Travis Bubenik
News DirectorTravis has waltzed across Texas throughout his career in journalism, covering everything from pipeline protests in the Big Bend and oilfield flaring in the Permian Basin to Gulf Coast hurricanes and courtroom battles all over the state.
A Houston native and University of Texas alum, he got his start in public radio as an intern at Marfa Public Radio, where he has at various times been a reporter and host of both Morning Edition and All Things Considered.
Travis’ reporting has frequently appeared on NPR and public radio’s Marketplace. His dog Valentine is indeed named after the town.
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The acquisition of the more than 353,000 acre Brewster Ranch near the Rio Grande is a significant addition to state-owned land in Texas – though the news doesn’t necessarily mean the ranch will be open to the public. The GLO leases land across the state for things like agriculture, oil and gas and other energy projects to fund public schools. -
Election Day is today and polls across Texas will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Permian Basin voters are deciding on a number of competitive local races. Most candidates in the Big Bend region’s local races are running unopposed, although Marathon-area residents are deciding on multiple school board seats. -
A controversial plan to ship nuclear waste from across the country to a site in rural West Texas has been blocked since last year after Texas prevailed in a federal lawsuit. The high court has now agreed to take up the case. -
Since 2019, Midland ISD has planned to close the Ranchland Hills Golf Club and use the site for a new high school. The district began moving forward last year after voters approved a major bond package. Now, avid golfers are suing to block the plan. -
A program funded in part by the Big Bend Regional Hospital District brought routine mammograms to the region’s small towns for nearly two decades. The El Paso company behind the service made a “business decision” to discontinue it, according to the head of the hospital district. -
The Judd Foundation says it’s on track to finish renovating the historic Marfa building that contains the late artist’s work. -
The property owners association for the sprawling desert subdivision says it will begin implementing a conservation plan for non-potable water sales in September amid concerns about growing demand and drought. -
The West Texas park, known for its scenic spring-fed pool, has reopened historic cabins that were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. -
City council members say the move could help the city crack down on rental owners not paying hotel occupancy taxes. Brewster County officials tried the same approach last year, but abandoned it after deciding it wasn’t worth the money.
