The Texas Tribune: Carlos Nogueras Ramoshttps://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/carlos-nogueras-ramos/The latest news by Carlos Nogueras Ramos.enSun, 06 Jul 2025 17:46:42 -0500Texas lawmakers failed to pass a bill to improve local disaster warning systems this yearhttps://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 TribuneCentral Texas flooding death toll rises to at least 100 as search continues for survivorshttps://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 Tribune“It will affect all families”: Challenges await Texas parents if birthright citizenship endshttps://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/Fate of birthright citizenship order unresolved after Supreme Court limits nationwide injunctionshttps://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 TribuneRural Americans more likely to live with chronic pain than urban peers, UT-Arlington study findshttps://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 TribuneTexas creating task forces to target Permian Basin oil field theftshttps://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 TribuneAs Trump celebrates military, Texans protest president’s aggressive immigration enforcementhttps://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 TribuneLawmakers passed bills this session to boost the state power grid but failed to limit renewableshttps://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/A look at the wins rural Texas scored in this year’s legislative sessionhttps://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 TribuneOil companies win protections from Texas Legislature ahead of selling fracking waterhttps://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 NewsTexas oil companies face new deadlines to plug inactive wellshttps://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 TribuneBill that gives Texas increased oversight of largest energy users wins Legislature’s approvalhttps://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 TribuneMajor energy consumers will face new limits if Texas House approves proposalhttps://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 TribuneWhy a Central Texas farmer is on a one-man mission to stop renewable energyhttps://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 TribuneOil companies want protection as Texas considers allowing treated fracking water released into rivershttps://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 TribuneTexas may put restraints on new big businesses hoping to tap into the energy gridhttps://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 TribuneCan Texas clean up fracking water enough to use for farming? One company thinks so.https://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 Tribune“It’s what’s best for a very select few”: Some Texans are skeptical about vouchers as they near the finish linehttps://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 TribuneLegislation could undermine Texas' power grid ability to meet forecasted demandhttps://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/West Texas, oil companies brace for downturn following Trump’s tariffshttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/09/west-texas-permian-basin-oil-price-donald-trump-tariff/Supply chain disruptions and policy decisions can significantly change these costs for oil companies — and consumers.By Carlos Nogueras RamosWed, 09 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/09/west-texas-permian-basin-oil-price-donald-trump-tariff/Oil and gas industry leaders said this week that prolonged tariffs and uncertainty in the economy could hurt production.The last remnants of the sunlight begin to set behind a trailer home and pump jack Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in West Odessa.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune