https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/carlos-nogueras-ramos/The latest news by Carlos Nogueras Ramos.enTue, 08 Jul 2025 21:20:50 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/08/texas-hill-country-post-flood-scene/Hill Country residents and volunteers on Tuesday continued picking up the pieces that the deadly waterway left behind days earlier.By Carlos Nogueras RamosTue, 08 Jul 2025 21:20:50 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/08/texas-hill-country-post-flood-scene/Volunteers clear debris from the flood as search and recovery efforts continue in Center Point on July 8, 2025.Volunteers clear debris from the flood as search and recovery efforts continue in Center Point on July 8, 2025.Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/06/texas-disaster-warning-emergency-communication-bill-kerrville-floods/A GOP state lawmaker who represents Kerr County says he likely would vote differently now on House Bill 13, which would have established a grant program for counties to build new emergency communication infrastructure.By Terri Langford and Carlos Nogueras RamosSun, 06 Jul 2025 17:46:42 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/06/texas-disaster-warning-emergency-communication-bill-kerrville-floods/An aerial view of damage along the Guadalupe River near Kerrville on July 5, 2025.An aerial view of damage along the Guadalupe River near Kerrville on July 5, 2025. Heavy rains in the Hill Country on July for caused catastrophic flooding and loss of life.Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/05/texas-hill-country-flooding-updates-kerrville-camp-mystic/About two dozen people were still missing. Many more people could still be unaccounted for, officials warned, noting that visitors to the area for the July 4th weekend make it difficult to assess an exact number.By Berenice Garcia, Jessica Shuran Yu and Carlos Nogueras Ramos, Graphics by Chris Essig and Edison WuSat, 05 Jul 2025 11:22:52 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/05/texas-hill-country-flooding-updates-kerrville-camp-mystic/A small boat is wrapped around a tree along with other debris in Ingram on Saturday, July 5, 2025. Ingram is a small town about seven miles northwest of Kerrville.A small boat is wrapped around a tree along with other debris in Ingram on Saturday, June 5, 2025. Ingram is a small town about seven miles northwest of Kerrville.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/27/texas-parents-challenges-citizenship-donald-trump/The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for President Donald Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship to take effect in certain states in 30 days.By Uriel J. García, Berenice Garcia, Carlos Nogueras Ramos and Terri LangfordFri, 27 Jun 2025 17:22:43 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/27/texas-parents-challenges-citizenship-donald-trump/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/27/birthright-citizenship-supreme-court-donald-trump-texas/The ruling was a partial victory for President Donald Trump who has made immigration his signature issue.By Uriel J. García, Carlos Nogueras Ramos, Berenice Garcia and Associated PressFri, 27 Jun 2025 09:34:04 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/27/birthright-citizenship-supreme-court-donald-trump-texas/The Supreme Court building in Washington on Jan. 15, 2025.The Supreme Court building in Washington on Jan. 15, 2025.Luke Johnson for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/23/rural-america-texas-chronic-pain-ut-arlington/More than 3 million people call rural Texas home, and many lack access to a primary care doctor.By Carlos Nogueras RamosMon, 23 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/23/rural-america-texas-chronic-pain-ut-arlington/Rural Americans are more likely to live with chronic pain, a new study from the University of Texas at Arlington found.Medical equipment and tools line the walls above a hospital bed in Cedar Park Regional Medical Center in Cedar Park, Texas on Mar. 13, 2024.Maria Crane for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/20/west-texas-oil-field-task-force/Texas lawmakers passed a suite of bills that officials said are crucial to combat losses in the state’s largest oil field.By Carlos Nogueras RamosFri, 20 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/20/west-texas-oil-field-task-force/Texas lawmakers hope a series of new laws will help end oil field thefts in West Texas.A semi-truck waits to turn onto Texas State Highway 158 after disposing of its load at a salt-water disposal site Tuesday, June 25, 2024, south of Midland.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/14/texas-protests-anti-trump-immigration-no-kings/Demonstrations in McAllen, Midland, Odessa, Austin and elsewhere in Texas were largely peaceful, as some protests went well into the night.By Berenice Garcia, Carlos Nogueras Ramos, Ayden Runnels and Jessica Shuran YuSat, 14 Jun 2025 15:40:48 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/14/texas-protests-anti-trump-immigration-no-kings/Beth Vaughan, center, chants as protesters march up Walker Street during a “No Kings” protest at Houston City Hall on June 14.Beth Vaughan, at center, chants as protestors march up Walker Street during a No Kings protest at City Hall, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Houston.Antranik Tavitian for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/09/texas-legislature-energy-bills-renewables-power-grid/With demand expected to soar, the Legislature passed bills aimed at boosting supply and making the grid more reliable. Bills to impose more regulations on renewables died.By Carlos Nogueras RamosMon, 09 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/09/texas-legislature-energy-bills-renewables-power-grid/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/05/rural-texas-legislation/Lawmakers sought to close gaps in education and support funding for agriculture, disaster preparedness and health care this year.By Jayme Lozano Carver, Carlos Nogueras Ramos, Jess Huff and Berenice GarciaThu, 05 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/05/rural-texas-legislation/The Texas State Capitol on March 17, 2025.The Texas State Capitol on March 17, 2025.Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/28/texas-fracking-water-reuse-legislative-protections/At least four companies say they are prepared to treat the water well enough to be released into rivers in West Texas. Environmental groups say the state is moving too fast.By Carlos Nogueras RamosWed, 28 May 2025 12:14:35 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/28/texas-fracking-water-reuse-legislative-protections/The Texas Railroad Commission approved the construction of produced water ponds to treat and recycle produced water from fracking, next to the Circle 6 Baptist Camp in the Permian Basin.Produced water ponds, constructed by Martin Water, in Lenorah, on Feb. 24, 2024. The Railroad Commission approved the construction of the ponds, used to treat and recycle produced water from fracking, next to the Circle 6 Baptist Camp in the Permian Basin.Julian Mancha for The Texas Tribune/Inside Climate Newshttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/27/texas-oil-gas-abadoned-wells-regulations/Senate Bill 1150, which is on its way to Gov. Greg Abbott, is a rare example of the Texas Legislature regulating the state’s oil and gas industry.By Carlos Nogueras RamosTue, 27 May 2025 18:19:01 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/27/texas-oil-gas-abadoned-wells-regulations/A plugged well on the Scouras’ property in Lee County in 2021. Oil and gas companies will face new rules on plugging wells that are no longer operable.A plugged well on the Scouras’ property in Lee County on July 12, 2021. The Scourases are two of many Lee County residents whose water sources have dried up as a result of Vista Ridge Pipeline Project.Sophie Park/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/25/texas-electric-grid-energy-oversight/Senate Bill 6, which now heads to the governor’s desk, gives the state’s electricity managers the ability to shut power to large consumers during emergencies.By Carlos Nogueras RamosMon, 26 May 2025 14:56:17 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/25/texas-electric-grid-energy-oversight/Flint Hills Resources, a manufacturer of fuels and chemicals, site in Corpus Christi on Nov. 11, 2021.Flint Hills Resources, a manufacturer of fuels and chemicals, site in Corpus on Nov. 11, 2021.Michael Gonzalez/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/21/texas-energy-consumers-legislature/The legislation would give ERCOT the ability to turn off power to major consumers in an emergency.By Carlos Nogueras RamosWed, 21 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/21/texas-energy-consumers-legislature/Texas' largest energy consumers, like data centers, could face more regulation if the legislature approves a bill making its way through the Capitol.Construction workers build a portable building that will be used to house computers cooled by immersion technology on Oct. 22, 2021.Michael Gonzalez/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/20/texas-farmer-renewable-energy-debate/The Texas Legislature is considering a proposal that would add restrictions on renewable energy expansion.By Carlos Nogueras RamosTue, 20 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/20/texas-farmer-renewable-energy-debate/Robert Fleming watches over his cattle as they feed in a pasture that borders a neighboring solar project on May 13, in Blevins. Fleming is concerned that the solar development could damage the environment, his cattle and human health.Robert Fleming watches over his cattle as they feed in a pasture that borders the Blevins solar project on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Blevins. Fleming is concerned that the solar development could damage the environment, his cattle and human health.Eli Hartman for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/19/texas-legislature-produced-water-legal-protections-oil-gas/As the state grapples with a threatened water supply, industry and lawmakers have invested millions in research to clean the toxic backwash for use in for agriculture.By Carlos Nogueras RamosMon, 19 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/19/texas-legislature-produced-water-legal-protections-oil-gas/Tanks of produced water sit outside the Texas Pacific Water Resources research and development project site as they undergo oxidation using hydrogen peroxide outside of Midland.Tanks of produced water sit outside the Texas Pacific Water Resources research and development project site as they undergo oxidation using hydrogen peroxide Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, outside of Midland. The hydrogen peroxide helps separate out hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and oil in addition to managing bacteria found in the water.Eli Hartman for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/07/texas-energy-legislature-data-center-ercot/According to ERCOT, the state’s energy demand may double in six years.By Carlos Nogueras RamosWed, 07 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/07/texas-energy-legislature-data-center-ercot/A Texas lawmaker is worried about the state does not know how much energy it needs going forward. State Sen. Phil King's bill would put new restrictions on big businesses like data centers.The recently-opened Edge Data Center in Amarillo on March 19, 2025.Angelina Marie 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/2025/04/21/texas-school-vouchers-reactions/Texas Republican lawmakers in regions known for support of public schools defended voting for vouchers, saying they gained leverage to seek concessions.By Carlos Nogueras Ramos and Jess HuffMon, 21 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/21/texas-school-vouchers-reactions/Public school advocates rally with Democrat House members in the Texas Capitol before the Texas House started their debate on their school voucher proposal on April 16, 2025. The bill was approved the following day. As the legislation inches closer to becoming law, some Texans across the state remained skeptical of the proposal and worried about its impact on public schools.Public school advocates rally with Democrat House members in the Capitol Rotunda prior to the morning session on April 16, 2025.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/16/texas-ercot-energy-demand-legislature/The state grid’s operator said the current regulation will allow it to meet future demands.By Carlos Nogueras RamosWed, 16 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/16/texas-ercot-energy-demand-legislature/