https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/alejandra-martinez/The latest news by Alejandra Martinez.enMon, 24 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/24/texas-legislature-water-supply-infrastructure-repair-perry-harris/Gov. Greg Abbott has made water a priority for this legislative session. Lawmakers will debate whether to invest more into new water supplies or repairing old, leaking pipes around Texas.By Jayme Lozano Carver and Alejandra MartinezMon, 24 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/24/texas-legislature-water-supply-infrastructure-repair-perry-harris/Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, during a Senate meeting on March 11, 2025.Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, during a Senate meeting on March 11, 2025.Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/17/texas-legislature-water-bills-tracker/Most lawmakers — as well as Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick — want to invest big in water. Here are the proposals that would do it.By Jayme Lozano Carver and Alejandra MartinezMon, 17 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/17/texas-legislature-water-bills-tracker/Texas lawmakers are expected to debate dozens of bills to help save the state's water supply during the 2025 legislative session.Cotton fields near the High Plains town of Ralls, about 30 miles east of Lubbock, on Wednesday, June 22, 2022. Like much of Texas, the High Plains and Panhandle are facing drought conditions and extraordinary heat.Trace Thomas for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/13/texas-water-fund-new-supply-infrastructure/The state House and Senate have similar proposals to solve the state's water crisis, but there are stark differences on how to invest billions of dollars to resolve.By Alejandra Martinez and Jayme Lozano CarverThu, 13 Mar 2025 17:29:24 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/13/texas-water-fund-new-supply-infrastructure/Texas lawmakers are expected to settle differences between four pieces of legislation meant to save the state's water supply.A water tower in Starr County near the Falcon Dam on Aug. 18, 2022.Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/13/texas-water-language-glossary/Water is complex. So are the terms used to describe it. Get to know the language as Texas debates how to save its water supply.By Jayme Lozano Carver and Alejandra MartinezThu, 13 Mar 2025 13:01:24 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/13/texas-water-language-glossary/A clarifier at the Bustamante Waste Water Treatment Plant expansion in El Paso, Texas on March 5, 2025.The secondary clarifier at the Bustamante Waste Water Treatment Plant expansion in El Paso on March 5, 2025.Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/13/texas-water-explained-supply-demand/The state’s water supply faces numerous threats. And by one estimate, the state’s municipal supply will not meet demand by 2030 if there’s a severe drought and no water solutions are implemented.By Alejandra Martinez and Jayme Lozano Carver, Graphics by Carla Astudillo and Yuriko SchumacherThu, 13 Mar 2025 13:01:12 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/13/texas-water-explained-supply-demand/Water gushes into a homeowner's reservoir during a water delivery in 2024 in Terlingua. Most Texans rely on water from utilities. In some remote parts of the state, like Terlingua, residents have water delivered. The state's water supply is under duress from a number of threats including overuse and outdated infrastructure.Water gushes from Rick Bradbury’s truck to Shannon Montague’s reservoir as the Bradbury’s make a delivery Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Terlingua.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/28/texas-brian-harrison-DEI-water-board/The topic was a budget request from a state agency. The exchange grew emotional when a lawmaker pressed for answers about a strategic plan that praises diversity.By Alejandra MartinezFri, 28 Feb 2025 11:46:16 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/28/texas-brian-harrison-DEI-water-board/Then-Texas Water Development Board member L’Oreal Stepney listens to comments during a board meeting Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in Austin. Stepney was named chair of the Board by Gov. Greg Abbott on January 8, 2025.Then-Texas Water Development Board member L’Oreal Stepney listens to comments during a board meeting Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in Austin. Stepney was named chair of the Board by Gov. Greg Abbott on January 8, 2025.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/24/texas-harris-county-cancer-risk-epa-superfund-site-san-jacinto/State researchers found above normal levels of four types of cancer in communities near a toxic waste site.By Alejandra MartinezMon, 24 Feb 2025 15:52:59 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/24/texas-harris-county-cancer-risk-epa-superfund-site-san-jacinto/The San Jacinto River Waste pits, an EPA Superfund site which is contaminated with dioxins, sits right on Interstate 10 east of Houston on Oct. 12, 2014.The San Jacinto River Waste pits, an EPA Superfund site which is contaminated with dioxins, sits right on Interstate 10 east of Houston on Oct. 12, 2014.Michael Stravato for Te Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/06/texas-primacy-carbon-capture-oil-gas/Environmentalists are worried the state — known for a lax approach to regulation — is not prepared for the added responsibility of regulating certain carbon capture projects.By Carlos Nogueras Ramos and Alejandra MartinezThu, 06 Feb 2025 11:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/06/texas-primacy-carbon-capture-oil-gas/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/04/texas-leaking-abandoned-oil-water-wells-tceq-railroad-commission/Two years after lawmakers created a $10 million program to address leaking wells in rural counties, none of the money has been distributed.By Alejandra MartinezTue, 04 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/04/texas-leaking-abandoned-oil-water-wells-tceq-railroad-commission/Hawk Dunlap stands at the site of Lake Boehmer, a brine lake that has leaked out of an old well in Pecos County. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality received $10 million from lawmakers in 2023 to plug such wells but has yet to spend any of the money as it completes the rule making process.Hawk Dunlap stands at the site of Lake Boehmer, a brine lake that has leaked out of an old well in Pecos County.Pu Ying Huang/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/31/texas-immigrants-undocumented-trump-deportation/Across the state, immigrants and their loved ones are changing their daily habits as the Trump administration orders at least 1,200 daily arrests of undocumented people.By Uriel J. García, Alejandra Martinez and Berenice GarciaFri, 31 Jan 2025 16:29:07 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/31/texas-immigrants-undocumented-trump-deportation/People gather at Memorial Park in El Paso on Jan. 29 to protest immigration raids and deportations since President Donald Trump returned to the White House.People gather at Memorial Park in El Paso on Jan. 29, 2025 to protest ICE raids and deportations.Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/17/texas-big-red-sage-endangered-species-act/Only seven native populations remain in Texas, all in the Edwards Plateau in Central Texas.By Alejandra MartinezFri, 17 Jan 2025 13:51:16 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/17/texas-big-red-sage-endangered-species-act/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/16/texas-ken-paxton-lawsuit-methane-rule-biden/The rule fines certain oil and gas facilities that exceed federal limits for methane emissions.By Alejandra MartinezThu, 16 Jan 2025 15:56:38 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/16/texas-ken-paxton-lawsuit-methane-rule-biden/A natural gas flare in Garden City. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued the federal government to stop a methane tax aimed at reducing emissions of the potent greenhouse gas.The Rebel Gas Plant vents off natural gas into two flare stacks Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, in Garden City.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/16/texas-water-legislation-charles-perry-supply-infrastructure/Texas’ population is booming and there is not enough water for everyone. State Sen. Charles Perry hopes to fix that.By Jayme Lozano Carver and Alejandra MartinezThu, 16 Jan 2025 13:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/16/texas-water-legislation-charles-perry-supply-infrastructure/State Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, on the Senate floor on May 15, 2019. Perry hopes the Legislature this year will create a dedicated fund for water issues.State Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, on the Senate floor on May 15, 2019.Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/15/texas-particulate-matter-air-pollution-rule-epa/Critics say TCEQ is erroneously using a federal rule to exclude counties that are failing federal soot rules.By Alejandra MartinezWed, 15 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/15/texas-particulate-matter-air-pollution-rule-epa/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/14/epa-risk-assessment-pfas-forever-chemicals-sewage-sludge-biosolids-fer/Fertilizers that contain treated sewage tainted with toxic PFAS chemicals can be spread on farmland and pose a health risk to people who consume milk, eggs and beef, the agency says.By Alejandra MartinezTue, 14 Jan 2025 15:02:22 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/14/epa-risk-assessment-pfas-forever-chemicals-sewage-sludge-biosolids-fer/Sewage being treated at the San Antonio Water System's Steven M. Clouse Water Recycling Center in San Antonio on Aug. 23, 2024.Bar screens are used to remove large portions of solids and garbage during the wastewater treatment process at SAWS’ Steven M. Clouse Water Recycling Center in San Antonio on Aug. 23, 2024.Chris Stokes for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/08/texas-immigration-mass-deportations-economy/“We wouldn’t survive” without undocumented workers, one South Texas produce business owner said. By one estimate, 8% of Texas’ workforce lacks legal status.By Alejandra Martinez, Alejandro Serrano, Berenice Garcia, Carlos Nogueras Ramos and Joshua FechterWed, 08 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/08/texas-immigration-mass-deportations-economy/Construction workers building homes in San Antonio on Dec. 10, 2024.Construction workers building homes in far west San Antonio on Dec. 10, 2024.Scott Stephen Ball for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/06/texas-cold-temperatures-ercot-power-grid-polar-vortex/The state’s electric grid operator issued a weather watch until Friday but says it doesn’t expect power disruptions as demand rises.By Alejandra Martinez and Alejandro SerranoMon, 06 Jan 2025 11:21:43 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/06/texas-cold-temperatures-ercot-power-grid-polar-vortex/https://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 Tribune