In the Roundup: U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz continue their less than adoring relationship, the federal government says Texas is misleading voters on relaxed ID requirements ahead of the November election and a new study shows smaller is better when it comes to pre-K class sizes.
Alana Rocha
Alana Rocha was the director of news partnerships for The Texas Tribune until June 2022. She was previously a multimedia reporter, after working in television and radio news for eight years. Alana covered politics for stations in Florida, Kansas and Texas and traveled the country reporting from the 2012 and 2016 presidential campaign trails. She was the lead reporter on several award-winning projects and launched “The Brief,” a daily audio update. A native of Tampa, Florida, Alana received bachelor’s degrees in journalism and Spanish from the University of Florida.
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Politics
Trump Loses Support From Key Texas Backer Over Immigration (Video)
In the Roundup: Donald Trump loses key Hispanic support in Texas after laying out his immigration policy, police departments in the state’s largest cities don’t always report when cops pull the trigger and Rick Perry prepares to strap on his dancing shoes.
Posted inState Government
Trump Trolls Texas for Votes, UT Students Troll Handgun Law with Sex Toys
In the Roundup: Donald Trump softened his position on immigration at an event in Texas, a federal judge sided with the state and temporarily blocked President Obama’s transgender bathroom directive and UT-Austin students took a hard stance against the new campus carry law.
Posted inState Government
Perry, Polls and Praying in Court Round Out the Week’s News
In the Roundup: Rick Perry shames the father of a fallen Muslim soldier, a new poll out shows Ted Cruz could lose to at least one fellow Republican in 2018 and the Texas AG weighs in on the legality of praying in court.
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Health care
In Corpus Christi, Many Veterans Still Facing Long Waits for Care
VA staffing shortages in the Corpus Christi area have created monthslong waits for many of the veterans trying to see primary care doctors, dentists and other specialists.
Posted inState Government
George P. Bush, Tim Kaine Talk 2016 Election
In the Roundup: George P. Bush calls on conservatives to back his father’s former primary foe, Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine swings through Texas and a Republican congressman is reportedly being asked to challenge U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018.
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Health care
Campus Carry, Zika, Voter ID Dominate the Week’s Headlines (Video)
In the Roundup: Texas agrees to soften its voter ID law for the November elections, the state’s new campus carry gun law quietly takes effect and state officials give the O.K. for Medicaid to pay for mosquito repellant to help combat the spread of Zika.
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Higher Education
UT Students, Faculty: Campus Carry Timing an “Ironic Coincidence”
A new law allowing concealed handgun license holders to carry their weapons on state university campuses statewide takes effect Monday, the same day that marks 50 years since a student opened fire from the University of Texas Tower.
Posted in
Politics
At Democratic Convention, Castro Twins Talk Political Futures (Video)
In the Roundup: A potential 2018 challenger emerges for Senator Ted Cruz, Hillary Clinton passes on Housing Secretary Julián Castro for vice president and Texans take the stage at the Democratic National Convention.
Posted in
Politics
Reaction to Ted Cruz’s Convention Speech is Swift and Strong (Video)
In the Roundup: Ted Cruz steals the headlines at the Republican National Convention for not endorsing Donald Trump, and several conservatives scold him for failing to unite the party. Still, Texas delegates return to the Lone Star State vowing to elect the GOP nominee.
