https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/alexa-ura/The latest news by Alexa Ura.enWed, 21 Jun 2023 23:01:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/21/census-texas-hispanic-population-demographics/White people had been the state’s largest population group since at least 1850. Sometime in 2022, the Hispanic population surpassed them, new data shows.Alexa UraWed, 21 Jun 2023 23:01:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/21/census-texas-hispanic-population-demographics/Luisa and Antonio Perez dance to the band Tigrillos at the Festival Viva Mexico in Corpus Christi on Sept. 8, 2013.Luisa and Antonio Perez danced to the band Tigrillos at the Festival Viva Mexico in Corpus Christi on Sept 8, 2013.Eddie Seal for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/13/texas-redistricting-lawsuits/The high court left intact a key provision of the federal Voting Rights Act in a case many feared would go the other way. The decision’s importance in ongoing litigation over Texas’ political maps will largely be felt in what didn’t happen.Alexa UraTue, 13 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/13/texas-redistricting-lawsuits/The Texas redistricting case is actually a set of consolidated lawsuits brought by individual Texans, organizations that represent Texans of color, the Texas NAACP and the U.S. Department of Justice, among others, who claim the Texas Legislature discriminated against voters of color in its 2021 map-drawing.The newest drafts of the statewide congressional districts in Texas outside the Senate Chamber in the Texas Capitol in Austin on Sept. 30 2021.Dimitri Staszewski for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/08/houston-evictions-jackson-square/Houston has seen eviction rates soar since pandemic protections for renters lapsed. At one apartment complex, ejecting people from their homes is a ritual part of the business model.Lucy Tompkins, The Texas Tribune and The New York Times, and Alexa Ura, The Texas TribuneThu, 08 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/08/houston-evictions-jackson-square/A Harris County constable and property management employees enter a building at The Life at Jackson Square apartments on April 11, 2023, in Houston. The complex is the site of more evictions than any other in the county.Property management and a constable enter an apartment complex at the Life at Jackson Square apartments on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, in Houston, TX.Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/30/woori-juntos-korean-language-access/Their dream of passing a bill to improve access to state services for Texans who don’t speak English or Spanish was dashed. Woori Juntos activists fought until the end seeking at least a study of their ideas.Alexa UraTue, 30 May 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/30/woori-juntos-korean-language-access/Nicole Ma, Steven Wu and Quỳnh-Hương Nguyễn of Woori Juntos set up their laptops to catch up on emails and online meetings at the Capitol Grill while they wait for the Senate to convene on May 22, 2023.Nicole Ma, Steven Wu, and Quỳnh-Hương Nguyễn of Woori Juntos set up their laptops to catch up on emails and online meetings at the Capitol Grill while they wait for the Senate to convene after trying to meet with the office of Dade Phelan, the House Speaker, and various senators in the state Capitol in Austin on May 22, 2023. The Woori Juntos organizers have shifted focus for the remaining time in the Legislative session, to begin cultivating potential alliances for next session and by trying to get an Interim Charge for their main issue, relating to increasing language accessibility for Texans in state health programs. An Interim Charge, in the Texas House, is a directive to study a certain issue during the interim that is issued by the lieutenant governor to a Senate committee or by the speaker of the House to a House committee.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/29/paxton-impeachment-brent-webster/Brent Webster came to the Texas attorney general’s office in 2020. His work as Ken Paxton’s top aide was quickly mired in controversy.Alexa UraMon, 29 May 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/29/paxton-impeachment-brent-webster/First Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster speaks during a press conference in the William Clements Building in Austin on June 9, 2022.First Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster speaks during a press conference in the William Clements Building in Austin on June 9, 2022.Kylie Cooper/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/18/texas-cities-census-growth/Texas took four of the 10 top spots among the nation’s fastest-growing cities, with the Austin metro area overall seeing some of the most significant growth.Alexa UraThu, 18 May 2023 17:42:24 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/18/texas-cities-census-growth/The latest population estimates showed significant growth in the Austin area overall, with several of its suburbs ranking among the fastest-growing cities in the country.An aerial view of downtown Austin during the coronavirus outbreak on March 23, 2020.Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/09/texas-legislature-immigration-bill-hb20/The proposed unit would let those who are not law officers arrest or detain suspected undocumented immigrants in border-region counties.James Barragán and Alexa UraWed, 10 May 2023 00:02:14 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/09/texas-legislature-immigration-bill-hb20/https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/03/texas-legislature-woori-juntos/In the months leading up to their committee hearing, Woori Juntos community members trained on how to share their personal stories with legislators — in their own language.Fabiana Chaparro and Alexa UraWed, 03 May 2023 15:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/03/texas-legislature-woori-juntos/Stephen Wu waits in the back of the room while the Human Services committee comes to order in the early morning at the state Capitol in Austin on April 25. 2023.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/02/fbi-manhunt-ends-cleveland-shooting/Officials did not specify the location of his arrest on Tuesday night, but they said the suspect was being held at the Montgomery County jail where he was initially taken.Alexa UraTue, 02 May 2023 22:10:09 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/02/fbi-manhunt-ends-cleveland-shooting/In a still image from video, an aerial view on April 29, 2023, shows an FBI van at a location where a search was being conducted for Francisco Oropesa, 38, who police say shot dead five neighbors in Cleveland, Texas, the previous day. Oropesa was arrested on May 2.In a still image from video, an aerial view shows an FBI van at a location where a search is being conducted for Francisco Oropesa, 38, who police say shot dead five neighbors in Cleveland, Texas, on April 29, 2023, the day after the shooting.ABC affiliate KTRK via REUTERShttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/26/texas-services-korean-woori-juntos-language-access/In a key step on their quest to make state services more easily available to non-English speakers, advocates from Houston’s Woori Juntos community group testified before a panel of lawmakers.Alexa UraWed, 26 Apr 2023 13:35:12 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/26/texas-services-korean-woori-juntos-language-access/Woori Juntos Service Coordinator Si Hwa Gi hands out information packets about speaking with lawmakers on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.Woori Juntos Service Coordinator Si Hwa Gi hands out information packets about speaking with lawmakers on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/26/texas-house-redistricting/The 150 districts didn’t change, but the vote ensured the House met its constitutional requirement to approve new maps in the first regular session following formal publication of the 2020 census results.Alexa UraWed, 26 Apr 2023 13:29:58 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/26/texas-house-redistricting/A map of Tarrant County on the House floor on Oct. 12, 2021, shows Hispanic people’s voting-age population.A map of Tarrant County shows Hispanics' voting age population on the House floor on Oct. 12, 2021.Michael Gonzalez/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/21/woori-juntos-language-legislation/The window is closing for Woori Juntos in its pursuit of legislation to improve language access to state health programs.Alexa UraFri, 21 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/21/woori-juntos-language-legislation/Su Chong Yun, a member of Houston’s Woori Juntos community, shares his story on March 23, 2023, about not having access to Korean-translated materials to apply for Medicare.Su Chong Yun, a senior Korean member of the Woori Juntos community, shares his personal story to his fellow community about not having access to Korean translated materials to apply for Medicare in Houston, on Thursday, March 23, 2023.Joseph Bui for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/04/quran-texas-capitol-taken/Days after it went missing, DPS identified the person who removed a family Quran Rep. Salman Bhojani had placed in the chapel. The state has since provided its own copy.Alexa UraTue, 04 Apr 2023 16:27:09 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/04/quran-texas-capitol-taken/State Rep. Salman Bhojani, a Democrat from Euless, takes the oath of office on a copy of the Quran on the opening day of the 88th Legislative Session, Jan. 10, 2023.State Rep. Salman Bhojani, D-HD92, swears in on a copy of the Quran the on the opening day of the 88th Legislative Session at the state Capitol in Austin on Jan. 10, 2023.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/03/texas-senate-redistricting/The vote ensured the Senate met its constitutional requirement to redraw districts in the first regular session after publication of the 2020 census results.Alexa UraMon, 03 Apr 2023 16:30:15 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/03/texas-senate-redistricting/State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, speaks during a Senate State Affairs Committee meeting at the state Capitol in Austin, on Oct. 25, 2017.State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, speaks during a Senate State Affairs Committee meeting at the state Capitol in Austin, on Oct. 25, 2017.Bob Daemmrich/BDP, Inc.https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/03/chinese-americans-texas-rights/Among the fastest-growing segments of the Texas population, Chinese Americans fear their rights are becoming collateral damage as Texas officials seek to limit investment from China and ban a popular app that many rely on to keep in touch with family.Alexa UraMon, 03 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/03/chinese-americans-texas-rights/Members of the Texas Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Collective hold signs during a press conference at the state Capitol on March 9.Members of the Texas Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Collective hold signs during a press conference at the state Capitol on March 9, 2023.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/16/language-access-texas-woori-juntos/Woori Juntos began the legislative session hoping to win over a majority of legislators to their cause — making it easier for Texans who speak no or limited English to communicate with state agencies and access crucial services. First, they needed a lawmaker to file their bill.Alexa UraThu, 16 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/16/language-access-texas-woori-juntos/Hyunja Norman, executive director of Woori Juntos, leads her group through the state Capitol rotunda as they make their way to their next meeting on Asian American Pacific Islander Advocacy Day on March 9, 2023. The group hoped to speak with lawmakers and seek support for legislation that would improve language access to state health and social services programs.Hyunja Norman, executive director of Woori Juntos, leads her group through the state Capitol rotunda as they make their way to their next lawmaker meeting on Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Advocacy Day on March 9, 2023. The group hoped to speak with lawmakers and seek support for bills that would improve language access for Korean and Spanish speakers in regards to health and social services,Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/08/immigrants-language-barriers-texas/Texas largely conducts its state business in English and Spanish. It falls to interpreters like Terry Yun to help people scale the wall dividing them from crucial government services.Alexa UraWed, 08 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/08/immigrants-language-barriers-texas/Woori Juntos service coordinator Terry Yun listens and provides translation services for a couple at the Korean Community Center in the Spring Branch district of Houston on Feb. 23, 2023. Woori Juntos, meaning “we rise together” in a combination of Korean and Spanish, is a local community group working to eliminate language barriers to health and social services.Terry S. Yun listens and provides translating services for a couple at the Korean Community Center in the Spring Branch district of Houston, TX, on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023.Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/01/11/2023-texas-legislature-representation/In the 2023 legislative session that convened Tuesday, 70% of lawmakers are men. More than half of the Senate and House members are white, and nearly half are white men.Alexa Ura and Carla AstudilloWed, 11 Jan 2023 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/01/11/2023-texas-legislature-representation/Opening day of the 2023 Texas Legislature at the Capitol in Austin on Jan. 10, 2023.Opening Day of the 2023 Texas Legislature at the Capitol in Austin on Jan. 10, 2023.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2022/12/27/title-42-us-mexico-border-supreme-court/The court ordered the Biden administration to continue enforcing the policy while Texas and other states that want to keep the Trump-era rule in place prepare their legal arguments.Uriel J. García and Alexa UraTue, 27 Dec 2022 15:49:56 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2022/12/27/title-42-us-mexico-border-supreme-court/Texas National Guard and Texas Department of Public Safety officers position themselves on the banks of the Rio Grande in El Paso on Dec. 20. The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled to keep in place Title 42 for now.Texas National Guard and Texas DPS officers position themselves on the banks of the Rio Grande on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, in El Paso. Over 400 personnel have been sent to this border sector by Governor Abbott after El Paso city officials declared a state of emergency.Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2022/12/27/texas-health-commissioner-jennifer-shuford/The infectious disease doctor has been at the helm of the department in an interim capacity since the fall, replacing longtime commissioner Dr. John Hellerstedt following his retirement.Alexa UraTue, 27 Dec 2022 15:26:41 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2022/12/27/texas-health-commissioner-jennifer-shuford/Dr. Jennifer ShufordDr. Jennifer Shuford has been appointed commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services.DSHS website