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Alex Samuels was a reporter for The Texas Tribune from 2017 to 2021. She helped with national campaign coverage, wrote stories about the intersection of race and politics in Texas, and covered the hottest political news bubbling out of local communities. She was also one of the primary authors of The Blast, the Tribune’s subscription-only daily newsletter for political insiders. Alex began at the Tribune as a fellow in 2016. She graduated in 2017 from the University of Texas at Austin’s School of Journalism. She originally is from Massachusetts and is the best pingpong player at the Tribune.
Discussion over a bill that would improve the state’s Child Protective Services agency turned into a heated debate over vaccines — and whether they should be required for children placed in foster care. Full Story
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House Bill 2107 would expand the “Compassionate Use Act” and allow the use of medical marijuana for qualifying patients with debilitating medical conditions, such as terminal cancer or post-traumatic stress disorder. Full Story
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House Bill 25, approved by the House on Saturday, could drastically change Texas politics considering straight-ticket ballots accounted for almost 64 percent of total votes cast in the state’s 10 largest counties in 2016. Full Story
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The Texas House shot down House Bill 2861, a measure that would’ve allowed the Texas Department of Transportation to use tolls to fund the construction, renovation or widening of several highways. Full Story
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On Wednesday, the Senate voted 22-8 for a proposal that would expand a Buy American provision already in effect for the Texas Department of Transportation and the Texas Water Development Board to all state agencies. Full Story
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A bill approved by the Texas House on Wednesday would require high school students pass a version of the civics test that immigrants must take when applying for U.S. citizenship. How well would you do? Take our quiz and find out. Full Story
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The Texas House backed a proposal that would reduce the first-time fee for a license to carry a handgun from $140 to $40. Full Story
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Joseph “Ray” Perry, father to former Texas governor and U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry, died Thursday. Full Story
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The marathon debate on the “sanctuary” bill in the Texas House had impassioned speeches, tears and what some House Democrats called a surprising move by a House Republican to cut short debate on adding amendments to the bill. Full Story
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Former President George H.W. Bush, who was admitted to the hospital in mid-April for a consistent cough, was discharged Friday. Full Story
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