An East Texas city goes secular for the holidays, rejecting a menorah in downtown holiday display
Smith County’s top elected official said the downtown square’s holiday decorations policy seeks to avoid a “hodgepodge.” Full Story
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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.
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![The menorah at the Texas Capitol, on Dec. 14, 2023.]()
Credit: Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribune -
I’m a Texas homeowner. When will I see my tax cut?
Tax policy is messy. Here are a few tips to help you understand what the recent voter-approved tax cuts mean for your mortgage. Full Story
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![Homes along central Longview's Centenary Drive on Friday Dec. 17, 2021.]()
Credit: Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune -
In this East Texas town, a 45-foot tall oil pump is a holiday symbol and connection to the past
Rudolph the Red-Nose Pumping Unit has long been a holiday tradition in Lufkin. The machinery, now used worldwide to extract oil from the ground, was invented by a local businessman. Full Story
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![The Huntington High School High Steppers drill team stands at attention at the Rudolph the Red Nosed Pumping Unit lighting ceremony in downtown Lufkin on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023.]()
Credit: Joel Andrews for The Texas Tribune -
How one man's open records obsession sparked a fight over transparency and power in East Texas
Once a tool of journalists and concerned citizens to hold government accountable, open records requests have been increasingly used by political opponents and conspiracy theorists to slow down the pace of government. Full Story
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![David Stua in front of the Angelina County Court House in Lufkin on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023.]()
Credit: Joel Andrews for The Texas Tribune -
One of Texas’ oldest towns needs $200 million for upgrades. It’s asking voters to approve $44 million this fall.
The East Texas town is one of 218 local governments asking voters to approve new debt for repairs and upgrades to city infrastructure. Local leaders say inflation isn’t helping them keep up with capital needs. Full Story
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![Downtown Nacogdoches on October 3, 2022 in Nacogdoches.]()
Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune -
Texas reviewed Harris County’s 2022 election. Here’s what state officials found.
The audit does not suggest the outcome of the election would have changed despite “multiple failures.” Full Story
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![Election judges and Harris County employees wait in line to drop off ballots and supplies from polling locations at NRG Arena Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Houston, Texas.]()
Credit: Justin Rex for The Texas Tribune -
How federal dollars might help El Paso stem its affordable housing crisis
Housing costs have soared in the Texas city in recent years, while the state cuts back on funding. Full Story
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![Downtown in El Paso, on Oct. 30, 2020.]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune