By Annie

Annie Xia is a reporting fellow and a junior at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Annie previously interned at Heatmap News and currently works for the Medill Local News Initiative. Raised in both Austin and Dallas, she is excited to be back in Texas. Latest Contributions Trump, Abbott paint gun rights as imperiled at NRA convention In their speeches, the former president and the Texas governor described the protection of Second Amendment rights as contingent on Trump's presidential reelection. Full Story Credit: Azul Sordo for the Texas Tribune Push to enforce occupancy rule in College Station highlights Texas A&M students' housing woes By Annie Xia, Updated: May 17, 2024 – The new fines underscore the challenges college students face when looking for affordable housing and how cities struggle to provide it. Full Story Credit: Ishika Samant for The Texas Tribune UT-Austin lecturer arrested and fired after confrontation with police at pro-Palestinian demonstration By Annie Xia, May 10, 2024 – The lecturer's lawyer disputes the charges, and the university's decision to fire him has raised concerns from faculty over free speech protections. Full Story Credit: Leila Saidane for The Texas Tribune Here's why UT and A&M are unlikely to divest from Israel By María Méndez, Updated: May 9, 2024 – Protesting students and staff want to draw attention to public university investments in companies supporting Israel, even if divestment is unlikely in Texas. Full Story Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune Misdemeanor charges filed against photojournalist arrested at UT-Austin protest By William Melhado, Updated: May 1, 2024 – The FOX 7 employee is accused of hitting a trooper with his camera, but the arrested man told reporters he was pushed and didn't hit any officer. Full Story Credit: Julius Shieh for The Texas Tribune Police arrest more than two dozen pro-Palestinian demonstrators on UT-Austin campus amid tense standoff By Sneha Dey, Ikram Mohamed, Annie Xia and William Melhado, Updated: April 24, 2024 – Gov. Greg Abbott expressed support for the arrests, which come amid tensions on college campuses across the country over the Israel-Hamas war. Full Story Credit: Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribune Republican North Texas congressional candidates debate Ken Paxton's impeachment, Ukraine relief funding By Annie Xia, April 20, 2024 – State Rep. Craig Goldman and construction company owner John O'Shea are in a runoff for the GOP nomination to replace U.S. Rep. Kay Granger Full Story Credit: Texas House of Representatives | Courtesy of John O'Shea A new Texas law allows schools to hire chaplains as counselors. So far, only one school has opted into the program. By Annie Xia, April 5, 2024 – Many independent school districts, including the largest ones, do not allow chaplains to serve as counselors, which is now allowed under a new Texas law. Full Story Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune