https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/yuriko-schumacher/The latest news by Yuriko Schumacher.enTue, 14 May 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/14/texas-senate-hemp-marijuana/Thousands of hemp dispensaries have sprung up in Texas in the years since consumable hemp became legal.By Karen Brooks Harper and Yuriko SchumacherTue, 14 May 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/14/texas-senate-hemp-marijuana/Shayda Torabi, owner of Restart CBD, inside her store in Austin on May 9. Torabi, along with her two sisters, became curious about the properties of the plant after Torabi had an accident and started using CBD to manage her pain.Owner Shayda Torabi, poses for a photo inside of Restart CBD on Thursday, May 9, 2024 in Austin. Torabi, along with her two sisters, become curious about the properties of the plant after Torabi had an accident and started using CBD as a solution to manage her pain.Maria Crane/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/07/east-texas-flooding-2024-graphics/These graphics show how widespread flooding was in East Texas in late April and early May.By Yuriko Schumacher and Andrew ParkTue, 07 May 2024 17:48:50 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/07/east-texas-flooding-2024-graphics/Residents’ homes and possessions are submerged in floodwater following significant rainstorms in Coldspring on May 4, 2024.Residents’ homes and possessions are submerged in floodwater following significant rainstorms in Coldspring on May 4, 2024.Callaghan O'Hare for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/03/weather-flooding-polk-liberty-montgomery-harris-county/Since Sunday, multiple rounds of rainfall have soaked the region, causing rivers and creeks to swell and rise out of their banks.By Alejandra Martinez and Emily Foxhall, Graphics by Yuriko SchumacherFri, 03 May 2024 17:23:27 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/03/weather-flooding-polk-liberty-montgomery-harris-county/The Lake Livingston Dam is seen releasing water on May 3, 2024, in Livingston. The Southeast Texas reservoir reached capacity during several days of intense rainstorms this week.The Lake Livingston Dam is seen releasing water on May 3, 2024, in Livingston. The Southeast Texas reservoir reached capacity during several days of intense rainstorms this week.Drone Bros LLChttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/03/texas-property-appraisal-district-board-elections/In the state’s larger counties, voters can now elect people to the agencies that appraise property values.By Joshua Fechter, Jess Huff and Yuriko SchumacherFri, 03 May 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/03/texas-property-appraisal-district-board-elections/Texans in more populous counties are electing appraisal district board members for the first time. Appraisal districts determine property values, a figure that helps determine tax bills.Some Texans will soon have a say in who sits on their tax appraisal boards.Callaghan O'Hare for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/26/texas-voting-2024-runoff-elections/The last day to register to vote is April 29. Early voting runs from May 20-24.By María Méndez and Yuriko SchumacherFri, 26 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/26/texas-voting-2024-runoff-elections/Voting stickers for 2024 primary election voter guide.https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/22/texas-border-migrant-apprehensions-abbott-operation-lone-star/Abbott has credited his Operation Lone Star for a recent drop in migrant encounters on the Texas-Mexico border.By Alejandro Serrano, Graphics by Yuriko SchumacherMon, 22 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/22/texas-border-migrant-apprehensions-abbott-operation-lone-star/Texas DPS special agents apprehend a group of undocumented migrants from Honduras as part of Operation Lone Star in Kinney County near Brackettville on Nov. 8, 2021.Texas DPS special agents apprehend a group of five undocumented migrants from Honduras that were caught in private property as part of Operation Lone Star in Kinney County near Brackettville on Nov. 8, 2021. The owner of the property did not sign an affidavit for arrests of undocumented migrants to be taking place at their property so the group of Hondurans will be processed by Border Patrol instead.Verónica G. Cárdenas for ProPublica/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/17/texas-local-elections-voting-may-2024/Early voting runs from April 22-30. The last day to apply to vote by mail is April 23.By María Méndez and Yuriko SchumacherWed, 17 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/17/texas-local-elections-voting-may-2024/Graphic that reads, Local voter guide; above a collection of voting stickers.The Texas Tribunehttps://apps.texastribune.org/features/2024/fraction-of-texans-vote-in-primaries/In Texas, who’ll run the state is usually decided in the primary. Because of gerrymandering and noncompetitive elections, few people participate.By Yuriko Schumacher and Matthew WatkinsMon, 04 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2024/fraction-of-texans-vote-in-primaries/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/15/texas-voting-primary-2024/Texans can vote early in person between today and March 1.By María Méndez and Yuriko SchumacherTue, 20 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/15/texas-voting-primary-2024/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/15/texas-voting-primary-2024/New voters must complete and submit a paper voter registration application by today, Feb. 5, to vote in the March 5 primary election.By María Méndez and Yuriko SchumacherMon, 05 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/15/texas-voting-primary-2024/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/15/texas-voting-primary-2024/The deadline to register to vote was Feb. 5. The last day to apply to vote by mail was Feb. 23. Early voting ended March 1.By María Méndez and Yuriko SchumacherMon, 15 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/15/texas-voting-primary-2024/Voting stickers for 2024 primary election voter guide.https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/15/texas-constitutional-amendment-voter-guide/Texans are being asked to cut property taxes, create a new fund for water infrastructure and give child-care facilities a tax exemption among other propositions. Here’s a breakdown of each constitutional amendment and what you need to know to vote.By Marissa Martinez, Yuriko Schumacher and Texas Tribune StaffTue, 07 Nov 2023 07:12:59 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/15/texas-constitutional-amendment-voter-guide/Voters wait to cast their ballots at the Dittmar Recreation Center in South Austin on March 1, 2022.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/30/private-school-expansion-texas-vouchers/With rural Texas relatively underserved by private schools, the potential for expansion could play a role in the debate over whether to let families use taxpayer money to pay for private education.By Brian Lopez and Yuriko SchumacherMon, 30 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/30/private-school-expansion-texas-vouchers/A student's school supplies on the first day of in-person classes in Texas on Sept. 8, 2020.A student's school supplies on the first day of in-person classes in Texas on Sept. 8, 2020.Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/15/texas-constitutional-amendment-voter-guide/Early voting begins Monday in the Nov. 7 elections. Here’s a breakdown of the 14 constitutional amendments on the ballot.By María Méndez, Yuriko Schumacher and Texas Tribune StaffMon, 23 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/15/texas-constitutional-amendment-voter-guide/Voters wait to cast their ballots at the Dittmar Recreation Center in South Austin on March 1, 2022.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/06/texas-education-vouchers-funding-special-session/Gov. Greg Abbott called lawmakers back to Austin to try again to pass education savings accounts, which would let families use state funds to pay for their children’s private schooling. Teacher pay was not part of his agenda.By Brian Lopez, Yuriko Schumacher and Victoria StavishFri, 06 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/10/06/texas-education-vouchers-funding-special-session/Texas lawmakers will start a new special session Monday. Gov. Greg Abbott has instructed them to try again to pass a school voucher program, one of his legislative priorities this year. His agenda didn't include new school funding.Chyrece Campbell holds Pierce Campbell as he looks up at the rotunda at the state capitol. Chyrece and her children, also pictured, Madison, Gregory and Kennedy, are visiting the capitol on the first day of the 86th legislative session. Miguel Gutierrez Jr.Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/15/texas-constitutional-amendment-voter-guide/Texans will decide the fate of 14 constitutional amendments approved for the ballot by state lawmakers. Here’s a breakdown of each constitutional amendment and requirements to vote.By María Méndez, Yuriko Schumacher and Texas Tribune StaffFri, 15 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/15/texas-constitutional-amendment-voter-guide/Voters waited to cast their ballots at the Dittmar Recreation Center in South Austin on March 1, 2022.Voters wait to cast their ballots at the Dittmar Recreation Center in South Austin on March 1, 2022.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/07/texas-hottest-summer-2023/The average temperature in Texas this summer was 85.3 degrees, putting it behind only 2011 for summer misery.By Erin Douglas and Yuriko SchumacherThu, 07 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/07/texas-hottest-summer-2023/Texas just recorded its second-hottest summer since record-keeping began, behind only the scorching summer of 2011.Tumbleweeds cling to a barbed wire fence approximately 10 miles north of Brownfield on the Lubbock Road. High winds kicked up a dust storm that blanketed parts of West Texas on Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 14, 2023.Mark Rogers for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/04/ken-paxton-impeachment-trial-operate/Under rules previously adopted by the Texas Senate, the trial will feature crucial votes on dismissing articles of impeachment as well as testimony under oath, private deliberations by senator-jurors and votes conducted without debate or discussion.By Yuriko Schumacher and James BarragánMon, 04 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/04/ken-paxton-impeachment-trial-operate/The Senate gallery as technical staff prepares communications for the impeachment trial of Ken Paxton. Paxton is accused of several ethics violations during his three terms as Texas Attorney General.The Texas Senate gallery as technical staff prepares communications for next week's start in the impeachment trial of Ken Paxton on September 5th. Paxton is accused of several ethics violations during his three terms as Texas Attorney General.Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/01/ken-paxton-impeachment-witnesses-parties/The suspended attorney general has been ordered to appear in the Texas Senate chamber to answer to 16 allegations of misconduct that were approved by the House in May.By Yuriko Schumacher and James BarragánFri, 01 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/01/ken-paxton-impeachment-witnesses-parties/https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/27/texas-climate-change-heat/Hotter days and nights. More record highs. Climate change has shifted the entire range of Texas heat upwards.By Yuriko Schumacher, Alex Ford and Erin DouglasTue, 27 Jun 2023 15:54:01 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/27/texas-climate-change-heat/A dust storm blows over cotton fields ahead of a late-summer thunderstorm in Terry County in August 2022. A Texas Tribune analysis shows that extreme heat is becoming more common across Texas due to climate change, but the effects aren’t felt the same everywhere.Cotton plants grow in a field while a dust storm blows ahead of a late summer thunderstorm Monday, Aug. 29, 2022, in Terry County, Texas. (Justin Rex for The Texas Tribune)Justin Rex for The Texas Tribune