeremy Schwartz
Josh Kaplan @josh-kaplan.bsky.social · 04/01/2025
THREAD: In 2023, I received an envelope with no return address. Inside was a flash drive containing tens of 1000s of secret files. It came from a vigilante with a tumultuous past, who'd conducted a years-long undercover operation. He didn’t tell the FBI or his family. He only told me.
863193927177 0
Reposted by Jeremy Schwartz
Mike Masnick @masnick.com · 02/01/2025
Once again, we need anti-SLAPP laws in every state and a federal anti-SLAPP law. You shouldn't be able to sue a publisher because you disagree with the framing of their accurate story.
683659751 0
Jeremy Schwartz @jschwartzreporter.bsky.social · 30/12/2024
No one covers Austin’s Latino community and cultura like the amazing Austin Vida team. Help them continue their mission of amplifying Latinidad in the capital city and unlock triple matching funds by donating before the end of year! austinvida.com/support-us/?...
austinvida.com
Support Us — Austin Vida
Help us uplift and inform our local comunidad
062 0
Jeremy Schwartz @jschwartzreporter.bsky.social · 20/12/2024
Fantastic digging into the locations of the mostly secretive Texas state border wall. The resulting graphics are pretty amazing: apps.texastribune.org/features/202...
A map of Texas showing the locations of state-built border wall along the Rio Grande.
23115 0
Reposted by Jeremy Schwartz
Bill Grueskin @bgrueskin.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
A group that helps low-income students attend college is warning immigrant families that the federal loan-application process may soon put them at risk of deportation www.chronicle.com/article/will...
7191119 0
Reposted by Jeremy Schwartz
taliabuford.bsky.social @taliabuford.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
🚨@propublica.org is expanding its collaboration with The Texas Tribune and hiring a deputy editor to help lead our partnerships with five local newsrooms. 🙋🏾‍♀️5+ years experience managing/editing/leading investigative projects 💰$140K-$160K 📌 Anywhere in TX Apply here by Dec. 16: grnh.se/4a631dae6us
grnh.se
Deputy Texas Editor
Austin, Texas, United States
1235999 0
Reposted by Jeremy Schwartz
Chris Morran @themorrancave.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
UPDATE: Hours after this @propublica.org story published, Lincare announced internally that “effective immediately, Greg McCarthy is no longer Chief Operating Officer. Greg is leaving Lincare to pursue other opportunities.”
propublica.org
How Lincare Cashed In on the Disastrous Recall of Philips Breathing Machines — at the Expense of Patients
Amid reports of thousands of injuries and hundreds of deaths, Lincare was supposed to supply the most ailing patients with new CPAP machines, but instead diverted the devices to new customers who woul...
14482145 0