State of Texas - December 1, 2024

This special edition of State of Texas highlights our latest investigative project -- "A Hanging on Backbone Creek." As Texas' population grows, critics point to the need for more medical examiners in death investigations, instead of the state relying so heavily on its current process in most counties. That process involves an elected justice of the peace — already assigned many court-related duties — who also has the power to determine cause and manner of death. They do so with scant training and often without autopsies or forensic expertise. During our reporting, Texas lawmakers resumed efforts to modernize that antiquated system, as a nearly-forgotten mystery resurfaced with a fresh review of a young girl's strangulation case. State of Texas is a statewide, in-depth program focused solely on Texas politics. Produced at KXAN in Austin and airing in 14 markets across the state, the show gives viewers greater perspective on the Texas Legislature, state policy and elections.