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Alexa Ura reported for The Texas Tribune from 2013 to 2023. She covered the complex dynamics of race, ethnicity, wealth, poverty and power and how they are shaping the future of Texas and Texans, in the long and short term. Alexa started at the Tribune as a reporting intern before graduating from the University of Texas at Austin and joining the staff full time. Originally from Laredo on the Texas-Mexico border, she is a native Spanish speaker and is based in Austin.
The share of Texans living in poverty continued to dip slightly in 2014, according to census figures released Thursday. But poverty is prevalent in many parts of the state. Take a closer look at poverty rates for several metro areas in the state. Full Story
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As part of the massive exodus of refugees from the Middle East, Texas could soon become home to hundreds of Syrian refugees fleeing their country. The United States has announced it will take in 10,000 Syrian refugees in the next year. Full Story
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State troopers are writing far fewer traffic tickets now than five years ago, but an increasing share of them are being issued to Hispanic drivers, a Tribune analysis of state data shows. The Texas Department of Public Safety says it can't explain why that's happening. Full Story
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Also, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker makes a tour of Texas to meet voters and raise funds for his presidential campaign. Full Story
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Texas abortion providers on Wednesday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to take up their legal challenge to two provisions of the state's strict abortion law. Full Story
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Responding to undercover videos of Planned Parenthood officials, Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday endorsed new laws to further tighten restrictions on Texas abortion providers, and possibly bar fetal tissue donation. Full Story
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At least a third of Texas workers living in suburban counties surrounding the state’s five largest cities — Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin and Fort Worth — commuted from their home counties into the city for work in 2013, according to new census data. Full Story
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As of Sept. 1, public employees — including state and county workers and public school teachers — will be guaranteed “reasonable accommodations” to pump breast milk in the workplace. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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After years of failed proposals in the Texas Legislature to raise the minimum wage, organizers and advocates for higher wages are turning to local governments to raise minimum wages. Full Story
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The Houston City Council used the wrong language when it put the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, better known as HERO, on the November election ballot, Texas Supreme Court ruled Wednesday. Full Story
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