George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush hospitalized
Former President George H.W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush were both being treated Wednesday at Houston Methodist Hospital, according to a news release. Full Story
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Alex Samuels
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Alex Samuels was a reporter for The Texas Tribune from 2017 to 2021. She helped with national campaign coverage, wrote stories about the intersection of race and politics in Texas, and covered the hottest political news bubbling out of local communities. She was also one of the primary authors of The Blast, the Tribune’s subscription-only daily newsletter for political insiders. Alex began at the Tribune as a fellow in 2016. She graduated in 2017 from the University of Texas at Austin’s School of Journalism. She originally is from Massachusetts and is the best pingpong player at the Tribune.
Past Contributions
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![Former President George H.W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush at Texas A&M University on Nov. 11.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
As grand jury hearing looms, Rep. Dawnna Dukes' constituents worry about her ability to lead
As a case against State Rep. Dawnna Dukes is scheduled to get a grand jury hearing on Tuesday, some of her constituents worry the case will distract her from fulfilling their needs. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dawnna Dukes is sworn in on the first day of the 85th Legislature on Jan. 10, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Houston police chief urges better mental health care for officers
Art Acevedo, the newly hired head of the police force in Texas' largest city, acknowledged at a Tribune symposium on Saturday the difficulty of finding new funding for the effort but argued for its importance. Full Story
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![(L-R) State Rep. Eric Johnson, D-Dallas, Jefferson County Sheriff Zena Stephens, Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez and newly appointed Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo discuss race and policing at The Texas Tribune's Symposium on Race and Public Policy at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin on January 14, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
The Q&A: L'Oreal Stepney
In this week's Q&A, we interview L'Oreal Stepney, the deputy director for the Office of Water, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Full Story
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![L'Oreal Stepney is the deputy director for the Office of Water, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.]()
Credit: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality -
State Rep. Dawnna Dukes' case headed to grand jury next week
Travis County prosecutors will ask a grand jury to indict State Rep. Dawnna Dukes next Tuesday, KXAN reported Tuesday. Full Story
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![State Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin, on the House floor for opening day of the 85th Legislature on January 10, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Lawmaker seeks to pass "constitutional carry" gun bill in 2017
House Bill 375 would give all Texans the right to openly carry a firearm — with or without a permit. If passed, Texas would be the 11th state to allow "constitutional carry." Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
The Q&A: Penny Schwinn
In this week's Q&A, we interview Penny Schwinn, deputy commissioner for academics at the Texas Education Agency. Full Story
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![Penny Schwinn is responsible for overseeing the TEA Assessment and Accountability Division, as well as Standards and Programs.]()
Credit: Texas Education Agency -
The Brief: Judge blocks implementation of fetal remains rule
The rule — which was scheduled to take effect Monday — would require health providers to bury or cremate aborted fetuses. Full Story
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Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Brief: Texas executions, death sentences trend downward in 2016
This year, Texas is set to execute the lowest number of people in two decades, and juries in the state have handed out the second-fewest death sentences since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976. Full Story
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![The view of Texas' execution chamber from a witness viewing room.]()
Credit: Texas Department of Criminal Justice -
The Brief: Perry second Texan to land in Trump’s Cabinet
As of Tuesday night, Trump's transition has yet to confirm the report, but praised former Gov. Rick Perry for his work in the Lone Star state. Full Story
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![Former Gov. Rick Perry announces his intentions to run for president in 2016 on June 4, 2015, at the Addison Airport.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich