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Elena Mejia Lutz is a reporting fellow for The Texas Tribune, covering state politics and elections. She is also a senior at The University of Texas at Austin, double majoring in journalism and international relations & global studies. Prior to the Tribune, she worked at the Houston Chronicle as a reporting intern focusing on the Texas Legislature, and also at The Daily Texan as a senior reporter.
Competing against millions of acres of cotton, winegrowers fear federal approval of new herbicides to be used on genetically modified cotton seeds will wipe out the wine industry in the Texas High Plains. Full Story
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Students at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are worried after their school was placed on probation this week. The school's president says he is confident he'll get the problems fixed. Full Story
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Six legislators have filed bills to eliminate sales tax on all female health supplies that are sold for menstrual cycle hygiene. Full Story
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In two weeks, Texas will officially enact cuts of Medicaid reimbursement rates for disabled children's therapy services. Full Story
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After decades in Texas politics, Susan Combs is focused on building safe spaces for women to exchange ideas and experiences. With a new memoir and a new nonprofit, she hopes to encourage more women to take on leadership roles. Full Story
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Whom President-elect Donald Trump appoints to a vacant U.S. Supreme Court seat and how his Justice Department will differ from President Obama's could determine whether Texas' 2011 Voter ID law survives. Full Story
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Although Texas offers free tuition waivers and other benefits to ease foster youths' transition to higher education, the number of students using the resources has declined. Full Story
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Students were joined by like-minded bystanders as the Austin Police Department stopped traffic ahead of the protesters' path. Full Story
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U.S. Rep. Will Hurd claimed victory in his re-election bid Tuesday night, becoming the first incumbent to hold onto the Texas 23rd District in eight years. Full Story
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The Texas Tribune is talking to voters across Texas on Election Day about their favorite candidates and the issues that are most important to them. Full Story
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In this week's Q&A, we interview Laura Tillman, author of The Long Shadow of Small Ghosts: Murder and Memory in an American City. Full Story
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A report shows Texas leads the nation in the number of polling places that have been closed since a U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down part of the Voting Rights Act. Full Story
A report shows a nearly 31 percent decline in the number of electricity service-related complaints from last year in Texas. Full Story
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The Legislature's only independent won a special election in August, and is hoping to retain the House District 120 seat in November. Full Story
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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants faith-based communities to help find foster and adoptive homes for kids in need. Full Story
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What's an anti-Trump Republican in Texas to do on Election Day? Aside from leaving the top of your ballot blank, here are your options. Full Story
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Also, Abbott replaces a pair of "holdovers" on the Texas Ethics Commission. Full Story
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Faced with growing state attention on improper student-teacher relationships, the Texas Education Agency is asking lawmakers for hundreds of thousands of additional dollars to help investigate them — plus new legislation. Full Story
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Walnut Springs Elementary School's decision to allow a transgender student, born a boy, to use girls' bathrooms sparked contentious debate during a Monday night meeting of the Dripping Springs School Board. Full Story
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After almost 16 years with the Texas Medical Board, Mari Robinson announced Wednesday that she is stepping down as executive director. Full Story
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