This week in the Roundup: A Texas inmate with a history of schizophrenia receives a stay of execution, and Gov. Rick Perry and his successor, current Attorney General Greg Abbott, take turns addressing immigration.
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.
Posted in
Health care
Mental Health Initiative Benefiting Military Vets is Set to Take Next Step
Less than a month after state leaders announced $1 million in state-matching funds to develop coordinated veterans’ mental health programs, local and regional agencies are primed to learn the ins and outs of the application process.
Posted in
Immigration
Political Roundup: Speaker’s Race, Empty Seats, Executive Order
This week in the Roundup: House lawmakers prepare for a contested speaker’s race, some legislators face election before the next session convenes and Gov.-elect Greg Abbott vows to challenge President Obama’s executive order on immigration.
Posted inState Government
Political Roundup: Textbooks and Border Surge
This week in our Texas Political Roundup: The State Board of Education hears testimony on what should be included in social studies textbooks, state leaders unveil plan to extend the border surge, and state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte makes her candidacy for San Antonio mayor official.
Posted inState Government
Gag Order Issued In Ron Reynolds’ Barratry Trial
Days after a mistrial was declared in state Rep. Ron Reynolds’ “ambulance chasing” trial, a Montgomery County district court issued a gag order forbidding all parties from talking about the case.
Posted inEnergy, Environment
Texas’ Emptiest County Filling Up with Oil Workers, Hope
The smallest county in Texas may not hold that distinction for much longer. Loving County has about 90 people but swells by hundreds each day due to a flood of oil workers. This video is part of our Shale Life project.
Posted in
Politics
Texas Political Roundup: Bill Filings, Perry Indictment and VDP
This week in the Texas Political Roundup: Could state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte be eyeing a run for San Antonio mayor? Gov. Gov. Rick Perry’s attorneys ask a judge to dismiss his charges. And state lawmakers have begun filing bills ahead of the coming legislative session.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Mistrial Declared in Reynolds’ Barratry Case
After a mistrial was declared Monday in the case of state Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, a new trial was scheduled to start Jan. 5. Reynolds is accused of illegally offering legal services to accident victims within 30 days of their incidents.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Video: Perry, Attorneys Discuss Pre-trial Hearing
Watch Gov. Rick Perry, his defense attorneys and the special prosecutor in Perry’s felony indictment speak Thursday to news outlets following a pre-trial hearing in Perry’s abuse-of-power case. Perry’s attorneys argued that the prosecutor was improperly sworn in.
Posted in
State Government
Video: Abbott Details His Transition to Governor
On Wednesday, the day after the election, Gov.-elect Greg Abbott held a news conference at the state Capitol to lay out what he’s doing to prepare for his new role.
