Kiah Collier
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accountability + investigations editor @statesman. recovering reporter. formerly @propublica @texastribune @houstonchron etc.
Articles by Kiah Collier
Too many e-scooters? Blame competition
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain In 2018, something strange happened on sidewalks across America. In 65 cities, thousands of electric scooters appeared seemingly overnight, often with little or no advance notice to local governments. Cease-and-desist orders flew. Scooters were impounded. Even after cities imposed regulations, there seemed to be far more scooters than anyone could ever use.
Austin tech entrepreneur Adam Robinson, family killed in Florida plane crash Original
Police stand near the damaged road at the scene of a plane crash in Greenacres, Fla., Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Rebecca Blackwell/AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell Austin tech entrepreneur Adam Robinson, his wife Helen Sharp and their two children, ages 2 and 4, were among the nine people who died Sunday afternoon when a private jet crashed in Florida, according to Sharp's father, Dudley.
Man shot by ICE in Austin finally has bullet removed. Was the 11-day wait too long?
Elizdar, wife of Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, listens during a news conference at the Law Office of Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch in Austin on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, about the shooting of her husband by an ICE agent the previous day.
Conflicting narratives as Austin man shot by ICE says agents never identified themselves Original
A memorial is set up at the site where an I.C.E. agent shot Wilber Rafael Garces Perez at the intersection of Anderson Square and Research Boulevard on Sunday, Sep. 20, 2026 in North Austin. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman Authorities have said the shooting occurred after agents tried to stop Garces Perez and he fled from his vehicle on foot. But Garces Perez, 28, gave a sharply different account Monday, saying he never left his car before agents shot him and pulled him from the vehicle.
How companies quietly undercut dissent
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain In 2016, when Amazon workers began organizing at a warehouse in Chester, Virginia, the company tracked where employees gathered, posted anti-union messaging in bathroom stalls and held town halls to discourage them. The National Labor Relations Board forced Amazon to admit, in writing, that it had illegally surveilled and threatened workers. The union drive still failed.
For whistleblowing, bigger rewards can backfire
Credit: I'm Zion from Pexels From JPMorgan Chase to Tesla, whistleblowers have become a central force in corporate accountability, flagging everything from misleading disclosures to safety risks. Regulators have responded in kind, with the Securities and Exchange Commission handing out whistleblower awards as high as $20 million. The assumption behind those payouts is simple: Bigger rewards mean more people will come forward.
Austin police sex assault review finds delays, gaps persist despite reforms
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Austin police sex assault review finds delays, gaps persist despite reforms Original
BRONTE WITTPENN/AMERICAN-STATESMAN, Austin American-Statesman Austin police have made progress in how they handle sexual assault cases, but investigations remain inconsistent and often delayed, according to a new independent review.
Austin's short-term rental crackdown is boosting tax revenue Original
Notices alert the owner of a house on East Eighth Street about administrative hearings regarding the property, which has been cited as an unlicensed short-term rental by Austin code enforcement officers. RICARDO B. BRAZZIELL / AMERICAN-STATESMAN Austin American-Statesman Austin officials say a sweeping overhaul of the city’s short-term rental regulations is beginning to show results, with higher compliance and a surge in hotel occupancy tax revenue as new enforcement tools come online.
Austin police say 19 people shot in 6th Street shooting; release video, 911 calls Original
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis watches footage from a parked vehicle near the scene that shows the suspected gunman during a press conference on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at APD headquarters about the release of audio and video footage from Sunday morning’s mass shooting on West Sixth Street in Austin. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Austin police work at the scene of a mass shooting at Buford’s on West 6th Street on Sunday March 1, 2026.
Police say 19 people shot in 6th Street shooting; release video, 911 calls
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis watches footage from a parked vehicle near the scene that shows the suspected gunman during a press conference on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at APD headquarters about the release of audio and video footage from Sunday morning’s mass shooting on West Sixth Street in Austin. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Austin police work at the scene of a mass shooting at Buford’s on West 6th Street on Sunday March 1, 2026.
Court records show Austin Sixth Street shooting suspect had history of family violence
Kiah Collier, Austin Sanders Newly obtained court records show that the man accused of killing three people and injuring 13 others in a weekend shooting on West Sixth Street had a documented history of domestic violence and a contentious divorce that resulted in him losing custody of his children. In 2022, a state civil court judge in Bexar County found that Ndiaga Diagne had a "history or pattern of committing family violence" and granted his ex-wife sole custody of their two young sons.
Court records show Austin Sixth Street shooting suspect had history of family violence Original
Broken glass and a boarded-up patio door are seen at the home of Austin mass shooting suspect Ndiaga Diagne at the Eastridge Apartments in Del Valle on Monday, March 2, 2026. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman In 2022, a state civil court judge in Bexar County found that Ndiaga Diagne had a “history or pattern of committing family violence” and granted his ex-wife sole custody of their two young sons.
Digital targeting creeps out customers
Credit: CC0 Public Domain Years into the grand experiment of personalized digital marketing, most of us have had the experience: You search for a product—or just casually mention it. Suddenly, ads for that exact item stalk you across apps, websites, and social media. The targeting may be technically impressive, but it can feel unsettling. That uneasy sentiment is the center of new research by Wayne Hoyer, professor of marketing and James L.
What is a commissioners court in Texas — and what power does it really have? Original
The Travis County Administrative Building at 700 Lavaca Street. Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman Despite the name, commissioners courts in Texas are not courts in the judicial sense. They do not hear criminal cases or rule on lawsuits. Instead, they serve as the primary governing bodies for each of the state’s 254 counties, making decisions that shape everything from property taxes to public health programs — often quietly, but with wide-ranging impact.
Can’t pay your Texas property taxes in full? Here are your options Original
Austin resident Annie Harton fills out her protest form at the Travis County Appraisal District office in Austin in 2017. Harton said it was her third time protesting her property’s appraisal. “When things get pretty bad, that’s when I have to come in,” she said. Austin American-Statesman Article continues below this ad If you’re looking for ways to lower your tax bill, or wondering whether you qualify for a payment plan or a tax deferral, here are answers to some common questions.
Your Travis County property tax bill, explained: Deadlines, who gets the money and more Original
Travis county residents paid a total of $5.7 billion in property taxes in 2025. Austin American-Statesman With the deadline to pay property taxes without penalty approaching, many Central Texans are taking a closer look at their tax bills and asking a familiar question: where does all that money actually go? The deadline to pay property taxes in Travis County — and the rest of Texas — is generally Jan. 31 unless that day falls on a weekend, as it does this year.
Austin officials: ICE agents not targeting shelters, checking into hotels amid rumors
A woman protests ICE in the street outside Austin City Hall in downtown Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. A petition was given to City Council asking for an ordinance to prevent the Austin Police Department from helping ICE agents serve warrants to Austin residents.
Austin officials: ICE agents not targeting shelters, checking into hotels amid rumors
A woman protests ICE in the street outside Austin City Hall in downtown Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. A petition was given to City Council asking for an ordinance to prevent the Austin Police Department from helping ICE agents serve warrants to Austin residents. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman In a statement to local media, the city said ICE had assured local officials that no such ramp-up was underway.
Austin activists plan last-minute protests after ICE fatally shoots man in Minneapolis Original
People protest ICE outside Austin City Hall in downtown Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. A petition was given to City Council asking for an ordinance to prevent the Austin Police Department from helping ICE agents serve warrants to Austin residents. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman The demonstrations are set for Saturday afternoon at two Central Austin locations — 38th Street and Lamar Boulevard and the corner of South Lamar and Ben White near Target — both scheduled from 1-2 p.m., organizers said.
Recap: Austin bridges start icing over as freezing rain moves in Saturday night
A man walks his dog past plants protected by tarps near Mueller Lake Park in Austin as temperatures drop toward freezing ahead of anticipated icing and winter weather, Jan. 24, 2026. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman Freezing rain may begin Saturday morning in the Hill Country and then spread southeast across the region by the late afternoon. Ice accumulations of 0.10 to 0.25 inches are likely, with isolated 0.25 to 0.50 inches possible in the Hill Country.
Texas appeals court affirms Kaitlin Armstrong’s murder conviction in death of Anna Moriah “Mo” Wilson
Kaitlin Armstrong enters the courtroom to hear the verdict on her murder trial at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. Armstrong was found guilty of killing Anna Moriah Wilson in May 2022. (Mikala Compton/American-Statesman) The Texas Third Court of Appeals on Friday upheld the first-degree murder conviction and 90-year prison sentence of Kaitlin Armstrong for the 2022 killing of professional cyclist Anna Moriah “Mo” Wilson.
Texas appeals court affirms Kaitlin Armstrong’s murder conviction in death of Anna Moriah “Mo” Wilson
Kaitlin Armstrong enters the courtroom to hear the verdict on her murder trial at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. Armstrong was found guilty of killing Anna Moriah Wilson in May 2022. Mikala Compton/American-Statesman The Texas Third Court of Appeals on Friday upheld the first-degree murder conviction and 90-year prison sentence of Kaitlin Armstrong for the 2022 killing of professional cyclist Anna Moriah “Mo” Wilson.
Travis County DA vows appeal of ruling acquitting ex-Austin officer Christopher Taylor
Austin police officer Christopher Taylor arrives at his sentencing hearing at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center Tuesday December 3, 2024. Taylor was found guilty of deadly conduct in the fatal shooting of a man with a history of mental illness.
Kiah Collier - Austin American-Statesman
The land agents started working the border between Texas and Mexico in the spring of 2007. Sometimes they were from the Army Corps of Engineers. Other times the U.S. Border Patrol. They visited...
Travis County DA vows appeal of ruling acquitting ex-Austin officer Christopher Taylor
Austin police officer Christopher Taylor arrives at his sentencing hearing at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center Tuesday December 3, 2024. Taylor was found guilty of deadly conduct in the fatal shooting of a man with a history of mental illness.
Austin police arrest suspect in armed robbery at downtown Royal Blue
On Dec. 16, the department’s Violent Crimes Task Force, working with robbery unit detectives, arrested Tice Covey Porterfield, 31. He was taken to the Travis County Jail and charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, a first-degree felony. According to the Austin Police Department, detectives began investigating after a robbery was reported Nov.
DOJ targets Austin’s 'equity' hiring policies in civil rights investigation
Rob Villalpando/Austin American-Statesman Austin on Thursday became the latest city targeted by the U.S. Justice Department this year for diversity-minded hiring practices. In a notice letter addressed to Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K.
DOJ targets Austin’s 'equity' hiring policies in civil rights investigation
Assistant Attorney General says race-based employment practices are “illegal and un-American.” Kiah Collier, Austin Sanders Thu, September 18, 2025 at 4:50 PM UTC 1 min read Austin on Thursday became the latest city targeted by the U.S. Justice Department this year for diversity-minded hiring practices. In a notice letter addressed to Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K.
Austin’s new logo draws criticism over design and timing Original
The city of Austin's new logo, unveiled as part of a $1.1 million rebranding effort that has drawn heavy online criticism. City of Austin Amid a swarm of online criticism, city officials unveiled a new logo this week as part of a broader “strategic modernization” effort meant to help residents more easily identify city workers, facilities and services.
Dave McNeely, longtime Texas journalist, dead at 85 Original
Dave McNeely (far left) is pictured in this American-Statesman staff photo outside the Texas Capitol alongside fellow journalists David Pasztor, Ken Herman, Gary Susswein, Laylan Copelin, Juan Elizondo, Tara Trower and Michele Kay. Peter Yang/Austin American-Statesman Dave McNeely, a beloved figure in Texas journalism whose political columns enlightened readers for decades, died early Saturday at the age of 85.
Not all subsidiaries are treated equally, finds research
When a larger company acquires a smaller one, or creates a new subsidiary, it must decide how cozy it wants to be—both operationally and financially. For example, Korean chaebols—family-owned conglomerates such as Samsung and Hyundai—often maintain tight management control over subsidiaries while limiting their financial stakes. They invite other entities to invest in a subsidiary and share its profits as well as its financial risk.
Driving assistance systems could backfire: Some warning alerts can lead to more hazardous driving
In recent years, every new car driver has been getting used to bells and beeps. As automakers try to make cars safer, they've introduced increasingly sophisticated driving assistance systems, to warn a driver when they're drifting out of their lane or someone's in their blind spot. But do these features actually improve safety? Proponents point to studies showing that blind spot and lane departure warnings lead to decreases in collisions.
Travis County officials say 4 dead, 13 missing in devastating Texas floods
At least four people have died and 13 others are reported missing in Travis County after widespread flooding ravaged the Central Texas area on Friday night into Saturday, officials said Sunday morning. Travis County spokesman Hector Nieto confirmed that most of the missing persons were located in western Travis County. Three people died in Emergency Services District No. 1 and one died in Emergency Services District No. 8.
Spurned CEOs may become activist shareholders
Few phrases send chills up a CEO's spine like "activist shareholder." In the past year, investment funds such as Elliott Investment Management have successfully pressured companies such as Starbucks and Southwest Airlines to overhaul their boards and their operations. But there's a different species of activist shareholder, says Jonathan Cohn, associate professor of finance at Texas McCombs. He calls them the quasi-insider.
Strategic timing of praise and criticism can boost members' performance, research indicates
When interacting with employees, leaders in the business world are often taught to take the Ted Lasso approach. The fictional soccer coach of the eponymous Apple TV+ show stays positive, no matter the circumstance. It isn't just to be warm and fuzzy. Decades of research have shown that a sanguine approach to leadership boosts team members' individual performance, a finding that has inspired many companies to offer emotional intelligence training to managers.
All evacuation orders lifted for Hays County residents in wake of wildfires
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Some Hays County residents under evacuation orders due to active wildfires Original
Some Hays County residents were ordered to evacuate on Tuesday due to active wildfires. As of 6 p.m. Tuesday evening, the Onion Creek Fire north of Buda spanned at least 80 acres and was 0% contained, according to the Hays County Office of Emergency Management. The Texas A&M Forest Service said in a social media post that it had been asked to assist in fighting blaze, which previously was dubbed the Ruby Ranch Fire.
Study: Managers can boost everyone's productivity by praising successful workers in company-wide messaging
Workplace communications platforms such as Slack and Microsoft Teams are sometimes accused of reducing productivity by distracting workers with constant messages and the need to respond to them. But new research by Wen Wen, associate professor of information, risk, and operations management (IROM) at Texas McCombs, shows that companies can use them to do the opposite: to motivate workers. How?
On Facebook ads, users may dislike 'likes'
Scroll through your Facebook feed, and you'll get pelted by advertisements begging for a click. Like any other type of post, these ads allow you to react. Often, you'll notice that one or more of your friends has already "liked" them. Advertisers hope that a high number of such endorsements, especially from familiar faces, might make users more likely to click. But new research from Texas McCombs finds it depends on the type of ad—and the type of friend.
IoT sensors tattle on stores that neglect promo displays
Whether it's a pharmacy, a supermarket, or a clothier, when you walk into a retail store in the U.S., you are sure to encounter a flashy promotional display featuring products from a specific brand. It's a marketing strategy that's been proven to be highly effective at boosting sales. Brands carefully plan display campaigns, signing contracts with retailers that specify when to install the exhibits and for how long. They often provide financial incentives to encourage compliance.
Marketers can manage 'feature creep' so consumers feel less intimidated by too many features in a product
Wifi-enabled washing machines. Voice-controlled microwaves. App-enabled TVs, vacuum cleaners, and even window blinds you can control from the comfort of your couch. Many of the technological features now included in everyday products are useful and accessible. But research has shown that having too many can overwhelm potential buyers, making them less likely to make a purchase. In recent research, Wayne Hoyer, marketing professor and James L. Bayless/William S.
Study suggests to buy experiences, not things, to combat loneliness
Last year, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy released an advisory that described loneliness and isolation as a national epidemic, with health consequences that rival those associated with cigarette smoking and obesity. To help address this pervasive isolation, Murthy's office challenged Americans to find and act on ways to strengthen their social connections.
Immunizing consumers against bad news can protect brands, says study Original
Abercrombie & Fitch. Balenciaga. Starbucks. In recent years, these brands and many others have faced extreme public backlash due to insensitive comments from executives, changes to loyalty programs, controversial advertising decisions, and more. In today's hyperconnected world, negative information about brands can quickly snowball online, resulting in widespread calls for boycotts and lost sales. In the most extreme cases, companies may lose hundreds of millions of dollars.
Texas Took Over Its Largest School District, but Has Let Underperforming Charter Networks Expand
ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as they’re published. This article is co-published with The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan local newsroom that informs and engages with Texans. Sign up for The Brief Weekly to get up to speed on their essential coverage of Texas issues.
Impeached Texas Attorney General Partnered With Troubled Businessman to Push Opioid Program
This article was originally published at ProPublica, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. A year after persuading Texas lawmakers to buy millions of child identification kits that had no proven record of success, a businessman with a troubled history found an in with the state’s attorney general.
Impeached Texas Attorney General Partnered With Troubled Businessman to Push Opioid Program
ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as they’re published. This article is co-published with The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan local newsroom that informs and engages with Texans. Sign up for The Brief Weekly to get up to speed on their essential coverage of Texas issues.
A former NFL player persuaded politicians that his child ID kits help find missing kids. There’s no evidence they do.
<h1>A former NFL player persuaded politicians that his child ID kits help find missing kids.
A Former NFL Player Persuaded Politicians That His Child ID Kits Help Find Missing Kids. There’s No Evidence They Do.
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ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as they’re published. This article is co-published with The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan local newsroom that informs and engages with Texans. Sign up for The Brief Weekly to get up to speed on their essential coverage of Texas issues.
By Kiah Collier Verified, Jeremy Schwartz Verified, Anna Maria Barry-Jester Verified, Bianca Fortis Verified
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Inside 30 Years of Former NFL Player Kenny Hansmire’s Troubled Businesses
ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as they’re published. This article is co-published with The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan local newsroom that informs and engages with Texans. Sign up for The Brief Weekly to get up to speed on their essential coverage of Texas issues.
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