Alana Rocha

Alana Rocha was the director of news partnerships for The Texas Tribune until June 2022. She was previously a multimedia reporter, after working in television and radio news for eight years. Alana covered politics for stations in Florida, Kansas and Texas and traveled the country reporting from the 2012 and 2016 presidential campaign trails. She was the lead reporter on several award-winning projects and launched “The Brief,” a daily audio update. A native of Tampa, Florida, Alana received bachelor’s degrees in journalism and Spanish from the University of Florida.

Past Contributions

Video: At Rally, Texans Urge Lawmakers to Expand Medicaid

By Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha March 5, 2013

Texans rallied at the Capitol on Tuesday, hoping to persuade Gov. Rick Perry and other Texas lawmakers to expand Medicaid under the federal Affordable Care Act. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Marjorie Cotera
State, Federal Lawmakers Focus on Produce Trade

By Alana Rocha March 5, 2013

State Rep. Bobby Guerra, D-Mission, is expected to file a bill this week that would help address the shortage of agricultural specialists who inspect produce coming across the Texas-Mexico border. Full Story

Credit: Reynaldo Leal
Video: El Paso Leaders Want Port Investment

By Julián Aguilar, Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha Feb. 23, 2013

As lawmakers in Washington, D.C., wade into discussion of immigration reform, some El Paso leaders are urging them to include commerce considerations in their talks about safety and security on the southern border. Full Story

Credit: photo by Spencer Selvidge
Video: Cruz Rallies for Gun Rights in Leander

By Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha Feb. 19, 2013

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, kicked off a mini tour of the Lone Star State on Tuesday by bashing the Obama administration and its attempts "to restrict law-abiding citizens' right to bear arms." Full Story

Credit: photo by: Bob Daemmrich
Video: Border Residents Call Security Talk "Meaningless Rhetoric"

By Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha Feb. 16, 2013

Many in El Paso say the conditions are just right for Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform with bipartisan support. And they say that some lawmakers' demands for more border security first ignore reality. Full Story

Credit: Justin Dehn
Video: Border Residents Call Security Talk "Meaningless Rhetoric"

By Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha Feb. 16, 2013

Many in El Paso say the conditions are just right for Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform with bipartisan support. And they say that some lawmakers' demands for more border security first ignore reality. Full Story
Video: A Look at Texas Ethics, Then and Now

By Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha Feb. 6, 2013

The last substantial Texas ethics reforms passed during the 72nd legislative session. It wasn't easy then — and won't be easy now. But members pushing for new rules say they're optimistic that their colleagues will support making the state's business more transparent. Full Story

Credit: photo by: Courtesy WFAA-TV
Video: Hundreds Crowd Capitol to "Rally for Life"

By Alana Rocha Jan. 26, 2013

The state's Republican leaders each took turns at the microphone on Saturday afternoon to rouse what Gov. Rick Perry called a record crowd at the annual Texas Rally for Life. Full Story

Credit: Callie Richmond
Video: Smith County GOP Leader Says "Enough"

By Alana Rocha Jan. 25, 2013

Ashton Oravetz, the former Smith County Republican Party chairman, describes the state and national Republican Party leaders of today as "dysfunctional, unethical, crony capitalists." Full Story
Video: Texans Rally on Gun Appreciation Day

By Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha Jan. 19, 2013

Three days after President Obama called for stricter gun laws nationally, gun owners in Texas gathered in Austin to rally in defense of their Second Amendment rights. Full Story