https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/berenice-garcia/The latest news by Berenice Garcia.enFri, 24 May 2024 15:28:57 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/24/uvalde-shooting-lawsuits-gunmaker-instagram-texas/The lawsuit accuses Daniel Defense, the manufacturer of the shooter’s weapon, of marketing its products to young people.By Pooja Salhotra and Berenice GarciaFri, 24 May 2024 15:28:57 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/24/uvalde-shooting-lawsuits-gunmaker-instagram-texas/Attendees browse the Daniel Defense firearms booth at the NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas on May 17, 2024.Attendees browse at the Daniel Defense firearms booth at the NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas on May 17, 2024.Azul Sordo for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/22/uvalde-shooting-texas-dps-lawsuit/In a separate settlement, the city of Uvalde will pay $2 million to the families, create a permanent memorial to the victims and provide enhanced training for police officers.By Berenice GarciaWed, 22 May 2024 12:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/22/uvalde-shooting-texas-dps-lawsuit/Authorities gather outside of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde after a gunman entered and killed 19 students and two teachers on May 24, 2022.Authorities gather outside of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde after a gunman entered and killed 19 students and two teachers on May 24, 2022.Courtesy of Pete Luna/Uvalde Leader-Newshttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/16/south-texas-vegan-festival/From brisket to carne asada, Texas is known for meat, making this annual gathering in a small Rio Grande Valley town stand out.By Berenice GarciaThu, 16 May 2024 11:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/16/south-texas-vegan-festival/The third annual Vegan Fest was held this year in Elsa on May 11. Elsa is in the Rio Grande Valley, about 22 miles northeast of McAllen.Attendees and non-profit organizations are seen at Vegan Fest in Elsa, Texas on May 11, 2024. Verónica Gabriela Cárdenas for The Texas TribuneVerónica Gabriela Cárdenas for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/03/henry-cuellar-indictment-political-impact/Cuellar was expected to cruise to reelection. Now he’ll need to rely on support from local and national Democratic leaders to help him overcome scandal.By Berenice GarciaFri, 03 May 2024 20:17:23 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/03/henry-cuellar-indictment-political-impact/U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, speaks at a GOTV rally with former President Bill Clinton for Democratic congressional candidate Michelle Vallejo in Edinburg on Nov. 7, 2022.U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, speaks at a GOTV rally with former President Bill Clinton for Democratic congressional candidate Michelle Vallejo in Edinburg on Nov. 7, 2022Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/25/crystal-mason-illegal-voting-texas-tarrant-county/A Texas appeals court recently overturned Mason’s five-year prison sentence for casting a provisional ballot in the 2016 election while on supervised release for federal tax evasion.By Berenice GarciaThu, 25 Apr 2024 15:07:51 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/25/crystal-mason-illegal-voting-texas-tarrant-county/Crystal Mason in Fort Worth on Sept. 9, 2019.Crystal Mason in Fort Worth on Sept. 9, 2019.Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/25/south-texas-ocelot-population/Conservation groups found a sign of hope, but scientists say it's too soon to celebrate.By Berenice GarciaThu, 25 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/25/south-texas-ocelot-population/The ocelot found in South Texas is classified as endangered.The ocelot subspecies Leopardus pardalis albescens, found in South Texas, is classified as endangered.Photo courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 2022, ©Chase Fountainhttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/18/south-texas-drought-agriculture/With the hottest days still ahead, local leaders have declared emergencies. And farmers are lobbying for the U.S. government to pressure Mexico to release water.By Berenice GarciaThu, 18 Apr 2024 13:31:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/18/south-texas-drought-agriculture/Mike England surveys a field on his farm near Mercedes on April 18. England had to destroy 500 acres worth of sugar cane he'd grown because of the ongoing drought in the Rio Grande Valley.Mike England surveys a field on his farm near Mercedes on April 18, 2024. England had to destroy 500 acres worth of sugar cane he'd grown because of drought in the Rio Grande Valley.Ben Lowy for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/15/rio-grande-city-public-records-election/Rio Grande City officials called Ediel Barrera’s requests “vague or ambiguous.”By Berenice GarciaMon, 15 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/15/rio-grande-city-public-records-election/Flags fly over Rio Grande City Hall in 2021. Town officials say they have a backlog of public records requests due to an unprecedented volume of requests from a city commissioners candidate.The city, state, and national flag fly over city hall in Rio Grande City on June 17, 2021.Jason Garza for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/11/la-joya-school-district-election-prohibition/A state-appointed board of managers overseeing the La Joya Independent School District is set to consider the policy this week.By Berenice GarciaThu, 11 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/11/la-joya-school-district-election-prohibition/The Texas Education Agency replaced the entire school board of La Joya Independent School District earlier this year after a fraud investigation.The Texas Education Agency has replaced the entire school board of La Joya Independent School District.Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune