Alana Rocha Multimedia Reporter

Alana Rocha joined the Tribune staff as the multimedia reporter after working eight years in television and radio news. She's covered politics for stations in Florida, Kansas and most recently in Austin as YNN's lead political reporter. Her work at the cable news outlet took her around the country reporting from the presidential campaign trail. A native of Tampa, Florida, Alana received bachelor's degrees in Journalism and Spanish from the University of Florida.

arocha@texastribune.org
512-716-8616

Recent Contributions

Legislators Devote New Funding to Mental Health

Isaias Garcia, 60, passes a mural at Haven for Hope of Bexar County, a community-based mental health care provider and transformational center for homeless men and women. It has been discussed among lawmakers as a model for providing mental health care across the state.
Isaias Garcia, 60, passes a mural at Haven for Hope of Bexar County, a community-based mental health care provider and transformational center for homeless men and women. It has been discussed among lawmakers as a model for providing mental health care across the state.

Legislators are preparing to dedicate hundreds of millions more dollars to mental health care for the first time in years. Haven for Hope in San Antonio serves as a model of the services and success they aim to emulate.

Bill Would Curb Access to Photos of Murder Victims

Victim Advocate for the City of Houston Andy Kahan, with crime scene photos printed off websites showing dead bodies, many unclothed, in his office at the Houston Police Department in Houston, Monday May 6, 2013.
Victim Advocate for the City of Houston Andy Kahan, with crime scene photos printed off websites showing dead bodies, many unclothed, in his office at the Houston Police Department in Houston, Monday May 6, 2013.

UPDATED: The legislation authored by Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, that would require court approval for most requests to view or copy crime scene photos that show murder victims passed the Senate Monday without debate. 

On Austin Visit, Obama Sings City's, School's Praises

President Obama after landing in Austin on May 9, 2013.
President Obama after landing in Austin on May 9, 2013.

President Obama said Thursday that Austin was the perfect spot to kick off his “Middle Class Jobs and Opportunity” tour because the city was doing so many things right economically. Obama stopped by Manor New Tech High School and also visited a pair of Austin companies, Applied Materials and Capital Factory.

Lawmakers Want Answers on West Explosion

Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd testified before the House Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee Wednesday about the response to the deadly April 17 fertilizer plant explosion in West, TX.
Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd testified before the House Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee Wednesday about the response to the deadly April 17 fertilizer plant explosion in West, TX.

While not downplaying the devastation of the deadly fertilizer plant explosion in the town of West, the head of the state's emergency management operations told lawmakers on Wednesday that "the system worked."

 

Lawmakers Facing Charges Can Get Legislative Pass

Rep. Ron Reynolds D-Missouri City during a House Environmental Regulations Committee on April 16, 2013.
Rep. Ron Reynolds D-Missouri City during a House Environmental Regulations Committee on April 16, 2013.

While state code allows lawmakers due in court to delay their appearance while the Legislature is in session, most waivers for those charged with crimes result from simple agreements between the defense, prosecutors and judges.