https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/alejandra-martinez/The latest news by Alejandra Martinez.enFri, 25 Oct 2024 11:37:22 -0500https://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/2024/07/25/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 Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/18/texas-energy-grid-power-outages-climate-change-infrastructure/Repairing electricity infrastructure after storms usually costs customers. So could strengthening it before the next weather event.By Alejandra Martinez and Emily FoxhallThu, 18 Jul 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/18/texas-energy-grid-power-outages-climate-change-infrastructure/Electric trucks line up to provide support with major power outages after Hurricane Beryl in Houston on 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 Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/12/texas-conservation-investments-environment-formula-value/Donors are increasingly asking conservation groups to produce data on the value of their environmental work. A group’s new method helps them show their impact.By Alejandra Martinez and Carlos Nogueras RamosFri, 12 Jul 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/12/texas-conservation-investments-environment-formula-value/Groups that take on environmental conservation projects like re-planting longleaf pine trees in East Texas have a new tool at their disposal to show prospective donors the value of their work.Jasper, Texas: An overhead view of Huff Creek Road and the bridge where James Byrd Jr. was beaten and chained May 29, 2023 in Jasper, Texas. Mark Felix/The Texas TribuneMark Felix for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/11/centerpoint-power-restore-texas-houston-when-why-timeline/According to state filings, the utility is restoring power at a relatively quicker pace than after prior storms. Texans are still fed up.By Emily Foxhall and Alejandra MartinezThu, 11 Jul 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/11/centerpoint-power-restore-texas-houston-when-why-timeline/A fleet of utility trucks line up Wednesday morning to help restore power after Hurricane Beryl brought major power outages in Houston.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 Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/09/beryl-texas-houston-power-outages/Power companies and Texas officials say restoration efforts could take days. Experts say Texans without electricity are facing a dangerous situation.By Pooja Salhotra, Jess Huff, Emily Foxhall, Alejandra Martinez and Kayla GuoTue, 09 Jul 2024 12:02:59 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/09/beryl-texas-houston-power-outages/Electrical workers gather supplies early Wednesday morning to provide support to people experiencing major power outages after Hurricane Beryl in Houston.Electric workers gather supplies to provide support with major power outages after Hurricane Beryl in Houston, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.Joseph Bui for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/08/hurricane-beryl-texas-damage-updates-rain/Tens of thousands of households and businesses aren’t expected to have electricity for most of this week.By Pooja Salhotra, Alejandra Martinez, Emily Foxhall, Jess Huff, Stephen Simpson, Maria Probert Hermosillo, Berenice Garcia, Kayla Guo and Dante MotleyMon, 08 Jul 2024 18:33:16 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/08/hurricane-beryl-texas-damage-updates-rain/Gov. Greg Abbott speaks about CenterPoint Energy during a press conference at Gallery Furniture in Houston on Sunday, July 14, 2024.Governor Greg Abbott, speaks about Centerpoint Energy during a press conference at Gallery Furniture, Houston, Thursday, Sunday July 14,2024. Doug Sweet Jr. for Texas TribuneDouglas Sweet Jr. for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/02/texas-how-to-stay-safe-heat-climate-change/As climate change pushes temperatures higher, it’s even more important to remember how dangerous the heat is and take steps to protect yourself.By Emily Foxhall and Alejandra MartinezTue, 02 Jul 2024 12:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/02/texas-how-to-stay-safe-heat-climate-change/Austin-Travis County EMS first responders carry a 75-year-old man to an ambulance during a 102-degree day in July 2023 outside Austin Wrench A Part in Del Valle. The man passed out while searching for car parts in the sun and told first responders he hadn’t eaten or drank any water all day.Austin-Travis County EMS first responders cart Robert Shipp, 75, of Bastrop, to 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 and Shipp, he was seen passing out while searching for car parts under the hot sun, and hadn’t eaten any food or drank any water all day.Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/01/texas-extreme-weather-climate-change/Climate scientists say that extreme rain and drought are likely to become more common due to climate change.By Alejandra Martinez and Yuriko SchumacherMon, 01 Jul 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/01/texas-extreme-weather-climate-change/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/27/supreme-court-texas-smog-epa/Environmental experts say the ruling will pause measures to reduce smog in some states and influence suits in lower courts.By Alejandra MartinezThu, 27 Jun 2024 10:17:36 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/27/supreme-court-texas-smog-epa/Smoke from a power plant in San Antonio on Aug. 4, 2021.Smoke from a power plant in San Antonio on Aug. 4, 2021.Sophie Park/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/21/supreme-court-rejects-texas-new-mexico-water-agreement/Water law experts say the Supreme Court's recent decision will set a precedent for the federal government to intervene in water conflicts between states moving forward.By Alejandra Martinez and Berenice GarciaFri, 21 Jun 2024 15:46:48 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/21/supreme-court-rejects-texas-new-mexico-water-agreement/The Rio Grande at the New Mexico-Texas border near El Paso in 2013.The Rio Grande at the New Mexico-Texas border on Monday, December 9, 2013 in El Paso.Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/06/texas-drought-crop-insurance-climate-change/Rising temperatures intensify drought and increase costs for the heavily subsidized crop insurance program.By Dylan Baddour, Inside Climate News, and Alejandra Martinez, The Texas TribuneThu, 06 Jun 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/06/texas-drought-crop-insurance-climate-change/A farm irrigation system near Ralls, about 30 miles east of Lubbock, on June 22, 2022. Texas leads the nation in crop insurance payouts due to drought, and those costs are expected to increase because of climate change.A farm irrigation system 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 Tribune