A day after about half of the country’s governors promised to block Syrian refugees from resettling in their states, religious and nonprofit leaders warned that those actions could have a dramatic impact on refugee resettlement.
Alexa Ura
Alexa Ura reported for The Texas Tribune from 2013 to 2023. She covered the complex dynamics of race, ethnicity, wealth, poverty and power and how they are shaping the future of Texas and Texans, in the long and short term. Alexa started at the Tribune as a reporting intern before graduating from the University of Texas at Austin and joining the staff full time. Originally from Laredo on the Texas-Mexico border, she is a native Spanish speaker and is based in Austin.
Posted in
Politics
Wendy Davis Will Ask High Court to Block Abortion Limits
Former Texas state Sen. Wendy Davis, who rose to national prominence after filibustering a restrictive abortion law in 2013, will join other state lawmakers from across the country in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court asking it to strike down those regulations.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Supreme Court to Take Up Challenge to Texas Abortion Law
The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday agreed to take up a legal challenge to Texas’ 2013 abortion law, a measure that could shut down about half of the state’s 19 remaining abortion clinics.
Posted in
Demographics
In Texas, Minorities Less Likely to Own Homes
A shortage of affordable housing, credit problems and lack of savings for down payments are among the main barriers blamed for creating a demographic divide in home ownership between minorities and whites.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Supreme Court to Decide Birth Control Mandate for Religious Nonprofits
The U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether religious nonprofits should be required to provide birth control benefits to female employees even if the employers object to certain contraceptives on religious grounds.
Posted in
Politics
For Harris County Democrats, A Win and Two Hard Losses
Democratic state Rep. Sylvester Turner led the field for Houston mayor, but the blue team took two big hits during Tuesday’s election in the nation’s fourth largest city.
Posted in
Politics
Bathroom Fears Flush Houston Discrimination Ordinance
Houston voters resoundingly rejected the city’s anti-discrimination ordinance after being told it would allow men to legally enter women’s bathrooms.
Posted in
Health care
Feds: Kicking Planned Parenthood Out of Medicaid May Be Illegal
The Obama administration has warned state leaders that pushing Planned Parenthood out of the state’s Medicaid program could put Texas at odds with federal law.
Posted in
State Government
Houston Ordinance Vote a Test for LGBT Advocates
After months of heated campaigning, Houston voters will have the final word next week on an embattled nondiscrimination ordinance, a big test for Texas gay rights activists.
Posted in
Health care
State Investigators Visit Planned Parenthood Facilities
Days after Texas health officials announced they want to kick Planned Parenthood out of the state Medicaid program, state investigators on Thursday visited Planned Parenthood facilities in San Antonio, Houston Dallas and Brownsville.
