Front page of the newspaper + front of the additional Chinati Weekend section, essentially a whole other full-sized paper on Marfa's biggest arts weekend. I'm especially proud of our small staff this week for pulling off this 22-page beast.

Well it doesn’t get more Far West Texas than this: “If approved by the one eligible voter, the district will have the power to levy taxes, issue bonds, and more.” Via The Big Bend Sentinel bigbendsentinel.com/2023/11/01/sin…

In West Texas every vote matters - particularly when you're the only eligible voter in an election to create a new utility district that can levy taxes, etc. Great reporting from Mary K Cantrell and The Big Bend Sentinel: bigbendsentinel.com/2023/11/08/fin…

Texas is a news desert. A vacuum that festers corruption and weakens communities. #txlege

Some folks in little old Far West Texas trying to be heard on the loss of life in Gaza and Israel, by pushing for a City Council resolution on a ceasefire. #Marfatx Council had it on the agenda, but didn't give it a vote. Mary K Cantrell The Big Bend Sentinel bigbendsentinel.com/2024/03/01/gaz…

2nd article in the The Big Bend Sentinel mental health series focuses on the role of local leaders and law enforcement - please read! The story illuminates a very serious issue for our rural communities and questions our state’s fiscal priorities. bigbendsentinel.com/2024/04/03/a-d…

My latest on the ongoing suicide crisis in CBP – featuring my first candid, on-the-record interviews with local Border Patrol (border journos know what a feat it can be to get clearance) & a deeply moving opposing viewpoint from survivor @buddjenn bigbendsentinel.com/2024/04/17/the…

The need for mental and behavioral health resources in schools has never been more dire, with rates of depression, anxiety and suicidal behavior among Texas students on the rise.  bigbendsentinel.com/2024/05/01/sch…

This installment of the rural mental health series in the The Big Bend Sentinel focuses on resources in our schools. I learned so much. Please take the time to read! I have so much pride and gratitude for our local journalists - Mary K Cantrell Sam Karas Rob D'Amico

“A fire that broke out next to the Holland Hotel in Alpine late yesterday afternoon could not be quickly contained and burned through several businesses…” Just awful. I’m off today and out of town but follow The Big Bend Sentinel & Marfa Public Radio for more: bigbendsentinel.com/2024/05/27/fir…

In rural Texas, addresses can be tricky, with folks creating their own street names, or maps missing roads entirely. What happens when these informal systems clash with official needs? texasstandard.org/stories/addres…

Shout out to Texas Standard (@texasstandard.bsky.social) for featuring my The Big Bend Sentinel story about addressing in rural locations. Story was prompted by locals complaining about issues with the Marfa post office, but it turns out this is not the job of the USPS! texasstandard.org/stories/addres…

A new class at Marfa ISD is teaching Marfa Schools 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." bigbendsentinel.com/2024/08/28/new…

Great pics and story by north county beauty Mary K Cantrell

Very excited to welcome Mary K Cantrell to Marfa Public Radio as our new reporter! Mary has done stellar, tireless work at The Big Bend Sentinel for the past 4 years and her deep knowledge of West Texas is a huge asset to our team: marfapublicradio.org/highlight/2025…

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 Marfa Public Radio's new reporter Mary K Cantrell: marfapublicradio.org/news/2025-10-1…

Joined Texas Standard (@texasstandard.bsky.social) 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. texasstandard.org/stories/toyah-…