Martha Pskowski

why are people like this

We have updated the story about the change in who is managing Camp East Montana. We have included information about the company that DHS intends to contract for management of the site.

just thinking about how hard all my journalist friends are hustling these days and how thankless this industry often is. i see you!

DHS terminates Camp East Montana operations contract, seeks new provider Amentum Services Inc., which is based in Chantilly, Virginia, has taken over the contract for the management of the troubled Camp East Montana in El Paso.

Camp East Montana has new management, according to the Department of Homeland Security. This comes after months of abuses and three deaths at the massive detention facility. This is confirmed by DHS and Sam.gov

My breaking story:

2 Teen Mariachi Musicians Released From ICE Detention Representative Joaquin Castro of Texas led a delegation of Democrats to a South Texas detention center to press for the release of the brothers and their family.

Two teenage brothers and mariachi stars who visited the White House last summer were released with their family on Monday from an ICE detention center in South Texas. Rep. Joaquin Castro led a delegation of Democrats to the center to press for the release.

I was in Roma, TX 12 days ago as this island was being cleared. Now a resident shared this photo that it's almost entirely devegetated. None of the relevant state or federal agencies answered my questions about the border security work being done in Roma. insideclimatenews.org/news/0403202...

Texas Seizes the Solar Crown From California, and Other Key Points From the Latest Electricity Data - Inside Climate News Utility-scale solar soared in 2025 across the country; coal also grew, while natural gas was down.

Texas is now the leader in electricity generation from utility-scale solar, and other news from the latest batch of federal energy data.

The decision capped a rapid downfall for the three-term lawmaker and former Navy cryptologist. bit.ly/4scTze5

I can only imagine the reactions if he had a Unitarian Universalist running for statewide office in Texas

thanks!

Here are some butterflies that Juan Moreno has seen along the Rio Grande in Roma, Texas. Now instead of observing butterflies, he's documenting contractors clearcutting the riparian ecosystem and stringing razor wire for border barriers. insideclimatenews.org/news/0403202...

Razor Wire and Clearcutting at the Border Threaten Native Rio Grande Habitat - Inside Climate News As border barriers go up in the Rio Grande Valley, one nature enthusiast in Starr County is documenting what’s being lost.

"Residents are raising the alarm that border wall construction and border buoys will irrevocably change the landscape, harm wildlife and violate the rights of property owners." @psskow.bsky.social @insideclimatenews.org insideclimatenews.org/news/0403202...

thanks for sharing!

Razor Wire and Clearcutting at the Border Threaten Native Rio Grande Habitat - Inside Climate News As border barriers go up in the Rio Grande Valley, one nature enthusiast in Starr County is documenting what’s being lost.

Border walls, wire, and clearcutting are reshaping the Rio Grande near Roma, Tx—threatening native habitat and blocking community access.

Razor Wire and Clearcutting at the Border Threaten Native Rio Grande Habitat - Inside Climate News As border barriers go up in the Rio Grande Valley, one nature enthusiast in Starr County is documenting what’s being lost.

"This is so disheartening to me,” Moreno said. “Every branch, even a dry one, could have a butterfly cocoon or bird nest on it.”

My dispatch from Roma for @insideclimatenews.org, where contractors were clear-cutting as we watched from the shoreline. (3)

insideclimatenews.org/news/0403202...

Juan Moreno grew up foraging and fishing with his father. Their family have deep roots in the town of Roma. Now he's watching as his nature spots get clear cut and his paths to the river are cut off. (2)

Last week I was in Starr County, Texas, where contractors are clearing islands of vegetation and border wall construction is underway. I met a high school teacher who is documenting the loss of native habitat in the name of border security (1)

He Wants to Deport 100 Million “Third World Savages.” He May Win Statewide Office in Texas. He calls his opponents “gay” and “retarded,” and he wants to deport 100 million “third world savages.” Naturally, he’s running for railroad commissioner.

French's greatest hits include asking his followers whether Jews or Muslims are a “bigger threat to America”. He hasn't really stated any platform about oil and gas regulation. www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...

Recent Railroad Commission races have been quiet affairs where the Republican incumbents sail to re-election.

This run-off will be anything but quiet. Bo French is trying to drag the state's oil and gas regulator into the culture wars.

Follow Jeff for updates out of East Montana.

The Mysterious Cereus Blooms in West Texas These desert cereus plants flower only one day out of the year—at night, in the middle of nowhere—if at all

Rick Bass travels to far West Texas in search of the elusive night-blooming cereus—for @texashighways.bsky.social. #longreads

(Click the link for a lovely surprise.)

texashighways.com/outdoors/the...

woah!!

10 Years After Berta Cáceres’ Murder, Why Is Honduras Still So Dangerous for Environmental Activists? Despite some prosecutions, the criminal masterminds behind the Indigenous leader's murder remain at large, while illegal land grabs, international finance and attacks against defenders continues with ...

By me: Today marks 10 years since the assassination of Indigenous environmentalist Berta Cáceres, a rare leader whose death marked a before and after for many including me. Despite some justice, the extractive economic model and its criminal modus operandi continues apace.

drilled.media/news/berta

Dow asks Texas to legalize plastic pollution from its plant Facing multiple lawsuits, North America’s largest chemical manufacturer requests an “unprecedented” permit amendment to authorize its discharge of polyethylene pellets into coastal waters.

Two weeks ago, when Texas sued a massive Dow petrochemical plant over water pollution, state environmental regulators were already considering a novel proposal that would effectively legalize discharges of plastic material from the 4,700–acre complex

www.texastribune.org/2026/03/02/t...

He witnessed a migrant death at an ICE detention center, then was deported A deported witness describes the death of Geraldo Lunas Campos at an El Paso ICE facility, alleging guards beat him while he yelled 'I can't breathe.'

"He was yelling 'I can't breathe, I can't breathe' as they hit him"

DHS deported one of the witnesses to the death of Geraldo Lunas Campos at Camp East Montana. He was held in disciplinary segregation at the time when guards choked the 55-year-old Cuban immigrant to death.

it's silly how big this state is

mea culpa: sometimes being an environmental reporter in Texas means taking two flights each way to get to the story 🫠
(when the alternative is driving 24 hours round trip!)

Record snow drought persists in New Mexico and across the West, despite recent precipitation • Source New Mexico Scientists predict snow pack in the Rio Grande Basin won’t exceed 10% of the median throughout the rest of the winter.

Record high winter temperatures and ongoing snow drought are leaving New Mexico with a fraction of its typical snow pack and at higher risk of wildfire, even after accounting for February storms, according to a recent briefing from NOAA scientists.

buff.ly/OjuSVwX

"Send me a sexy pic.”

New text messages reveal U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales pursued an intimate relationship with Regina Santos-Aviles, using explicit language in late-night chats. bit.ly/4s5WNiU

The Border Wall Closes in on Big Bend - Inside Climate News Go behind the scenes with executive editor Vernon Loeb and reporter Martha Pskowski as they discuss plans for a border wall through Texas’ biggest state park and one of the jewels of the national park...

Spoke with my editor Vernon about my reporting on the border wall in Big Bend and beyond 👇 insideclimatenews.org/news/2202202...