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María Méndez is a reporter focused on connecting with Texans to help them navigate politics and public policy and find the resources they need. Previously, she reported on public education at the Austin American-Statesman, border and business issues at Texas Public Radio and politics and breaking news at The Dallas Morning News. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, interned at The Texas Tribune as an engagement fellow and worked for The Daily Texan, UT’s student newspaper. She was born in Guanajuato, Mexico, grew up in Austin and speaks Spanish.
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and other Republicans argue that gunmen can be stopped by locking all but one door and posting guards at schools. School officials and safety experts say that’s not realistic. Full Story
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Texas requires schools to have emergency plans and conduct safety drills. But a lot of decisions about safety are left to school districts and charter schools. Full Story
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Receive information to participate in elections this year, and send us your questions about voting and the policy issues that matter to you. Join by texting “hello” to 512-967-6919. Full Story
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Extreme weather events, water scarcity, risks of illness: Climate change is here, and it’s already affecting Texans. Full Story
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Climate change is here. We want to document where its effects are being felt in Texas, how communities are adapting and what government officials should do to help. Full Story
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The winner will face a tough challenge against Republican incumbent Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Full Story
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A trigger law making abortion illegal would go into effect within 30 days after the repeal of Roe v. Wade. An older law could hold people who get abortions criminally liable — but it’s unclear whether it would still apply. Full Story
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The propositions on the May 7 ballot would lower property taxes by shifting more public school costs to the state. But the measures’ language can be hard to understand. Full Story
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Early voting ended Friday. Mail-in ballots must be returned by May 24. Full Story
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Texas is growing at a rate of 1,000 people per day, and for the second year in a row, most of the people who moved to the state came from other countries in 2018. And the biggest growth in international migration isn't from Latin America. Full Story
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