https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/alex-nguyen/The latest news by Alex Nguyen.enMon, 15 Sep 2025 13:13:10 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/15/texas-am-professor-firing-melissa-mccoul-academic-freedom/The firing happened over two years after Texas A&M stressed its support for academic freedom and amid a changing higher education landscape.By Alex Nguyen and Jessica PriestMon, 15 Sep 2025 13:13:10 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/15/texas-am-professor-firing-melissa-mccoul-academic-freedom/The College of Liberal Arts and Humanities building at Texas A&M University in College Station on Sept. 9, 2025.The College of Liberal Arts and Humanities building at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas on Tuesday, Sep. 9, 2025.Adriano Espinosa for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/14/michael-mcccaul-retiring-texas-congress-republican-austin/The Austin lawmaker, first elected in 2004, chaired the influential House Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security committees. He is the second Texas Republican this week to bow out of Congress.By Alex NguyenSun, 14 Sep 2025 10:24:17 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/14/michael-mcccaul-retiring-texas-congress-republican-austin/U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, at The Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on Sept. 6, 2024.U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, at The Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on Sept. 6, 2024.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/10/texas-am-professor-fired-melissa-mccoul-statement/An attorney for Melissa McCoul, seen in a video clashing with a student over gender-identity content in her class, said the professor is weighing her legal options.By Nicholas Gutteridge, Alex Nguyen and Jessica PriestWed, 10 Sep 2025 19:39:33 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/10/texas-am-professor-fired-melissa-mccoul-statement/The Academic Building at Texas A&M University in College Station is seen on Sept. 9, 2025.The Academic Building at Texas A&M University in College Station on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025.Adriano Espinosa for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/10/texas-thc-executive-order-greg-abbott-weed-cannabis/Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Friday called Abbott’s decision a pathway to full legalization of cannabis, including marijuana which is still federally illegal. Hemp-derived THC is legal.By Alex Nguyen and Paul CoblerWed, 10 Sep 2025 11:03:19 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/10/texas-thc-executive-order-greg-abbott-weed-cannabis/THC products sit near the cash register in Hyde Park Market in Austin on May 5, 2025.THC products sit near the cash register in Hyde Park Market in Austin on May 5, 2025.Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/08/texas-am-video-professor-student-gender-identity-content/After the video fueled outrage, a professor was fired and two college leaders removed from their administrative roles for approving content inconsistent with the course’s description.By Jessica Priest, Nicholas Gutteridge, Alex Nguyen and Ayden RunnelsMon, 08 Sep 2025 23:08:29 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/08/texas-am-video-professor-student-gender-identity-content/The Texas A&M University bell tower is seen on Aug. 21, 2024, in College Station.The Texas A&M bell tower on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, in College Station.Ishika Samant for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/08/exas-new-york-abortion-pill-access-lawsuit-shield-law/Letitia James, New York’s attorney general, said Texas has no authority to “impose its cruel abortion ban here.”By Alex NguyenMon, 08 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/08/exas-new-york-abortion-pill-access-lawsuit-shield-law/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/05/texas-thc-shops-retailers-ban-relief-age-limit/While Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick remains adamant about a ban, hemp industry representatives say they would compromise on creating a 21 age limit to purchase.By Paul Cobler and Alex NguyenFri, 05 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/05/texas-thc-shops-retailers-ban-relief-age-limit/THC products sit near the cash register in Hyde Park Market in Austin on May 5, 2025.THC products sit near the cash register in Hyde Park Market in Austin, Texas on May 5, 2025. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has partnered with the senate in pursuing a complete ban on THC products across the state.Lorianne Willett/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/2025/08/31/texas-tech-university-brandon-creighton-chancellor/The Conroe Republican has authored some of Texas’ major higher education legislation in recent years. U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington was also considered for the job.By Jessica Priest and Alex NguyenSun, 31 Aug 2025 17:33:11 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/31/texas-tech-university-brandon-creighton-chancellor/State Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, on the Senate floor on the second-to-the-last day of the 89th legislative session on June 1, 2025.State Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, on the Senate floor on the second-to-the-last day of the 89th legislative session on June 1, 2025.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/29/texas-lottery-department-licensing-regulation/After months of controversy, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation must tackle poor sales and legislative scrutiny as it takes over the games on Sept. 1.By Ayden Runnels and Alex NguyenFri, 29 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/29/texas-lottery-department-licensing-regulation/Commissioner Lori High and Vice Chair Thomas F. Butler are seen during a hearing of the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation Meeting on Aug. 21, 2025.Commissioner Lori High and Vice Chair Thomas F. Butler during The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation Meeting on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025.Leila Saidane for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/28/texas-police-officer-g-file-confidential-personnel/The measure failed after the two chambers disagreed on whether to include a carveout that would have let parents access records from the 2022 Uvalde school shooting.By Alex NguyenThu, 28 Aug 2025 23:04:31 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/28/texas-police-officer-g-file-confidential-personnel/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/28/texas-new-laws-sept-1/New laws range from school vouchers and water infrastructure funding to a ban on city and county-funded abortion travel funds.By Alex NguyenThu, 28 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/28/texas-new-laws-sept-1/The Texas Capitol in Austin on June 30, 2025.The Texas Capitol in Austin June 30, 2025.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/27/harris-county-constables-contracts-bill/House Bill 26 advanced out of the Texas Legislature on Wednesday evening, two days after being added to the second special session’s agenda.By Alex NguyenWed, 27 Aug 2025 20:51:16 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/27/harris-county-constables-contracts-bill/Gov. Greg Abbott, seen in Austin on April 29, 2025, instructed lawmakers to consider "legislation authorizing contracts with sheriffs and constables for the provision of law enforcement services and legislation relating to the appropriation or transfer of funds to or from a law enforcement agency" on Aug. 25.Gov. Greg Abbott addresses law enforcement officials during a Southwestern Border Sheriff’s Coalition event in Austin on April 29, 2025.Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/22/texas-police-records-g-file-senate-bill-15/Senate Bill 15’s supporters say police shouldn’t be publicly maligned for unproven allegations. Critics say the bill disincentivizes agencies from properly investigating complaints.By Alex Nguyen, Hayden Betts and Stephen SimpsonFri, 22 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/22/texas-police-records-g-file-senate-bill-15/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/19/texas-tdcj-prison-new-executive-director-appointed/Bobby Lumpkin, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s COO, will take over the the top role on Sept. 1, following Bryan Collier’s retirement.By Alex NguyenTue, 19 Aug 2025 17:37:38 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/19/texas-tdcj-prison-new-executive-director-appointed/Telford prison in New Boston on March 21, 2017.Telford prison on Tuesday, March 21, 2017, in New Boston. Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/18/texas-senate-second-special-session-thc-disaster-relief-bathroom-bills/Senators moved fast on Gov. Greg Abbott’s agenda for the second special session. With House Democrats back in Texas, bills can now move through that chamber.By Jayme Lozano Carver, Carlos Nogueras Ramos, Alejandra Martinez, Alex Nguyen, Ayden Runnels, Eleanor Klibanoff, Emily Foxhall, Joshua Fechter and Stephen SimpsonMon, 18 Aug 2025 21:30:46 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/18/texas-senate-second-special-session-thc-disaster-relief-bathroom-bills/State Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, speaks on the Senate floor at the Capitol on July 21, 2025.State Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, speaks on the Senate floor at the Capitol on July 21, 2025.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/17/texas-senate-redistricting-committee-maps-second-special-session/A second special session that has made approving the map a priority started Friday, shortly after the first one ended.By Eleanor Klibanoff and Alex NguyenSun, 17 Aug 2025 18:53:17 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/17/texas-senate-redistricting-committee-maps-second-special-session/State Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, who authored redistricting legislation during the two special sessions this year, at the Texas Capitol on July 29, 2025. The Texas Senate's redistricting committee advanced on Sunday legislation with the same maps proposed during the first special session. It now heads to the Senate floor for a full vote.State Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, listens to testimony during a special Senate virtual hearing on Texas redistricting at the Texas Capitol on July 29, 2025.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/13/texas-senate-bill-sex-trafficking-victims-prosecution-crimes-protectio/Senate Bill 11 would shield victims from prosecution from some crimes if they’re threatened or coerced into the act by their trafficker.By Jessica Shuran Yu and Alex NguyenWed, 13 Aug 2025 17:11:59 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/13/texas-senate-bill-sex-trafficking-victims-prosecution-crimes-protectio/The Texas Senate voted this week to approve a bill that would protect sex trafficking victims from prosecution when they're coerced into committing non-prostitution crimes.The state Capitol in Austin on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/11/uvalde-new-records-media-lawsuit-texas/Local records released this week — after a yearslong lawsuit —affirm previous reporting about law enforcement’s flawed response to Texas’ deadliest school shooting.By Lomi Kriel, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica, and Alex Nguyen and Paul Cobler, The Texas TribuneMon, 11 Aug 2025 22:31:56 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/11/uvalde-new-records-media-lawsuit-texas/Hundreds of flowers, toys, and candles surround the crosses in memorial of the 21 victims of the Robb Elementary school shooting at Robb Elementary in 2022.Hundreds of flowers, toys, and candles surround the crosses in memorial of the 21 victims of the school shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, on June 9, 2022.Evan L'Roy for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/05/texas-voter-id-mail-in-ballot-ruling/The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals found that the state’s voter ID requirements for mail-in ballots do not violate the Civil Rights Act.By Alex NguyenTue, 05 Aug 2025 17:24:59 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/05/texas-voter-id-mail-in-ballot-ruling/An election worker submits a mail-in ballot at the Harris County ballot drop-off site at NRG Stadium in Houston on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020.An election worker submits a mail-in ballot at the Harris County ballot drop-off site at NRG Stadium in Houston on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020.Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune