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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.
After fielding emotional pleas and various complaints in a committee hearing, state Rep. Cecil Bell plans to revise his bill that would bar the state from recognizing same-sex marriages even if the courts declare it legal. Full Story
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With the future of Texas’ constitutional ban on same-sex marriage uncertain, Republican leaders on Monday pledged to continue the state’s fight against allowing gay couples to wed. Full Story
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Corsicana Republican state Rep. Byron Cook, who has an adopted child, says both same-sex adoptive parents should be listed on a Texas birth certificate. He believes it's best for the children, though it puts him at odds with his party's stance on gay rights issues. Full Story
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Residents of a small unincorporated community outside Houston hope legislation by state Rep. Armando Walle will help them get safe, reliable water service, and shine a light on parts of Texas with similar problems. Full Story
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The Senate's proposed changes to the state's breast and cervical cancer screening program — intended to cut funding for Planned Parenthood clinics — could hit low-income women in rural and West Texas hardest. Use our map to see how. Full Story
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As he feels out a possible presidential bid, Ted Cruz has made border security and immigration his calling cards. But Texas' first Hispanic U.S. senator has only made three trips to border since taking office. Full Story
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The Texas Tribune's five-part Undrinkable series looks at border communities that lack reliable, clean water despite a multibillion-dollar effort that has spanned decades. Full Story
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Lawmakers have filed two competing bills about who should have the authority to decide whether to terminate a brain-dead pregnant woman's life — a preview of what promises to be a fiery legislative battle over end-of-life medical care in Texas. Full Story
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From our Undrinkable series: most Rio Bravo and El Cenizo residents don't trust the tap water despite a treatment plant intended to better the two towns' standard of living. Full Story
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In theory, clean, safe water should be flowing to all of Rio Grande City's 14,000 residents, but a long-standing arrangement with a handful of locally owned corporations keeps it from some parts of town. This is part of our five-story Undrinkable series. Full Story
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