Mary K Cantrell

A bipartisan group of West Texas sheriffs issued a joint statement today opposing plans for border wall building in the Big Bend region: facebook.com/PresidioCounty… They say a wall would "not represent the most practical or strategic approach to border security in this area."

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: marfapublicradio.org/news/2026-02-2…

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.

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: marfapublicradio.org/news/2026-02-1…

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. texasstandard.org/stories/toyah-…

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: 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 @MarfaRadio's new reporter @mkcant: marfapublicradio.org/news/2025-10-1…

Great pics and story by north county beauty @mkcant

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." bigbendsentinel.com/2024/08/28/new…

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 @TexasStandard for featuring my @bigbendsentinel 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 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 @bigbendsentinel & @MarfaRadio for more: bigbendsentinel.com/2024/05/27/fir…

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 @bigbendsentinel 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 - @mkcant @sammiecarrots @damicoaustin

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…

“All of our customers are mom and pop-owned and they love their newspapers. They’re not corporate outfits that can only see next month’s bottom line,” Smokey, the press owner, said. “They have a love for their publication so they want it to look good."

Press employees I spoke to range in age from 15 to 82. Every week they print several local papers serving Far West Texas. The industry is in decline, but the owner told me the press has always managed to turn a profit.

Visiting the press that prints @bigbendsentinel was one of my favorite assignments so far this year. In my experience, the further away from the city, the bigger the personalities. That is certainly the case here. bigbendsentinel.com/2024/04/03/a-t…

2nd article in the @bigbendsentinel 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…

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. @mkcant @bigbendsentinel bigbendsentinel.com/2024/03/01/gaz…