A proposed data center in Angelina County will occupy more than 1,000 acres outside of Lufkin. The county judge says there’s nothing he can do to stop it.
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
State Government
East Texas could be the key to developing critical lithium supply for the U.S. military
Texas lawmakers proposed a bill to allow private-sector lithium mining companies to work on certain military bases.
Posted in
Politics
Chad Hasty, West Texas conservative talk show host, dies unexpectedly
Hasty, known statewide for his evocative political conversations, is described by his friends as “open-minded and respectful.”
Posted in
Economy
The number of child care deserts in Texas is growing
While East Texas areas are struggling with a chronic lack of care, hope is being seen in the South and West.
Posted in
Demographics
This East Texas city is intentionally attracting people with kids amid growth boom
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.
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.”
Posted in
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.