Sarah Rafique
She works closely with reporters to turn daily and long-term investigations that rely on government documents, open records requests and data analysis. She understands the importance of asking tough questions, holding local and state leaders accountable and amplifying voices of marginalized communities.
Sarah strives to not only uncover local issues, but also provide solutions and results for viewers.
Prior to joining KTRK, Sarah worked as an investigative reporter at KXAN, her hometown station in Austin, where she received three Lone Star Regional Emmys. Her investigation into improper billing by the state's TxTag program resulted in the Texas Department of Transportation cutting ties with its collection agency and waiving $1.3 billion in late fees for drivers.
Sarah is a first-generation American and Texas native, who previously worked for newspapers covering Fort Hood and West Texas.
Have a story that needs investigating? Or looking to share documents anonymously? Contact Sarah at Sarah.X.Rafique@abc.com or send a tip to the 13 Investigates team.
Sarah's Stories
13 Investigates: Have Harris County deputies found the key to cutting crime?
13 Investigates rides along with a Harris County sergeant as he shares how his specialty unit lowered crime in one of the county's most dangerous neighborhoods.
13 Investigates: Pasadena police have urgent warning against mortgage fraud after woman lost $77,000
Pasadena police offer tips after a League City woman who believes her broker's email was hacked wired the $77,500 down payment for her dream home to a fraudster.
13 Investigates: Fixing Houston's dangerous buildings is a 'long and drawn-out process'
Houston has at least 170 "dangerous" buildings, including run-down apartments, a burned-down restaurant, an old HISD school, and most recently, the building where a firefighter died after a wall collapsed.
AP exit polls show minorities and young voters turnout for Trump in Texas
Exclusive exit poll data you'll only see on ABC13 shows minorities and young voters in Texas turned to Trump.
13 Investigates looks into what has been to sent to Texas AG's voter fraud tip line
13 Investigates sifted through 1,059 emails to Attorney General Ken Paxton's illegal voting tip line. Instead of leads, we found mostly emails trolling and taunting him.
Senate hopefuls Ted Cruz and Colin Allred receive millions from donors outside Texas
13 Investigates found nearly half of the millions of dollars donated to Sen. Ted Cruz and Democratic challenger Colin Allred came from outside Texas.
13 Investigates: HISD sees biggest rise in uncertified teachers among 15 area districts
13 Investigates found the number of uncertified teachers at Houston ISD more than doubled this year. One in five HISD teachers does not hold a certification.
Houston holds top zip codes for donations to Trump and Harris presidential campaigns, data shows
When looking at individual donors with zip codes in Texas, 13 Investigates found that about $39.6 million was donated to the campaigns of President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former President Donald Trump.
Spring Branch ISD calls Harris County DA's response to school threat 'ludicrous'
Three Houston-area school district police chiefs told 13 Investigates it can be difficult to get the Harris County District Attorney's Office to file charges for school-related incidents.
13 Investigates leaking zombie wells haunting Trinity Bay
13 Investigates partnered with ABC News, which tested 10 abandoned wells in Trinity Bay. We found seven of those wells were leaking combustible gas during our visit.