https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/alejandro-serrano/The latest news by Alejandro Serrano.enMon, 21 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://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 Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/26/texas-schools-commandments-requirement-lawsuit/The ACLU has filed a new lawsuit on behalf of 16 parents of various religious faiths, the second such suit against the new law.By Eleanor Klibanoff and Alejandro SerranoThu, 26 Jun 2025 18:11:39 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/26/texas-schools-commandments-requirement-lawsuit/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/25/texas-poll-voters-oppose-thc-ban-sb-3/The statewide survey also found that Texas Republicans are closely divided on the issue.By Alejandro SerranoWed, 25 Jun 2025 13:07:12 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/25/texas-poll-voters-oppose-thc-ban-sb-3/Hemp plants at Caprock Family Farms in Lubbock on May 23, 2025.Hemp plants at Caprock Family Farms in Lubbock on May 23, 2025.Annie Rice for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/23/texas-thc-ban-veto-dan-patrick-greg-abbott-sb-3/The clash marks a rare break between two of the most powerful Republicans in Texas after a legislative session that ushered in a series of conservative victories.By Kayla Guo and Alejandro SerranoMon, 23 Jun 2025 15:34:52 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/23/texas-thc-ban-veto-dan-patrick-greg-abbott-sb-3/Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks to a reporter during a press conference at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas on Monday, June 23, 2025.Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks to a reporter during a press conference at the Texas Captiol in Austin, Texas on Monday 23, June 2025.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/19/kelly-handcock-texas-comptroller-glenn-hegar/Hancock, a North Richland Hills Republican, announced his candidacy shortly after being sworn in as chief clerk at the comptroller’s office.By Zach Despart and Alejandro SerranoThu, 19 Jun 2025 12:05:01 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/19/kelly-handcock-texas-comptroller-glenn-hegar/State Sen. Kelly Hancock will run for comptroller, he announced Thursday, shortly after being appointed to a top position at the department.Sen. KELLY HANCOCK, R-North Richland Hills, on the Senate floor on May 12, 2023.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/19/texas-border-security-spending-trump-operation-lone-star/With border crossings at record lows, state authorities are being sent to arrest people accused of committing crimes in Texas after entering the country illegally.By Alejandro SerranoThu, 19 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/19/texas-border-security-spending-trump-operation-lone-star/Shelby Park, occupied by the Texas National Guard and other state agencies, is seen along the U.S.-Mexico border on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, in Eagle Pass.Shelby Park, occupied by the Texas National Guard and other state agencies, is seen along the U.S.-Mexico border on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, in Eagle Pass.Eli Hartman for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/18/texas-dps-venezuelan-el-salvador-tren-de-aragua-deportation/Lawyers for Pedro Luis Salazar-Cuervo deny he is a gang member and say the DPS accusation hinges on a photo they found of him standing next to a man with tattoos.By Alejandro SerranoWed, 18 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/18/texas-dps-venezuelan-el-salvador-tren-de-aragua-deportation/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/17/texas-border-wall-funding-ends-abbott-trump/Texas officials suggested the federal government could pick up construction. However, during President Trump’s first term, his administration built about one-third of what the state was able to put up in the same amount of time.By Zach Despart and Alejandro Serrano, Graphics by Yuriko SchumacherTue, 17 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/17/texas-border-wall-funding-ends-abbott-trump/State-built border wall under construction near the banks of the Rio Grande in Zapata Co. on Sept. 23, 2024.A section of state-built border wall under construction near the banks of the Rio Grande south of Laredo in Zapata Co. on Sept. 23, 2024.Ben Lowy for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/10/dan-patrick-texas-thc-ban-republican-gop-backlash/It’s an unusual situation for the lieutenant governor, long viewed by GOP activists as a stalwart conservative responsible for driving the Legislature rightward.By Alejandro SerranoTue, 10 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/10/dan-patrick-texas-thc-ban-republican-gop-backlash/Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks about Senate Bill 3 during a press conference in the Texas Capitol on May 28, 2025. Patrick, flanked by state lawmakers, argued the bill's ban on THC products would be a service to Texans, saving their lives.Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick speaks about Senate Bill 3 during a press conference in the Texas Capitol on May 28, 2025. Patrick, joined by representatives from the House and Senate, spoke about the bill and how its passage would be a service to Texans, saving their lives. The bill is set to head to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk, which Patrick said he wasn’t worried about.Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/08/texas-ice-protests-houston-san-antonio/The protests in Texas followed days of unrest in Los Angeles, where President Donald Trump sent National Guard troops in response to demonstrations.By Alejandro SerranoSun, 08 Jun 2025 20:19:19 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/08/texas-ice-protests-houston-san-antonio/Protesters cross over a bridge as they march toward Houston's Hermann Park on Sunday during a demonstration in response to nationwide immigration enforcement raids and deportations.Protestors cross over a bridge as they march towards Houston's Hermann Park during a protest in response to recent news of nationwide ICE raids and deportations on Sunday, June 8, 2025.Antranik Tavitian for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/04/texas-immigration-raid-hays-county-austin-venezuelan-gang/People at the raided house say they rented it for a birthday party and deny any connection to the gang. One man says law enforcement accused him of being in Tren de Aragua because of his tattoo.By Alejandro SerranoWed, 04 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/04/texas-immigration-raid-hays-county-austin-venezuelan-gang/A Venezuelan father, who asked not to be named, and his 5-year-old son at their home in Austin on May 17, 2025. The man, his wife and two kids were swept up in an ICE raid in late March.Austin, Texas - 5/17/25: A family of four swept up in the ICE raids in Austin. The parents, who are both in ankle monitors, have upcoming court dates and are fearful for what's to come. Ilana Panich-Linsman for The Texas TribuneIlana Panich-Linsman for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/02/texas-thc-ban-greg-abbott-dan-patrick/Abbott faces pressure from both sides of the aisle. The prohibition was a priority for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, but some hemp farmers and veterans want it killed.By Jasper Scherer and Alejandro SerranoMon, 02 Jun 2025 17:47:02 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/02/texas-thc-ban-greg-abbott-dan-patrick/Displaying boxes of petitions, members of the Texas Hemp Business Council hold a press conference calling for Gov. Greg Abbott to veto Senate Bill 3, which would ban THC products, on June 2, 2025.Displaying boxes of petitions, members of the Texas Hemp Business Council hold a press conference calling for Gov. Greg Abbott to veto SB 3, a bill which would ban THC products, at the Texas Capitol on June 2, 2025.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune