The Texas Health and Human Services Commission on Monday extended the deadline for applying to July 31.
Stacy Fernández
Stacy Fernández was the Tribune’s breaking news reporter in 2019-20. When she wasn't breaking stories, Stacy covered the gun beat and led the Tribune’s reader-driven explainer series, Texplainer. First introduced to the Lone Star State as an intern at the Dallas Morning News, she was also a News21 fellow, reporter for NPR’s Next Generation Radio Project and Buffalo News intern. Stacy graduated from Syracuse University with dual degrees in magazine journalism and Latino-Latin American studies. The Afro-Dominicana thrifts frequently, is a solid bachata dancer and is a firm believer that listening to audiobooks is just as good as reading.
Marching in solidarity: This year’s Texas Pride events highlight Black queer and trans people
LGBTQ Texans are getting back to Pride’s protest roots while standing alongside Black and brown people in their community, who are still fighting for equality on two fronts.
U.S. Reps. Sylvia Garcia, Joaquin Castro call on ICE to release migrants in immigration detention centers as coronavirus cases surge
As cases surge in Texas and the pandemic rages on, the representatives said ICE should release all detainees who are not a safety risk and who are more vulnerable to contracting the virus.
This year, Juneteenth takes on new meaning for black Texans, as push to make holiday with Texas roots goes national
In 1980, Texas became the first state to adopt Juneteenth as a holiday. It is officially recognized in all but three states: Hawaii, North Dakota and South Dakota. As Americans continue to march for racial justice, black Texans say the holiday has taken on additional weight.
Texas cities took quick actions after George Floyd’s death. Advocates doubt they’ll have a big impact.
As protests erupted in major Texas cities, local officials announced policy changes to reform policing. Advocates doubt the quickly cast votes and signed orders will have a real effect.
As COVID-19 cases surge in Texas, a hospital administrator retires — but is ready to jump back into the fight
A hospital says goodbye, a restaurant welcomes diners back and others reflect on the pandemic’s lessons. In the finale of our weekly series, Texans from across the state share stories about how they’re navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Texas Democrats urge Abbott to call special session as details emerge showing Javier Ambler’s death at the hands of sheriff’s deputies
In 2019, Williamson County sheriff’s deputies held down Ambler and stunned him four times before his body went limp. He died at a hospital about an hour later.
The oil crash folded their old business. Now they’re betting on a new kind of oil.
A family launches a new business with a baby on the way. A small town stages a socially distant graduation. In this weekly series, Texans from across the state share stories about how they’re navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In George Floyd-inspired protests, Texas organizers find new allies in quest for police reforms
“They had to watch this man literally gasp for air … to give a damn,” one Austin organizer said about the momentum building after millions saw the video of Floyd’s death. “They saw it. It was real, and I think that’s why we are where we are.”
Dallas residents call for police chief’s resignation, decreased police budget after use of force during protests
The Dallas Police Department is facing public scrutiny for their use of force, tear gas and rubber pellets on protestors demonstrating against law enforcement brutality.


