https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/alejandro-serrano/The latest news by Alejandro Serrano.enThu, 21 Aug 2025 13:31:38 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/21/dade-phelan-texas-house-former-speaker-retiring/As speaker, Phelan oversaw passage of numerous conservative priorities, but he gave up the gavel under pressure from the far right over the House’s impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton.By Alejandro SerranoThu, 21 Aug 2025 13:31:38 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/21/dade-phelan-texas-house-former-speaker-retiring/State Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, speaks with other representatives on the House floor on May 19, 2025.State Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, speaks with other representatives on the House floor on May 19, 2025.Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/21/stan-lambert-retirement-abilene-texas-house-republican/Lambert overcame a brutal primary last year after drawing the wrath of two of the state’s most powerful GOP leaders.By Alejandro SerranoThu, 21 Aug 2025 09:58:28 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/21/stan-lambert-retirement-abilene-texas-house-republican/Texas House District 71 Rep. Stan Lambert gestures during an interview at Monk’s Coffee Shop in Abilene on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024.Texas House District 71 Rep. Stan Lambert gestures during an interview at Monk’s Coffee shop in Abilene Thursday Feb. 8, 2024.Ronald W. Erdrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/20/beto-orourke-ken-paxton-temporary-restraining-order-texas-democrats/The order bars Paxton from prosecuting O’Rourke’s nonprofit or otherwise bringing legal action aimed at revoking Powered by People’s charter.By Alejandro SerranoWed, 20 Aug 2025 10:40:24 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/20/beto-orourke-ken-paxton-temporary-restraining-order-texas-democrats/Former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke speaks at a rally from the south steps of the Texas Capitol in Austin on Aug. 16, 2025.Former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke speaks at a rally from the south steps of the Capitol in Austin on Aug. 16, 2025.Ronaldo Bolaños for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/20/texas-house-vote-congressional-map-redistricting-democrats-trump/Republican lawmakers are pursuing the unusual mid-decade redistricting plan amid pressure from President Donald Trump to protect the GOP’s slim majority in the U.S. House.By Kayla Guo and Alejandro SerranoWed, 20 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/20/texas-house-vote-congressional-map-redistricting-democrats-trump/Democratic state lawmakers line up to question Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, as the Texas House votes to pass a Republican-led, mid-decade redistricting effort that was delayed by a two-week Democratic walkout, on Aug. 20, 2025.Democratic State Representatives line up to question State Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, during the second reading of HB4 in the house chamber in Austin on August 20, 2025.Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/18/ray-lopez-texas-house-san-antonio-retire/The San Antonio Democrat was first elected to the Legislature in 2019.By Alejandro Serrano and Kayla GuoMon, 18 Aug 2025 14:46:47 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/18/ray-lopez-texas-house-san-antonio-retire/State Rep. Ray Lopez, D-San Antonio, followed by Rep. John Bryant, D-Dallas, gets 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, on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025.State Rep. Ray Lopez, D-San Antonio, followed by Rep. John Bryant, D-Dallas, gets 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, on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/15/texas-greg-abbott-redistricting-lawsuit-primaries-vouchers-border/The third-term governor appears determined to win any battle — even if it means scorched-earth primary crusades or trying to boot duly elected legislators from office.By Alejandro SerranoFri, 15 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/15/texas-greg-abbott-redistricting-lawsuit-primaries-vouchers-border/Gov. Greg Abbott responds to a reporter during a press conference at the Hill Country Youth Event Center in Kerrville on Saturday, June 5, 2025.Gov. Greg Abbott responds to a reporter during a press conference at the Hill Country Youth Event Center in Kerrville on Saturday June 5, 2025.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/14/texas-house-democrats-plan-return-quorum-break-redistricting/In a statement, the House Democratic Caucus said its lawyers had advised returning “to build a strong public legislative record for the upcoming legal battle” against the GOP’s map.By Alejandro SerranoThu, 14 Aug 2025 14:29:22 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/14/texas-house-democrats-plan-return-quorum-break-redistricting/Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin speaks during a press conference surrounded by members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus at Painters District Council 30 in Aurora, Ill., on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025.Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin speaks during a press conference surrounded by members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus at Painters District Council 30 in Aurora, Ill., on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025.Jamie Kelter Davis for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/12/texas-second-special-session-abbott-redistricting-flooding-democrats/The leaders of both chambers said they would adjourn for the session Friday if Democrats do not return, while the governor said he might add more items to his agenda.By Alejandro SerranoTue, 12 Aug 2025 11:53:07 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/12/texas-second-special-session-abbott-redistricting-flooding-democrats/House Speaker Dustin Burrows, Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at a bill signing ceremony at the Capitol in Austin on April 23, 2025.House Speaker Dustin Burrows, Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at a bill signing ceremony at the Capitol in Austin on April 23, 2025.Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/06/texas-house-democrat-gene-wu-anti-asian-mayes-middleton/“Is Gene Wu back in China?” state Sen. Mayes Middleton, a Galveston Republican, posted on X on Monday — the first day the House did not reach a quorum due to the absent Democrats.By Alejandro SerranoWed, 06 Aug 2025 18:10:21 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/06/texas-house-democrat-gene-wu-anti-asian-mayes-middleton/Democratic Texas Rep. Gene Wu listens to speakers during a press conference with members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus at IBEW Local 701 in Warrenville, Ill., on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025.Democratic Texas Rep. Gene Wu listens to speakers during a press conference with members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus at IBEW Local 701 in Warrenville, Ill., on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025.Jamie Kelter Davis for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/06/texas-house-quorum-break-speaker-dustin-burrows-democrats/The situation is an opportunity for the speaker to bolster his credibility with the right, but he has limited tools to combat a prolonged Democratic absence.By Alejandro SerranoWed, 06 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/06/texas-house-quorum-break-speaker-dustin-burrows-democrats/House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, speaks to members of the media with a host of Republican members behind him during the Texas House session on August 4, 2025, where fewer than 100 members showed up, failing to reach a quorum with the departure of dozens of Democrats from the state.House Speaker Dustin Burrows address the press with a host of Republican members behind him during the Texas House session on August 4, 2025 where less than 100 members registered failing to reach a quorum with the departure of dozens of Democrats out of state. Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/31/goliad-sheriff-texas-border-ice-roy-boyd/Roy Boyd has also become one of the loudest cheerleaders for partnerships between sheriffs and ICE to offer the federal agency unprecedented access to jails and deputies.By Alejandro SerranoThu, 31 Jul 2025 11:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/31/goliad-sheriff-texas-border-ice-roy-boyd/Tom Homan, President Donald Trump's "border czar," Goliad County Sheriff Roy Boyd and Gov. Greg Abbott in a panel discussion during the Sheriff's Association of Texas 147th Annual Training on July 15, 2025, in Fort Worth.From left: Tom Homan, President Donald Trump's "border czar," Goliad Co. Sheriff Roy Boyd and Gov. Greg Abbott in a panel discussion during the Sheriff's Association of Texas 147th Annual Training on July 15, 2025, in Fort Worth.Camilo Diaz Jr. for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/21/texas-legislature-special-session-floods-redistricting-thc/Lawmakers will have 30 days to tackle a packed agenda outlined by Gov. Greg Abbott, from flood relief to redistricting to THC products.By Alejandro SerranoMon, 21 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/21/texas-legislature-special-session-floods-redistricting-thc/The Texas Capitol seen on Monday June 30, 2025 in Austin, Texas.The Texas Capitol seen on Monday June 30, 2025 in Austin, Texas.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribune.https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/17/texas-migrant-el-salvador-tren-de-aragua-deportation-dismissed/DPS troopers labeled Pedro Luis Salazar-Cuervo, who remains in a Salvadoran prison, a Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang member based on a photo of him with a tattooed man.By Alejandro SerranoThu, 17 Jul 2025 14:30:56 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/17/texas-migrant-el-salvador-tren-de-aragua-deportation-dismissed/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/16/texas-attorney-general-comptroller-campaign-finance-fundraising/New campaign finance filings provide the first glimpse of the financial and political fault lines emerging in the open primaries for key statewide offices.By Eleanor Klibanoff and Alejandro SerranoWed, 16 Jul 2025 11:23:07 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/16/texas-attorney-general-comptroller-campaign-finance-fundraising/The Texas Capitol on Monday, June 30, 2025, in Austin, Texas.The Texas Capitol on Monday, June 30, 2025, in Austin, Texas.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/09/abbott-special-session-texas-redistricting-flooding-thc-abortion-pills/The Republican governor laid out an ambitious agenda that includes an unexpected array of conservative bills that failed during the regular session.By Eleanor Klibanoff and Alejandro SerranoWed, 09 Jul 2025 15:54:39 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/09/abbott-special-session-texas-redistricting-flooding-thc-abortion-pills/Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference at the Hill Country Youth Event Center in Kerrville on Saturday, July 5, 2025.Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference at the Hill Country Youth Event Center in Kerrville on Saturday, July 5, 2025.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/07/texas-floods-donald-trump-white-house-forecast-warning/President Donald Trump is expected to visit Central Texas this week. Local officials and forecasters have defended their actions before and after flash floods killed dozens in the region.By Alejandro SerranoMon, 07 Jul 2025 14:22:43 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/07/texas-floods-donald-trump-white-house-forecast-warning/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/07/texas-hill-country-flooding-camp-mystic/Gov. Greg Abbott vowed Tuesday to continue rescue and recovery efforts in the flood-ravaged Hill Country “until every missing person is accounted for.”By Sneha Dey, Alejandro Serrano, Jayme Lozano Carver, Eleanor Klibanoff, Terri Langford and Colleen DeGuzmanMon, 07 Jul 2025 08:18:12 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/07/texas-hill-country-flooding-camp-mystic/Camp Mystic along the banks of the Guadalupe River in Hunt on July 5, 2025.Camp Mystic along the banks of the Guadalupe River in Hunt on July 5, 2025.Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/03/voter-harvesting-frio-county-indictments-ken-paxton/The charges are the latest escalation in a probe that resulted in Texas authorities indicting six other Frio County area officials in May.By Alejandro SerranoThu, 03 Jul 2025 19:13:16 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/03/voter-harvesting-frio-county-indictments-ken-paxton/The latest vote harvesting indictments in South Texas are the result of a probe launched by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton that Latino Democrates in the state have condemned.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks during the Republican Party of Texas convention on Thursday, May 23, 2024 in San Antonio.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/30/texas-senate-brian-birdwell-retiring-david-cook/Soon after Birdwell announced his retirement, state Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield, said he was running for the seat.By Alejandro SerranoMon, 30 Jun 2025 12:10:06 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/30/texas-senate-brian-birdwell-retiring-david-cook/Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, during a Texas Senate meeting on March 25, 2025.Senator Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, during a Texas Senate meeting on March 25, 2025.Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/28/texas-democrats-beto-orourke-town-hall-san-antonio/Former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke was joined at his San Antonio town hall by U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro and state Rep. James Talarico, whose names have been floated for statewide office.By Alejandro SerranoSat, 28 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/28/texas-democrats-beto-orourke-town-hall-san-antonio/From left: State Rep. James Talarico, U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro and former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke hold a town hall at San Antonio's Stable Hall on June 27, 2025. The three Democrats held the town hall amid reports that it was unclear whether they would each campaign for different statewide seats or compete against each other for one seat.Texas Rep. James Talarico answers a question during a town hall at Stable Hall in San Antonio, Texas on June 27, 2025.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribune