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.
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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Coronavirus in Texas
When sharing pencils isn’t safe, this San Antonio teacher is helping crowdfund extra school supplies
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.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Out of work and behind on rent, this mom says the pandemic is taking a toll on her mental health
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.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
With 1,000 new coronavirus fatalities in Texas in just 6 days, the state’s death count is rising faster
More than 5,000 people in Texas have died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, according to state health data released Sunday.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Hanna brings flooding, power outages to southern Texas Gulf Coast
A section of the Texas coast already reeling from thousands of coronavirus cases will continue to feel the effects of the storm, which was the first hurricane of the season.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Ten members of this South Texas family have contracted COVID-19. She doesn’t want to be next.
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.
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Coronavirus in Texas
A Texas teacher weighs schools reopening, state guidelines and the coronavirus pandemic
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.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Why one Texas bar owner joined a lawsuit against Gov. Greg Abbott
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.
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Economy
Visa denial rates for highly skilled workers were already hurting Texas businesses before Trump administration ordered new limits
The Texas economy relies heavily on temporary work visas, like H-1Bs, to hire highly trained international employees. But there was un uptick in denial rates for H-1Bs even before the Trump administration moved to limit them.
Posted inState Government
This LGBTQ Texan says the U.S. Supreme Court ruling is a key step toward fully realized equality
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.