From drilling groundwater wells to recycling wastewater, Corpus Christi has launched a host of projects as it races against the clock to find more water.
Alejandra Martinez
Alejandra Martinez is a Fort Worth-based environmental reporter. She’s covered the impacts of petrochemical facilities on Black and brown communities, including investigating a chemical fire at an industrial complex and how the state's air monitoring system has failed Latino communities. Her work on climate change includes exploring the health effects of extreme heat and how extended droughts affect water resources. Before joining the Tribune in 2022, Alejandra was an accountability reporter at KERA, where she began as a Report for America Corps Member and then covered Dallas City Hall. She also has worked as an associate producer at WLRN in South Florida. A Houston native, Alejandra studied journalism at the University of Texas at Austin and speaks fluent Spanish.
Posted in
Environment
Corpus Christi water emergency may be just two months away, city leaders say
Two out of the five projections city leaders presented Tuesday showed water shortages beginning in May. The city has yet to detail plans for how to reduce water use for residents and businesses.
Posted in
Environment
As Corpus Christi water shortage worsens, residents and businesses may soon have to cut their usage 25%
The City Council will discuss the looming crisis Tuesday. One model predicted a water emergency in November. Other scenarios show that happening in May.
Posted in
Environment
Why an East Texas rancher donated part of his water rights to the state
As Texas faces growing water challenges, the donation to the Texas Water Trust — a little-known conservation tool created nearly 30 years ago — was the first in two decades.
Posted in
State Government
Governor blasts Corpus Christi leaders over looming water shortage, threatens a state takeover
Residents and businesses’ demand for water could soon exceed supply. Gov. Greg Abbott said the state could step in if solutions aren’t found.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
John Cornyn, Ken Paxton advance to runoff to be Republican nominee for U.S. Senate
U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt came in third, missing the runoff which is May 26.
Posted in
Panhandle Wildfires
Xcel will replace high-risk power poles after attorney general sues over 2024 wildfires
A damaged Xcel pole owned sparked the Smokehouse Creek fire, the largest in state history.
Posted in
Public Education
Attorney General Paxton launches investigations into three Texas school districts over students protesting ICE
Paxton said his office is examining claims that administrators and faculty helped organize the demonstrations.
Posted in
State Government
Texas county rejects a moratorium on data center development amid AI boom
The 3-2 vote from Hood County commissioners Tuesday came after they received a letter from a state senator saying they did not have the power to issue a moratorium.
Posted in
Environment
Attorney general sues Bastrop factory after residents complain about noxious odors
The state’s environmental regulator has issued multiple environmental violations and the lawsuit states the company has failed to fix the problems.