Past Contributions

• Marching in solidarity: This year’s Texas Pride events highlight Black queer and trans people

  By Stacy Fernández June 26, 2020

  LGBTQ Texans are getting back to Pride’s protest roots while standing alongside Black and brown people in their community, who are still fighting for equality on two fronts. Full Story 

• U.S. Reps. Sylvia Garcia, Joaquin Castro call on ICE to release migrants in immigration detention centers as coronavirus cases surge

  By Stacy Fernández Updated: June 22, 2020

  As cases surge in Texas and the pandemic rages on, the representatives said ICE should release all detainees who are not a safety risk and who are more vulnerable to contracting the virus. Full Story 

• This year, Juneteenth takes on new meaning for black Texans, as push to make holiday with Texas roots goes national

  By Stacy Fernández June 19, 2020

  In 1980, Texas became the first state to adopt Juneteenth as a holiday. It is officially recognized in all but three states: Hawaii, North Dakota and South Dakota. As Americans continue to march for racial justice, black Texans say the holiday has taken on additional weight. Full Story 

• Texas cities took quick actions after George Floyd's death. Advocates doubt they'll have a big impact.

  By Stacy Fernández and Jolie McCullough June 18, 2020

  As protests erupted in major Texas cities, local officials announced policy changes to reform policing. Advocates doubt the quickly cast votes and signed orders will have a real effect. Full Story 

• As COVID-19 cases surge in Texas, a hospital administrator retires — but is ready to jump back into the fight

  By Alex Samuels, Cassandra Pollock, Edgar Walters, Emma Platoff, Julián Aguilar, Mitchell Ferman and Stacy Fernández June 18, 2020

  A hospital says goodbye, a restaurant welcomes diners back and others reflect on the pandemic’s lessons. In the finale of our weekly series, Texans from across the state share stories about how they’re navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Full Story 

• Texas Democrats urge Abbott to call special session as details emerge showing Javier Ambler’s death at the hands of sheriff's deputies

  By Stacy Fernández June 15, 2020

  In 2019, Williamson County sheriff's deputies held down Ambler and stunned him four times before his body went limp. He died at a hospital about an hour later. Full Story 

• The oil crash folded their old business. Now they’re betting on a new kind of oil.

  By Cassandra Pollock, Emma Platoff, Julián Aguilar, Mitchell Ferman and Stacy Fernández June 11, 2020

  A family launches a new business with a baby on the way. A small town stages a socially distant graduation. In this weekly series, Texans from across the state share stories about how they’re navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Full Story 

• In George Floyd-inspired protests, Texas organizers find new allies in quest for police reforms

  By Alexa Ura and Stacy Fernández June 10, 2020

  “They had to watch this man literally gasp for air ... to give a damn,” one Austin organizer said about the momentum building after millions saw the video of Floyd’s death. “They saw it. It was real, and I think that’s why we are where we are.” Full Story 

• Dallas residents call for police chief's resignation, decreased police budget after use of force during protests

  By Stacy Fernández Updated: June 5, 2020

  The Dallas Police Department is facing public scrutiny for their use of force, tear gas and rubber pellets on protestors demonstrating against law enforcement brutality. Full Story 

• “The African American community is not alone”: A Houston restaurant owner joins the protests

  By Alex Samuels, Cassandra Pollock, Emma Platoff, Julián Aguilar, Mitchell Ferman, Stacy Fernández and Edgar Walters June 4, 2020

  They went to protests in Houston and El Paso, spoke at an online town hall in Midland and held small celebrations amid national upheaval. In this weekly series, Texans from across the state share stories about how they’re navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Full Story