In Chula Vista, south of Crystal City, residents of the Hispanic community searched through the debris after a flood caught them off-guard.
Carlos Nogueras Ramos
Carlos Nogueras Ramos is a regional reporter based in Odessa. Carlos joined The Texas Tribune in 2023 as a corps member with Report for America. Carlos tells the stories of Texas from the vast energy-rich Permian Basin region. Before the Tribune, Carlos spent time in Philadelphia writing about local politics, including the city’s 100th mayoral election. A Spanish speaker, Carlos was one of the few Latino reporters on the campaign trail, covering the most expensive primary election to date in Philly. He is a proud Puerto Rico native, born and raised in Cayey. He studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston and the University of Puerto Rico.
Posted in
Immigration
Anti-immigrant buoys that went adrift amid Rio Grande flooding force closure of key bridge to Mexico
The buoys had forced the closure of two bridges near Eagle Pass for about three hours on Thursday when Rio Grande levels rose.
Posted in
Environment
As flooded Texas towns recover, downstream river levels haven’t yet peaked
While Gov. Greg Abbott declared “the worst of the rain is behind us,” he cautioned that rivers in the hardest-hit counties still pose a danger.
Posted in
Energy
Mexico relies heavily on Texas natural gas. The Trump administration could imperil that relationship.
Despite efforts to boost domestic energy production, Mexico will continue to depend on Texas for natural gas, experts said, undermining its stated goals of energy independence.
Posted in
Immigration
Bo French says Texas shouldn’t recognize babies born to undocumented parents as American citizens
The GOP nominee for the state’s oil and gas commission said Texas should not recognize babies born to immigrant parents as citizens.
Posted in
Hill Country floods
State investigators issue final Camp Mystic report detailing cascading failures during July 4 flood
Lawmakers said they have already passed laws addressing all but one of the deficiencies the investigation found.
Posted in
Energy
Texas Railroad Commission race pits oil field engineer against energy trader running on culture wars
Republican Bo French is keeping Islam, immigration and LGBTQ+ issues at the fore of his campaign for Texas’ oil regulatory agency. Democratic foe Jon Rosenthal is betting on his technical expertise.
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2026 Texas Elections
Bo French defeats Railroad Commissioner Jim Wright in GOP primary runoff
Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows all supported French’s opponent.
Posted in
Energy
In the Permian Basin, AI takes on big oil’s dirty water problem
Facing limited options, oil industry turns to AI to handle wastewater from oil production. Producers discovered other uses to streamline the process.
Posted in
Politics
Election for oil regulator becomes battleground for wealthy donors
In the GOP runoff for Texas Railroad commissioner, billionaires, big oil companies and trade groups flood the campaign pockets of candidates Jim Wright and Bo French.