A tree grows in a news desert. I'm David Brancaccio. They say all politics is

local, so where's the local news coverage this election year? I've been traveling

to what are called news deserts in super Tuesday states to hear

about the business models that are failing or informing voters as they make their choices

in one week. We began our democracy in the desert coverage in Texas part of a group of six

contiguous counties close to the US border listed as news deserts. Yesterday we

heard about the last daily newspaper in Valverdi County that folded more than three years ago.

Today, who is covering things now?

If I can get a better understanding of what is needed.

On a winter Wednesday in the county seat of Del Rio,

the best show in town may be this regular meeting

of the elected commissioners who see to the county's business.

The presiding officer for the county is unhappy with the city and his language is Texas spicy.

We've met with it and he's a dip-sch.

The commissioners, experts, and residents are looking to fix low water pressure in one neighborhood.

Things also get edgy about a location for early voting in the run-up to next week's election.

The more cramped space wins.

It's crucial stuff.

And are there any reporters in this news desert to write up the highlights, you know, other

than a visitor like me?

Well, there is.

A very experienced reporter named Karen Gleason.

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