/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/0112James_Barragan_2x3.jpeg)
James Barragán was a politics reporter for The Texas Tribune with a focus on accountability reporting. Prior to joining the Tribune, James worked as a statehouse reporter for The Dallas Morning News and previously had stints at the Austin American-Statesman and the Los Angeles Times. In 2021, he was a finalist for the Toner Prize for Excellence in Local Reporting for his coverage of Texas politics during the COVID-19 pandemic. James was selected as a 2023-24 Nieman Fellow at Harvard. A Southern California native, James received his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of California, Los Angeles. He was based in Austin and is a native Spanish speaker.
State leaders say expanding a social safety net for children and prosecuting abortion funders are among their priorities. “We’ll continue to do our best to make abortion not just outlawed, but unthinkable,” said state Rep. Briscoe Cain. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/32c7970cdadc3974d1244079024b77d4/Dan%20Patrick%20Presser%20SP%20TT%2002.jpg)
A few hours after saying he was being sued by the bar, Paxton’s office announced an investigation into the Texas Bar Foundation for “facilitating mass influx of illegal aliens.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3c3f11965aa5b5fe042942ff4958088c/SCOTUS%20Paxton%20Presser%20TT%20EL%2018.jpg)
Critics have said that a lack of guidance and equipment to perform life-saving rescues leaves soldiers dangerously unprepared to deal with a common scenario on the border while dehumanizing the migrants attempting to cross the river. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f12d259a0411d3ca4f0a0b6dae41f3cf/Eagle%20Pass%20Immigration%20REUTERS.jpg)
Spc. Bishop Evans died after jumping into the Rio Grande to save migrants. He and other members of Operation Lone Star were not provided safety equipment. Texas Military Department said an order for buoys and ropes was made but has not been fulfilled. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f308910d8df243613c7561129f2cb179/20220321%20Operation%20Lone%20Star%202.jpg)
The two Republican state officials filed friend of the court briefs asking that the high court take up the case because it is relevant to statewide governance and to the powers of an executive office under the Texas Constitution. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6287167b62b898b9eb3279c26ef25067/Abbott%20Border%20Announcement%20SP%20TT%2027)
Spc. Bishop E. Evans, a 22-year-old field artilleryman from Arlington, joined the Texas Army National Guard in 2019. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/241a551e1ae696f2f0ac3fcfc91cc58d/Bishop%20E%20Evans%20TT.jpg)
The soldier, Bishop E. Evans, went missing Friday morning after he jumped into the river near Eagle Pass. On Sunday, the Texas Military Department reported the search was still ongoing. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ccf7f15de123d9e1d19fd2378e8078b4/Shipping%20Container%20Wall%20CS%20TT%2024.jpg)
The Grand Prairie lawmaker has led the minority party’s House caucus since 2017. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1bc32d9bf8b68fda40bb89ab3a5f6369/Opening%20Day%20SP%20Chris%20Turner%20301.jpg)
For Democrats, especially in Texas, tackling border issues is difficult on the campaign trail as the party is not in agreement about various policies. O’Rourke has had to distance himself from President Joe Biden’s border policies, while going after Gov. Greg Abbott’s. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/28ba372c0c63d06869de88d99aed7dab/Beto%20Covid%20Roundtable%20EG%20TT%2020.jpg)
The deals Abbott made with three of the four Mexican border governors don’t include any new security measures south of the border. Abbott threatened to restart the inspections if Mexican states don’t slow migration to Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c082d74aa9cc6cb8557647b4f73854c0/Juarez%20Bridge%20Blockade%20IPA%20TT%2009.jpg)