https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/alejandro-serrano/The latest news by Alejandro Serrano.enWed, 20 Dec 2023 11:16:12 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/20/colony-ridge-texas-federal-lawsuit-predatory-lending/Federal authorities accused the Houston-area developer of targeting Latino home buyers with predatory loans and false promises. The housing development drew the attention of state lawmakers after right-wing publications claimed it is a magnet for undocumented immigrants.Alejandro SerranoWed, 20 Dec 2023 11:16:12 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/20/colony-ridge-texas-federal-lawsuit-predatory-lending/An overhead view of the Colony Ridge development on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, in New Caney, Texas.An overhead view of the Colony Ridge development on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, in New Caney, Texas.Mark Felix for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/12/cdc-suicide-rate-guns-texas-laws/A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report showed a new record for people using firearms in suicides. Texas gun safety and mental health advocates say the report highlights a need for gun laws the state does not have.Alejandro Serrano and Stephen SimpsonTue, 12 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/12/cdc-suicide-rate-guns-texas-laws/A billboard about firearm safety is displayed off Highway 130 outside Austin, TX.Pu Ying Huang/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/29/texas-hb-900-book-rating-lawsuit-appeal/House Bill 900 seeks to rid school libraries of inappropriate books by requiring book vendors to rate materials. A legal challenge says the law is too vague and broad.Alejandro SerranoWed, 29 Nov 2023 15:07:18 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/29/texas-hb-900-book-rating-lawsuit-appeal/The Judson High School library in Converse in 2020. A new law regulating the books Texas public school students can access in their campus libraries has spurred an ongoing legal battle.Partitions sit on a table in the library at Judson High School on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020 in Converse. The librarian purchased the partitions with her own funds for $7.50 each. Aisles of books are blocked off to control the flow of traffic through the library.Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/07/houston-mayor-race-2024-results/The two well-known Democrats led a crowded field, but neither captured a majority of the vote. The runoff will be Dec. 9.Joshua Fechter and Alejandro SerranoTue, 07 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/07/houston-mayor-race-2024-results/From left: U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, and state Sen. John Whitmire speak at their election night parties on Nov. 7, 2023, in Houston.U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, and state Sen. John Whitmire speak at their watch parties on Election Day, Nov. 7, 2023, in Houston.Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/07/supreme-court-guns-domestic-violence-rahimi/The high court heard arguments in the case brought by Zackey Rahimi, who went on a shooting spree after being placed under a domestic violence protective order. Rahimi argues that his constitutional right to bear arms was violated.Alejandro SerranoTue, 07 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/07/supreme-court-guns-domestic-violence-rahimi/The U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 4, 2022.The U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 4, 2022.Jason Garza for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/02/trump-houston-rally-paxton/Former President Donald Trump said the acquitted attorney general should not have been impeached but that he was happy to have helped the state’s top civil lawyer.Alejandro Serrano and Patrick SvitekThu, 02 Nov 2023 20:20:26 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/02/trump-houston-rally-paxton/Former president Donald Trump holds his first 2024 campaign rally in Waco on March 25.Former president Donald Trump holds his first 2024 campaign rally in Waco, Texas on Mar. 25, 2023.Leila Saidane/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/31/texas-lawmakers-car-fatalities-guns/For the first time in a generation, Texans were more likely to die of gunshot wounds than car crashes in 2021. Experts worry a lack of research on the issue has hampered the search for solutions.Alejandro Serrano and Susie WebbTue, 31 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/31/texas-lawmakers-car-fatalities-guns/Austin police respond to a homicide in North Austin in the early hours on June 28, 2019. Police reported that officers heard gunshots, then found a crashed vehicle.Austin police responds to a homicide incident in North Austin on the early hours on June 28, 2019. Police reported that officers nearby heard gunshots then found a crashed vehicle. Inside, Joseph Anthony Aguilar Campos was found dead and slumped over. Police believe there was a gun battle and later arrested and charged John Paul Rivera for homicide.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/30/gun-fatalities-texas-youths/In 2012, around 100 Texans under 18 died of gunshot wounds. Last year, that number reached nearly 300.Alejandro Serrano and Susie WebbMon, 30 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/30/gun-fatalities-texas-youths/Yosha Hamilton, the mother of 16-year-old Shane Hamilton, poses for a portrait with three of Shane’s brothers: Lionel Hamilton, 18; Markaven Washington, 15; and Sebashton Bryant, 10, in Baytown on Aug. 19, 2023. Shane was shot and killed outside of his family’s apartment in January.Yosha Hamilton, the mother of 16-year-old Shane Hamilton, who was shot and killed outside of his family’s apartment in January, poses for a portrait with 3 of Shane’s brothers, Lionel Hamilton, 18, Markaven Washington, 15, and Sebashton Bryant, 10, in Baytown, Texas, U.S., on Saturday, August 19, 2023. In 2022, young people, defined as those younger than 25, accounted for 26 percent of firearm deaths across the state.Callaghan O'Hare for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/25/texas-judge-gay-weddings-supreme-court/Texas Supreme Court justices heard arguments Wednesday in the case of a Waco judge who refused to marry same-sex couples. It is unclear when the high court will issue a ruling.Alejandro SerranoWed, 25 Oct 2023 15:20:09 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/25/texas-judge-gay-weddings-supreme-court/McLennan County Justice of the Peace Dianne Hensley has waged a battle against the State Commission on Judicial Conduct after it issued a public warning against her for refusing to perform same-sex marriages.Judge Dianne Hensley.Screenshot via KXXV-TV Wacohttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/09/ken-paxton-impeachment-managers-criminal-complaint/Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said he will file criminal complaints against the group of state representatives who led his impeachment trial. He accused the lawmakers of violating a state law by releasing his personal information.Alejandro SerranoMon, 09 Oct 2023 09:52:42 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/09/ken-paxton-impeachment-managers-criminal-complaint/Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, center, walks back to his seat after speaking privately with defense attorney Dan Cogdell before starting the ninth day of his impeachment trial in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, in Austin.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, center, walks back to his seat after speaking privately with defense attorney Dan Cogdell before starting the ninth day of his impeachment trial in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, in Austin.Sam Owens/Pool via San Antonio Express-Newshttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/04/texas-colony-ridge-immigration-developer/GOP leaders claim the development markets to undocumented people and is plagued by crime. One of its owners refutes the allegations and says he’s ready to show lawmakers that Colony Ridge isn’t different than any other rural Texas community.Alejandro SerranoWed, 04 Oct 2023 14:02:45 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/04/texas-colony-ridge-immigration-developer/The Terrenos Houston building in New Caney. The developer of Colony Ridge has become the target of allegations that it's marketing land to undocumented immigrants and the development is plagued by crime.The Terrenos Houston building Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in New Caney. Terrenos Houston is one of the major developers in the Colony Ridge area.Joe Robles IV for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/26/texas-drag-queen-law-unconstitutional/Senate Bill 12 would have prohibited performers from dancing suggestively or wearing certain prosthetics in front of children. Critics sued the state, saying it violated the First Amendment.Alejandro Serrano and William MelhadoTue, 26 Sep 2023 15:13:20 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/26/texas-drag-queen-law-unconstitutional/Drag queen Scarlett Kiss performs at Long Play Lounge in East Austin on June 12, 2021.Drag queen Scarlett Kiss performs at Long Play Lounge in East Austin on June 12, 2021.Sophie Park/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/23/texas-school-choice-special-session-education/Lawmakers at a Texas Tribune Fest panel found common ground on school funding and teacher pay but took starkly different stances on “school choice.”Alejandro SerranoSat, 23 Sep 2023 12:22:43 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/23/texas-school-choice-special-session-education/State Reps. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, James Talarico and James Frank discuss school vouchers and the upcoming special legislative session on education at The Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on Sept. 23, 2023.Brian Lopez, public education reporter at The Texas Tribune, moderates a panel on school choice with Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, James Talarico and James Frank at The Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on Sept. 23, 2023.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/22/texas-paxton-impeachment-whistleblower/The Texas attorney general was exonerated by the state Senate, but a lawsuit from former employees still lingers.Alejandro SerranoFri, 22 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/22/texas-paxton-impeachment-whistleblower/Whistleblowers from the attorney general's office sit in the Senate gallery awaiting the verdicts in Ken Paxton's impeachment trial. Paxton was acquitted on 16 articles of impeachment.Several of the whistleblowers from the attorney general's office sit in the gallery anticipating the verdicts at the Ken Paxton impeachment trial in the Texas Senate on Sept. 16, 2023. From left, front row: David Maxwell, Margaret Moore, Ryan Vassar, unknown; back row: Blake Brickman and T.J. Turner.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/21/chris-sununu-texas-tribune-festival/During a conversation with Tribune co-founder Evan Smith, Sununu also laid out a vision for the future of the Republican Party that contrasted with Texas’ GOP.Alejandro SerranoThu, 21 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/21/chris-sununu-texas-tribune-festival/Texas Tribune co-founder Evan Smith speaks with New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu on the future of the GOP, how the 2024 election will play out and his family’s commitment to public service at the The Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on Sept. 21, 2023.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/08/31/texas-book-rating-lawsuit/House Bill 900 requires book vendors to rate all their materials based on their depictions or references to sex before selling them to schools. Vendors say the law aims to regulate protected speech with “vague and over broad” terms.Alejandro SerranoThu, 31 Aug 2023 17:13:47 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/08/31/texas-book-rating-lawsuit/Books at Vandegrift High School's library on March 2, 2022. A federal judge said Thursday he will temporarily block a new state law that would require book vendors to rate the materials they sell to school libraries based on the presence of sex depictions or references.Books at Vandegrift High School's library on March 2, 2022.aLauren Witte/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/08/19/dan-patrick-marc-brown-paxton-impeachment-adviser-counsel/A day after Patrick announced the appointment, Marc Brown declined it, citing a campaign contribution he made to Paxton’s GOP primary opponent in 2021.Alejandro Serrano and Patrick SvitekSat, 19 Aug 2023 19:15:12 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/08/19/dan-patrick-marc-brown-paxton-impeachment-adviser-counsel/Marc Brown in court in 2012, when he was a state district judge in Harris County. Brown on Saturday declined to serve as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's counsel during next month's impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton, explaining that he donated to the campaign of Paxton's GOP primary opponent in 2021.Judge Marc Brown listens to attorney Mike DeGeurin during Jessica Tata's pretrial hearings in the 180th state district court Monday Oct. 15,2012.Dave Rossman for the Houston Chroniclehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/08/18/ken-paxton-impeachment-evidence/The Senate, which is conducting the trial, published the exhibits Thursday night. House impeachment managers say Paxton abused his office to help friend and political donor Nate Paul.Zach Despart, Patrick Svitek, Jolie McCullough, Kate McGee and Alejandro SerranoFri, 18 Aug 2023 08:32:27 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/08/18/ken-paxton-impeachment-evidence/Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton at a news conference in Austin in October.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton at a news conference at the William P. Clements State Office Building on a pilot program to dispose of medications, especially opioids on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2022 in Austin, TX. Paxton was joined by a group of former athletes and coaches to make the announcement. (Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune)of former athletes and coaches to make the announcement.Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/07/27/texas-tamu-faculty-disappointment/The university has been rattled by two cases in which university officials were apparently rushed into making faculty employment decisions due to political pressure.Alejandro SerranoThu, 27 Jul 2023 10:41:35 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/07/27/texas-tamu-faculty-disappointment/Students walk to class on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station on Nov. 15, 2022.Students walk to class on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station on Nov. 15, 2022.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/07/21/texas-tamu-black-students-katherine-banks/In the fallout from A&M’s failure to hire Kathleen McElroy, students and alumni lament the missed opportunity to revive the university’s journalism program and provide students with mentorship.Alejandro Serrano and William MelhadoFri, 21 Jul 2023 20:49:01 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/07/21/texas-tamu-black-students-katherine-banks/Texas A&M University in College Station.Texas A&M University in College Station.Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune