The Texas Tribune: Berenice Garciahttps://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/berenice-garcia/The latest news by Berenice Garcia.enFri, 03 May 2024 20:17:23 -0500With indictment, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar’s deep South Texas ties will again be testedhttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/03/henry-cuellar-indictment-political-impact/Cuellar was expected to cruise to reelection. Now he’ll need to rely on support from local and national Democratic leaders to help him overcome scandal.By Berenice GarciaFri, 03 May 2024 20:17:23 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/03/henry-cuellar-indictment-political-impact/U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, speaks at a GOTV rally with former President Bill Clinton for Democratic congressional candidate Michelle Vallejo in Edinburg on Nov. 7, 2022.U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, speaks at a GOTV rally with former President Bill Clinton for Democratic congressional candidate Michelle Vallejo in Edinburg on Nov. 7, 2022Michael Gonzalez for The Texas TribuneTarrant County DA wants Crystal Mason’s illegal voting conviction reinstatedhttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/25/crystal-mason-illegal-voting-texas-tarrant-county/A Texas appeals court recently overturned Mason’s five-year prison sentence for casting a provisional ballot in the 2016 election while on supervised release for federal tax evasion.By Berenice GarciaThu, 25 Apr 2024 15:07:51 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/25/crystal-mason-illegal-voting-texas-tarrant-county/Crystal Mason in Fort Worth on Sept. 9, 2019.Crystal Mason in Fort Worth on Sept. 9, 2019.Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson for The Texas TribuneIs the ocelot, the endangered South Texas wildcat, making a comeback?https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/25/south-texas-ocelot-population/Conservation groups found a sign of hope, but scientists say it's too soon to celebrate.By Berenice GarciaThu, 25 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/25/south-texas-ocelot-population/The ocelot found in South Texas is classified as endangered.The ocelot subspecies Leopardus pardalis albescens, found in South Texas, is classified as endangered.Photo courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 2022, ©Chase FountainSouth Texas farmers are in peril as the Rio Grande Valley runs dry — againhttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/18/south-texas-drought-agriculture/With the hottest days still ahead, local leaders have declared emergencies. And farmers are lobbying for the U.S. government to pressure Mexico to release water.By Berenice GarciaThu, 18 Apr 2024 13:31:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/18/south-texas-drought-agriculture/Mike England surveys a field on his farm near Mercedes on April 18. England had to destroy 500 acres worth of sugar cane he'd grown because of the ongoing drought in the Rio Grande Valley.Mike England surveys a field on his farm near Mercedes on April 18, 2024. England had to destroy 500 acres worth of sugar cane he'd grown because of drought in the Rio Grande Valley.Ben Lowy for The Texas TribuneA South Texas candidate sues his town for records he says will prove his opponent's corruptionhttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/15/rio-grande-city-public-records-election/Rio Grande City officials called Ediel Barrera’s requests “vague or ambiguous.”By Berenice GarciaMon, 15 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/15/rio-grande-city-public-records-election/Flags fly over Rio Grande City Hall in 2021. Town officials say they have a backlog of public records requests due to an unprecedented volume of requests from a city commissioners candidate.The city, state, and national flag fly over city hall in Rio Grande City on June 17, 2021.Jason Garza for The Texas TribuneSome South Texas school employees could be barred from holding elected office after fraud investigationhttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/11/la-joya-school-district-election-prohibition/A state-appointed board of managers overseeing the La Joya Independent School District is set to consider the policy this week.By Berenice GarciaThu, 11 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/11/la-joya-school-district-election-prohibition/The Texas Education Agency replaced the entire school board of La Joya Independent School District earlier this year after a fraud investigation.The Texas Education Agency has replaced the entire school board of La Joya Independent School District.Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune