https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/alex-ford/The latest news by Alex Ford.enMon, 08 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/08/texas-houston-immigrants-family-deportation-belize-ice/Margarita Avila, a Houston mother of nine, was detained by ICE after an altercation that led to no charges. Her close-knit family weigh their futures if she is deported.By Uriel J. García, Graphics by Alex Ford and Edison Wu, Photos by Lexi ParraMon, 08 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/08/texas-houston-immigrants-family-deportation-belize-ice/José Avila and his sons, Jeremiah (left) and Issac (middle), attend service at their Houston church in June. José is a devout Christian, finding solace in his faith while his wife was detained.José Avila and his two sons, Jeremiah (left) and Isaac, attend church service at the Iglesia Pentecostal Del Nombre de Jesus on Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Houston.Lexi Parra for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/05/texas-faculty-university-political-climate-survey/Professors’ concerns included the state’s DEI ban and new limits to faculty influence at colleges and universities.By Nicholas Gutteridge, Data reporting by Alex FordFri, 05 Sep 2025 14:45:44 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/05/texas-faculty-university-political-climate-survey/Many Texas faculty are considering getting a job in a different state because of increased political interference in higher ed, a recent survey found.The main building of the University of Texas at Austin, in 2012.Tamir Kalifa for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/27/texas-climate-change-heat/Hotter days and nights. More record highs. Climate change has shifted the entire range of Texas heat upwards.By Yuriko Schumacher, Alex Ford and Erin DouglasTue, 27 Jun 2023 15:54:01 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/27/texas-climate-change-heat/A dust storm blows over cotton fields ahead of a late-summer thunderstorm in Terry County in August 2022. A Texas Tribune analysis shows that extreme heat is becoming more common across Texas due to climate change, but the effects aren’t felt the same everywhere.Cotton plants grow in a field while a dust storm blows ahead of a late summer thunderstorm Monday, Aug. 29, 2022, in Terry County, Texas. (Justin Rex for The Texas Tribune)Justin Rex for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/25/texas-impeachment-attorney-general-ken-paxton/Paxton is now suspended until the outcome of a trial in the Senate. Gov. Greg Abbott can now appoint someone to temporarily fill the vacancy.By María Méndez and Alex FordThu, 25 May 2023 20:49:08 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/25/texas-impeachment-attorney-general-ken-paxton/Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to his supporters after being sworn in to office for a third term in Jan. 10. The state’s embattled top lawyer is facing impeachment in the Legislature.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to his supporters after being sworn into office on January 10, 2023. At left are state Sen. Angela Paxton and Gov. Greg Abbott.Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/10/texas-gun-fatalities-laws/The rate of firearm-related deaths in Texas has reached a level not seen since the 1990s. Texas lawmakers have approved more than 100 bills that loosened gun restrictions since 2000.By Erin Douglas and Alex FordWed, 10 May 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/10/texas-gun-fatalities-laws/The Uvalde gun store where a gunman who killed 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School last year legally purchased his weapons. The rate of gun-related deaths have been rising steadily in Texas in recent years.An interior view of Oasis Outback, the store where a gunman who killed 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School purchased his weapons, in Uvalde, Texas, U.S., May 25, 2022. REUTERS/Lisa KrantzREUTERS/Lisa Krantzhttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/13/texas-budget-surplus/If Texas’ budget surplus were distributed directly to Texans, it could pay for 12 years of school lunches, seven months of rent or 11,000 miles of travel. Here’s how to put the big number into perspective.By Karen Brooks Harper, Yuriko Schumacher and Alex FordMon, 13 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/13/texas-budget-surplus/An illustration of people gathered.Alex Ford/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/01/texas-power-market-public-utility-commission-electricity-credits/The idea, which still lacks some important details and could be changed by state lawmakers, would change how electricity is paid for in tight times. We explain it for everyday Texans.By Emily Foxhall and Alex FordWed, 01 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/01/texas-power-market-public-utility-commission-electricity-credits/El Paso Electric's natural gas-powered Newman Generating Station in El Paso. The state's Public Utility Commission is proposing changes to the state's electricity market that aim to give companies a financial incentive to build more gas-fired plants or extend the lives of current plants.El Paso Electric's natural gas-powered Newman Generating Station in El Paso on Feb. 17, 2021.Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribune