https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/pooja-salhotra/The latest news by Pooja Salhotra.enFri, 16 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/16/rural-texas-grant-resources/Texas Rural Funders hopes a one-stop resource for grant applications and writers could help small towns win money to fund innovation and capital needs.Pooja SalhotraFri, 16 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/16/rural-texas-grant-resources/An aerial view of Groveton, in East Texas, on March 20. Across rural Texas, small governments are struggling to fund costly infrastructure projects.An aerial view of Groveton March 20, 2023, in Groveton, Texas.Mark Felix for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/09/texas-broadband-investment-maps/On the eve of a historic investment in connecting the Lone Star State, advocates worry maps that will help establish which communities get funding have bad information.Jayme Lozano Carver and Pooja SalhotraFri, 09 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/09/texas-broadband-investment-maps/An industrial irrigation system on a farm in Floydada in 2012. Residents say internet access is subpar in the Panhandle town, despite a federal map showing otherwise.An industrial irrigation system on a farm in Floydada, TX, on Mar. 8, 2012.Jason Janik for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/07/james-byrd-death-texas-hate-crime-racism/The quiet East Texas town of Jasper came together immediately after the racist murder of James Byrd Jr. Now, Texas is leading the nation in incidents of white supremacist propaganda.Pooja Salhotra and Jinitzail HernándezWed, 07 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/07/james-byrd-death-texas-hate-crime-racism/Jasper, Texas: James Byrd Jr’s burial plot May 29, 2023 at the Jasper City Cemetery in Jasper, Texas. Mark Felix/The Texas TribuneMark Felix for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/15/texas-legislature-countywide-voting/Currently, more than 80% of Texas voters can vote anywhere in their home county, a model that originated in Lubbock County. If lawmakers approve new legislation, that would change.Pooja SalhotraMon, 15 May 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/15/texas-legislature-countywide-voting/A voter walks past an election sign on his way to vote at the Lauro Cavazos Middle School polling station. Lubbock County was the first to establish countywide vote centers. A legislative proposal would eliminate vote centers in Texas, requiring voters to cast ballots at only their assigned location.A voter walks past an election sign on his way to vote outside of the Lauro Cavazos Middle School polling station. Lubbock voters chose their voter preferences during the mid-term elections Tuesday, November 8, 2022.Mark Rogers for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/04/texas-water-systems-solutions/Water agencies have long resisted working together out of fear of losing their local powers. But an example from Florida could help save the Lone Star State’s water and infrastructure.Jayme Lozano Carver and Pooja SalhotraThu, 04 May 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/04/texas-water-systems-solutions/One of Wolfforth’s water towers on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. In recent years, Wolfforth city officials struggled with water supply concerns as their supply couldn’t keep up with the booming population.One of Wolfforth’s water towers on Wednesday, April. 26, 2023.Justin Rex for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/03/texas-water-infrastructure-broken-explained/Texas has more than 7,000 water systems. A fraction of them self-reported that they lost 30 billion gallons of water due to broken pipes and leaks in 2021.Jayme Lozano Carver and Pooja SalhotraWed, 03 May 2023 05:01:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/03/texas-water-infrastructure-broken-explained/Water spews out of a fire hydrant as a San Antonio Water System crew works to fix a main line break in San Antonio on Aug. 18, 2022.Water spews out of a fire hydrant as a San Antonio Water System crew works to fix a water main break near Hunt Ln. and Adams Hill in San Antonio, TX on August 18, 2022. Chris Stokes for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/03/texas-water-infrastructure-broken/On a daily basis, water managers in cities across the state move from crisis to crisis hoping to keep the water flowing to residents.Pooja Salhotra and Jayme Lozano CarverWed, 03 May 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/03/texas-water-infrastructure-broken/Tom Bailey flushes out a water line in Zavalla on April 10, 2023. Zavalla is one of many Texas cities grappling with aging water infrastructure. Statewide, broken pipes and leaks led to more than 30 billion gallons of water lost in 2021.Tom Bailey flushes out a water line in Zavalla on April 10, 2023.Mark Felix/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/27/texas-house-illegal-voting-felony-penalty/The Texas Senate has passed similar legislation. But a key policy separates the two chambers.Brian Lopez and Pooja Salhotra, The Texas Tribune, and Natalia Contreras, Votebeat and The Texas TribuneThu, 27 Apr 2023 16:09:41 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/27/texas-house-illegal-voting-felony-penalty/A voter casts her ballot at the Metropolitan Multi-Services Center during Election Day in Houston on Nov. 3, 2020.A voter casts her ballot at the Metropolitan Multi-Services Center during Election Day in Houston on Nov. 3, 2020.Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/27/texas-broadband-voter-approval/The legislation — which falls short of the $10 billion needed to ensure all Texans have reliable internet access — must still win approval in the state Senate.Pooja Salhotra and Jayme Lozano CarverThu, 27 Apr 2023 13:22:17 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/27/texas-broadband-voter-approval/Nearly 7 million Texans don’t have reliable broadband internet. The House on Thursday approved a bill that would ask voters to OK $5 billion to provide more internet access throughout the state.A splice can that contains 432 fiber cables in Louisville, Kentucky on April 19, 2021.REUTERS/Amira Karaoudhttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/26/texas-house-corporal-punishment-public-schools/Texas public schools can allow corporal punishment, which includes hitting, spanking, paddling or deliberately inflicting physical pain to discipline students.Pooja SalhotraWed, 26 Apr 2023 20:41:31 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/26/texas-house-corporal-punishment-public-schools/Lawmakers on the House floor at the state Capitol on April 6, 2023.Lawmakers on the House floor at the state Capitol on April 6, 2023.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/20/election-day-countywide-voting-texas-senate/Voters in nearly 100 counties — mostly rural — can vote at any polling site in their county. The sponsor, without offering evidence, said the practice was not secure despite years of successful elections in Texas with the system.Pooja Salhotra and James BarragánThu, 20 Apr 2023 18:24:28 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/20/election-day-countywide-voting-texas-senate/People walk up to the Willie DeLeon Civic Center Precinct 1 polling station in Uvalde on Election Day, Nov. 8, 2022. The Texas Senate on Thursday approved a bill that would prohibit counties from offering voting centers on Election Day. All voters would have to cast their ballot at their assigned neighborhood precinct.People walk up to the Willie DeLeon Civic Center Precinct 1 polling station in Uvalde on Election Day, Nov. 8, 2022.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/07/school-choice-fight-rural-texas/Gov. Greg Abbott and other conservatives say families need options to escape “woke” education in public schools. East Texas parents and school leaders say the national talking points are off base.Pooja SalhotraFri, 07 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/07/school-choice-fight-rural-texas/The Grace Community campus in Tyler on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.The Grace Community campus in Tyler on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.Emil T. Lippe for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/03/texas-senate-bill-28-water-supply/The Senate on Monday passed a bill that would create a new state fund tailored for large or long-shot water supply projects, including marine desalination. The bill will advance to the House.Erin Douglas and Pooja SalhotraMon, 03 Apr 2023 17:52:33 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/03/texas-senate-bill-28-water-supply/A large crack runs the length of a broken water main pipe seen while City of Odessa Water Distribution employees work to repair the broken line June 14.A large crack runs the length of a broken water main pipe after City of Odessa Water Distribution employees work to repair the broken line Tuesday, June 14, 2022 in Odessa. According to Mayor of Odessa Javier Joven, the line has been fixed since around 3:45 a.m. and the system is beginning to pressurize slowly.Courtesy Odessa American/Eli Hartmanhttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/29/east-texas-internet-broadband-access-maps-petition/East Texans worry they could miss out on federal dollars because a state map that will help determine where the money goes shows they already have access to broadband. Residents say their broadband is chronically unreliable.Pooja SalhotraWed, 29 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/29/east-texas-internet-broadband-access-maps-petition/A utility truck drives down a gravel road on March 20 in Nogalus Prairie.An aerial view of a utility truck driving down a gravel road March 20, 2023, in Nogalus Prairie, Texas.Mark Felix for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/28/texas-senate-education-savings-accounts/Education savings accounts, which are similar to vouchers, are a priority of Gov. Greg Abbott this session. Texas senators also advanced a bill that would give raises and other benefits to teachers.Pooja SalhotraTue, 28 Mar 2023 16:51:48 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/28/texas-senate-education-savings-accounts/Students eat lunch in the cafeteria at Chapa Middle School in Kyle on Aug. 24, 2021.Students eat lunch in the cafeteria at Chapa Middle School in Kyle on Aug. 24, 2021.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/20/texas-water-legislation/Voters would have the final say on whether the state sets aside billions of dollars to acquire new water sources and invest in aging infrastructure.Pooja SalhotraMon, 20 Mar 2023 17:13:12 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/20/texas-water-legislation/City of Zavalla Water Well #1 in Zavalla, Texas on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. State lawmakers are debating a proposal to help rural towns improve their water infrastructure.City of Zavalla Water Well #1 in Zavalla, Texas on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023.Joseph Bui for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/13/texas-senate-illegal-voting-felony-vote/The priority bill, backed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, reverses a change the Legislature made two years ago during an omnibus voting bill that made illegal voting a misdemeanor.Pooja Salhotra, The Texas Tribune, and Natalia Contreras, Votebeat and The Texas TribuneMon, 13 Mar 2023 17:14:52 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/13/texas-senate-illegal-voting-felony-vote/Voters line up outside of the Hays County Independent School District Arnold Transportation Building voting center to cast votes in the Texas general elections on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Kyle. The Texas Senate on Monday gave initial approval to a bill that would raise the penalty for voting illegally from a misdemeanor to a felony.Voters line up outside of the Hays County Independent School District Arnold Transportation Building voting center to cast their vote in the Texas General Elections on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 in Kyle.Eli Hartman for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/02/16/black-hispanic-texas-water-quality-survey/A survey was commissioned by the nonprofit organization Texas Water Trade and included responses from households in both rural border communities and in urban areas across Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth.Jayme Lozano Carver and Pooja SalhotraThu, 16 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/02/16/black-hispanic-texas-water-quality-survey/A portable water tank at a colonia at Las Pampas in Far West Texas on Oct. 21, 2014. Black and Hispanic Texans and those living in some of the state’s poorest neighborhoods said in a new survey they don’t trust their drinking water.A portable water tank at a colonia at Las Pampas, on Oct. 21, 2014.Jennifer Whitney for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/02/14/texas-local-government-hiring-trouble-economy/A cascade of issues including inflation and growing distrust in government aren’t helping local governments hire for critical positions in public safety and utilities.Pooja SalhotraTue, 14 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/02/14/texas-local-government-hiring-trouble-economy/Zavalla public works director Thomas Bailey arrives at a city well on Feb. 1.Public works Director, Thomas Bailey, arrives at City of Zavalla’s Water Well #2 in Zavalla, Texas on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023.Joseph Bui for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/02/08/texas-rural-counties-ice-storm-power-outages/Leon County’s judge wants the state to help clear trees around power lines after residents again go without electricity following another storm.Pooja SalhotraWed, 08 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0600https://www.texastribune.org/2023/02/08/texas-rural-counties-ice-storm-power-outages/A snapped tree limb hangs precariously on Feb. 2, 2023, as a result of the ice storm that knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of Texans.A snapped tree limb hangs precariously in the yard behind where Eric Calder and his son work, in northwest Austin on Feb. 2, 2023.Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune