| Description: | Texas Watchdog is a news website and training center that scrutinizes the actions of government agencies, bureaucracies and politicians in Texas. |
| Begun: | 2008 |
| Website: | http://www.texaswatchdog.org/ |
| Office Location: | 945 McKinney St., #221 Houston, TX |
| Structure: | 501(c)(3) organization |
| Founder: | Trent Seibert |
| Executive Director: | Trent Seibert (executive editor) |
| Approximate number of full-time staff: | 6 |
| Number with prior professional journalism experience: | 6 |
| Annual operating budget: | Not available |
| Annual salaries posted, or accessible via 990 form: | No |
| Editorial/ethics policy statement: | Yes |
| Diversity statement: | No |
| IRS 990 form posted on website: | No |
| Major donors disclosed: | Yes* (The principal donor since 2008 has been a Chicago-based nonprofit called the Sam Adams Alliance, which doesn’t disclose its sources of funding. The principal source of earned income (fees for training) is from the Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity, which also doesn’t disclose its sources of funding. According to the National Journal (“Conservative Watchdogs Awake,” by Judy Kosterlitz, 12/12/09, p. 52), both organizations are headed by former state Republican Party officials.). The Greater Houston Community Foundation is also a major donor. |
| INN Member: | Yes |
| Awards: | The 2009 Fort Worth Chapter Open Doors Awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, the 2009 Capitolbeat John Aubuchon Freedom of Information Award and the 2009 Texas Progressive Alliance Gold Star Texan award. |
| Contact: | news@texaswatchdog.org or 713-980-9777 |
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Coverage of arming teachers
Over that last eight years, interest in arming teachers with guns is the result of school shootings. News coverage and Google searches reflect these trends.
