Past Contributions

• Gov. Greg Abbott signs off on Texas’ new political maps, which protect GOP majorities while diluting voices of voters of color

  By Elvia Limón Oct. 25, 2021

  Texas lawmakers drew new maps for the state House and Senate, congressional delegation and State Board of Education. Here’s what Texans should know about the 2021 redistricting outcomes. Full Story 

• Texas has a constitutional amendments election this year. The last day to register to vote is Oct. 4.

  By Elvia Limón Sept. 27, 2021

  A statewide election on Nov. 2 will feature eight constitutional amendments that address topics ranging from religious freedom to taxes to judicial eligibility. Here’s what you need to know to vote. Full Story 

• What you need to know about the latest COVID-19 surge and how to stay safe

  By Elvia Limón July 26, 2021

  COVID-19 cases have been increasing in Texas and nationally — mostly among unvaccinated people — as the highly contagious delta variant has become dominant. Here's what that means for Texans, both vaccinated and unvaccinated. Full Story 

• Don't skip your second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, health experts warn

  By Elvia Limón May 4, 2021

  As of April 25, about 5% — or 570,399 — of Texans who had received the first dose were 43 days or more past due for their second dose. Full Story 

• You might have heard that Texas has its own power grid. Did you know not all parts of the state use it?

  By Elvia Limón and Julián Aguilar Feb. 18, 2021

  Millions of Texans were left in the dark for days after winter storms triggered power outages. But people in El Paso, the upper Panhandle and parts of East Texas kept their lights on — thanks to power drawn from other parts of the country. Full Story 

• 2 million Texas households without power as massive winter storm drives demand for electricity

  By Mitchell Ferman, Sami Sparber and Elvia Limón Updated: Feb. 15, 2021

  Some utility companies that deliver electricity to Texans are telling customers to expect power outages through Monday night and potentially into Tuesday. Full Story 

• What do new variants of the coronavirus mean for Texans? And how can we best protect ourselves?

  By Elvia Limón Jan. 29, 2021

  Viruses constantly change by mutating, and the coronavirus is no exception. But health experts say it's difficult to know the exact number of variants currently around the world. Full Story 

• Here's what you need to know about getting a COVID-19 vaccine in Texas

  By Shawn Mulcahy, Elvia Limón and Yasmeen Khalifa Updated: May 17, 2021

  Texas health officials have told vaccine providers that they could resume using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in all adult recipients. Use of that vaccine had been paused for nearly two weeks. Full Story 

• What you need to know about Texas Latino voters and nonvoters

  By Elvia Limón Updated: Dec. 4, 2020

  Cecilia Ballí and two colleagues spoke to 100 Texas Latinos to better understand what drives civic engagement and whom they prefer as candidates. Full Story 

• Q&A with NAMI Texas’ executive director about mental health during the pandemic

  By Elvia Limón Nov. 25, 2020

  Texas ranks 50th out of 51 in overall access to mental health care, reports show. Currently, only one in seven Texas children with major depression receives consistent treatment — almost half the national average. Full Story