Latest Contributions

• Watch: How Texas lawmakers are conducting a session during a pandemic

  by Alana Rocha, Justin Dehn, Todd Wiseman and Jackson Barton Jan. 27, 2021

  The 2021 Texas legislative session will be unlike any other, as lawmakers work to get the people’s business done in the midst of a pandemic that shows few signs of slowing. Full Story 

• Texas Capitol staffer says pandemic protocols are a must this session: “It’s the ability to think of others”

  by Alana Rocha, Todd Wiseman and Justin Dehn Jan. 16, 2021

  Odus Evbagharu says that like many of the thousands of people employed at the Capitol, he’s nervous he might catch COVID-19. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast. Full Story 

• In rural Texas, frustration with a disjointed vaccine rollout grows: “We’re better than this”

  by Alana Rocha, Todd Wiseman and Justin Dehn Jan. 9, 2021

  Steve Johnson, 75, says trying to get his first COVID-19 vaccine dose in Wise County highlighted the shortcomings of the distribution plan. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast. Full Story 

• A grieving daughter, a dedicated teacher and a former bar owner: We check back in with Texans about the pandemic and 2020

  by Alana Rocha, Justin Dehn and Todd Wiseman Dec. 26, 2020

  Like so many people, everyone we spoke to for this special edition of The Brief podcast said they're ready for this year to be over. Full Story 

• Watch: Here’s what you should know heading into the 2021 Texas legislative session

  by Alana Rocha, Justin Dehn and Todd Wiseman Dec. 22, 2020

  We surveyed some of The Texas Tribune’s reporters and editors about what they’d be watching come Jan. 12, when state lawmakers are scheduled to gavel in the new session. Full Story 

• No job, no car and living on $85 a week: Some Texans are facing economic crisis months into the pandemic

  by Alana Rocha, Todd Wiseman and Justin Dehn Dec. 5, 2020

  Jessica Tyson, an out-of-work hairdresser in Texarkana, says Congress cannot delay passing a second stimulus package. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast. Full Story 

• Watch: A UT-Austin researcher explains the role his lab played in several leading COVID-19 vaccines

  by Alana Rocha, Todd Wiseman and Justin Dehn Nov. 20, 2020

  At least four of the COVID-19 vaccines showing promise are using technology developed in Jason McLellan's lab at the University of Texas at Austin. Full Story 

• This immunocompromised student fears his own college town during the pandemic

  by Justin Dehn and Todd Wiseman Nov. 14, 2020

  In the weekend edition of The Brief podcast, hear from a student who says that because he's immunocompromised, he's worried that students aren't taking the pandemic seriously when off campus, making him feel trapped in his home. Full Story 

• “It’s not purple. It’s not blue. It’s conservative.” Watch what happened in the Texas elections

  by Alana Rocha, Todd Wiseman and Justin Dehn Nov. 6, 2020

  The Republican party dominated races up and down the ballot, dashing Democrats' high hopes. Our analysis sheds light on what happened. Full Story 

• He had a state-issued voter ID and says he still got flagged casting his ballot

  by Alana Rocha, Todd Wiseman and Justin Dehn Oct. 24, 2020

  Mike Wright says nothing made sense, and even the poll workers couldn’t explain it. But like millions of Texas voters this cycle, Wright says he was determined to cast his ballot. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast. Full Story 

• Should you trust political polls going into the 2020 election? That's the wrong question.

  by Alana Rocha, Todd Wiseman and Justin Dehn Oct. 23, 2020

  Watch The Texas Tribune's co-founder and executive editor, Ross Ramsey, break down what voters need to ask when considering a poll's results. Full Story 

• Chip Roy and Wendy Davis face off on women's health, managing the coronavirus and being a Washington disruptor

  by Alana Rocha, Todd Wiseman, Justin Dehn and Faith Castle Oct. 15, 2020

  Roy, the one-term Republican congressman who represents the Austin-area district, squares off with Davis, his Democratic challenger, in our Split Decision virtual debate series. Full Story 

• For this COVID-19 “long-hauler,” symptoms have persisted for months: “I’m uncomfortable literally all day long”

  by Alana Rocha, Todd Wiseman and Justin Dehn Oct. 10, 2020

  In the weekend edition of The Brief podcast, listen to Brittani Castle detail how the coronavirus has come to dominate her life. Full Story 

• Watch Tony Gonzales, Gina Ortiz Jones debate as they vie to replace U.S. Rep. Will Hurd

  by Alana Rocha, Todd Wiseman and Justin Dehn Oct. 2, 2020

  The Navy and Air Force veterans running to represent Texas' 23rd Congressional District highlight their differing views on the economy and deaths at Fort Hood in our "Split Decision" video series. Full Story 

• Watch state Rep. Sarah Davis and Democratic challenger Ann Johnson debate hurricane relief, flipping the House and more

  by Alana Rocha, Todd Wiseman and Justin Dehn Sept. 24, 2020

  In our “Split Decision” series, we asked the two attorneys about issues important to voters in this Houston-area district. Full Story 

• Watch John Cornyn and MJ Hegar debate the pandemic, police reform and voting

  by Alana Rocha, Todd Wiseman and Justin Dehn Sept. 16, 2020

  U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a three-term Republican incumbent, and Democratic challenger MJ Hegar, answered the same set of questions for our "Split Decision" virtual debate series. Full Story 

• For this working mom, the risk of her son contracting coronavirus outweighs the need for him to be in class

  by Alana Rocha, Todd Wiseman and Justin Dehn Aug. 22, 2020

  Amy Mason says there are just too many unknowns for her to feel comfortable sending her 4-year-old to school at this point. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast. Full Story 

• Out of work and behind on rent, this mom says the pandemic is taking a toll on her mental health

  by Alana Rocha, Justin Dehn and Todd Wiseman Aug. 8, 2020

  The South Texas woman says that since losing her job in late May, her anxiety and depression have made it "very difficult to try and keep it together." Listen to her story in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast. Full Story 

• Ten members of this South Texas family have contracted COVID-19. She doesn’t want to be next.

  by Alana Rocha, Todd Wiseman and Justin Dehn July 25, 2020

  Elisa Soliz, a Hidalgo County school bus driver, says she’ll retire before subjecting herself to a busload of kids, many of whom lack access to health care. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast. Full Story 

• A Texas teacher weighs schools reopening, state guidelines and the coronavirus pandemic

  by Alana Rocha, Todd Wiseman and Justin Dehn July 18, 2020

  Darcy Vogt Williams says districts want flexibility deciding how and when to start the new school year, given the pandemic. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast. Full Story