KXAN Investigates

KXAN Investigates -- E56: Murder charge dropped in 'Lady in the Lake' case (April 18, 2026)

20 years after the disappearance of Holly Marie Simmons, prosecutors are dropping the charge against the man who was accused of killing her. This week, on "Inside the Investigation," Senior Investigative Producer David Barer takes us inside the case he has followed for over a decade and explains the challenges investigators have faced trying to find her killer.
 
 
 
 

KXAN Investigates -- E55: ‘Multiple explosions,’ fires cause homeless camp concerns in Austin (April 11, 2026)

A series of fires believed to be started at homeless camps throughout the city of Austin are leaving neighborhoods in fear. This week on Inside the investigation, Investigator Matt Grant explains the conditions elevating concern for wildfires and solutions city officials are considering following his reporting.

KXAN Investigates – E54: ‘Home cooking’ concerns surface in Texas corruption prosecutorial past (April 4, 2026)

On a “From the Vault” edition of “Inside the Investigation,” KXAN Director of Investigations & Innovation Josh Hinkle and Senior Investigative Producer David Barer revisit KXAN's "Justice for Some" investigation into public integrity and corruption cases outside Texas' capital.

KXAN Investigates -- E53: Florida teen’s death prompts attorneys demand to stop Austin thrill ride (Mar. 28, 2026)

A family is fighting to hold a foreign ride maker accountable for the death of their 14-year-old son. Four years ago this week, Tyre Sampson fell to his death while riding a drop tower at an amusement park in Orlando.  A KXAN investigation found the same foreign company that manufactured the Orlando ride is producing a new drop tower at COTALAND in Austin — despite the manufacturer being found negligent in the teen’s death. This week, on “Inside the Investigation,” Investigative Reporter Matt Grant explains how COTALAND says its drop tower will be significantly different and safer than the Orlando ride and the complex nature of holding a private foreign company legally accountable.

KXAN Investigates – E52: Trump 2.0 brings rise in ATX minors' detained by ICE (March 21, 2026)

The largest school district in Central Texas, Austin Independent School District, said it believes increased immigration enforcement is one factor driving a decline in enrollment at several schools serving immigrant and refugee populations.  This week on Inside the Investigation, Investigative Reporter Kelly Wiley breaks down the fears rising locally, as immigration enforcement takes center stage nationally under the Trump administration.

KXAN Investigates -- E51: Texas officials warn of unlicensed childcare risks (Mar. 14, 2026)

Texas officials say there are hundreds of childcare providers operating out of their homes without a license, lacking oversight and potentially putting kids a risk. This week on Inside the Investigation, Investigative Reporter Arezow Doost explains why child advocates and licensed providers believe the situation could get worse.

KXAN Investigates – E50: Texas police don’t always follow custodial death reporting rules (March 7, 2026)

On a “From the Vault” edition of “Inside the Investigation,” KXAN Director of Investigations & Innovation Josh Hinkle and Senior Investigative Producer David Barer revisit KXAN’s “Dead & Undone” investigation into police reporting custodial deaths to the state, along with updates to the topic still playing out today across Texas.

KXAN Investigates -- E49: Why is Texas clawing back money earmarked to help crime victims? (Feb. 28, 2026)

A KXAN investigation found after the Texas Attorney General's Office agreed to pay an assault victim $5,000 from the state’s crime victims’ compensation fund, the state kept nearly half the money to pay the victim’s unrelated state debts, including unpaid tuition. This week, on “Inside the Investigation,” Investigative Reporter Matt Grant takes you inside the latest update to our “Held Up” series, explaining a new twist to the program – the state can withhold assistance earmarked to help victims of violent crimes – a uniquely harsh stance compared to every other state we reviewed.  After seeing our findings, two state lawmakers said they want to explore changes to the state's laws for clawing back crime victim assistance.

KXAN Investigates -- E48: Texas probe into educators’ Charlie Kirk posts faces legal challenge (Feb. 21, 2026)

Dozens of Texas educators risk losing their ability to teach over comments they made on social media in the wake of conservative activist Charlie Kirk's assassination. This week on Inside the Investigation, KXAN Investigative Reporter Kelly Wiley explains how teachers, attorneys, unions – and school districts themselves are calling into question the lawfulness of the state’s investigation.

KXAN Investigates -- E47: Solutions after 30 drownings in Lady Bird Lake (Feb. 14, 2026)

Rumors of a serial killer still cloud Mitchell Gutierrez's mind years after his little brother, Martin, disappeared from a shoreside entertainment district in downtown Austin. For days, their family joined police searching for the young man, before his body surfaced in Lady Bird Lake. A KXAN analysis of autopsy reports and law enforcement records reveals he was among at least 30 drowning victims – many intoxicated – over the past decade in this urban waterway.As criminal conspiracies spread through social media, we sought answers by comparing Austin’s drowning numbers to other cities with similar features. Our data-driven, multi-platform investigation also examines solutions effectively preventing tragedies elsewhere – tactics local leaders are now exploring after our findings.This week, on a special, on-location edition of our weekly “Inside the Investigation” program, KXAN Director of Investigations & Innovation Josh Hinkle and Investigative Reporter Arezow Doost discuss updates to their team’s “Beneath the Surface” project and where the investigation could go next.