https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/alejandra-martinez/The latest news by Alejandra Martinez.enFri, 20 Dec 2024 16:25:54 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/20/texas-pfas-forever-chemicals-biosolids-fertilizer-legislation/The bill would require companies to test fertilizer made from sewage sludge for PFAS and meet limits before selling them to Texas farmers and ranchers.By Alejandra MartinezFri, 20 Dec 2024 16:25:54 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/20/texas-pfas-forever-chemicals-biosolids-fertilizer-legislation/Biosolids are collected at the San Antonio Water System’s Steven M. Clouse Water Recycling Center in San Antonio on Aug. 23, 2024.Biosolids are collected at the SAWS’ Steven M. Clouse Water Recycling Center in San Antonio, Texas, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024.Chris Stokes for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/18/texas-undocumented-immigrants-mass-deportations-trump/As Republican Texas leaders show support for Trump’s mass deportation plans, undocumented people — some who have lived in America for decades — are weighing their options amid mounting fears.By Alejandra Martinez, Berenice Garcia and Alejandro SerranoWed, 18 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/18/texas-undocumented-immigrants-mass-deportations-trump/The 41-year-old co-founder of a nonprofit that aids immigrants at his office in Dallas on Dec. 16, 2024. Born in Mexico and brought to the U.S. by his parents when he was 7, the man is undocumented and anxious about President-elect Donald Trump's promises of mass deportations.DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 16, 2024: A Dallas-resident, 41, co-founder of a nonprofit organization, at his office in Dallas, Texas on Monday, December 16, 2024. The resident was born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico and migrated to the United States when he was seven-years-old. He was a DACA recipient until it expired and he didn’t reapply in time. CREDIT: Desiree Rios for The Texas TribuneDesiree Rios for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/16/texas-epa-methane-rule-oil-gas-public-comment/Texas regulators are taking public comment about how they should implement an EPA rule to reduce methane leaks from the oil and gas industry.By Alejandra MartinezMon, 16 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/16/texas-epa-methane-rule-oil-gas-public-comment/A residential home sits yards away from the Bruder drill site, owned by TotalEnergies, in Arlington.ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 20, 2024: A wall containing Bruder drill site owned by Total in Arlington, Texas on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. The city of Arlington approved Total’s application to drill and frack 11 gas wells at this site, which sits over 300 feet away from residential homes. CREDIT: Desiree Rios for Texas TribuneDesiree Rios for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/11/texas-ken-paxton-lawsuit-3M-DuPont-forever-chemicals-pfas/Paxton’s office has accused 3M and DuPont of misrepresenting or concealing the health risks of PFAS, which have been sold for decades for use in consumer products.By Alejandra MartinezWed, 11 Dec 2024 14:54:09 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/11/texas-ken-paxton-lawsuit-3M-DuPont-forever-chemicals-pfas/Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at the 2024 Texas GOP Convention in San Antonio on May 23, 2024. Paxton's office has sued two major manufacturers of "forever chemicals" used in many consumer products, accusing them of failing to warn the public of the chemicals' health dangers.Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at the 2024 Texas GOP Convention in San Antonio on May 23, 2024.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/04/texas-thc-ban-dan-patrick-delta-8-9-hemp/Patrick contends retailers have exploited a law passed in 2019 to sell unregulated and potentially harmful consumable tetrahydrocannabinol products.By Jasper Scherer, Alejandra Martinez, Karen Brooks Harper and Stephen SimpsonWed, 04 Dec 2024 22:07:14 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/04/texas-thc-ban-dan-patrick-delta-8-9-hemp/Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Patrick said Wednesday that the THC ban would be designated as Senate Bill 3.Lt. Governor Dan Patrick speaks during the Texas GOP Convention Thursday, May 23, 2024 in San Antonio.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/02/texas-farmers-pfas-forever-chemicals-biosolids-fertilizer/The fertilizer was promoted as an environmental win-win for years. An untold number of farmers and ranchers across Texas have spread it on their land.By Alejandra MartinezMon, 02 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/02/texas-farmers-pfas-forever-chemicals-biosolids-fertilizer/Tony and Karen Coleman stand over a plot of land where they buried a deceased calf and bull on their property in Grandview on Aug. 5, 2024.Tony and Karen Coleman stand over a plot of land where they buried a deceased calf and bull on their property in Grandview, Texas on Aug. 5, 2024.Azul Sordo for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/08/texas-environment-trump-biden-climate-change/The president-elect has pledged to weaken air pollution regulations, reverse efforts to slow climate change and continue to boost oil and gas production.By Alejandra Martinez and Carlos Nogueras RamosFri, 08 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/08/texas-environment-trump-biden-climate-change/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/05/texas-railroad-commission-election-2024/The three-member board oversees Texas’ oil and gas industry. The agency has faced criticism over safety concerns linked to fracking, well blowouts and groundwater protection.By Alejandra MartinezTue, 05 Nov 2024 22:06:02 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/05/texas-railroad-commission-election-2024/Christi Craddick, chair of the Texas Railroad Commission, speaks to delegates at the 2024 Texas GOP Convention in San Antonio on May 25. She won reelection Tuesday.Christi Craddick, chair of the Texas Railroad Commission, speaks to delegates at the 2024 Texas GOP Convention in San Antonio on May 25, 2024.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/29/texas-ken-paxton-lawsuit-endangered-freshwater-mussels/The lawsuit claims the endangered designation for six mussel species is a misuse of environmental law that threatens Texas’ economy.By Alejandra MartinezTue, 29 Oct 2024 14:42:38 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/29/texas-ken-paxton-lawsuit-endangered-freshwater-mussels/The Guadalupe Fatmucket, one of several species that received federal protection earlier this year, is a rare mussel that is exclusively found in the Guadalupe River basin.The Guadalupe Fatmucket is a rare mussel that is exclusively found in the Guadalupe River Basin.Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority websitehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/25/texas-election-2024-early-voting-problems/A Bexar County election worker was assaulted Thursday, officials said. In Tarrant County, officials encouraged voters to review their ballots before voting.By Alejandra Martinez and Berenice GarciaFri, 25 Oct 2024 11:37:22 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/25/texas-election-2024-early-voting-problems/A line to vote wraps around the sidewalk at the Cinco Ranch Branch Library on Oct. 21 in Fort Bend County. Long lines have been reported across the state. So far, few issues have been reported.The line wraps around the sidewalk at the Cinco Ranch Branch Library on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Ft Bend County.Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/21/railroad-commission-election-2024/Incumbent Christi Craddick is touting the health of the Texas energy industry and its impact on the economy. Her top opponent says regulation on the commission is too lax.By Alejandra MartinezMon, 21 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/21/railroad-commission-election-2024/Commission Shift’s executive director, Virginia Palacios, moderates a Texas Railroad Commission candidate forum with Libertarian Hawk Dunlap, Democrat Katherine Culbert and Green Party candidate Eddie Espinoza in Austin on Oct. 16, 2024. Republican incumbent Christi Craddick did not attend.From left: Commission Shift Executive Director Virginia Palacios moderates a Texas Railroad Commission candidate forum with Libertarian Hawk Dunlap, Democrat Katherine Culbert and Green Party candidate Eddie Espinoza in Austin on Oct. 16, 2024. Republican incumbent Christi Craddick did not attend.Montinique Monroe for the Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/10/west-texas-well-blowout-oil-gas-railroad-commission/Experts warn that more blowouts should be expected unless oil and gas companies change their methods.By Carlos Nogueras Ramos and Alejandra MartinezThu, 10 Oct 2024 13:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/10/10/west-texas-well-blowout-oil-gas-railroad-commission/A well blowout shoots a mixture of oil, water, and gas over 100 feet in the air west of Toyah on Oct. 4.An oil well blowout shooting a mixture of oil, water, and gas over 100 feet in the air west of Toyah on Oct. 4, 2024.Justin Hamel courtesy of DeSmoghttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/23/texas-ken-paxton-lawsuit-endangered-dunes-sagebrush-lizard/The lawsuit claims federal regulators have undermined the Texas oil and gas industry by misusing environmental law, negatively impacting drilling and production.By Alejandra MartinezMon, 23 Sep 2024 12:08:02 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/23/texas-ken-paxton-lawsuit-endangered-dunes-sagebrush-lizard/Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued the federal government over its decision to add the dunes sagebrush lizard, which lives in the state's biggest oil and gas region, to the endangered species list.Dunes Sagebrush Lizard.Ryan Hagerty/USFWShttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/14/john-smithee-joins-texas-house-speaker-race/After Attorney General Ken Paxton’s failed impeachment trial, his allies touted Smithee, one of the House’s most senior members, as a speaker candidate.By Alejandra MartinezSat, 14 Sep 2024 15:29:05 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/14/john-smithee-joins-texas-house-speaker-race/State Rep. John Smithee, R-Amarillo, has announced he is running for speaker of the Texas House.State Rep. John Smithee, R-Amarillo, speaks on the House floor in 2017.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/13/texas-deer-chronic-wasting-disease-quarantine/Texas has seen a record number of chronic wasting disease cases this year. The state is looking for new ways to contain the spread without driving deer breeders out of business.By Alejandra Martinez and Jakob MaurerFri, 13 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/13/texas-deer-chronic-wasting-disease-quarantine/From left: Hostage and Mariachi, two bucks at John True's breeding facility in Hunt County on Sept. 9, 2024. True said he named Hostage when he was in a bad mood over the state's quarantine rule on his breeding facility. Just like the buck's name, he feels trapped.Does at John True's breeding facility in Terrell, Texas on Sept. 9, 2024.Azul Sordo for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/06/texas-ken-paxton-travis-county-voter-registration/The Texas attorney general filed a similar lawsuit earlier this week against Bexar County, which includes San Antonio.By Alejandro Serrano and Alejandra MartinezFri, 06 Sep 2024 10:55:37 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/06/texas-ken-paxton-travis-county-voter-registration/Voter registration forms at a booth on the campus of UT-Austin on Oct. 11, 2022.Voter registration forms at a booth on the campus of UT-Austin on Oct. 11, 2022.May-Ying Lam for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/06/houston-ship-channel-air-monitoring-pollution/After identifying flaws in the state’s air monitoring, the Tribune hosted workshops to inform Houston Ship Channel communities.By Alejandra MartinezFri, 06 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/06/houston-ship-channel-air-monitoring-pollution/Participants listen to a presentation in English and Spanish on how to monitor air quality, how to protect yourself during chemical events and how to voice concerns at the Galena Park Library where The Texas Tribune hosted a community workshop event on Aug. 10, 2024.On August 10, 2024, participants listen to a presentation at the Galena Park Library where Texas Tribune hosts a community workshop event in English and Spanish on how to monitor air quality, how to protect yourself during chemical events, and how to voice concerns.Danielle Villasana for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/14/texas-heat-deaths-undercount/Deaths from heat are notoriously difficult to quantify because of how complex and subjective the process is. It leaves officials with an incomplete picture of who heat kills.By Emily Foxhall, Alejandra Martinez and Yuriko Schumacher, The Texas Tribune, and Dylan Baddour and Martha Pskowski, Inside Climate NewsWed, 14 Aug 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/14/texas-heat-deaths-undercount/Robert Shipp, 75, of Bastrop, sweats while receiving treatment inside an Austin-Travis County EMS ambulance on a 102 degree day outside Austin Wrench A Part in Del Valle on July 7, 2023. According to the EMS crew, he passed out while searching for car parts under the hot sun.Robert Shipp, 75, of Bastrop, sweats while receiving treatment from Austin-Travis County EMS first responders inside an ambulance during a 102 degree summer day outside Austin Wrench-A-Part in Del Valle on July 7, 2023. According to the EMS crew, he passed out while searching for car parts under the hot sun.Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/01/small-town-big-possibilities-San-Antonio-symposium/The Tribune’s rural symposium highlighted the challenges the state’s far-flung regions face — and the opportunities they offer.By Alejandra Martinez, Jaden Edison, Kayla Guo, Pooja Salhotra, Terri Langford, Texas Tribune Staff and Xiomara MooreThu, 01 Aug 2024 13:11:13 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/01/small-town-big-possibilities-San-Antonio-symposium/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/25/texas-power-grid-puc-centerpoint-hurricane-beryl/The company’s power outages in July have drawn the ire of state leaders. Here’s what you need to know.By Alejandra Martinez, Emily Foxhall, Joshua Fechter and Kayla GuoThu, 25 Jul 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/25/texas-power-grid-puc-centerpoint-hurricane-beryl/Trucks line up to provide support with major power outages after Hurricane Beryl in Houston, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.Electric trucks line up to provide support with major power outages after Hurricane Beryl in Houston, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.Joseph Bui for The Texas Tribune