Lauren McGaughy
@lmcgaughy.bsky.social
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] [email protected]
☎︎: 512-436-3641
Signal: lmcgaughy.40
📧: [email protected] [email protected]
☎︎: 512-436-3641
We got our decision in August.
The AG said Abbott's office must release some emails with Musk. About a month later, we got nearly 1,400 pages of emails.
I was stoked. Until I took a look at the records. They were almost completely redacted. www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege #FOIA
The AG said Abbott's office must release some emails with Musk. About a month later, we got nearly 1,400 pages of emails.
I was stoked. Until I took a look at the records. They were almost completely redacted. www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege #FOIA
November 19, 2025 at 3:26 PM
We got our decision in August.
The AG said Abbott's office must release some emails with Musk. About a month later, we got nearly 1,400 pages of emails.
I was stoked. Until I took a look at the records. They were almost completely redacted. www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege #FOIA
The AG said Abbott's office must release some emails with Musk. About a month later, we got nearly 1,400 pages of emails.
I was stoked. Until I took a look at the records. They were almost completely redacted. www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege #FOIA
3/ Bonner said he filed the complaint as a private citizen — not in his official capacity. The Texas GOP did not comment. Neither did Trump's housing agency.
Paxton's spox did. He called the complaint unserious — and me unserious for writing about it. www.kut.org/crime-justic... #txlege
Paxton's spox did. He called the complaint unserious — and me unserious for writing about it. www.kut.org/crime-justic... #txlege
November 6, 2025 at 2:40 PM
3/ Bonner said he filed the complaint as a private citizen — not in his official capacity. The Texas GOP did not comment. Neither did Trump's housing agency.
Paxton's spox did. He called the complaint unserious — and me unserious for writing about it. www.kut.org/crime-justic... #txlege
Paxton's spox did. He called the complaint unserious — and me unserious for writing about it. www.kut.org/crime-justic... #txlege
So fun dressing up as my boy Jinu for Halloween! 😈
I made this jacket myself. Can’t wait to repurpose it into my regular wardrobe. Now, the Mardi Gras countdown starts!
#SajaBoys #kpdh #KPOPDEMONHUNTERS #kpop
I made this jacket myself. Can’t wait to repurpose it into my regular wardrobe. Now, the Mardi Gras countdown starts!
#SajaBoys #kpdh #KPOPDEMONHUNTERS #kpop
November 1, 2025 at 9:18 PM
So fun dressing up as my boy Jinu for Halloween! 😈
I made this jacket myself. Can’t wait to repurpose it into my regular wardrobe. Now, the Mardi Gras countdown starts!
#SajaBoys #kpdh #KPOPDEMONHUNTERS #kpop
I made this jacket myself. Can’t wait to repurpose it into my regular wardrobe. Now, the Mardi Gras countdown starts!
#SajaBoys #kpdh #KPOPDEMONHUNTERS #kpop
Do you live in the U.S. and recently saw your @Tesla #Powerwall go dark?
Powerwall 2s were recalled in Australia bc batteries could catch fire. But I've seen no recall here. I asked @teslaenergy but got no response.
DM me if this has happened to you!
Powerwall 2s were recalled in Australia bc batteries could catch fire. But I've seen no recall here. I asked @teslaenergy but got no response.
DM me if this has happened to you!
October 17, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Do you live in the U.S. and recently saw your @Tesla #Powerwall go dark?
Powerwall 2s were recalled in Australia bc batteries could catch fire. But I've seen no recall here. I asked @teslaenergy but got no response.
DM me if this has happened to you!
Powerwall 2s were recalled in Australia bc batteries could catch fire. But I've seen no recall here. I asked @teslaenergy but got no response.
DM me if this has happened to you!
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
Read his whole series here: whenhomeisthedanger.org #txlege
October 8, 2025 at 4:06 PM
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
Read his whole series here: whenhomeisthedanger.org #txlege
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...
This after the #txlege passed new laws giving those two entities control over the beach.
Background:
www.kut.org/politics/202...
October 7, 2025 at 2:46 PM
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...
This after the #txlege passed new laws giving those two entities control over the beach.
Background:
www.kut.org/politics/202...
Dinner tonight! 🍲🤤🌶️
September 23, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Dinner tonight! 🍲🤤🌶️
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...
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...
September 12, 2025 at 2:25 PM
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...
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...
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...
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...
August 28, 2025 at 2:14 PM
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...
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...
We got internal emails, texts and memos that show Boring wants to charge $760M to build one piece of Houston's flood mitigation tunnel system — with 15% of up front out of the state and county budgets.
And Musk had a pitch man: Congressman Wesley Hunt. www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege
And Musk had a pitch man: Congressman Wesley Hunt. www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege
August 28, 2025 at 2:14 PM
We got internal emails, texts and memos that show Boring wants to charge $760M to build one piece of Houston's flood mitigation tunnel system — with 15% of up front out of the state and county budgets.
And Musk had a pitch man: Congressman Wesley Hunt. www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege
And Musk had a pitch man: Congressman Wesley Hunt. www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege
Austin Police are now acknowledging one of the Target shooting victims, Rosa Martinez Machuca, was transgender.
We @kutnews.bsky.social found out earlier today and had already updated our stories. Thanks to those who reached out to correct the record.
www.kut.org/austin/2025-...
We @kutnews.bsky.social found out earlier today and had already updated our stories. Thanks to those who reached out to correct the record.
www.kut.org/austin/2025-...
August 14, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Austin Police are now acknowledging one of the Target shooting victims, Rosa Martinez Machuca, was transgender.
We @kutnews.bsky.social found out earlier today and had already updated our stories. Thanks to those who reached out to correct the record.
www.kut.org/austin/2025-...
We @kutnews.bsky.social found out earlier today and had already updated our stories. Thanks to those who reached out to correct the record.
www.kut.org/austin/2025-...
Finally, it also looks like a member of the public is attempting to intervene in the case.
I'd guess it's to fight the order to seal the case records from the public. But that's just a guess because, well, the case is sealed and I can't read the appeal.
Background: www.kut.org/politics/202...
I'd guess it's to fight the order to seal the case records from the public. But that's just a guess because, well, the case is sealed and I can't read the appeal.
Background: www.kut.org/politics/202...
July 18, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Finally, it also looks like a member of the public is attempting to intervene in the case.
I'd guess it's to fight the order to seal the case records from the public. But that's just a guess because, well, the case is sealed and I can't read the appeal.
Background: www.kut.org/politics/202...
I'd guess it's to fight the order to seal the case records from the public. But that's just a guess because, well, the case is sealed and I can't read the appeal.
Background: www.kut.org/politics/202...
For now, it appears the Paxton divorce case is being handled by Judge Cynthia Wheless, who is the wife of the second judge on the case. (The first judge on the case recused herself)
More background on the Whelesses here: www.kut.org/politics/202...
More background on the Whelesses here: www.kut.org/politics/202...
July 18, 2025 at 3:12 PM
For now, it appears the Paxton divorce case is being handled by Judge Cynthia Wheless, who is the wife of the second judge on the case. (The first judge on the case recused herself)
More background on the Whelesses here: www.kut.org/politics/202...
More background on the Whelesses here: www.kut.org/politics/202...
Update in Angela and Ken Paxton divorce case.
The case has been transferred to a new judge, as I reported. This would be at least the third on the case.
It may have been transferred to a fourth judge. Hard to know now that the case has been sealed. www.kut.org/politics/202...
The case has been transferred to a new judge, as I reported. This would be at least the third on the case.
It may have been transferred to a fourth judge. Hard to know now that the case has been sealed. www.kut.org/politics/202...
July 18, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Update in Angela and Ken Paxton divorce case.
The case has been transferred to a new judge, as I reported. This would be at least the third on the case.
It may have been transferred to a fourth judge. Hard to know now that the case has been sealed. www.kut.org/politics/202...
The case has been transferred to a new judge, as I reported. This would be at least the third on the case.
It may have been transferred to a fourth judge. Hard to know now that the case has been sealed. www.kut.org/politics/202...
After deadly flooding yesterday, we’re continuing to experience heavy rainfall here in Central Texas. This is video taken just now of the (today) not-so-aptly named Dry Creek in Austin. #atx #atxfloods #austin #floods #flooding #texas #txfloods #texasfloods
July 5, 2025 at 5:24 PM
After deadly flooding yesterday, we’re continuing to experience heavy rainfall here in Central Texas. This is video taken just now of the (today) not-so-aptly named Dry Creek in Austin. #atx #atxfloods #austin #floods #flooding #texas #txfloods #texasfloods
This means the Starbase will soon zone its land for specific types of use. There will be three zones: heavy industrial, mixed use and open space.
Most of the current homes appear to be in "mixed use," which will include a blend of homes, offices and retail stores.
Here's the map.
Most of the current homes appear to be in "mixed use," which will include a blend of homes, offices and retail stores.
Here's the map.
May 30, 2025 at 10:37 PM
This means the Starbase will soon zone its land for specific types of use. There will be three zones: heavy industrial, mixed use and open space.
Most of the current homes appear to be in "mixed use," which will include a blend of homes, offices and retail stores.
Here's the map.
Most of the current homes appear to be in "mixed use," which will include a blend of homes, offices and retail stores.
Here's the map.
DATELINE: @pulitzerprizes.bsky.social!
It was great to meet — and catch up with — so many talented journalists who judged the prizes with me. Now what the winners are announced, I can share these photos!
First is of the investigative category team. Second is the @dallasnews.com alumni squad.
It was great to meet — and catch up with — so many talented journalists who judged the prizes with me. Now what the winners are announced, I can share these photos!
First is of the investigative category team. Second is the @dallasnews.com alumni squad.
May 6, 2025 at 2:32 PM
DATELINE: @pulitzerprizes.bsky.social!
It was great to meet — and catch up with — so many talented journalists who judged the prizes with me. Now what the winners are announced, I can share these photos!
First is of the investigative category team. Second is the @dallasnews.com alumni squad.
It was great to meet — and catch up with — so many talented journalists who judged the prizes with me. Now what the winners are announced, I can share these photos!
First is of the investigative category team. Second is the @dallasnews.com alumni squad.
May 2, 2025 at 10:30 PM
NEWS: Trump administration agrees NOT to move some transgender women out of federal female prisons for the time being.
As the case is being argued, the feds say they will not oppose extending court orders to keep these trans women in place.
As the case is being argued, the feds say they will not oppose extending court orders to keep these trans women in place.
April 25, 2025 at 6:36 PM
NEWS: Trump administration agrees NOT to move some transgender women out of federal female prisons for the time being.
As the case is being argued, the feds say they will not oppose extending court orders to keep these trans women in place.
As the case is being argued, the feds say they will not oppose extending court orders to keep these trans women in place.
By 2030, Elon Musk says he wants to have one million Optimus robots working in Tesla factories. He wants thousands working this year. #atx
April 22, 2025 at 9:51 PM
By 2030, Elon Musk says he wants to have one million Optimus robots working in Tesla factories. He wants thousands working this year. #atx
April 8, 2025 at 6:14 PM
To cap Sunshine Week, I am excited to announce that I have been chosen to join the board of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas.
I can't wait to get down to work with other journalists, lawyers and evangelists for government transparency and the public's right to know. #txlege #FOIA
I can't wait to get down to work with other journalists, lawyers and evangelists for government transparency and the public's right to know. #txlege #FOIA
March 21, 2025 at 8:54 PM
NEW: Austin-area judge weighs in on Ken Paxton new decree re: transgender Texans.
www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege #LGBT #LGBTQ #trans
www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege #LGBT #LGBTQ #trans
March 14, 2025 at 9:16 PM
NEW: Austin-area judge weighs in on Ken Paxton new decree re: transgender Texans.
www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege #LGBT #LGBTQ #trans
www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege #LGBT #LGBTQ #trans