The Texas Tribune: Eli Hartmanhttps://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/eli-hartman/The latest news by Eli Hartman.enFri, 13 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0500At this West Texas church, “the Lord’s work” is helping the poor, not rewriting state lawhttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/13/texas-religion-politics/Led by co-pastors Joe and Dawn Weaks, Connection Christian Church, a 118-year-old congregation in Odessa, has transformed while keeping true to its legacy of helping the community.By Nic Garcia, Photos by Eli HartmanFri, 13 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/13/texas-religion-politics/Pastor Dawn Weaks leads her congregation in prayer during a ceremony for the church's students and teachers before the start of the new school year at Connection Christian Church in Odessa on Aug. 11.Pastor Dawn Weaks leads her congregation in prayer during a blessing of the backpacks ceremony for the start of the new school year at Connection Christian Church Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Odessa.Eli Hartman/The Texas TribuneOdessa’s mayor ran to help the West Texas city “repent.” Now he wants a second term.https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/12/odessa-texas-mayor-election-2024-javier-joven/Under Javier Joven’s leadership, his critics say, the Odessa City Council has lost focus on municipal issues like roads and water infrastructure.By Carlos Nogueras Ramos, Photos by Eli HartmanThu, 12 Sep 2024 11:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/09/12/odessa-texas-mayor-election-2024-javier-joven/Odessa Mayor Javier Joven poses for a photo at his childhood home on Aug. 12, in Odessa.Javier Joven, Mayor of Odessa, poses for a photo at his childhood home Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, in Odessa.Eli Hartman/The Texas TribuneUnchecked growth around Big Bend sparks debate over water — a prelude for Texashttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/06/texas-water-supply-big-bend-terlinuga/No one knows how much water sits beneath the desert of Terlingua. Residents worry their wells will run dry, as developers and local officials cheer the tourism boom.By Carlos Nogueras Ramos and Eli Hartman, Graphics by Carla AstudilloThu, 06 Jun 2024 11:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/06/texas-water-supply-big-bend-terlinuga/Georganne Bradbury, left, and Rick Bradbury inspect their water well as they give a tour of their water system at their home on Terlingua Ranch in South Brewster County. The couple has garnered a reputation among locals for their services as the area’s trusted water haulers, often delivering between three and four 500-gallon truckloads of water a day during peak tourism season.Rick and Georganne Bradbury drive down a remote mountain road after delivering water to a client on Terlingua Ranch. Keeping his business afloat is a constant concern for Rick, who said he’s spent thousands of dollars on replacing car parts and spare water tanks damaged by the terrain.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune