https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/maria-mendez/The latest news by María Méndez.enWed, 24 Apr 2024 17:59:12 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/24/protest-texas-college-campus-free-speech-rights/Students can generally peacefully protest, regardless of their viewpoint, but colleges and authorities may enforce some restrictions and criminal laws to maintain peace and order.By María Méndez and Maria Probert HermosilloWed, 24 Apr 2024 17:59:12 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/24/protest-texas-college-campus-free-speech-rights/UT Austin students protest in downtown Austin following Donald Trump's presidential victory, Nov. 9, 2016.UT Austin students protest in downtown Austin following Donald Trump's presidential victory, Nov. 9, 2016.Todd Wiseman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/17/texas-local-elections-voting-may-2024/Early voting runs from April 22-30. The last day to apply to vote by mail is April 23.By María Méndez and Yuriko SchumacherWed, 17 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/17/texas-local-elections-voting-may-2024/Graphic that reads, Local voter guide; above a collection of voting stickers.The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/18/texas-sb-4-immigration-arrest-law/The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed Texas to enforce its illegal entry law amid an ongoing lawsuit.By María MéndezMon, 18 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/18/texas-sb-4-immigration-arrest-law/Texas National Guard members install a sign, meant to detract migrants from crossing the Rio Grande, at the bank of the river in Eagle Pass, on Jan. 17, 2024.Texas National Guard members install a sign, meant to detract migrants from crossing the Rio Grande, at the bank of the river in Eagle Pass, on Jan. 17, 2024.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/29/texas-panhandle-wildfire-safety-how-to-help/As firefighters work to put out the largest wildfire in Texas history, here’s a guide to fire weather watches, safety tips and how to find organizations collecting donations to directly help local residents, including farmers and ranchers.By María Méndez and Maria Probert HermosilloThu, 29 Feb 2024 21:44:37 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/29/texas-panhandle-wildfire-safety-how-to-help/Members of the West Odessa Volunteer Fire Department ready their equipment in Fritch, TX on Feb. 29, 2023. Residents have been working to recover from the Tuesday grass fires that devastated parts of the panhandle.Members of the West Odessa Volunteer Fire Department ready their equipment in Fritch, Tx. Residents have been working to recover from the Tuesday grass fires that devastated parts of the panhandle.Mark Rogers for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/15/texas-voting-primary-2024/Texans can vote early in person between today and March 1.By María Méndez and Yuriko SchumacherTue, 20 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/15/texas-voting-primary-2024/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/15/texas-voting-primary-2024/New voters must complete and submit a paper voter registration application by today, Feb. 5, to vote in the March 5 primary election.By María Méndez and Yuriko SchumacherMon, 05 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/15/texas-voting-primary-2024/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/18/texas-2024-elections-midterms/We’re committed to supporting Texans throughout the 2024 election. Share your thoughts by using the form below.By María MéndezThu, 18 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/18/texas-2024-elections-midterms/A view of the U.S. and Texas flags flown on the south side of the Texas Capitol from the Capitol Dome in Austin on Aug. 12, 2021.A view of the U.S. and Texas flags flown on the south side of the Texas Capitol from the Capitol Dome in Austin on Aug. 12, 2021.Sophie Park/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/15/texas-voting-primary-2024/The deadline to register to vote was Feb. 5. The last day to apply to vote by mail was Feb. 23. Early voting ended March 1.By María Méndez and Yuriko SchumacherMon, 15 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/15/texas-voting-primary-2024/Voting stickers for 2024 primary election voter guide.https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/01/texas-political-issues-2024/After nearly a year’s worth of legislative sessions, several issues are poised to dominate Texas politics this year. Here’s a look at how things ended on several fronts last year — and where they’re headed next.By María Méndez and Texas Tribune StaffMon, 01 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/01/texas-political-issues-2024/The Texas Capitol in Austin on Oct. 19, 2021.The Texas Capitol in Austin on Oct. 19, 2021.Evan L'Roy for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/27/texas-solutions-hunger-brain-drain-health-care/Across the state, people are looking for ways to make Texas a better place to live as they tackle hunger, rural “brain drain,” health care obstacles and other impediments.By María MéndezWed, 27 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/27/texas-solutions-hunger-brain-drain-health-care/Volunteers prepare fresh vegetables donated by the Dewey Prairie Garden for distribution at the Lord’s Pantry of Leon County in Buffalo on June 29, 2023.Volunteers prepare fresh vegetables donated by the Dewey Prairie Garden for distribution at the Lord’s Pantry of Leon County in Buffalo, Texas, on June 29, 2023.Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/15/texas-constitutional-amendment-voter-guide/Early voting begins Monday in the Nov. 7 elections. Here’s a breakdown of the 14 constitutional amendments on the ballot.By María Méndez, Yuriko Schumacher and Texas Tribune StaffMon, 23 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/15/texas-constitutional-amendment-voter-guide/Voters wait to cast their ballots at the Dittmar Recreation Center in South Austin on March 1, 2022.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/11/texas-abortion-law-birth-control-what-you-need-to-know/More than a year after the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, Texas continues to be the largest state in the nation to ban nearly all abortions. But some questions and changes to abortion and birth control access have arisen since then.By María MéndezWed, 11 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/11/texas-abortion-law-birth-control-what-you-need-to-know/In the past year, legal changes have clarified the circumstances in which abortion can be used to treat emergency pregnancy complications, while simultaneously restricting minors' access to birth control.An exam room at Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas in Austin, Texas on August 8, 2023. (Montinique Monroe for The Texas Tribune)Montinique Monroe for The Texashttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/15/texas-constitutional-amendment-voter-guide/Texans will decide the fate of 14 constitutional amendments approved for the ballot by state lawmakers. Here’s a breakdown of each constitutional amendment and requirements to vote.By María Méndez, Yuriko Schumacher and Texas Tribune StaffFri, 15 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/15/texas-constitutional-amendment-voter-guide/Voters waited to cast their ballots at the Dittmar Recreation Center in South Austin on March 1, 2022.Voters wait to cast their ballots at the Dittmar Recreation Center in South Austin on March 1, 2022.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/08/31/texas-extreme-heat-strategies/We know you’re tired of the heat at this point. Here’s how much longer you can expect it to last and reminders on how to stay safe and cool.By Erin Douglas and María MéndezThu, 31 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/08/31/texas-extreme-heat-strategies/https://www.texastribune.org/2023/08/08/texas-federal-courts-abbott-paxton-cornyn-trump/In just a few decades, the Texas attorney general’s office became a powerhouse in national legal fights over abortion, health care and immigration. Here’s a timeline of how it happened.By María MéndezTue, 08 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/08/08/texas-federal-courts-abbott-paxton-cornyn-trump/Emily Albracht/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/07/21/texas-excessive-heat-coping-strategies/Texans are seeing record-breaking temperatures this summer. Tell us how the excessive heat is affecting your daily life or plans for the future and what questions we can answer about dealing with it.By María Méndez, Joe Timmerman and Susie WebbMon, 24 Jul 2023 17:42:16 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/07/21/texas-excessive-heat-coping-strategies/A construction worker carries a piece of metal while working through a heatwave in Houston on Friday, July 14, 2023.A construction worker carries a piece of metal while working through a heatwave in Houston on Friday, July 14, 2023. Douglas Sweet Jr.https://www.texastribune.org/2023/07/14/texas-school-safety/Experts say many of the changes will bolster school safety but some requirements may be challenging for public schools to implement by the upcoming school year with limited funding and staffing constraints.By María MéndezFri, 14 Jul 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/07/14/texas-school-safety/Austin Police Department officer Cory Ehrler monitored the entrance to Ridgetop Elementary School in Austin on Dec. 17, 2012, a few days after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.Austin Police Department officer Cory Ehrler monitors the entrance to Ridgetop Elementary School in Austin, Texas shortly after classes start on the Monday following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. As the 83rd Legislature approaches, Texas lawmakers are considering making firearms more available to teachers and other school personnel. The Texas Tribune (Smith: School Security). Credit: Tamir Kalifa for The Texas Tribune.Tamir Kalifa/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/07/07/texas-student-loan-repayments/Student loan repayments are set to resume in October. If you’re a Texas student loan borrower, tell us how this will affect you.By María Méndez, Francisco Uranga and Kate McGeeMon, 10 Jul 2023 17:35:35 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/07/07/texas-student-loan-repayments/Students walk down Speedway Mall at the University of Texas at Austin on Aug. 25, 2021.Students walk down Speedway Mall at the University of Texas at Austin on Aug. 25, 2021.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/27/texas-guide-education-credentials/Texans who aren’t sure about college have several pathways to well-paying jobs. Here’s how those programs prepare people for careers when a four-year degree may not fit.By María MéndezTue, 27 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/27/texas-guide-education-credentials/Violet Fields, 21, measures Nora Hernandez Mondragon’s blood pressure before class at the Leander Campus of Austin Community College on Oct. 4. The students were participating in a health care apprenticeship program for Baylor Scott & White employees.21-year-old Violet Fields measures Nora Hernandez-Mondragon’s blood pressure before class at the Leander Campus of Austin Community College on Oct. 4. The students were participating in a healthcare apprenticeship program for Baylor Scott & White employees.Jack Myer for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/27/texas-career-technical-education/Many Texas residents can opt for a variety of different educational programs that are shorter, more appropriate to their needs and often cost less than a bachelor’s degree.By María MéndezTue, 27 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/27/texas-career-technical-education/Jule Preiser, a fourth-semester robotics student at Texas State Technical College in Waco, works on a troubleshooting assignment during class on Oct. 24, 2022. Students were given no specific instruction — much like how they might face a problem out in the field — and were tasked with finding a solution through their own problem-solving skills.Jule Preiser, a fourth-semester Robotics student at the Texas State Technical College in Waco, works on a troubleshooting assignment during class on Oct. 24, 2022. Students were given no specific instruction - much like how you might be given a problem if out in the field - and tasked with finding a solution through their own problem solving skills.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune