Patrick Michels

Patrick Michels is a reporter for the Texas Observer and a former legislative intern. He has been a staff writer and web editor at the Dallas Observer, and a former editor of the Texas Independent. He has a bachelor's in journalism from Northwestern University, a master's in photojournalism from the University of Texas at Austin, and is a competitive eating enthusiast.

Photos from Dallas’ Rally Against Domestic ViolenceMar 25, 2013
Saturday, thousands of men joined Mayor Mike Rawlings outside Dallas City Hall for a rally to end the city's culture of domestic violence, joined by major figures in the city's business, sports and faith communities. Full Story
Photos from the Save Texas Schools RallyFeb 25, 2013
Photos from the Save Texas Schools Rally at the State Capitol, a demonstration for more funding and less testing in Texas' public schools. Full Story

Reasoning Mind: How Big Oil and Texas Politicians Came to Love MathApr 25, 2013
The creators of the Reasoning Mind math software have found great success getting funding from the State of Texas. Along with a slick product, they just so happen to have close friends in the highest ranks of big oil. Full Story
Advocates, Officers Spar Over Solitary Confinement for YouthApr 24, 2013
Youth advocates say some counties are putting kids in seclusion too readily, for far too long. Juvenile justice officials say they have those rules for a reason, and when a child is dangerous and acting out, they simply have to isolate them. Full Story
Dan Patrick Defends Plan to Scale Back TestingApr 16, 2013
After getting overwhelming approval from the House—and then sitting for a few weeks—a bill bringing big changes to Texas' testing and graduation requirements is on the move again. Full Story
Dan Patrick Puts the Fear of God in Voucher FoesApr 09, 2013
Calling his plan divert business tax payments into private school scholarships a "noble cause," Sen. Dan Patrick remained committed to private school choice as way to rescue poor children. He recognized the momentum isn't on his side. Full Story
House Goes Big Against School VouchersApr 04, 2013
House Speaker Joe Straus has made it clear that his chamber won't be passing any school voucher bills this session. An amendment to the budget today sealed the deal. Full Story

Photos from the Save Texas Schools RallyFeb 25, 2013
Photos from the Save Texas Schools Rally at the State Capitol, a demonstration for more funding and less testing in Texas' public schools. Full Story
Testing the Limits: A Texas Mother’s Radical Revolt Against Standardized TestsFeb 21, 2013
Edy Chamness and the Facebook group she started last year, occupy the radical fringe in a broad revolt against Texas' testing regimen. Full Story
Tyrant’s Foe: John Kuhn, Standing Tall For Test ReformFeb 07, 2013
“I think there’s a large percentage of teachers who kind of have this quiet angst about how they’re being treated,” he says. “I think I’m fairly typical. It’s just that I’m maybe not smart enough to keep my mouth shut.” Full Story
If It Were Up To Us…Jan 06, 2013
We detail a dozen items that deal with the biggest problems in the state. Some of them are liberal fantasies (ahem, income tax) but others are sound public policy ideas that Texans of all ideologies support because they would improve the lives of millions of people. Full Story
Too Heavy to BearDec 30, 2012
At 24, Ray Wauson was thrilled to land a job as an armored-car guard. But he was entering an unregulated world in which the people guarding the cargo are often defenseless against the cargo itself. Full Story