Dr. Ivan Melendez aligned with Democrats for years before moving to the right in recent elections. Ahead of the midterms, he’s weighing his options.
Berenice Garcia
Berenice Garcia is a regional reporter covering the Rio Grande Valley. She works at the Tribune as a corps members with Report for America. She previously covered local government, crime, healthcare and general assignments for The Monitor in McAllen where she was born. Though she's spent the majority of her life in the Valley, she traveled east to attend New York University where she studied journalism and politics. While there, she interned at the New York Daily News, the Daily Beast and NBC News. When she’s not working, she enjoys fighting for her life at the gym. Berenice is based in McAllen.
Posted in
Environment
Feds may build border wall through South Texas refuge as original plan stalls in court
The original plan, which has been stalled since July, called for construction of a wall along the Santa Ana wildlife refuge.
Posted in
Environment
Gov. Greg Abbott says sale of Boca Chica State Park to SpaceX won’t happen — anytime soon
At a news conference, Gov. Greg Abbott said he remains dedicated to preserving parkland in Texas.
Posted in
Politics
Trump slams Rep. Henry Cuellar for sticking with Democratic Party despite presidential pardon
Cuellar and his wife, charged with bribery, money laundering and conspiracy, were pardoned in December. In a social media post, Trump indicated he expected Cuellar to run as a Republican.
Posted in
Politics
Cuellar and progressives form tenuous alliance amid Trump’s immigration crackdown
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar is known as one of the most conservative Democrats in Congress who often diverges from the party on issues like immigration, abortion and gun rights.
Posted in
Environment
Exchange of land between SpaceX and federal refuge in Texas OK’d despite conservationists’ objections
The exchange of 715 acres in the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge for 683 acres of private land is expected to occur Sept. 22.
Posted in
Screwworm in Texas
Where is screwworm in Texas? Track cases here.
The New World screwworm poses a multibillion-dollar threat to the state’s cattle industry. We’re keeping track of where these cases are reported.
Posted in
Politics
More young people are getting involved with South Texas civil rights group amid Trump’s immigration crackdown
For La Union del Pueblo Entero’s biennial convention, members under 45 years old made up the largest share of participants.
Posted in
Economy
SpaceX to fund up to $220M in Brownsville water projects in exchange for land
The city agreed to deannex roughly 445 acres near the Port of Brownsville at SpaceX’s request in exchange for funding for water and wastewater projects.
Posted in
Economy
Brownsville faces rising home values after the arrival of large employers like SpaceX, Saronic
SpaceX and other large employers have brought a surge of new wealthy homebuyers in the region. As home values grow, Brownsville officials plan for future housing.