/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Alex-Samuels_TT.jpg)
Alex Samuels was a reporter for The Texas Tribune from 2017 to 2021. She helped with national campaign coverage, wrote stories about the intersection of race and politics in Texas, and covered the hottest political news bubbling out of local communities. She was also one of the primary authors of The Blast, the Tribune’s subscription-only daily newsletter for political insiders. Alex began at the Tribune 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.
State Rep. Eric Johnson, D-Dallas, filed Wednesday for speaker of the Texas House, making him the first Democrat to enter the race to succeed retiring House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/05/08/Eric_Johnson_MKC_TT.jpg)
A special election doesn't play out like normal elections. For starters, there are no primaries. Every candidate who files for the seat – regardless of party affiliation – will appear on one ballot. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/73a25bf1eb118e121d6b2af401a0dea7/Abbot_Farenthold_MKC_BD_TT.jpg)
If history is any guide, candidates that earned first place in their primary race are likely to win their runoff — especially if they finished with a lead of more than 10 percentage points. But there are instances when second-place primary finishers come out on top. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/051d1275e874f931c1692e2bce056734/Jones_Trevino_Hegar_Mann.jpg)
A nonbinding opinion issued Monday by Attorney General Ken Paxton continues a battle between lawmakers, restaurants and the Texas Department of Agriculture over the regulation of scales used to measure food. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/af1eb811499752896afba23420d04bed/bbq_ALEX_CR_TT.jpg)
For Texans with severe epilepsy, a new treatment recently became legal: medical cannabis oil. As the state’s first dispensaries open, we followed two families trying the medication to reduce seizures. Watch our video documentary, “Out of Options.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/OutOfOptions-Lead.jpg)
Benefits for Texas teachers have been a point of contention between educators and lawmakers for years — and often a hot topic at the Legislature. But where does Texas fall nationally when it comes to teacher pay, health care and retirement benefits? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e0cc6b7cf68ab0aedbd4b63fbd9848dc/TX-TeachersBenefits-001.png)
Last month's bombing spree "would have overwhelmed any major city police department," Austin's interim police chief told a congressional committee as he thanked state and federal agencies for their help in tracking down a serial bomber. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2018/03/19/Bombing_presser_BD_TT.jpg)
No Green Party candidate got enough votes in 2016 to guarantee the party a place on the November ballot. As it prepares for its convention, the party isn’t optimistic that it can collect the signatures it needs to be a player in this year’s election. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1448eeef46e52b45d25a1871ca66ef48/green-party-petition.png)
Damage from heavy trucks has battered local roads in and around the state's oil fields, and many counties want the state to help pay for repairs and maintenance. Will lawmakers take action? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4ca5032cddad7b2441011b04e827564e/Bad_roads_1_ES_TT.jpg)
Students across Texas are taking state standardized tests this week. Take some of the tests' most difficult questions to see if you'd pass. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/02/09/Classroom-Desks-Stock.png)