Loan Issues Put Asterisk on Cruz’s U.S. Senate Win
A new revelation about an undisclosed loan from his wife's employer casts some uncertainty over the political triumph that has become central to Ted Cruz's political identity. Full Story
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Alexa Ura
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Alexa Ura reported for The Texas Tribune from 2013 to 2023. She covered the complex dynamics of race, ethnicity, wealth, poverty and power and how they are shaping the future of Texas and Texans, in the long and short term. Alexa started at the Tribune as a reporting intern before graduating from the University of Texas at Austin and joining the staff full time. Originally from Laredo on the Texas-Mexico border, she is a native Spanish speaker and is based in Austin.
Past Contributions
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![Ted Cruz is shown in Houston on July 31, 2012, after winning the Republican primary runoff for U.S. Senate.]()
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Obama Administration Asks High Court to Reject Texas Abortion Law
Intervening in what could be a landmark decision, the Obama administration, state and federal lawmakers and medical experts are among those who filed amicus briefs urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Texas’ 2013 abortion law. Full Story
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Women Still Underrepresented in Legislative Races
It remains a daunting political reality in Texas. While women make up more than half the state, they are underrepresented in the halls of power, and it appears the 2016 elections will do little to change that. Full Story
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![State senators take the oath of office on the first day of the Texas Legislature on Jan. 13, 2015.]()
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Five Ways Abortion Rules are Changing for Minors
Underage Texas women seeking abortions without their parents' consent will face a tougher set of legal hurdles in the new year. Here's a look at five ways the rules are changing on Friday. Full Story
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Revisit Undrinkable, Our Project on Poor Border Water Quality
Take a look back at The Texas Tribune's five-part Undrinkable series, which revealed how border communities lack reliable, clean water despite a multibillion-dollar effort that has spanned decades. Full Story
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Texas Drops Planned Parenthood From HIV Prevention Program
Amid an ongoing battle over Planned Parenthood’s participation in the state Medicaid program, Texas health officials are cutting off funding to a Planned Parenthood affiliate for an HIV prevention program. Full Story
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DPS Chief: Refugee Concerns Extend Beyond Syrians in Texas
Despite Texas Republicans’ laser focus on keeping Syrian refugees from being resettled here, the head of the state's Department of Public Safety says he’d prefer a wider lens that focuses on all countries connected to “Islamic extremist terrorism.” Full Story
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![A child walks in a United Nations refugee camp in Turkey where thousands of Syrian refugees reside.]()
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Planned Parenthood Still Receiving Medicaid Funds
Almost two months after Texas Republican leaders announced they would kick Planned Parenthood out of Medicaid, the organization is still receiving funds to provide health care for about 13,500 low-income women a year. Full Story
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For Abbott, A Balancing Act Between Catholic Faith and Politics
A practicing Roman Catholic, Gov. Greg Abbott often cites the spiritual underpinnings of his political positions. His stance on barring Syrian refugees from Texas is his latest break with many leaders of his faith. Full Story
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![Jason Taylor from the Barnone Cowboy Church prays after Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 2065, the Pastor Protection Bill on June 11, 2015]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Judge Rejects Paxton Bid to Block Syrian Refugees
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s second attempt to immediately block the arrival of additional Syrian refugees was even shorter-lived than the first. A federal judge on Wednesday quickly rejected his request. Full Story
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![A group gathered at Wooldridge Park in Austin on Nov. 22, 2015, to protest Gov. Greg Abbott's decision not to accept refugees from Syria.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune