Alexa Ura

Texas Facing Legal Action Over Provision Banning Interpreters At Polling Places

The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments Thursday over an obscure provision in the Texas Election Code that critics say makes it harder for Texans not proficient in English to get assistance while voting.

June 08th, 2017

By Alexa Ura

Texas Facing Legal Action Over Provision Banning Interpreters At Polling Places

Amid last-minute efforts to overhaul the state’s voter identification law in light of an ongoing legal fight, the Texas Legislature gaveled out without addressing another embattled election law that's now moving forward in federal

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Court: Texas Intentionally Redrew Voting Districts To Dilute Minority Votes

“Instead of using race to provide equal electoral opportunity, they intentionally used it to undermine Latino voting opportunity.”

April 21st, 2017

By Alexa Ura and
Jim Malewitz

Court: Texas Intentionally Redrew Voting Districts To Dilute Minority Votes

Texas lawmakers intentionally diluted the political clout of minority voters in drawing the state's House districts, a panel of federal judges ruled Thursday. In a long-awaited ruling, the San Antonio-based panel found that lawmakers in 2011 either violated the U.S. Constitution or the Voting Rights Act by intentionally diluting the strength

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Trump Administration Rescinds Protections For Transgender Students

The Trump administration on Wednesday rescinded guidelines issued by former President Obama that directed public schools to accommodate transgender students.

February 23rd, 2017

By Alexa Ura

Trump Administration Rescinds Protections For Transgender Students

The Trump administration on Wednesday rescinded guidelines issued by former President Obama that directed public schools to accommodate transgender students — a move that will do little to deter conservative leaders in Texas from moving forward with the "bathroom bill" currently in the Legislature. Pulling back on federal

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Civil Rights Group Denounces Discrimination As Texas Lawmakers Hold “Islamic Terrorism” Event

“I’m so tired of having to come to the Capitol to protect my neighbors from politicians who use minority populations as scapegoats” … “the faces change but the rhetoric never.”

January 27th, 2017

By Alexa Ura and
Sanya Mansoor

Civil Rights Group Denounces Discrimination As Texas Lawmakers Hold “Islamic Terrorism” Event

After receiving a letter from Republican state Rep. Kyle Biedermann surveying their beliefs, mosque leaders and representatives of the Texas Muslim community made one

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Texas Lawmaker Sends Letter To “Islamic Leaders” Surveying Their Beliefs

Freshman state Rep. Kyle Biedermann sent a letter to mosque leaders and Muslim student associations in order to poll them about their beliefs ahead of Texas Muslim Capitol Day.

January 20th, 2017

By Alexa Ura

Texas Lawmaker Sends Letter To “Islamic Leaders” Surveying Their Beliefs

Ahead of Texas Muslim Capitol Day scheduled for later this month, freshman state Rep. Kyle Biedermann, R-Fredericksburg, sent a letter to mosque leaders and Muslim student associations across the state asking them to fill out a poll about their beliefs. In a letter dated Jan.

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Texas Finalizes Plan To Remove Planned Parenthood From Medicaid

In a move that could affect thousands of low-income women, Texas health officials delivered a final legal notice to defund the organization from the Medicaid program through which it provides family planning and women’s health services to the poor

December 21st, 2016

By Alexa Ura

Texas Finalizes Plan To Remove Planned Parenthood From Medicaid

(REPORT) --- After more than a year of delays, Texas is officially kicking Planned Parenthood out of the state’s Medicaid program. In a move that could affect thousands of low-income women, state health officials on Tuesday

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Texas Officially Withdraws From Refugee Resettlement Program

Texas’ withdrawal from the resettlement program is the latest in its efforts to keep those fleeing war-torn Syria from entering the state.

October 01st, 2016

By Alexa Ura

Texas Officially Withdraws From Refugee Resettlement Program

Texas has officially withdrawn from the nation’s refugee resettlement program, Gov.Greg Abbott's office said Friday. But that won't stop the federal government from continuing to help refugees relocate here. Citing security concerns, Abbott's office said Texas will

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