Tyler has spent the last decade remaking its parks and sidewalks to allure families. At the same time, a constellation of groups are helping parents take care of their families.
Jess Huff
Jess Huff joined the Tribune in 2023 and is based in Lufkin, Texas. She grew up in Utah and has also lived in Arizona and the Netherlands. Her latest adventure brought her to East Texas where she worked for The Lufkin Daily News, leading the publication to numerous awards for investigative reporting in the region. Jess attended Northern Arizona University on a debate scholarship and fell in love with the journalism program after a course on alternative storytelling devices. Her work has been published in the Arizona Daily Sun, The Associated Press, The Lufkin Daily News, Capital & Main and a number of local outlets across Texas.
Posted in
Economy
Tyler city employees are bringing their newborns to work
The city, which does not have a paid family leave policy, established the program to help new parents return to work without sacrificing bonding with their new babies.
Posted in
State Government
After Minnesota scandal, Texas reviewed its child care spending. It found little fraud.
An investigation ordered by Gov. Greg Abbott found that less than half a percent of federal money spent on child care scholarships in Texas was considered “improper.”
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2026 Texas Elections
Nate Sheets promises to fire everyone linked to Sid Miller at Texas agriculture department after primary win
Sheets, in an interview with The Texas Tribune, also promised to lower costs for farmers and work with federal officials to beat a parasitic fly heading toward Texas.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Nate Sheets defeats three-term incumbent Sid Miller in GOP primary for Texas agriculture commissioner
Sheets’ campaign was boosted by major endorsements from Gov. Greg Abbott, Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham and industry groups like the Texas Farm Bureau.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Turnover in East Texas politics may jeopardize regional sway at the Legislature
Some advocates for the region worry freshmen lawmakers will start deal-making at a deficit, while other voters see a chance for new blood.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Can Jasmine Crockett’s East Texas past give her an electoral boost in rural Texas?
Before she was a firebrand congresswoman, Jasmine Crockett was a public defender — and local Democratic party chair — in Texarkana.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Texas Senate candidate says “no strings attached” to $2 million donation from businessman
Rhonda Ward, a first-time candidate for elected office who previously served on the state GOP’s policy committee, is challenging Trent Ashby for the East Texas seat.
Posted in
Economy
This East Texas town wants to capitalize on the state’s growth. Can it break 1,000 residents?
In Pineland, a fresh batch of local elected officials and an expansion of the town’s biggest employer have created the conditions for an economic renaissance. A dearth of housing could slow growth.
Posted in
Environment
Thousands of East Texans remain without power after winter storm shuts down most of state
East Texas experienced some of the worst freezing rain. Dense forests and icy roads are making it more difficult to restore electricity.