By Mateo Restrepo
Colombian journalist focused on Latin American politics, opinion and the diaspora across the Americas.
El Niño in Texas: What a Stronger Pattern Means for Winter
A strong El Niño is shaping up, and Texas is bracing for a winter that could bring more rain and cooler temperatures, especially in the west
Cuban deportees sent to Africa under U.S. policy face uncertain future
Cuban immigrants in the U.S. are being deported to African nations under a controversial ICE strategy. Families in Florida face anguish as d
Uber's mass layoffs and return-to-office mandate hit Latino workers hard
Uber eliminates 3,300 jobs and mandates a return to offices, ending remote work for nearly all staff. The move hits Latino professionals and
California's new rules for driverless cars: no driver, but plenty of accountability
California has passed a new law that holds autonomous vehicle makers accountable even when there's no driver to ticket. The rules include 24
Boyle Heights battles months of stench and pests from rotting food
For over two months, Boyle Heights residents suffered unbearable odors and pest infestations from a burned warehouse full of rotting food. C
Florida's Labor Day weekend may bring tropical storms and heavy rain
Meteorologists are tracking a tropical disturbance that could affect Florida and the Southeast during Labor Day weekend. The system may brin
Elon Musk's Terafab megafactory in Texas: a new era for chips and robots
Elon Musk's Terafab in Grimes County, Texas, will be the largest manufacturing complex on Earth, with over 100 million square feet. The $16.
Texas cities weigh property tax hikes and service cuts to close budget gaps
Major Texas cities are raising property taxes and fees or cutting services to balance budgets. Austin approved a $6.6B plan with a 3.5% tax
California's housing boom hides a demographic shift that worsens the crisis
California built 650,000 new homes from 2019 to 2024, yet the housing crisis deepens. Average household size dropped from 2.89 to 2.77, and
Border wall construction threatens sacred Kumeyaay land near Tecate
Construction of the border wall in San Diego County is destroying sacred Kumeyaay land near Tecate Peak. Residents report dynamite blasts an
Meta's $18B settlement reshapes teen experience on Instagram and Facebook
Meta has agreed to an $18 billion settlement with 52 US attorneys general, overhauling teen safety on Instagram and Facebook. New rules incl
IRS penalty refunds: pandemic-era filers may be owed money
A federal court ruled that the IRS improperly collected late fees and interest during the pandemic. Eligible taxpayers can file Form 843 to