Latest Contributions

• 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 

• Out of savings and without enough money for food, this North Texas woman is running out of options

  by Alana Rocha, Todd Wiseman and Faith Castle Sept. 26, 2020

  Carrie Mansfield says that while more relief from the government would be welcome, she really just wants to get back to work. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast. 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 

• Texas eased restrictions for nursing homes — but she still can't see her mom and knows that isolation can be deadly

  by Alana Rocha, Todd Wiseman and Faith Castle Sept. 12, 2020

  Jimmie Arnold's mother-in-law and mother were in the same nursing home in Bryan when Gov. Greg Abbott barred all visitation to limit the spread of the coronavirus. In the weekend edition of The Brief podcast, listen to why Arnold says after six months, it’s taking its toll. Full Story 

• “It’s pretty hard to learn how to draw an IV online.” This nursing student is grateful for hands-on training this semester

  by Alana Rocha, Todd Wiseman and Faith Castle Sept. 5, 2020

  In the weekend edition of The Brief podcast, listen to why a University of Texas at Austin sophomore says attending in-person labs during the pandemic is worth the risk. 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 

• When sharing pencils isn’t safe, this San Antonio teacher is helping crowdfund extra school supplies

  by Alana Rocha, Todd Wiseman and Jeremiah Rhodes Aug. 15, 2020

  In the weekend edition of The Brief podcast, listen to why Ambra Hernandez felt compelled to launch a Facebook group to help teachers fulfill their longer-than-normal wish lists. Full Story 

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

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

  Anna Garza 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 

• Why one Texas bar owner joined a lawsuit against Gov. Greg Abbott

  by Alana Rocha, Todd Wiseman and Justin Dehn July 11, 2020

  Chris Bergeron is one of more than 30 bar owners suing Gov. Greg Abbott for an executive order that effectively shuttered bars. Listen to what Bergeron had to say about the order's impact in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast. Full Story 

• Watch: Texas' police use-of-force tactics scrutinized after George Floyd protests

  by Todd Wiseman, Jeremiah Rhodes and Jolie McCullough July 2, 2020

  The Texas Tribune spoke to criminologists, policy makers and advocates to hear their perspectives on what the current moment means for Texas and what happens next. Full Story 

• A Fort Worth police officer whose uncle died in police custody hopes departments can change

  by Emma Platoff, Jeremiah Rhodes and Todd Wiseman June 27, 2020

  In the weekend edition of The Brief podcast, Tiffany Bunton — an officer whose uncle died in the back of a squad car two years ago — discusses the national moment of reckoning around police violence and misconduct. Full Story 

• This LGBTQ Texan says the U.S. Supreme Court ruling is a key step toward fully realized equality

  by Alana Rocha, Jeremiah Rhodes and Todd Wiseman June 20, 2020

  In the weekend edition of The Brief podcast, Fran Watson — a Houston attorney who is a lesbian and represents LGBTQ clients — explains how it feels to finally be protected in the workplace. Full Story 

• Joshua Howell doesn’t want “thoughts and prayers.” He wants Austin police to take responsibility for critically injuring his brother at a recent protest.

  by Alana Rocha, Jeremiah Rhodes and Todd Wiseman June 13, 2020

  While Howell says he’s pleased Austin police have vowed to stop using such tactics in crowds, he hopes his brother's story sparks real change. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast. Full Story