Profiles

Texas Standard delivers timely, thoughtful coverage of politics, lifestyle, the environment, technology, and business from a uniquely Texas perspective.

El Paso Matters is a member-supported nonpartisan media organization that uses journalism to expand civic capacity in the Rio Grande Valley.

Sarah Blake Morgan is an award-winning journalist with a decade-plus career reporting for local and international news organizations. Her work has earned nine Emmy nominations and an Edward R. Murrow Award. She has interviewed presidential hopefuls, embedded with soldiers in South America, and reported alongside Ukrainian troops on the front lines. Her work has also…

Jonny Lupsha earned his BA in journalism from Valdosta State University. He’s a dedicated storyteller with 15 years’ experience in independent journalism, web journalism and marketing writing. Jonny lives in north Virginia with his wife and two children.

Nikki Sapiro Vinckier, PA-C, is an OB-GYN physician assistant with more than a decade of experience in reproductive healthcare. She is the founder of Take Back Trust, and the author of We Deserve More. You can find her online @nikkivinck. 

Mary Avila-Shears has spent over 15 years telling the stories that shape Texas communities. From anchoring morning news for a CBS affiliate to interviewing lawmakers and reporting on Presidential visits to South Texas, Mary brings extensive newsroom experience to Courier Texas. Her background also includes hosting lifestyle television on Daytime @ 9 in San Antonio…

Anna Raj is the Houston Newsletter Editor for COURIER Texas. Raised across Oak Cliff and Third Ward, Anna is a lifelong Texan passionate about community organizing and giving Texans the power of access to truth and knowledge.

A former Texas State Senator and Houston City Council member, Rodney Ellis has served on the Harris County Commissioners Court Precinct 1 since 2017.

Noemi Castanon is a born and raised Texan from Fort Worth. She’s currently finishing her Master’s degree in Journalism and Media at the University of Texas at Austin and is passionate about telling education and community stories. In her free time, she enjoys trying new coffee shops, taking photos, and flying her drone.

Kristine Gill is a freelance writer and editor based in Ohio with a background in newspaper journalism and public-sector communications. 

Brian McManus is Texas political editor at Courier Texas. A fourth-generation native Texan based in Houston, he covers the political and economic forces reshaping the state—including the data center boom, housing affordability, immigration enforcement, inequality, and the ways decisions made in Austin and Washington land on ordinary people across Texas. A veteran journalist and editor,…

Angel Carroll is a Democratic strategist working at the intersection of politics, policy, and community-based advocacy. She serves as the Democratic Political Strategist for ABC 13 Houston on This Week in Texas, where she provides analysis on the political landscape shaping the state and the nation. In 2025, Angel was named the Texas Democratic Party…

Chris Hollins, serving as Houston’s City Controller since January 2024, brings a dynamic approach to City governance and financial management. With a rich background in legal practice and management consulting, coupled with innovative leadership as Harris County Clerk, Hollins is dedicated to enhancing the city’s fiscal practices and community engagement. Educated at Morehouse College, Yale…

Longoria is a Texas political activist, using social media to mobilize young voters.

Hailing from El Paso, Texas, Marliza Anahi Marin-Rabara is a first-generation Mexican-American with a diverse academic background, holding undergraduate degrees in History, Political Science, and Psychology from Texas State University and a Masters in Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin. Her commitment to addressing societal injustices is deeply rooted in her personal…

Amanda K. Edwards is a former At-Large Houston City Council member running to represent Texas’ 18th Congressional District in the U.S. House.

Rhema Joy Bell is a Dallas-based freelance journalist and editor with experience ranging from print, social media, and web production. She’s a UNT alumna who covers arts, culture, and books. She’s previously worked as a copy editor/designer, and when she’s not writing, she’s probably reading a memoir.

Caitlin Rourk is a proud Central Texan, U.S. Army officer, business leader, and working mom running for Congress in TX-31 to bring principled, practical leadership to Washington. Her professional background spans the private sector, public policy, and both federal and military service. Caitlin is running for Congress because she believes our communities deserve leadership that…

Bryce was born and raised in Texas and has worked for years in Texas politics, from statewide campaigns (Beto O’Rourke for Senate, Carol Alvarado for State Senate, Beto O’Rourke for President) to historical projects like LynchinginTexas.org. He’s currently the Partnerships Manager for COURIER Newsroom.

William Pesota is a 40-year Houston resident and retired attorney.

Hi, I’m a contributing writer with a sharp eye on how consumer culture is shifting in today’s fast-moving market. With a background in digital media, I create content that tracks emerging trends, cultural signals, and the evolving strategies behind successful brands, digging into not just what people are purchasing but why it matters. I value…

Ron Reynolds serves as State Rep. for HD 27 & Chair of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus.

Dawn Jones is the Texas Organizing Director at COURIER Texas. She has dedicated the past decade to social justice advocacy, where she has managed presidential, senate, and gubernatorial campaigns.

Gina Heath is a mother of three, trauma support professional, and Hurricane Helene survivor from Marshall, North Carolina, where her family lost their land, business, and community to catastrophic flooding in 2024. She now lives in a camper on toxic land while supporting her children through the long-term trauma of displacement and uncertainty. Gina believes…