Residents attend a public meeting about proposed new zoning and map at Elon Musk's SpaceX town of Starbase's temporary city hall on June 23, 2025.

SpaceX wants a tax break meant to create jobs in low-income areas. Critics question the benefits.

Elon Musk’s company got a boost in its application by the city commissioners in its South Texas community. Two commissioners are SpaceX employees.

by Berenice Garcia, The Texas Tribune January 29, 2026January 29, 2026

Elon Musk’s company got a boost in its application by the city commissioners in its South Texas community. Two commissioners are SpaceX employees.

Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security speaks during a press confrence at Hill Country Youth Event Center on Saturday June 5, 2025 in Kerrville, Texas.

Texas News

Trump administration to add 500 miles of migrant-deterring buoys along Rio Grande

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced plans to expand on Texas’ controversial floating barrier during a Wednesday visit to the Rio Grande Valley.

by Berenice Garcia, The Texas Tribune January 8, 2026January 8, 2026

A group of home builders in the Rio Grande Valley said construction has slowed amid an increase in arrests by immigration officers.

Texas News

‘Construction can’t continue’: South Texas homebuilders say ICE arrests have upended industry

More than 300 people attended an impromptu meeting that industry leaders in the Rio Grande Valley hosted to draw attention to the chilling effect ICE arrests have had on construction.

by Berenice Garcia, The Texas Tribune December 24, 2025December 24, 2025

A Border Patrol truck is parked under the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge in Laredo on Sept. 16, 2020.

News

Trump administration plans to build border wall in Laredo, mayor says

The city learned about plans to build a new barrier along the southern border during a regular meeting with the Department of Homeland Security.

by Berenice Garcia, The Texas Tribune November 4, 2025November 4, 2025

Members of Texas' congressional delegation want President Donald Trump to use upcoming trade negotiations to hold Mexico accountable for missing a key water deadline.

Texas News

Texas’ congressional delegation wants Trump to punish Mexico for missing key water deadline

The state’s citrus industry is at risk, farmers say, after Mexico failed to deliver water it owes Texas as part of a 1944 treaty.

by Berenice Garcia, The Texas Tribune October 26, 2025October 26, 2025

News

Federal judge rules against Trump, halts deportation of Venezuelans held in Texas under wartime act

The ruling extends a temporary restraining order for three Venezuelan migrants detained in South Texas who are facing deportation.

by Berenice Garcia, The Texas Tribune April 12, 2025April 17, 2025

News

ICE arrests South Texas bakery owners accused of hiring undocumented workers

Federal immigration agents raided the Los Fresnos bakery and detained eight workers before filing charges against the two owners.

by Berenice Garcia, The Texas Tribune February 21, 2025May 22, 2025

News

Ken Paxton sues NCAA over transgender athletes’ participation in women’s sports

The attorney general is accusing the organization of misleading fans by allowing transgender college athletes in women’s sports.

by Berenice Garcia, The Texas Tribune December 22, 2024February 17, 2025

News

SpaceX wants to turn its Texas launch site into a city

Citing all the work the company has put into the region, employees are requesting a special election in Cameron County to incorporate a city.

by Berenice Garcia, The Texas Tribune December 15, 2024February 5, 2025

News

‘The best time to prepare’: Migrant rights group warns undocumented Texans to plan for deportations

Groups are urging the state’s estimated 1.6 million undocumented migrants to prepare financially and make plans for their loved ones if they’re detained.

by Berenice Garcia, The Texas Tribune December 13, 2024January 3, 2025

News

Texas offers Trump administration more land to stage mass deportations

‘We have 13 million acres around the state, and if there’s something that meets the federal government’s needs, we want them to be able to utilize that,’ Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham said.

by Berenice Garcia, The Texas Tribune November 26, 2024February 26, 2025

News

U.S.-Mexico water agreement might bring relief to parched South Texas

The amendment to a 1944 treaty will help Mexico catch up with its water deliveries to the U.S. and might help Rio Grande Valley farmers devastated by low rainfall.

by Berenice Garcia, The Texas Tribune November 10, 2024December 22, 2024

News

In South Texas, SpaceX faces skepticism over environmental damage

A federal agency has paused some of SpaceX’s plans amid concerns over the environment.

by Berenice Garcia, The Texas Tribune September 4, 2024February 13, 2025

News

A South Texas school district received a request to remove 676 books from its libraries

The request came from a local pastor who is part of a group that trains people to “defend their freedom and liberty.” Other faith leaders have pushed back.

by Berenice Garcia, The Texas Tribune August 19, 2024November 16, 2024