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

Todd Staples: The TT Interview

By Alana Rocha Jan. 16, 2013

The state agriculture commissioner on the state's water crisis, why the Rainy Day Fund should be used to pay for a state water plan and how the money should be spent. Full Story
State of Mind: Mental Health Focus for Harris County

By Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha Jan. 10, 2013

Law enforcement is working to make sure lawmakers know an investment in mental health services is an investment in public safety. Full Story
State of Mind: Midland Educators Want More College Readiness

By Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha Jan. 10, 2013

Midland educators say the one-size-fits-all college readiness plan has run its course. They're working with area lawmakers to push legislation that would allow districts to offer different curriculum tracks, to better prepare students for the next step in their careers. Full Story
State of Mind: Coastal Texans Mobilizing to Reform TWIA

By Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha Jan. 10, 2013

Instead of complaining about steep rate hikes and confusing building codes, Texas coastal residents say they'll outline ways to reform the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association in the 83rd Legislature. Full Story
State of Mind: The Fight to Restore Healthcare Cuts

By Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha Jan. 10, 2013

Doctors in the Rio Grande Valley are leading the charge to restore cuts made during the 2011 legislative session. They want lawmakers to once again make it so that Medicare and Medicaid benefits add up to 100-percent of dual eligible patients' bills. They're expecting a fight. Full Story
State of Mind: State Water Woes

By Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha Jan. 10, 2013

People in parts of West Texas know that lawmakers can't make it rain, but they hope that the legislators they send to Austin can find funding for a statewide water plan to ease the drought pain in the coming session. Several state leaders are vowing to find the money. Full Story
State of Mind: Medicaid HMO Reforms

By Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha Jan. 10, 2013

Put in place 10 months ago to save the state $385 million, many doctors in the Rio Grande Valley say Health Maintenance Organizations, HMOs, are limiting patients' access to care. The Texas Medical Association is among those hoping the 83rd Legislature can find ways to streamline the current system. Full Story
State of Mind: Mental Health Funds the Focus for Harris County

By Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha Jan. 10, 2013

With roughly a quarter of its huge jail population receiving psychotropic drugs or other treatment for mental illness, Harris County officials decided to do something different to address what they call a 'crisis' in their community. Full Story

Credit: Justin Dehn / Todd Wiseman
State of Mind: Midland Educators Want More Choices for Students

By Justin Dehn and Alana Rocha Jan. 9, 2013

When it comes to choice in education, some legislators are thinking about more than school vouchers. Lawmakers representing West Texas will be filing proposals that would allow students to choose career paths that benefit local industries. Full Story

Credit: Justin Dehn / Todd Wiseman
Video: Session Opener Packed a Few Surprises

By Alana Rocha Jan. 8, 2013

On day one of the 83rd Legislature, the House Speaker's race turned out not to be much of a competition, and an unexpected event forced Gov. Perry to pause during his remarks to the Senate. Full Story