Latest Contributions

• Voters in one of West Texas’ largest cities will decide whether to decriminalize marijuana in 2024

  By Jayme Lozano Carver Nov. 14, 2023

  Voters in several Texas cities have sought to decriminalize marijuana. However, their efforts have been met by reluctant city councils that say they can’t go against state law. Full Story 

• Texans approved billions for water and broadband infrastructure. Now what?

  By Jayme Lozano Carver Nov. 9, 2023

  The legislation behind the historic investment directs state agencies to send money to the state’s smaller, cash-strapped towns that have difficulty paying for upgrades. Federal money is also expected to flow to regions that need broadband. Full Story 

• Do Texans have the “right to farm?” Voters will decide with Proposition 1.

  By Jayme Lozano Carver and Ayden Runnels Nov. 3, 2023

  Supporters of the amendment say it will protect farmers as the state’s largest cities continue to grow. Opponents suggest the amendment is too broad and ambiguous. Full Story 

• Texas is terrifying. Hollywood has noticed.

  By Jayme Lozano Carver Oct. 31, 2023

  From “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” to “Friday the 13th,” Texas is an ideal landscape to shock and delight audiences and ghost hunters. Full Story 

• Why a Texas Panhandle city hit pause on a proposed abortion “travel ban” — for now

  By Jayme Lozano Carver Oct. 25, 2023

  Amarillo's city council said it will continue to study the issue. The city is one of just a few in Texas to reject the policy pushed by anti-abortion activists. Full Story 

• Lubbock County becomes latest to approve “abortion travel ban” while Amarillo City Council balks

  By Jayme Lozano Carver Updated: Oct. 24, 2023

  Lubbock is now the fourth, and largest, county to pass the ordinance which would punish people through civil lawsuits for aiding pregnant women seeking abortions outside of Texas. Full Story 

• Texas needs water workers. Will high school students answer the call?

  By Pooja Salhotra and Jayme Lozano Carver Oct. 18, 2023

  Nearly two-thirds of the state’s water and wastewater agencies say they need more workers. Full Story 

• A generation of Texas farmers are retiring. It’s not clear who will replace them.

  By Jayme Lozano Carver Oct. 5, 2023

  After 70 years on the farm, Jimmy Drake retired from the cotton business. With no family stepping up to take over the farm, he turned to a young neighbor. Full Story 

• Residents in one of Texas’ most populous cities are working to decriminalize marijuana

  By Jayme Lozano Carver Oct. 3, 2023

  Home to more than 260,000 people, the West Texas town of Lubbock is no stranger to passing local laws by petition. In 2021, residents overwhelmingly approved a local ban on abortion. Full Story 

• With no opposition in the room, a rural Texas county makes traveling for an abortion on its roads illegal

  By Jayme Lozano Carver Sept. 28, 2023

  Cochran County, which borders New Mexico, joins a small group of other rural Texas counties that have passed these ordinances. Abortion-rights supporters say the new policies are not legal. Full Story