Mary K Cantrell

reporter @MarfaRadio
previously @bigbendsentinel

email [email protected] with tips + stories

[Sam Karas @sammiecarrots]

DHS has been handing the bulk of their record-smashing border wall contracts to two companies, one with a long history of fraud and allegations of shoddy construction. The latest from me, @Perla_Trevizo and @msweetharris https://t.co/bZ2OE4qZwu

[Travis Bubenik @travisbubenik]

Confused about Big Bend area border wall plans? Can't blame ya.

Here's a big picture look at where it all stands right now, from @MarfaRadio: https://t.co/7ZDqIFh6cy

[Travis Bubenik @travisbubenik]

Plans are underway for a 500-person "man camp" that would house workers for the Trump admin's Big Bend area border wall. Latest sign that the wall plan is indeed moving forward. From @mkcant & @MarfaRadio: https://t.co/mrj2WlnidR

[Travis Bubenik @travisbubenik]

Another sign of Big Bend area border wall plans moving forward in earnest this week. Story from @mkcant for @MarfaRadio: https://t.co/XEjYnZCHGq

[Travis Bubenik @travisbubenik]

Got a comment from a CBP spokesperson on this today:

"The smart wall interactive map is being updated and will go live again shortly. Due to the ongoing DHS shutdown and the resulting strain on resources, some updates may take slightly longer than usual."

[Elizabeth Findell @efindell]

The Trump admin has a new tactic to try to speed up border wall construction in the RGV.

They're offering landowners a "signing bonus" to begin building before the years-long eminent domain process plays out -- and with no guarantee it will.
https://t.co/DjGUTaESBm via @jlbuch

[Mary K Cantrell @mkcant]

14 County Judges on the Texas-Mexico border cosigned a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin this week requesting more collaboration with local officials on border security projects. "We sit at the intersection of federal policy and the communities it affects."

[Travis Bubenik @travisbubenik]

Trump admin's border wall plans for the Big Bend region have changed again - this time to include vehicle barriers + patrol roads within the national park. Not clear what any of that would actually look like. Latest for @MarfaRadio: https://t.co/6NHoIVlZAl

[Travis Bubenik @travisbubenik]

Every news outlet covering the Big Bend region border wall story needs to understand "the region" doesn't just mean the national park. It's basically all this, at least. Okay thanks, carry on.

[Travis Bubenik @travisbubenik]

Over the last couple weeks we've seen the first tangible, on-the-ground signs of Big Bend area border wall plans moving forward: work starting on a rural dirt road to the border. Here's the latest from @MarfaRadio and @mkcant: https://t.co/BZwnBHinj7

[Travis Bubenik @travisbubenik]

Here in Big Bend country, local advocates are rushing to help landowners and farmers in the path of planned border walls with legal aid. Great story from @mkcant for @MarfaRadio: https://t.co/piCr2LkAyg

[Travis Bubenik @travisbubenik]

A bipartisan group of West Texas sheriffs issued a joint statement today opposing plans for border wall building in the Big Bend region: https://t.co/heA7pKqwHg

They say a wall would "not represent the most practical or strategic approach to border security in this area."

[Travis Bubenik @travisbubenik]

We’ve asked @CBP for comment on this but yes, the current Smart Wall map now shows multiple “Primary Border Wall System” (green line) projects suddenly gone. For reference - map looked like this last week: https://t.co/SVF6m0VGO7

[Martha Pskowski @psskow]

A word of caution on Big Bend border wall maps... the map started showing a physical barrier in the natl park 3 weeks ago. Now it's showing "detection technology" again. The map is not binding & we're seeing it change day by day. I wouldn't assume this current iteration is final.

[Travis Bubenik @travisbubenik]

Border wall projects in the Big Bend region of West Texas - where the idea has long been considered unnecessary or just infeasible - could move forward within weeks.

Details from @MarfaRadio: https://t.co/R5oYiTkeUM

[Mary K Cantrell @mkcant]

Joined @TexasStandard last week to talk about Toyah, a small West TX town that has struggled with its water infrastructure for years. Residents are now - once again - back on a boil water notice and complaining of poor water quality.
https://t.co/qtaaDbS2kp

[Travis Bubenik @travisbubenik]

Very excited to welcome @mkcant to @MarfaRadio as our new reporter!

Mary has done stellar, tireless work at @bigbendsentinel for the past 4 years and her deep knowledge of West Texas is a huge asset to our team: https://t.co/Yug8ItgIMz

[Travis Bubenik @travisbubenik]

In Presidio County - an official’s bid for higher office has led to a political dustup after he was removed from his seat by the very person he could face off against in next year’s mid-term elections.

Details from @MarfaRadio's new reporter @mkcant: https://t.co/yv0PqXotFe

[Sam Karas @sammiecarrots]

Great pics and story by north county beauty @mkcant

[Carlos E. Morales @celizario]

A new class at Marfa ISD is teaching @marfashorthorns the tradition of conjunto and filling the halls with the swelling sounds of the accordion.

“I think it’s better than a marching band because it’s most of our culture,” one student said."
https://t.co/u2qYbT2Ozr