Jessica Montoya Coggins

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
A Progressive D.A. Up Against Big Bucks

A Progressive D.A. Up Against Big Bucks

On Tuesday, Texas will officially hold its Primary Election. While there are many intriguing races up and down the ballot (though the presidential contenders appear locked in with Biden and Trump), there is another race that many political observers will be eyeing: the Democratic primary for Travis County District Attorney.

By Jessica Montoya Coggins
The Texans Facing Uncertainty Amidst IVF Ruling

The Texans Facing Uncertainty Amidst IVF Ruling

On the heels of an IVF ruling out of Alabama that has sparked fears the procedure could be in danger, many Texans are grappling with the distinct possibility that one of the biggest lifelines against infertility could be gone. Some patients are even opting to move embryos out of state.

By Jessica Montoya Coggins
Primary Election Preview

Primary Election Preview

Election Day for our Texas primary is officially one week away. And while this Super Tuesday is tracking to have a lower voter turnout than four years ago, there are still several intriguing races in the state up and down the ballot. Here are some that we are following: Who

By Jessica Montoya Coggins
Ben Fountain On His Newest (And Prescient) Novel About Haiti

Ben Fountain On His Newest (And Prescient) Novel About Haiti

In his newest novel Devil Makes Three, Ben Fountain creates a gripping tale that takes place in Haiti in the aftermath of the 1991 coup which saw President Jean-Bertrand Aristide deposed by military forces. The story is told from the perspective of three characters trying to navigate their way through

By Jessica Montoya Coggins
A Note From The Editor

A Note From The Editor

It’s my pleasure to welcome you to the Texas Signal Media Foundation, a nonprofit newsroom devoted to creating honest public interest reporting by and for the new Texas majority. We are the outgrowth of a company that was founded in 2019 to fill a critical gap in our political

By Jessica Montoya Coggins
When Global Reproductive Rights Groups Step In

When Global Reproductive Rights Groups Step In

For decades, international organizations devoted to reproductive healthcare have operated in some of the harshest autocracies and authoritarian regimes around the world. Now, thanks to new laws that have reshaped where abortion can and cannot be accessed in the United States, places like Texas are receiving attention from those organizations.

By Jessica Montoya Coggins
Discrimination In Dress Codes Across Texas Schools

Discrimination In Dress Codes Across Texas Schools

According to a new study from the ACLU of Texas over half of the public schools in the state enforce dress codes and grooming policies that discriminate against students. Most of these policies target public school students based on their gender or racial identity. This review by the ACLU of

By Jessica Montoya Coggins
In Politics, Abortion Takes Center Stage

In Politics, Abortion Takes Center Stage

As the country gears up for another election in November, there are several concerns that will be top of mind for voters. But perhaps the issue that could make the biggest difference is one that became front and center as states like Texas moved to restrict it: abortion.  Texas is

By Jessica Montoya Coggins
On Our Bookshelf - February

On Our Bookshelf - February

Every month, The Texas Signal Media Foundation will be spotlighting books we have read to share with our audience. If you would like to make a recommendation for us, drop us a line at editor@texassignal.com  Devil Makes Three by Ben Fountain  Taking place in Haiti just days after

By Jessica Montoya Coggins