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Lauren McGaughy

@lmcgaughy.bsky.social

4.8K followers 400 following 340 posts

Investigative reporter + editor at The Texas Newsroom | @kutnews.bsky.social @npr.org | Covering Texas politics + Elon Musk | FOIA nerd📍Austin, TX Signal: lmcgaughy.40 📧: [email protected] ☎︎: 512-436-3641

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Lauren McGaughy @lmcgaughy.bsky.social · Jul 11

Seems like a good time to reintroduce myself.

I'm an investigative reporter & editor for The Texas Newsroom, a collaboration of public radio stations across the state. Lived here for 12 years.

This year I've focused on Elon Musk.

Got a tip? DMs open. Email [email protected]. Signal is lmcgaughy.40.

a cat wearing a blue shirt is sitting on a laptop computer

ALT: a cat wearing a blue shirt is sitting on a laptop computer

media.tenor.com

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Lauren McGaughy @lmcgaughy.bsky.social · 1d

A man burned to death after he was accused of starting a fire inside his cell in a prison in Amarillo, Texas.

Two COs have been charged for failing to save him, with local TV reporting one officer was ordered to "smoke (him) out."

abc7amarillo.com/news/local/c...

Exclusive: Corrections officer charged in inmate's death ordered to 'smoke (him) out'

One of the two former corrections officers charged in the death of an inmate at the Clements Unit was ordered to "smoke (him) out."According to the arrest repor

abc7amarillo.com

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Reposted by Lauren McGaughy

Paul Flahive @paulflahive.bsky.social · 2d

I am reporting on the trial of three former San Antonio Police officers in the shooting death of Melissa Perez. It is the first time in the city's history that an officer involved shooting resulted in murder charges.

There are so many people at the defense table (10) that the court brought in a separate table for when they cross examine witnesses.

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Lauren McGaughy @lmcgaughy.bsky.social · 2d

Need another reason to love K-Pop Demon Hunters? @iamleslierangel.bsky.social’s got it. thebarbedwire.com/2025/10/09/k...

We’re Claiming Arden Cho of ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ as a New Texas Icon

As you’re picking out your Rumi costume for Halloween, know that the voice behind the character is a Texas Hold ‘Em champion.

thebarbedwire.com

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Lauren McGaughy @lmcgaughy.bsky.social · 4d

Huge congrats to @paulflahive.bsky.social for winning the first Collier Spotlight award for his coverage of failures in the Texas CPS system.

Read his whole series here: whenhomeisthedanger.org #txlege

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Lauren McGaughy @lmcgaughy.bsky.social · 5d

NEW: Media orgs seeking to unseal Ken Paxton's divorce records have a hearing set for Dec. 19, according to court docket.

Background: www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege

News organizations fight to unseal Texas AG Ken Paxton's divorce case records

A group of eight state and national media organizations want the records in Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s divorce case released to the public.

www.kut.org

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Lauren McGaughy @lmcgaughy.bsky.social · 5d

NEW: Ken and Angela Paxton sealed their divorce records. It doesn’t always mean you can. Story by @kera.org.
www.keranews.org/government/2... #txlege

Ken and Angela Paxton sealed their divorce records. It doesn’t always mean you can — here's why

A Collin County man's unsuccessful request to seal his divorce records highlights the high standard of proof required to keep even deeply personal court proceedings private and the unpredictability of...

www.keranews.org

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Lauren McGaughy @lmcgaughy.bsky.social · 5d

Update: South Texas advocacy groups want to add the Texas Space Commission and Starbase to its lawsuit over beach closures near SpaceX in Brownsville.

This after the #txlege passed new laws giving those two entities control over the beach.

Background:
www.kut.org/politics/202...

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Reposted by Lauren McGaughy

Nathan Bernier @kutnathan.bsky.social · 6d

Bastrop wants to build a pedestrian tunnel under Buc-ee's and they're turning to Elon Musk for help.

I also learned in this story by @lmcgaughy.bsky.social that Dallas and Houston both have extensive underground pedestrian tunnel systems.

www.kut.org/business/202...

This Texas city wants tunnels to connect its trails. It’s asking Elon Musk for help.

Officials in the city of Bastrop have asked Musk’s tunneling firm, The Boring Company, to build several tunnels to connect the area’s trails. If approved, the city manager anticipates the million-doll...

www.kut.org

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Reposted by Lauren McGaughy

NOLA.com @nolanews.bsky.social · 16d

Here's what you need to know.

Disturbance strengthening in Caribbean may be hurricane off U.S. East Coast next week

Here's what you need to know.

bit.ly

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Lauren McGaughy @lmcgaughy.bsky.social · 16d

NEW: Police say genealogy DNA has linked a deceased serial killer with no ties to the city to the Austin yogurt shop murders.

Story by @tonyplohetski.bsky.social www.statesman.com/news/article...

Yogurt shop murders solved 34 years later with DNA testing, APD says

Authorities say DNA testing solved the 1991 “I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt” murders of four teens, closing one of Austin’s darkest chapters.

www.statesman.com

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Lauren McGaughy @lmcgaughy.bsky.social · 17d

ICYMI: Who was Joshua Jahn? What we know about suspected Dallas ICE facility shooter www.keranews.org/news/2025-09...

Who was Joshua Jahn? What we know about suspected Dallas ICE facility shooter

Jahn grew up in North Texas, according to public records. He's been identified as the person who opened fire outside an ICE field office in Dallas Wednesday.

www.keranews.org

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Lauren McGaughy @lmcgaughy.bsky.social · 18d

ICYMI: At least one victim is dead after three people were shot outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Dallas.

The shooter is also dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. More from @kera.org.

www.keranews.org/news/2025-09...

At least 1 victim dead, others injured in shooting at Dallas immigration field office

The director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says three people have been shot at an ICE detention facility in Dallas and the shooter is dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

www.keranews.org

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Lauren McGaughy @lmcgaughy.bsky.social · 19d

Dinner tonight! 🍲🤤🌶️

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Lauren McGaughy @lmcgaughy.bsky.social · 24d

BREAKING: DOJ launches investigation into City of Austin's employment practices. The probe focuses on its Office of Equity and Inclusion, Equity Division. More info TK.

Story by @luzmoreno.bsky.social. www.kut.org/austin/2025-...

U.S. Justice Department launches investigation into city of Austin employment practices

The Department of Justice is investigating if Austin engaged in employment practices that discriminate based on race, sex, color and national origin, which is a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rig...

www.kut.org

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Reposted by Lauren McGaughy

Charles Ornstein @charlesornstein.bsky.social · 25d

NEW: ProPublica, Other News Organizations Fight to Unseal Ken Paxton Divorce Records, by @lmcgaughy.bsky.social @kutnews.bsky.social w/ @texastribune.org

ProPublica and Other News Organizations Fight to Unseal Texas AG Ken Paxton’s Divorce Records

A group of eight state and national media organizations are arguing that the records are of public interest, especially in light of Paxton’s bid for a U.S. Senate seat.

www.propublica.org

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Lauren McGaughy @lmcgaughy.bsky.social · 25d

NEW: State + national news orgs have filed to unseal the records in Ken Paxton's divorce case.

The intervenors: @wsj.com @washingtonpost.com @houstonchronicle.com @expressnews.com @austinstatesman.bsky.social @texastribune.org @propublica.org + Texas Newsroom.

www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege

News organizations fight to unseal Texas AG Ken Paxton's divorce case records

A group of eight state and national media organizations want the records in Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s divorce case released to the public.

www.kut.org

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Lauren McGaughy @lmcgaughy.bsky.social · Sep 12

In his response to our article, Musk said his way would be cheaper. He also said if the tunnels are too small, he'd just build more.

So would that work?

@chengyilun.bsky.social fact checked Musk. Here is what she learned: www.kut.org/energy-envir...

Fact check: Elon Musk says his Houston flood tunnel idea will work. Experts say that's misleading.

Musk said his proposal to build tunnels to address Houston’s chronic flooding woes would work, after an investigation raised questions about the plan’s effectiveness. But experts say his plan has key ...

www.kut.org

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Lauren McGaughy @lmcgaughy.bsky.social · Sep 12

Houston have been studying whether tunnels would ease its flood woes for years. But they've looked at big tunnels whereas Musk's Boring Co makes 12 ft pipes.

Plus Musk's pitch — which we learned about through public records — was for the largest waterway in the city. www.kut.org/politics/202...

Elon Musk is trying to build $760M tunnels under Houston. A Texas congressman is quietly helping him.

For years, experts in Houston have been studying the idea of building massive tunnels under the area to divert floodwaters and save lives and property. Now, Elon Musk wants a piece of the project.

www.kut.org

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Lauren McGaughy @lmcgaughy.bsky.social · Sep 12

A couple weeks ago, we broke the news that Elon Musk has been quietly lobbying Texas officials to let him build flood mitigation tunnels under Houston.

Weeks before publication, we gave him multiple chances to respond. He didn't. We published.

Then, he posted on X. www.kut.org/energy-envir...

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Lauren McGaughy @lmcgaughy.bsky.social · Sep 12

NEW this AM: Trump says Charlie Kirk shooting suspect in custody
www.npr.org/2025/09/11/n...

Trump says the Charlie Kirk shooting suspect is in custody

"I think, with a high degree of certainty, we have him in custody," President Trump told "Fox & Friends" on Friday morning.

www.npr.org

Reposted by Lauren McGaughy

ProPublica @propublica.org · Sep 5

Internal records show how Texas Rep. Wesley Hunt has worked to get Elon Musk access to state and local officials ahead of a formal bidding process for a Houston flood project.

Both stand to benefit should Musk be selected.

By @lmcgaughy.bsky.social and @chengyilun.bsky.social

A Texas Congressman Is Quietly Helping Elon Musk Pitch a $760M Plan to Build Tunnels Under Houston to Ease Flooding

For years, experts in Houston have been studying the idea of building massive tunnels to divert floodwaters and save lives and property. Now Elon Musk’s tunneling company wants a piece of the project.

www.propublica.org

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Lauren McGaughy @lmcgaughy.bsky.social · Aug 28

This story was co-published with these outlets as part of an initiative to report on how power is wielded in Texas.

@propublica: www.propublica.org/article/elon...

@HoustonChron: www.houstonchronicle.com/news/investi...

@TexasTribune: www.texastribune.org/2025/08/28/e...

Elon Musk wants to build tunnels under Houston as part of a major flood project

For years, experts in Houston have been studying the idea of building massive tunnels under the area to divert floodwaters and save lives and property. Now, Elon Musk wants a piece of the project.

www.houstonchronicle.com

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Lauren McGaughy @lmcgaughy.bsky.social · Aug 28

Hunt and reps for Musk and his companies did not answer our questions.

State and local officials insisted they have NOT allocated any public money to Borinng. If it does get the job, it appears it would be the first water project for the company.

Read the story here
www.kut.org/politics/202...

Elon Musk is trying to build $760M tunnels under Houston. A Texas congressman is quietly helping him.

For years, experts in Houston have been studying the idea of building massive tunnels under the area to divert floodwaters and save lives and property. Now, Elon Musk wants a piece of the project.

www.kut.org

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Lauren McGaughy @lmcgaughy.bsky.social · Aug 28

All of these pitches happened behind the scenes. There have not been any public hearings about Boring and Musk getting the job — or the taxpayer money.

All of this comes as The Boring Company is facing transparency criticism for his Nashville tunnel project. wpln.org/post/tenness...
#txlege

Tennessee advances Musk’s tunnel project in Nashville as pushback mounts

A plan to dig a tunnel from downtown Nashville to the airport took another step forward this week when the State Building Commission approved a no-cost lease of a state-owned parking lot.

wpln.org

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Lauren McGaughy @lmcgaughy.bsky.social · Aug 28

Hunt and Boring pitched smaller, potentially narrower tunnels than the county had previously focused on for the project.

Instead of one, 30-40 ft tunnels, Boring wanted to build two 12-foot tunnels. At least one flood experts questioned whether that plan would work. www.kut.org/politics/202...

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