Rio Grande river winding through Big Bend National Park

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News

Press coverage, investigative reporting, and the latest developments on the Big Bend border wall.

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In the News

Major reports, official documents, and investigative coverage of the Big Bend border wall since February 2026.

August 2026: Construction Begins & the Pause

Vogue·Aug 15, 2026

As Bulldozers Arrive at the Border in Big Bend, Here's What You Can Still Do to Protect the Park

Emma Specter's explainer accompanies a fashion editorial in Vogue's Summer 2026 print issue, photographed inside Big Bend National Park. The article quotes the Big Bend Protection Alliance's mission and points readers to ways to support the park.

CNN·Aug 13, 2026

Bulldozers rip into Big Bend National Park, driving anger and heartbreak

CNN's feature from the region documents the first days of heavy machinery inside the park and the community backlash that followed.

AFP News Agency·Aug 17, 2026

Locals push back on Trump border plans in Texas National Park

Agence France-Presse's on-the-ground video report from Big Bend, including an interview with Big Bend Protection Alliance executive director Jake Knight. Syndicated internationally, including by the National Post.

AFP via France 24·Aug 17, 2026

US pauses construction of border project in Texas national park

The AFP wire story on the construction pause, quoting BBPA executive director Jake Knight. Carried worldwide, including by RFI, La Presse (Montréal, in French), The Straits Times (Singapore), Yahoo News, and Fox affiliates.

CNN·Aug 17, 2026

Feds halt controversial work on border security inside Big Bend National Park

CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott pauses all construction in the park for a personal evaluation, after reporting by CNN and others and sustained local pressure. Also published in Spanish by CNN en Español.

ABC News·Aug 17, 2026

CBP pauses Big Bend National Park construction following lawsuits

ABC News on the pause and the mounting legal challenges seeking to halt the project.

The Wall Street Journal·Aug 17, 2026

Trump Administration Pauses Construction in Texas' Big Bend National Park

The Journal's report on the pause, which also ran in the August 18 print edition. Subscription required.

Official Documents & Press Releases

Federal Register·Feb 17, 2026

DHS Notice of Determination of Waiver (Big Bend Sector)

The formal legal filing where then-Secretary Kristi Noem waived 28 federal laws to expedite construction.

DHS.gov·Feb 17, 2026

Parsons Government Services Inc. Contract Announcement

Announcement of the private sector partnership to oversee the $46.5 billion project.

In-Depth Investigative Reporting

Texas Public Radio / Texas Tribune·Dec 19, 2024

As landowners resist, Texas' border wall is fragmented and built in remote areas

Investigation revealing how landowner resistance has forced Texas to build fragmented wall sections in remote areas, with only 50 of 805 designated miles completed at costs up to $41 million per mile.

Inside Climate News·Feb 17–22, 2026

Border Wall Closes in on Big Bend

Breakdown of the "Smart Wall" versus physical barriers and the impact on Native American history and biodiversity.

Marfa Public Radio·Feb 18, 2026

Border wall plans now set to include Big Bend National Park

The first outlet to report on the updated CBP maps showing 112 miles of primary wall within the park boundaries.

The Big Bend Sentinel·Feb 18, 2026

Feds waive environmental protections to fast-track Big Bend wall

Focuses on the "immediate need" cited by DHS and the threat to popular recreational sites like the Hot Springs Historic District.

Sierra·Aug 13, 2026

The Big Bend Region Is Losing Irreplaceable Pieces of US History

Margret Grebowicz reports on the archaeological record in the construction corridor: only 17 percent has ever been surveyed, and that fraction alone held 360 recorded sites, more than 130 of them inside the national park and over 20 with evidence of human remains.

Advocacy & Regional Impact

National Parks Conservation Association·Feb 18, 2026

NPCA Response to Big Bend Border Wall Plans

Formal statement from regional director Cary Dupuy on the $60 million economic threat to the local tourism economy.

Texas Standard / KUT News·Feb 6–20, 2026

The Big Bend may soon get a section of physical border wall

Interviews with local landowners about the use of eminent domain and secret requests for proposals (RFPs).

KSAT 12 News·Feb 20, 2026

Advocates decry intent to waive regulations

Visual report on the 175-mile stretch and local protests against the "steel curtain."

Press Inquiries

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