https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/carla-astudillo/The latest news by Carla Astudillo.enWed, 20 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/20/texas-redistricting-representation-maps/The GOP push to redraw the state’s congressional maps isn’t just a partisan move but one that deeply affects how Texans are represented in Congress.By Joshua Fechter and Berenice Garcia, Graphics by Carla AstudilloWed, 20 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/20/texas-redistricting-representation-maps/U.S. Rep Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, testified during a July 28 redistricting committee hearing held at the University of Texas at Arlington. Veasey has represented Fort Worth for more than a decade and would be drawn out of his seat if Texas Republicans move forward with a mid-decade redistricting plan.U.S. Rep Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, testifies during a redistricting committee hearing held at the University of Texas at Arlington on July 28, 2025.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/18/texas-redistricting-maps-charts-analysis/Texas lawmakers redrew congressional districts in a partisan bid to give Republicans five additional U.S. House seats. The move set off a bipartisan war across the U.S.By Carla AstudilloMon, 18 Aug 2025 12:05:52 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/18/texas-redistricting-maps-charts-analysis/Three rectangles made up of smaller red and blue rectangles that show how cracking and packing in gerrymandering works.Carla Astudillo and Jason Kaohttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/03/texas-redistricting-congressional-map-latino-hispanic-voters-gop/The plan increases the share of Hispanic voters in three of the five districts targeted by the GOP, banking that enough will turn out and vote for Republicans without Donald Trump on the ballot.By Owen Dahlkamp, Graphics by Carla AstudilloSun, 03 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/03/texas-redistricting-congressional-map-latino-hispanic-voters-gop/An attendee holds a Trump hat during a prayer at a GOP event in McAllen to motivate Republicans to vote for U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores, R-Los Indios, and congressional candidates Monica De La Cruz and Cassy Garcia, on Nov. 6, 2022.An attendee holds a Trump hat during a prayer at a GOP event in McAllen to motivate Republicans to vote for U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores, R-Los Indios, running for re-election and congressional candidates Monica De La Cruz, TX-15, and Cassy Garcia, TX-28, on Nov. 6, 2022.Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/01/texas-congressional-redistricting-doj-coalition-districts/The Department of Justice said four districts unconstitutionally combined Black and Hispanic voters, a charge the state disputes. If the proposed map passes, two will still be multiracial.By Eleanor Klibanoff, Graphics by Carla AstudilloFri, 01 Aug 2025 17:12:41 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/01/texas-congressional-redistricting-doj-coalition-districts/U.S. Rep. Al Green, D-Houston, walks to a congressional redistricting meeting at the University of Houston campus in Houston, Texas, on July 26, 2025.U.S. Rep. Al Green, D-Houston, walks to a Congressional Redistricting meeting at the University of Houston campus in Houston, Texas, on July 26, 2025.Danielle Villasana for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/31/texas-redistricting-map-democrats-defense-targeted-seats-congress/The new proposed lines would also prevent few, if any, opportunities for Democrats hoping that an aggressive gerrymander could backfire on Republicans.By Kayla Guo and Gabby Birenbaum, Graphics by Carla AstudilloThu, 31 Jul 2025 17:16:40 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/31/texas-redistricting-map-democrats-defense-targeted-seats-congress/From left: U.S. Reps. Greg Casar, D-Austin, Al Green, D-Houston, and Julie Johnson, D-Farmers Branch.From left: U.S. Reps. Greg Casar, D-Austin, Al green, D-Houston, and Julie Johnson, D-Farmers BranchThe Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/30/texas-redistricting-congressional-maps-house-republicans/The first draft of the lower chamber’s new redistricting map targets Democratic members of Congress in the Austin, Dallas and Houston metro areas and in South Texas.By Gabby Birenbaum and Eleanor Klibanoff, Graphics by Carla AstudilloWed, 30 Jul 2025 10:08:39 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/30/texas-redistricting-congressional-maps-house-republicans/Graphic by Carla Astudillohttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/26/texas-houston-redistricting-maps/Democratic members slammed the process, questioning why hearings were happening before maps were available for review. Chair Cody Vasut said follow-up public hearings will be scheduled once maps are filed.By Colleen DeGuzman, Graphics by Carla AstudilloSat, 26 Jul 2025 16:16:01 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/26/texas-houston-redistricting-maps/Attendees gather for a House redistricting committee hearing on the University of Houston’s campus on Saturday, July 26, 2025.On July 26, 2025, people gather for a Congressional Redistricting meeting at the University of Houston campus in Houston, Texas.Danielle Villasana for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/09/texas-floods-growth-kerr-county-camp-mystic/Experts suggested that more data and education are needed as Texas and the rest of the country build in known flood plains.By Joshua Fechter and Paul Cobler, Graphics by Carla AstudilloWed, 09 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/09/texas-floods-growth-kerr-county-camp-mystic/Local officials have a limited set of tools to keep people from building in flood-prone areas. And as the state continues to grow, policymakers will have to grapple with how to manage new construction and extreme weather.Damage from the flood around a bridge on Highway 39 in Hunt on July 5, 2025.Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/09/hill-country-texas-flooding-2025-graphics/These maps and charts show the scale and intensity of the Hill Country floods and highlight Camp Mystic’s proximity to high-risk flood zones.By Edison Wu, Carla Astudillo and Chris EssigWed, 09 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/09/hill-country-texas-flooding-2025-graphics/A blue line chart superimposed with a background image of the aerial view of damage along the Guadalupe River near Kerrville on July 5, 2025.Illustration by Carla Astudillo / Photo by Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/13/texas-lawmakers-address-lookup-session-2025/Our interactive tool allows you to search how state lawmakers voted on the most consequential proposals debated during the session, which ended June 2.By Carla Astudillo and Yuriko SchumacherFri, 13 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/13/texas-lawmakers-address-lookup-session-2025/Six boxes with lines and rectangles representing bills and votes for the session on a gray background. There's a large address bar with a pointer in the middle.Illustration by Carla Astudillohttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/20/track-texas-state-bills/Get up to date on the status of the session’s major bills, including some on their way to the governor’s desk.By Texas Tribune Staff, Graphics by Carla AstudilloTue, 20 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/20/track-texas-state-bills/Four squares with four icons: the top left icon is of the Texas capitol with a yellow question mark over it, the top right icon is of a bill with with a yellow question mark over it, the bottom left icon is of the Texas capitol with a red checkmark over it and the bottom right icon is of a bill with a green checkmark over it.Illustration by Ben Hassonhttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/08/alex-fairly-texas-republican-donor-tim-dunn-texas-house/Fairly, an Amarillo businessman, backed many candidates aligned with conservative West Texas billionaire Tim Dunn’s political operation in 2024. Now he’s disavowing what he says are dishonest and aggressive campaign tactics while pondering his path forward.By Kate McGee, Graphics by Carla AstudilloThu, 08 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/08/alex-fairly-texas-republican-donor-tim-dunn-texas-house/Alex Fairly speaks to Amarillo residents about an economic development project in the Texas Panhandle, during a Conservative Patriots 4 Texas PAC meeting on Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Amarillo. Fairly is a new GOP megadonor backing Republican candidates in the Texas Legislature.Alex Fairly speaks to Amarillo residents during a Conservative Patriots 4 Texas meeting on Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Amarillo.Eli Hartman for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/01/texas-water-crisis-oil-gas-fracking-farming/The Texas Legislature has also invested millions in research to clean the fracking wastewater. Critics say it’s not a viable solution to the state’s water crisis.By Carlos Nogueras Ramos, Graphics by Carla AstudilloThu, 01 May 2025 11:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/01/texas-water-crisis-oil-gas-fracking-farming/An alfalfa garden patch grows at the Texas Pacific Water Resources research and development project site outside of Midland. Researchers watered the alfalfa with cleaned produced water from a fracking site. No contaminants were detected in the plant or soil.Technical Research & Development Manager Adrianne Lopez gives a tour of the Texas Pacific Water Resources’ project site greenhouse on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, outside of Midland.Eli Hartman for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/17/texas-house-voucher-vote-breakdown-2025/The House approved historic legislation that would implement school vouchers in Texas. Here’s how each representative voted.By Carla AstudilloThu, 17 Apr 2025 08:19:11 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/17/texas-house-voucher-vote-breakdown-2025/Texas House of Representatives Members vote on an amendment for Senate Bill 2 in the House Chamber in Austin on April 16, 2025.Texas House of Representatives Members vote on an amendment for Senate Bill 2 in the House Chamber in Austin on April 16, 2025.Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/11/el-paso-texas-water-crisis-desalination/Desalination can create millions of gallons of fresh water a day. But it is expensive and there are many environmental concerns.By Alejandra Martinez, Graphics by Carla AstudilloFri, 11 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/11/el-paso-texas-water-crisis-desalination/An illustration of a glass of water, superimposed over reverse osmosis filters from El Paso's Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination Plant.An illustration of a glass of water, superimposed over reverse osmosis filters from El Paso's Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination Plant.Carla Astudillo/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/2025/03/13/texas-property-tax-delinquent-fees-attorneys/Texans who fall behind on their property taxes face one of the most punitive systems in the nation, where private collection companies can tack up to 20% onto their bill.By Zach Despart, Graphics by Carla AstudilloThu, 13 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/13/texas-property-tax-delinquent-fees-attorneys/Sarah Rojo in her home in Gardendale on Feb. 23, 2025. Rojo owes thousands in property taxes, made worse by the 20% extra fee that a private, law firm hired for collections, tacked on to the top of her debt.Sarah Rojo disscuses hardships of being delinquent property taxpayers on Febuary, 23 2025 in Gardendale, Texas.Callie Cummings for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/21/texas-bill-vacant-office-residential-legislature/Supporters hope easing zoning rules will entice landlords to renovate and ease the state’s housing crisis.By Joshua Fechter, Graphics by Carla AstudilloFri, 21 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/21/texas-bill-vacant-office-residential-legislature/A view of downtown Dallas from The Tower Club on the 48th floor of the Santander Tower in downtown Dallas in 2023. Texas metros have a glut of vacant offices space and state lawmakers want to help owners convert that space into housing.A view of downtown Dallas from The Tower Club on the 48th floor of the Santander Tower in downtown Dallas, on Nov. 07, 2023. Texas metros have a glut of vacant offices space driven by the rise of remote work, overbuilding and other factors during the pandemic. One option companies are doing to combat the changes, is to convert office space into residential housing.Ben Torres for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/14/texas-house-speaker-vote-breakdown/The race pitted state Reps. David Cook and Dustin Burrows against each other. Here’s how each representative voted.By Carla AstudilloTue, 14 Jan 2025 15:48:28 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2025/01/14/texas-house-speaker-vote-breakdown/A vote of 85 in favor of State Rep. Dustin Burrows decides the next Speaker of the Texas House Of Representatives on the first day of the 2025 Texas Legislature in Austin on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.A vote of 85 in favor of State Rep. Dustin Burrows decides the next Speaker of the Texas House Of Representatives on the first day of the 2025 Texas Legislature in Austin on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/08/trump-cruz-2024-election-republicans/Cruz beat his challenger by 9 points, while Trump prevailed over his by 14 points. Still, Cruz performed better this year than he did in 2018By Carla Astudillo, Yuriko Schumacher and Pooja SalhotraFri, 08 Nov 2024 18:11:30 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/08/trump-cruz-2024-election-republicans/President-elect Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz.From left: President-elect Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz.The Texas Tribune