Seven ways climate change is already hitting Texans
Extreme weather events, water scarcity, risks of illness: Climate change is here, and it’s already affecting Texans. Full Story
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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.
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![Residents used boats to evacuate floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey along Tidwell Road in Houston on Aug. 28, 2017.]()
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Largely aligned on policy, candidates in Democratic runoff for lieutenant governor push their experience
The winner will face a tough challenge against Republican incumbent Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Full Story
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![From left: State Rep. Michelle Beckley, D-Carrollton, and Mike Collier are facing off for the Democratic nomination in the lieutenant governor race.]()
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What the end of Roe v. Wade would mean for Texas’ past, current and future abortion laws
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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![Two women from Texas talk to each other about their travel to Oklahoma as they wait in the recovery room following their abortions at the Trust Women clinic in Oklahoma City, on Dec. 6, 2021.]()
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Here’s how two Texas constitutional amendments could lower some property taxes
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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Texas’ primary runoff election is May 24. Here’s what to know about voting.
Early voting ended Friday. Mail-in ballots must be returned by May 24. Full Story
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![Graphic that reads, "Runoff Voter Guide" above a collection of voting stickers.]()
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Where is Texas’ growing population coming from?
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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![A "Welcome to Texas" sign along eastbound Interstate 40 entering Deaf Smith County from Quay County, New Mexico.]()
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Many Texas teachers have second jobs or live paycheck to paycheck. They're anxiously watching the teacher pay debate.
"I never anticipated that I would take a summer job at Wendy’s just so that I could replace a broken dishwasher,” said one high school English teacher who makes $45,000 per year. Full Story
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![Portrait of Brady Mayo in the Texas State Capitol ahead of testifying on the House Finance Bill on March 12, 2019.]()
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Five potential impacts if President Trump closed the U.S.-Mexico border
Across the country, experts and interest groups opposed to a border shutdown are weighing in about how a closure could affect people on both sides of the border. Full Story
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![Seen is the international port of entry in downtown El Paso on Sunday, February 10, 2019. Photo by Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
Think you might be on Texas' voter citizenship review list? Here's how to check.
The state is keeping the list of voters it's reviewing secret, but county elections offices are supposed to tell individuals if they are on the list. Full Story
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![Travis County voters cast ballots at Highland Mall on Nov. 4, 2014.]()
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Teachers, tell us your thoughts about the Texas Legislature's proposed $5,000 pay raises
Texas lawmakers are considering a proposal that would increase teacher pay by $5,000. We want to talk to teachers about their salaries. Full Story
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![Coleman High School physics and computer science teacher Gary Strickland goes over classroom rules on the first day of school on Aug. 23, 2017. Strickland is a finalist for TASA's secondary teacher of the year award.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune