In the News

Every five years, Debbie Smith watches as Congress comes to the brink of letting the federal program bearing her name expire.

But lawmakers always found a way to pass the Debbie Smith Act, which sends resources to crime laboratories across the country to test rape kits and DNA evidence from other unsolved crimes.

In an odd way, it helped keep Smith's faith in government — until now.

The 2019 Texas Tribune Festival, held Sept. 26 - 28 in downtown Austin, was the biggest one yet. Thousands turned out to hear hundreds of speakers, attend dozens of panels, watch live podcast recordings and join in countless other special events, large and small. Photographers for the Tribune were there all through the long weekend to capture this uniquely Texan festival of ideas that draws visitors from all over the state, nation and world.

There is a growing backlash over do-it-yourself rape kits, products that makers say are meant to give victims a way to collect evidence if they are unwilling or unable to go to a hospital. But mounting legal threats may keep them off the market.

Founder Madison Campbell says she developed the MeToo Kit after she was sexually assaulted during her junior year of college. She, like many other survivors, says she was afraid to report the attack.

"I did not even feel like touching myself, let alone letting someone else touch me," said Campbell.

Campbell says she remained silent until the #MeToo movement gave her the strength to speak out. Now 23 years old, she developed a kit for survivors, with swabs and other simple tools to collect DNA.

While House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday announced a formal impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump, there are some House Democrats who aren't fully on board yet.

As the list of House Democrats who support the opening of an impeachment inquiry has climbed in recent days, these are the 35 House Democrats who have not made public statements in support of starting an impeachment inquiry or have only posited conditional support for it.

Rep. Terri Sewell of Alabama

Rep. Tom O'Halleran of Arizona

Rep. Josh Harder of California

While House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday announced a formal impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump, there are some House Democrats who aren't fully on board yet.

As the list of House Democrats who support the opening of an impeachment inquiry has climbed in recent days, these are the 28 House Democrats who have not made public statements in support of starting an impeachment inquiry or have only posited conditional support for it.

Rep. Terri Sewell of Alabama

Rep. Tom O'Halleran of Arizona

Rep. Al Lawson of Florida

Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced a formal impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump on Tuesday. This comes after allegations surfaced that Trump solicited Ukraine's president to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden's son, Hunter.

Voters in Houston said they were fed up with the drama in Washington. Some say this was all a political tactic from the Democrats. Others said they hope this won't end up backfiring.

Democratic Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia said Pelosi's inquiry against Trump is ultimately about his betrayal to the Constitution.

There is a growing backlash over do-it-yourself rape kits, products that makers say are meant to give victims a way to collect evidence if they are unwilling or unable to go to a hospital. But mounting legal threats may keep them off the market.

Founder Madison Campbell says she developed the MeToo Kit after she was sexually assaulted during her junior year of college. She, like many other survivors, says she was afraid to report the attack.

"I did not even feel like touching myself, let alone letting someone else touch me," said Campbell.

Campbell says she remained silent until the #MeToo movement gave her the strength to speak out. Now 23 years old, she developed a kit for survivors, with swabs and other simple tools to collect DNA.

There is a growing backlash over do-it-yourself rape kits, products that makers say are meant to give victims a way to collect evidence if they are unwilling or unable to go to a hospital. But mounting legal threats may keep them off the market.

Founder Madison Campbell says she developed the MeToo Kit after she was sexually assaulted during her junior year of college. She, like many other survivors, says she was afraid to report the attack.

"I did not even feel like touching myself, let alone letting someone else touch me," said Campbell.

Campbell says she remained silent until the #MeToo movement gave her the strength to speak out. Now 23 years old, she developed a kit for survivors, with swabs and other simple tools to collect DNA.