Last-minute flight purchases, travel agent fees and a toothless travel policy: that is what Texas Watchdog's investigation into Houston Independent School District spending on air travel uncovered. But how did we get there?

In this episode of Back Story, reporter Lynn Walsh explains how the investigation developed from a request for public information:

Links mentioned in the video:

Texas Watchdog: HISD travel records show wasted taxpayer dollars, poor planning, toothless travel rules

Texas Watchdog: Houston Independent School District issues credit cards to employees with bankruptcies

Attorney General of Texas

Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas

Texas Watchdog: HISD to review travel policy; Superintendent Terry Grier: 'Any kind of issues with travel you have, we will look at'

Video:HISD Superintendent Terry Grier doesn't have time to answer ?s about HISD travel

Back Story is an occasional video series by Texas Watchdog. We take readers and viewers behind the stories we produce and provide insight into how we put them together with interviews and public records.

Contact Lynn Walsh at 713-228-2850 or lynn@texaswatchdog.org.