S7 Update: More Medical Examiners to the State
Following KXAN’s reporting on Texas’ death investigations, lawmakers look at ways to modernize the state’s system amid legislative challenges and cost concerns.
Jul 14, 2025•9 min•Season 1Ep. 1
KXAN Catalyst
Catalyst is a specialty unit within the KXAN investigative team focused on ”digital-first” storytelling that aims to spark positive change in society. The group takes a multi-platform, innovative approach to each project, including this KXAN Catalyst Podcast.
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Episodes
S7 Bonus: Patchwork of Death Investigations (Analysis)
KXAN’s Josh Hinkle, David Barer, Arezow Doost, Eric Henrikson and Dalton Huey discuss challenges they faced while investigating Texas’ death inquest system.
Dec 09, 2024•13 min
S7 E3: Wanted an Autopsy on that Child
While Texas’ justice of the peace system has evolved since its start in 1824, counties are slowly replacing the death inquest part of their role with medical examiners.
Dec 02, 2024•20 min
S7 E2: Murdered Down by Backbone Creek
As Texas’ population grows, so do critics’ concerns over elected officials investigating death. As Daynon Lewis’ case unfolds, state lawmakers look to the future.
Nov 25, 2024•14 min
S7 E1: Found Hanging by a Jump Rope
A teenager’s mysterious death in 1965 resurfaces in the Texas Hill Country, prompting a new review of her case and the inquest system still used across the state.
Nov 18, 2024•19 min
S7 Trailer
Hear the death inquests trailer now.
Nov 11, 2024•3 min
S6 E3: Can’t Hide Who You Are
KXAN newsroom leaders and Francisco Vara-Orta of Investigative Reporters & Editors discuss overcoming blind spots and personal bias when covering controversial topics.
Nov 13, 2023•14 min
S6 E2: Part of Your Identity
KXAN journalists share the inner challenges they face when reporting on issues intersecting with their identities and the communities to which they belong.
Nov 13, 2023•20 min
S6 E1: Fearful for Your Safety
Catalyst Host Josh Hinkle shares how the murder of a gay college student shaped his early reporting and how he now approaches LGBTQ+ coverage.
Nov 13, 2023•26 min
S6 Trailer
KXAN explores proposed laws impacting LGBTQ+ Texans. Our journalists share how they make fair, objective coverage decisions and how their experiences shape the reporting, including the murder of a gay college student. This season is part of our “OutLaw” investigation.
Nov 06, 2023•3 min
S1 Update: My Dad Didn’t Die in Vain
Families of a Texas missing persons law’s namesake react to the discovery that police might not have complied with potentially thousands of cases.
Mar 12, 2023•12 min•Ep. 10
S1 Update: Close Those Gaps to Help People Comply
One woman’s search for her missing brother leads to the streets of Austin, as a legislator considers strengthening a new state law.
Feb 08, 2023•16 min•Season 1Ep. 9
S5 Special: Transparency to the Healthcare Marketplace (Analysis)
Jeanne Pinder of ClearHealthCosts speaks with KXAN’s Josh Hinkle and David Barer about medical debt challenges across Texas and the U.S.
Sep 12, 2022•13 min
S4 Update: Keep the Hope Alive
New police transparency bills are up against the clock, as Texas journalists testify about challenges with late and incomplete custodial death reports.
Jun 16, 2021•18 min•Season 4Ep. 7
S1 Update: Help Texas Families Have Closure
A father’s two-year search for his missing Marine son leads a state lawmaker to file legislation, requiring police to report to NamUs.
Feb 24, 2021•18 min•Season 1Ep. 8
S4 Bonus: Not a Gotcha or Anti-Policing Sentiment (Analysis)
Eva Ruth Moravec of the Texas Justice Initiative speaks with KXAN’s Josh Hinkle and David Barer on custodial deaths.
Dec 28, 2020•32 min•Season 4Ep. 6
S4 E5: Law Needs to Be Reformed
Texas police agencies file hundreds of custodial death reports late or incomplete, including the case of Herman Titus.
Dec 21, 2020•17 min•Season 4Ep. 5
S4 E4: Like They Have Something to Hide
Herman Titus’ mother takes her fight for police transparency before Texas lawmakers, as opponents voice their open records concerns.
Dec 14, 2020•19 min•Season 4Ep. 4
S4 E3: Get This Man to the Hospital
Video surfaces of the moments after Herman Titus collapsed in jail. WARNING: This episode depicts death, and listeners may find it disturbing.
Dec 07, 2020•21 min•Season 4Ep. 3
S4 E2: Hurting From the Impact
We uncover recordings and documents detailing Herman Titus’ severe pain and jailers releasing him from lockdown just days before his death.
Nov 30, 2020•15 min•Season 4Ep. 2
S4 E1: Tired of the Roadblocks
Following a car crash, a 21-year-old man dies in a Texas jail, leaving his mother wondering if staff ignored signs of a serious injury.
Nov 23, 2020•22 min•Season 4Ep. 1
S4 Trailer
Hear the custodial deaths trailer now.
Nov 16, 2020•4 min
S3 Bonus: Lives Get Shattered (Analysis)
Karen Ranus of NAMI-Central Texas speaks with KXAN’s Josh Hinkle and David Barer on inmate mental health.
Jun 08, 2020•51 min•Season 3Ep. 4
S3 E3: The Guy’s In Limbo
A schizophrenic murder suspect waits 20 years for a trial, a case with a legal connection to a jailed Marine.
Jun 01, 2020•17 min•Season 3Ep. 3
S3 E2: A Dark Groundhog Day
A family tragedy and wartime take their toll on a Texas man, ending in a four-year loop between jail and state hospitals.
May 25, 2020•17 min•Season 3Ep. 2
S3 E1: Shot 23 Bullets Into Our Home
A Texas veteran’s PTSD spiral ends in violence and his mother learning he’d wait for help in jail for months – maybe longer.
May 18, 2020•22 min•Season 3Ep. 1
S3 Trailer
Hear the mental competency trailer now.
May 11, 2020•4 min
S2 E5: Pull Out the Bloody Carpet
A little girl is among the victims of a teacher’s deadly attack, and a Texas mother finds forgiveness for her son’s killer.
Dec 16, 2019•15 min•Season 2Ep. 5
S2 E4: Terrible Example of Evil
Following a Texas church shooting, survivors reflect on the heroes of that day and the signs leading to the attack.
Dec 09, 2019•14 min•Season 2Ep. 4
S2 E3: Town Became a War Zone
Texas lawmakers hold emotional hearings following mass shootings and explore suspicious behavior in the state.
Dec 02, 2019•17 min•Season 2Ep. 3
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