https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/kayla-guo/The latest news by Kayla Guo.enWed, 15 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/15/gina-hinojosa-texas-governor-campaign-launch-2026-greg-abbott/The five-term state lawmaker from Austin has homed in on education issues in the Texas House, becoming a primary foil to Abbott on school vouchers.By Kayla GuoWed, 15 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/15/gina-hinojosa-texas-governor-campaign-launch-2026-greg-abbott/State Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin, speaks on the phone at her desk on the Texas House floor on May 19, 2025.Rep. Gina Hinojosa, D-Austin, speaks on the phone at her desk on the House floor on May 19, 2025.Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/14/brian-harrison-texas-a-m-gender-social-media-higher-education/State Rep. Brian Harrison has been on a crusade against Texas universities, scouring course catalogs and university websites for examples of “gender ideology” or LGBTQ+ curriculum, and riling up his X followers about “liberal indoctrination” on campuses.By Kate McGee and Kayla GuoTue, 14 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/14/brian-harrison-texas-a-m-gender-social-media-higher-education/State Rep. Brian Harrison, R-Midlothian, in his office at the state Capitol in Austin on Sept. 29, 2025State Rep. Brian Harrison, R-Midlothian, in his office at the state Capitol in Austin on Sept. 29, 2025.Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/13/texas-democratic-senate-primary-allred-talarico-rgv-latino-voters/The two leading Senate Democratic candidates have made it a point to spend time along the border early in the cycle, a sign of the region’s importance in 2026.By Kayla GuoMon, 13 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/13/texas-democratic-senate-primary-allred-talarico-rgv-latino-voters/Former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred and former Democratic congressional candidate Michelle Vallejo talk to Hilda Lopez, the owner of the restaurant La Malagueña, at Pulga Los Portales in Alton on Oct. 2, 2025.Former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred shakes hands with PSJA North High School students at their homecoming football game in Pharr on Oct. 3, 2025.Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/09/robert-roberson-execution-blocked-texas-court-of-criminal-appeals/Roberson was scheduled to be executed Oct. 16 after being convicted of capital murder in 2003 for the death of his two-year-old daughter Nikki.By Kayla GuoThu, 09 Oct 2025 09:20:02 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/09/robert-roberson-execution-blocked-texas-court-of-criminal-appeals/Death row inmate Robert Roberson is photographed through plexiglass at the TDCJ Polunsky Unit in Livingston on Dec. 19, 2023.Robert Roberson photographed through plexiglass at TDCJ Polunsky Unit in Livingston on Dec. 19, 2023. Texas death row prisoners are housed in Livingston but executed at the state prison in Huntsville, about 43 miles away.Ilana Panich-Linsman for The Innocence Projecthttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/01/texas-senate-democratic-fundraising-james-talarico-colin-allred/The Austin state lawmaker took in $6.2 million in the three weeks since he launched his bid, outpacing the $4.1 million Allred raised over the last three months.By Kayla GuoWed, 01 Oct 2025 03:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/01/texas-senate-democratic-fundraising-james-talarico-colin-allred/Former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred and state Rep. James Talarico are Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican incumbent John Cornyn.Former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred and state Rep. James Talarico are Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate seat held by incumbent John Cornyn.The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/29/jon-rosenthal-texas-railroad-commission-democrat-legislature-2026/The day after the four-term Houston lawmaker launched his statewide bid, his former chief of staff, Odus Evbagharu, announced he was running to succeed his former boss in the Texas House.By Alejandro Serrano and Kayla GuoMon, 29 Sep 2025 10:51:37 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/29/jon-rosenthal-texas-railroad-commission-democrat-legislature-2026/State Rep. Jon Rosenthal, D-Houston, walks to the Texas Capitol as he and other Democratic lawmakers prepare to return to the Texas House following a two-week quorum break in protest of a new congressional map gerrymandered to maximize Republican representation.Texas Democrats Jon Rosenthal, D-Houston and Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, l, get off a charter bus from the Austin airport outside the State Archives building on the east side of the Texas Capitol upon their return to Austin following a two-week quorum break. Man at right is unidentified.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/25/texas-democratic-party-dallas-staff-resignations-kendall-scudder/Party insiders said the way the move was handled undercuts Chair Kendall Scudder’s rhetoric about winning back working class voters, who lurched to the right in 2024.By Kayla Guo and Renzo DowneyThu, 25 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/25/texas-democratic-party-dallas-staff-resignations-kendall-scudder/Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder addresses attendees at an event in Brownsville on April 12, 2025.Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder addresses attendees at an event in Brownsville on April 12, 2025.Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/24/robert-roberson-death-row-clemency-execution-new-trial/Roberson, convicted of capital murder in 2003 for the death of his 2-year-old daughter, will continue to push for a new trial. He has maintained his innocence.By Kayla GuoWed, 24 Sep 2025 14:18:43 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/24/robert-roberson-death-row-clemency-execution-new-trial/Robert Roberson listens as his lawyers plead his case on July 16, 2025. A new execution date of Oct. 16, 2025 was set by presiding Judge Austin Jackson of Smith County at the Anderson County Courthouse in Palestine, Texas.Robert Roberson listens as his lawyers plead his case on July 16, 2025. A new execution date of Oct. 16, 2025 was set by presiding Judge Austin Jackson of Smith County at the Anderson County Courthouse in Palestine.Joel Andrews for the Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/24/andrew-white-texas-governor-democrat-primary-greg-abbott/The son of the late former Gov. Mark White vowed to run as an independent in the Democratic gubernatorial primary.By Kayla GuoWed, 24 Sep 2025 11:47:09 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/24/andrew-white-texas-governor-democrat-primary-greg-abbott/Democratic candidate for governor Andrew White is interviewed in his home in Houston on April 20, 2018.Then-Democratic candidate for governor Andrew White is interviewed in his home in Houston on Friday, April 20, 2018.Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/16/james-talarico-texas-senate-democrat-religion-christianity-viral/The Austin lawmaker says his faith fuels his vision of a Democratic Party that “fights back” against billionaires. Republican critics say his stances are at odds with Scripture.By Kayla GuoTue, 16 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/16/james-talarico-texas-senate-democrat-religion-christianity-viral/State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, sits for a portrait in his office on Aug. 27, 2025.State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, sits for a portrait in his office on Wednesday, August 27, 2025.Manoo Sirivelu/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/09/james-talarico-texas-senate-democrat-primary/A former public school teacher, Talarico has emerged as one of Texas Democrats’ strongest communicators. He joins Colin Allred and Terry Virts in the primary.By Kayla GuoTue, 09 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/09/james-talarico-texas-senate-democrat-primary/Texas Rep. James Talarico D-Austin speaks during a redistricting rally at Delco Activity Center Friday, July 25, 2025 in Austin, Texas.Texas Rep. James Talarico D-Austin speaks during a redistricting rally at Delco Activity Center Friday, July 25, 2025 in Austin, Texas.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/05/james-talarico-texas-senate-democrat-2026/The Austin Democrat has made a name for himself with his viral social media presence. His entry to the race pits him against former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred in the increasingly crowded primary.By Kayla Guo and Eleanor KlibanoffFri, 05 Sep 2025 15:30:33 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/05/james-talarico-texas-senate-democrat-2026/Texas Rep. James Talarico D-Austin speaks during a redistricting rally at Delco Activity Center on July 25, 2025 in Austin.Texas Rep. James Talarico D-Austin speaks during a redistricting rally at Delco Activity Center Friday, July 25, 2025 in Austin, Texas.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/05/texas-legislature-special-session-ends-democrats-sidelined-republicans/Democrats in the Texas House began the year by elevating a new speaker and left Austin relegated to the sidelines in the one chamber that had granted them at least scraps from the table.By Kayla GuoFri, 05 Sep 2025 13:21:35 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/05/texas-legislature-special-session-ends-democrats-sidelined-republicans/Texas House members vote on House Bill 8, a measure replacing STAAR with three shorter tests, at the Capitol in Austin on Sept. 3, 2025.Members vote on HB 8 in Austin on Sept. 3, 2025.Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/04/texas-legislature-adjourns-special-session-sine-die/Between cracking down on abortion pills and restricting transgender restroom use, lawmakers also tackled flood safety and the STAAR test. Left untouched: Texas’ hemp industry.By Kayla Guo and Alejandro SerranoThu, 04 Sep 2025 01:03:38 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/04/texas-legislature-adjourns-special-session-sine-die/House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, oversees roll call on the House floor in Austin on Sept. 3, 2025.House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, oversees roll call on the House floor in Austin on Sept. 3, 2025.Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/03/texas-legislature-thc-deal-ban-hemp/Legislators couldn’t reach a last-minute deal to tighten regulations on consumable hemp products.By Alex Nguyen, Kayla Guo, Renzo Downey and Paul CoblerWed, 03 Sep 2025 15:03:41 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/03/texas-legislature-thc-deal-ban-hemp/Hemp plants are seen at Caprock Family Farms, Friday, May 23, 2025, in Lubbock.Hemp plants are seen at Caprock Family Farms, Friday, May 23, 2025, in Lubbock.Annie Rice for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/02/alma-allen-retiring-texas-house-houston-democrat/Allen, known for her focus on public education issues, announced her retirement after 20 years in the House. She endorsed her son, Lawrence Allen Jr., to succeed her.By Kayla GuoTue, 02 Sep 2025 18:09:48 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/02/alma-allen-retiring-texas-house-houston-democrat/State Rep. Alma Allen, D-Houston, at a press conference with fellow Texas Legislative Black Caucus members urging passage of the CROWN Act, prohibiting discrimination against hairstyles, at the Texas Capitol on Apr. 13, 2023.State Rep. Alma Allen, D-Houston, at a press conference with fellow Texas Legislature Black Caucus members urging the passage of the CROWN act, prohibiting discrimination against hairstyles, in the state Capitol on Apr. 13, 2023.Leila Saidane/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/02/texas-legislature-voter-registration-address-change-special-session/Lawmakers passed a bill earlier this year allowing voters to update their address at the polls and immediately vote on elections tied to that new residence, as long as the move was within the county. This bill walks it back.By Kayla GuoTue, 02 Sep 2025 17:27:27 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/02/texas-legislature-voter-registration-address-change-special-session/Voters enter a polling place on Election Day at the Hays County Government Center in San Marcos on Nov. 2, 2021.Voters enter the polling place on Election Day at the Hays County Government Center in San Marcos on Nov. 2, 2021.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/28/john-lujan-congress-35th-congressional-district-gop-redistricting/Lujan, a Republican, represents a state House district that covers southern and eastern portions of San Antonio, overlapping with the new congressional seat.By Kayla GuoThu, 28 Aug 2025 09:57:24 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/28/john-lujan-congress-35th-congressional-district-gop-redistricting/State Rep. John Lujan, R-San Antonio, at the state Capitol in Austin on Jan. 11, 2023.State Rep. John Lujan, R-San Antonio, at the state Capitol in Austin on Jan. 11, 2023.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/25/texas-democrats-quorum-break-retribution-penalties/Democrats said the walkout inspired a national protest against GOP redistricting. But it also greased the path for other bills they oppose and unified Texas Republicans.By Kayla GuoMon, 25 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/25/texas-democrats-quorum-break-retribution-penalties/State Rep. Mihaela Plesa, D-Plano, rips up her "permission slip" in front of the Texas House, vowing she will stay the night in the House Chamber in support of fellow Democrat Nicole Collier on August 19, 2025. At left is Rep. Rhetta Bowers, D-Garland, at right is Rep. Cassandra Garcia Hernandez, D-Farmer's Branch.State Rep. Mihaela Plesa, D-Plano, rips up her "permission slip" in front of the Texas House vowing she will stay the night in the House Chamber in support of fellow Democrat Nicole Collier on August 19, 2025. At left is Rep. Rhetta Bowers, D-Garland, at right is Rep. Cassandra Hernandez, D-Farmer's Branch.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/22/texas-congressional-redistricting-map-senate-governor-desk/Republican lawmakers pushed the map through over fierce Democratic opposition, positioning the GOP to net up to five additional seats in Texas.By Kayla Guo and Ayden RunnelsFri, 22 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/22/texas-congressional-redistricting-map-senate-governor-desk/State lawmakers gather around Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's desk before the final vote on the mid-decade redistricting bill in the Texas Senate.Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick gathers the senators at his desk before the final vote on the mid-decade redistricting bill in the Texas Senate on Aug. 22, 2025.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune