Jessica Montoya Coggins

Jessica Montoya Coggins
Christy Stratton Is Now Ready To Soar

Christy Stratton Is Now Ready To Soar

To say that the last few weeks for Christy Stratton have been overwhelming is likely an understatement. When I simply asked the longtime television writer, and Fort Worth native, how she was doing, she sounded almost philosophical as she pondered her answer. That’s not surprising because it’s only

By Jessica Montoya Coggins
Texas Sues To Stop Gun Safety Legislation

Texas Sues To Stop Gun Safety Legislation

Last month the Biden Administration announced new gun safety legislation that would require any individual who sells firearms outside of sporting or gun stores to conduct a background check on a potential purchaser. This rule, which amends legislation from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Safety, would formally end what

By Jessica Montoya Coggins
A Texas Tussle Over Title IX

A Texas Tussle Over Title IX

After the Biden Administration announced new guidelines about Title IX, the landmark 1972 legislation that bans discrimination based on sex in education, both the Governor and Attorney General of Texas made it clear they will not comply. Last month, the Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona unveiled new regulations pertaining to

By Jessica Montoya Coggins
A Geothermal Project Kicks Off New Wave Of Energy Sources In Texas

A Geothermal Project Kicks Off New Wave Of Energy Sources In Texas

Earlier today, Bedrock Energy announced the completion of a new geothermal project at Penn Field in Austin. The energy company worked with the developer CIM Group to create a geothermal borefield as well as a heating and cooling system for the campus that houses several technology and media companies. The

By Jessica Montoya Coggins
A Primer On The Comstock Act

A Primer On The Comstock Act

As abortion continues to play a major role in Texas and national politics, a law from the nineteenth century keeps getting mentioned: the Comstock Act of 1873. And ever since the Arizona Supreme Court upheld an abortion ban that dates back even earlier to before it was even a territory,

By Jessica Montoya Coggins
Deepwater Oil Facility Off Texas Coast Forges Ahead

Deepwater Oil Facility Off Texas Coast Forges Ahead

This week a proposed deepwater oil-export facility that would be built just off the Gulf Coast near Brazoria County in Texas took major steps forward, against the wishes of several environmental groups. Enterprise Products Partners L.P. originally filed for the permits to start building the Sea Port Oil Terminal

By Jessica Montoya Coggins
Preparing For An Eclipse

Preparing For An Eclipse

About a million Texans are preparing for a total solar eclipse. A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth. Parts of North America will experience a total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8. Unfortunately, the forecast shows some ominous clouds that are threatening to

By Jessica Montoya Coggins
The Texas Reproductive Justice Organization Centering Black Women

The Texas Reproductive Justice Organization Centering Black Women

Last October The Afiya Center in Dallas officially celebrated its fifteenth anniversary. It’s a milestone Executive Director Marsha Jones wasn’t sure the center would reach. And not because of a lack of dedication from the health professionals and caregivers that comprise the Afiya Center’s staff, but because

By Jessica Montoya Coggins
Abbott’s Voucher Allies Land New State Education Roles

Abbott’s Voucher Allies Land New State Education Roles

Last week at an event for a rightwing policy organization, Greg Abbott maintained his strong support for vouchers. Under the banner of “school choice,” vouchers allow parents or guardians to send their kids to private schools through taxpayer dollars. Abbott called four special sessions last year to try and pass

By Jessica Montoya Coggins
Supreme Court Hears Arguments In Abortion Pill Case

Supreme Court Hears Arguments In Abortion Pill Case

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court is hearing arguments in a case that could restrict access to mifepristone, which is one of the two drugs used in a medication abortion. The case, formally known as The Alliance For Hippocratic Medicine v. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is the first major abortion-related

By Jessica Montoya Coggins
Birth Control Is Now Easier To Get: Here’s The Facts

Birth Control Is Now Easier To Get: Here’s The Facts

With the recent news that Opill, the first ever over-the-counter birth control is now available to purchase, the Texas Signal wanted to discuss what Texans should know about this common and safe form of contraception. We spoke with Dr. Bhavik Kumar, a Houston physician who is a member of The

By Jessica Montoya Coggins
New Report Shows Increase In Medication Abortions

New Report Shows Increase In Medication Abortions

New reporting from a leading research and policy organization shows that abortions have been on the rise in the United States. That finding might seem contradictory given the 2022 ruling from the Supreme Court which overturned Roe v. Wade, but the increase in abortions stems in part from access to

By Jessica Montoya Coggins
New Documentary Shows Power In Fighting For Change

New Documentary Shows Power In Fighting For Change

“An Army of Women” is a documentary premiering in competition at South by Southwest that follows in real-time a groundbreaking class action lawsuit against the Austin District Attorney’s office and the Austin Police Department over their failure to prosecute rape and sexual assault cases. But the documentary, which is

By Jessica Montoya Coggins
An Election Recap

An Election Recap

Last night’s Texas primary lacked the drama of years past when there were multiple presidential contenders vying for their party’s nomination. Both Biden and Trump cruised to their respective victories, but up and down the ballot several races highlighted what to expect this November. The Revenge Tour Both

By Jessica Montoya Coggins