The Brief: Count of Texas registered voters eclipses 15 million mark
As the state experiences a surge in those seeking to be eligible to vote Nov. 8, a new poll shows the race for president tightening here. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/02/25/6F6A9189.jpg)
Alex Samuels
Political Reporter
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Alex-Samuels_TT.jpg)
Alex Samuels is a political reporter for The Texas Tribune, where she helps with national campaign coverage, writes stories about the intersection of race and politics in Texas, and covers the hottest political news bubbling out of local communities. She is also one of the primary authors of The Blast, the Tribune’s subscription-only daily newsletter for political insiders. Alex was previously the Tribune’s community reporter, but she began her stint with the organization 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
-
![Travis County voters cast ballots at Travis County Tax Office on Feb. 25, 2016.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles -
Record 15 million Texans registered to vote
This number exceeds the state's registration numbers in 2012 by more than a million voters. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/RegisterToVote.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: John Harvey -
The Brief: State lawmakers discuss endangered children, policing
State lawmakers on Wednesday focused on improvements to the child welfare system and public safety. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/04/25/capitolbuilding5.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Anneke Paterson -
Chicago teachers’ strike narrowly averted
Classrooms remained open on Tuesday in Chicago after teacher union leaders and the city hammered out a last-minute tentative contract agreement. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
A new breed of learning: compassion-based curriculum
Schools in Jefferson County, Kentucky, are engaged in an ambitious social and emotional learning initiative called the Compassionate School Project (CSP). Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib-AusDiscoverySchool-SM007.JPG)
![Students at Austin Discovery School work on a project at the Texas charter school on Tuesday, February 15th, 2011.]()
Credit: Steve Moakley -
The Q&A: Noah De Lissovoy
In this week’s Q&A, we interview Noah De Lissovoy, associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin’s College of Education. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/10/10/noah_de_lissovoy_TT.jpg)
![Noah De Lissovoy is the author of the book "Education and Emancipation in the Neoliberal Era: Being, Teaching, and Power."]()
Credit: Arcelia Hernández -
Poll: California voters support Common Core standards
A new poll commissioned by Children Now, an Oakland-based nonprofit advocacy, found that more than three of five registered California voters support Common Core standards. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/06/18/DISDPre-K9.jpg)
![Students in Pre-K teacher Josefina Pineda's class sing to practice their language skills at the Dallas Independent School Di…]()
Credit: Robert W. Hart -
Washington Supreme Court rules on education funding
The Washington Supreme Court issued a new order last week continuing the $100,000 per-day contempt sanctions it issued against the state in 2015 over its failure to adequately fund public schools. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/05/03/ScalesofJustice.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Audit finds risks in charter schools
A new audit found charter schools and their management organizations pose a potential financial risk to federal funds, as well as threatening to miss the mark on achieving program goals. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/04/08/Desk-Money-2_1.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Scary clown threats causing frenzy on school campuses
Scary clown threats have stirred the fears of students, parents, and administrators at hundreds of schools nationwide, forcing leaders to determine how to respond seriously while preventing mass hysteria. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/04/13/Social-media-prison.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Jacob Villanueva -
Will Trump hurt GOP down-ballot? Pelosi and Cornyn disagree
During a pair of stops Wednesday in San Antonio and Austin, the two Congressional leaders provided confident outlooks for their parties' prospects in November. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/10/12/Pelosi_Cornyn.jpg)
![U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-California and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.]()
Credit: Official website portraits -
The Brief: Trump and Castro, in San Antonio, Address GOP Loyalties
Ted Cruz and Paul Ryan were focal points of discussion for their support, or lack thereof, for their party's nominee. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/10/11/7C2A9303.jpg)
![Trump supporters outside the Hyatt Hotel in San Antonio where Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump was expected to a…]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Brief: Young Republicans Want Texas GOP To Distance From Trump
No Texas GOP officials have withdrawn their endorsements of Donald Trump. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/06/21/Trump_speaks.jpg)
![GOP presidential hopeful Donald Trump rallied supporters at Gilley's in Dallas on June 16, 2016.]()
Credit: Allison V. Smith for The Texas Tribune -
The Brief: Texas Leaders Weigh in On Trump Video Controversy
While several state leaders are denouncing him, none have retracted their endorsements. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/08/23/UP9A0200.jpg)
![Supporters of Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump, hold up letters to spell his name during an August 23, 2016 ral…]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Brief: Eviction Threat Targets Dallas' Poorest Neighborhoods
The city is working on plans to help those affected. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/11/06/Dallas-Homes.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Andreas Praefcke -
The Brief: Barriers Remain in Grim Task to ID Remains of Migrants
While some progress has been made, hundreds of bodies remain a mystery. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/10/05/7C2A8668.jpg)
![Presiding Officer of the Texas Forensic Science Commission, Dr. Vincent Di Maio during a October 5, 2016 meeting in Austin, …]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Houston Hurricane Protection Plan Still in Limbo
Researchers and scientists are at odds about how to protect the Houston Ship Channel, and Texas legislators will try again to reach a consensus in 2017. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d4767d57deaacd93b1b4d6307b512bf9/Oil%20Houston%20Facility%20PP%20TT.jpg)
![An aerial photograph of the Stolthaven Oil Tanking facility along the Houston Ship Channel on Nov. 10, 2015. Shell's Deer Pa…]()
Credit: Edmund D. Fountain/ProPublica/Texas Tribune -
The Brief: Texas' Endangered Children Remain Unseen by CPS
Lawmakers hope to pass reforms during the next legislative session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/09/05/CPS-Texas.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
The Water Calendar
Key meetings and events over the coming weeks. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/11/03/2015-09-052.jpg)
![Cypress Creek in downtown Wimberley.]()
Credit: Photo by: Shelby Knowles -
The Q&A: Stuart Henry
In this week's Q&A, we interview Stuart Henry, attorney for the Sierra Club during litigation that spurred the creation of the Edwards Aquifer Authority. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/10/03/Stuart_Henry_TT.jpg)
![Stuart Henry, attorney for the Sierra Club during litigation that resulted in the creation of the Edwards Aquifer Authority.]()
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b34c9c853b8d7f5d2122ab978528bc48/BD%20INC%20Brennan%20Sara%2014%202013)