Texas politics correspondent @nytimes.com | Past: @kutnews.bsky.social @dallasnews.com @houstonchronicle.com @nolanews.bsky.social | FOIA nerd 📧: lauren.mcgaughy@nytimes.com Signal: lmcgaughy.40 ☎︎: 512-436-3641https://bsky.app/profile/lmcgaughy.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/lmcgaughy.bsky.social/post/3mltgyunm722atl;dr Of course, potato, egg and cheese is a proper breakfast taco order. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/14/us/james-talarico-breakfast-taco-debate-texas.html14 May 2026 18:26 +0000at://did:plc:owcsizryev3d4ehe5s4jvkb2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mltgyunm722ahttps://bsky.app/profile/lmcgaughy.bsky.social/post/3mlt2eyj7s22fLast year, Bo French was such a headache for some GOP leaders that they asked him to resign as a county party chairman. Now he’s running an insurgent campaign for the state’s powerful oil and gas regulatory body, and challenging his party’s boundaries of decency. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/14/us/gop-race-for-texas-oil-regulator-tests-the-strength-of-the-hard-right.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share14 May 2026 14:41 +0000at://did:plc:owcsizryev3d4ehe5s4jvkb2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlt2eyj7s22fhttps://bsky.app/profile/lmcgaughy.bsky.social/post/3mlqiggsgrs2lNEW: More than half the U.S. is in drought. But few places are dealing with the kind of crisis facing Corpus Christi, Tex., which could see water demand outstrip supply w/in a year. One official told me: "This is actually the canary in the coal mine. 🎁: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/13/us/texas-corpus-christi-water-crisis.html?unlocked_article_code=1.iFA.V1dq.z9YAIRfCMhgb&smid=url-share13 May 2026 14:14 +0000at://did:plc:owcsizryev3d4ehe5s4jvkb2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlqiggsgrs2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/lmcgaughy.bsky.social/post/3ml4c72yp7k2gNEW: Ken Paxton said he needed $20M to take John Cornyn's Senate. But, less than a month to the primary runoff, he's fallen short. I analyzed Paxton's campaign money and found he's lost many of the big donors that backed his last re-election as attorney general. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/05/us/ken-paxton-john-cornyn-senate-donors.html05 May 2026 13:29 +0000at://did:plc:owcsizryev3d4ehe5s4jvkb2/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml4c72yp7k2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/lmcgaughy.bsky.social/post/3mjp2tonbxs2jJohn Cornyn holds a significant fund-raising edge over Ken Paxton, with four weeks to go before early voting begins in the U.S. Senate runoff. But both fell short of the campaign cash amassed this year by James Talarico. Gift link here: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/17/us/politics/talarico-cornyn-paxton-texas-senate-fundraising.html?unlocked_article_code=1.blA.C25X.rMgRv1o-pPNH&smid=url-share17 Apr 2026 13:48 +0000at://did:plc:owcsizryev3d4ehe5s4jvkb2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjp2tonbxs2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/lmcgaughy.bsky.social/post/3mhvcsjtcg22aICYMI: At a meeting with #txlege in DC last week, Stephen Miller asked why the state hasn't passed a bill to stop paying for the education of undocumented children. He also asked whether Texas has a RINO problem. The room, according to attendees, went silent. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/24/us/politics/stephen-miller-asks-why-texas-pays-to-teach-undocumented-children.html25 Mar 2026 14:36 +0000at://did:plc:owcsizryev3d4ehe5s4jvkb2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhvcsjtcg22ahttps://bsky.app/profile/lmcgaughy.bsky.social/post/3mhdo7wtvg224BREAKING: An investigation by the @nytimes.com reveals civil rights icon Cesar Chavez allegedly groomed and sexually abused girls who worked in the labor rights movement for years. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/18/us/cesar-chavez-sexual-abuse-allegations-ufw.html18 Mar 2026 14:12 +0000at://did:plc:owcsizryev3d4ehe5s4jvkb2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhdo7wtvg224https://bsky.app/profile/lmcgaughy.bsky.social/post/3mhdmnuvos22aICYMI: The deadline to withdraw from the ballot in Texas has passed and both Ken Paxton and John Cornyn remain in the race for U.S. Senate. Either man can still withdraw, but they WILL remain on the ballot for the May 26 runoff even if they do. All eyes are on Trump. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/17/us/politics/texas-senate-trump-cornyn-paxton.html18 Mar 2026 13:44 +0000at://did:plc:owcsizryev3d4ehe5s4jvkb2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhdmnuvos22ahttps://bsky.app/profile/lmcgaughy.bsky.social/post/3mhblkv2e2s2aUPDATE: Looks like Dallas voters will be able to vote at any polling place countywide. Dallas County GOP chair Allen West just said that sticking with precinct-only voting for the May runoff will exposed the party "to increased risk and voter confusion." #txlege [contains quote post or other embedded content]17 Mar 2026 18:19 +0000at://did:plc:owcsizryev3d4ehe5s4jvkb2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhblkv2e2s2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/lmcgaughy.bsky.social/post/3mh6ziiobok2aI just spoke with the head of Dallas Co elections. After widespread confusion on primary election day this month, he told me they are now considering returning to countywide voting for the May runoff. But doing that would require the OK of BOTH the county Dems and GOP. #txlege16 Mar 2026 17:51 +0000at://did:plc:owcsizryev3d4ehe5s4jvkb2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mh6ziiobok2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/lmcgaughy.bsky.social/post/3mgmvifguz226ICYMI: 2A activist and YouTuber Brandon Herrera became the default nominee for a TX congressional seat after Tony Gonzales' decision to drop out. I asked Herrera about Dem hopes he is a more beatable opponent than Gonzales — and his copy of "Mein Kampf." https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/06/us/politics/texas-democrats-brandon-herrera-youtube.html09 Mar 2026 12:51 +0000at://did:plc:owcsizryev3d4ehe5s4jvkb2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgmvifguz226https://bsky.app/profile/lmcgaughy.bsky.social/post/3mgaewgtm222fGreg Abbott is on the verge of a record fourth term as governor in Texas. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/04/us/elections/abbott-texas-politics.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share #txlege04 Mar 2026 13:23 +0000at://did:plc:owcsizryev3d4ehe5s4jvkb2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgaewgtm222fhttps://bsky.app/profile/lmcgaughy.bsky.social/post/3mg7262565s2eBREAKING: Dallas police detain man outside of Ken Paxton campaign event. Officers pulled what appeared to be ammunition for several types of weapons from a blue sedan that hotel workers said the man had been driving, according to our reporter on the scene. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/03/us/elections/arrest-dallas-ken-paxton.html04 Mar 2026 00:37 +0000at://did:plc:owcsizryev3d4ehe5s4jvkb2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mg7262565s2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/lmcgaughy.bsky.social/post/3mg6u7m453s2bNEW: A Texas G.O.P. incumbent is facing a pardoned Jan. 6 defendant. We're watching this race. Read more here: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/03/us/texas-republican-incumbent-jan-6-defendant.html?smid=url-share #txlege03 Mar 2026 22:51 +0000at://did:plc:owcsizryev3d4ehe5s4jvkb2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mg6u7m453s2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/lmcgaughy.bsky.social/post/3mg6omtfk622bSure, everyone is watching the Senate primary election in Texas. But some of us also have our eye downballot — especially since two of the races pit the governor's pick against President Trump. Read more here: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/03/us/elections/texas-midterms-state-primary-election-races.html?smid=url-share #txlege03 Mar 2026 21:11 +0000at://did:plc:owcsizryev3d4ehe5s4jvkb2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mg6omtfk622bhttps://bsky.app/profile/lmcgaughy.bsky.social/post/3mg4y6wbkzs2pAnti-Muslim rhetoric in Texas has been on the rise for months. On Sunday, the deadly shooting in Austin thrust Islam to the forefront of the political discussion just as voters are heading to the polls. Election Day in Texas is tomorrow. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/02/us/austin-shooting-politics.html #txlege03 Mar 2026 04:57 +0000at://did:plc:owcsizryev3d4ehe5s4jvkb2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mg4y6wbkzs2phttps://bsky.app/profile/lmcgaughy.bsky.social/post/3mfmwgn6jn22wHey, y'all! 👋 I am officially on the job at @nytimes.com covering all things Texas politics and policy. That means I now have an email! You can reach me at lauren.mcgaughy@nytimes.com or on Signal at lmcgaughy.40. Chat soon. #txlege24 Feb 2026 19:43 +0000at://did:plc:owcsizryev3d4ehe5s4jvkb2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfmwgn6jn22whttps://bsky.app/profile/lmcgaughy.bsky.social/post/3mfkftbezok2qCommuting to my first day at the new job was a bit different than usual. 🤠🥶 @nytimes.com23 Feb 2026 19:40 +0000at://did:plc:owcsizryev3d4ehe5s4jvkb2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfkftbezok2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/lmcgaughy.bsky.social/post/3mejlls7ay227For 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! 👋🏻 https://media.tenor.com/EHvSWYJ5hDcAAAAC/typing-gif.gif?hh=372&ww=49810 Feb 2026 18:26 +0000at://did:plc:owcsizryev3d4ehe5s4jvkb2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mejlls7ay227https://bsky.app/profile/lmcgaughy.bsky.social/post/3mduz7vsmqs2cToday 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. https://www.kut.org/crime-justice/2026-02-02/texas-prison-heat-ac-lawsuit-data-analysis #txlege02 Feb 2026 14:04 +0000at://did:plc:owcsizryev3d4ehe5s4jvkb2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mduz7vsmqs2chttps://bsky.app/profile/lmcgaughy.bsky.social/post/3mdq252kkf22jEvery 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! https://one.npr.org/i/nx-s1-5693029:nx-s1-963000131 Jan 2026 14:37 +0000at://did:plc:owcsizryev3d4ehe5s4jvkb2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mdq252kkf22jhttps://bsky.app/profile/lmcgaughy.bsky.social/post/3mdohky5ngc2wRecording 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! #txlege30 Jan 2026 23:32 +0000at://did:plc:owcsizryev3d4ehe5s4jvkb2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mdohky5ngc2whttps://bsky.app/profile/lmcgaughy.bsky.social/post/3md43hcdyzc2o📰 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! https://www.nytco.com/press/national-welcomes-texas-politics-correspondent/ #txlege23 Jan 2026 16:07 +0000at://did:plc:owcsizryev3d4ehe5s4jvkb2/app.bsky.feed.post/3md43hcdyzc2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/lmcgaughy.bsky.social/post/3md3zbcvdws2o"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: https://www.kut.org/energy-environment/2026-01-21/austin-tx-texas-ice-weather-winter-storm-cold-front-freezing-temperatures23 Jan 2026 15:28 +0000at://did:plc:owcsizryev3d4ehe5s4jvkb2/app.bsky.feed.post/3md3zbcvdws2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/lmcgaughy.bsky.social/post/3md2bqu6whc2oY’ALL. It’s happening!22 Jan 2026 22:54 +0000at://did:plc:owcsizryev3d4ehe5s4jvkb2/app.bsky.feed.post/3md2bqu6whc2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/lmcgaughy.bsky.social/post/3mczf6fonuc26Update 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. https://kutkutx.studio/austin-signal/why-bats-in-austin-may-be-living-rent-free-in-your-apartment22 Jan 2026 14:23 +0000at://did:plc:owcsizryev3d4ehe5s4jvkb2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mczf6fonuc26https://bsky.app/profile/lmcgaughy.bsky.social/post/3mcinmjp6rc2rNEW: 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. https://www.kut.org/crime-justice/2026-01-15/apd-ice-austin-police-immigration-warrants-trump-policy-texas #ATX #ICE15 Jan 2026 22:39 +0000at://did:plc:owcsizryev3d4ehe5s4jvkb2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcinmjp6rc2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/lmcgaughy.bsky.social/post/3mcgmhq6kac2cUpdated: 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. [contains quote post or other embedded content]15 Jan 2026 03:13 +0000at://did:plc:owcsizryev3d4ehe5s4jvkb2/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcgmhq6kac2c