Jim Malewitz

Jim Malewitz was a reporter at the Tribune from 2013 to 2017, covering energy and environment and then working on investigations. Previously, he covered those issues for Stateline, a nonprofit news service in Washington, D.C. The Michigan native majored in political science at Grinnell College in Iowa and holds a master’s from the University of Iowa. There, he helped launch the nonprofit Iowa Center for Public Affairs Journalism, where he currently serves on the board of directors. Jim also coaches the Texas Tribune Runoffs, which, sources say, is the scrappiest coed newsroom softball team west of the Mississippi.

Past Contributions

Railroad Commission Chair Warns of ExxonMobil Witch Hunt

By Jim Malewitz Dec. 3, 2015

Also, the Land Commissioner purchases three historic buildings near the Alamo and causes a minor kerfuffle with "dog catcher" comments. Full Story
Judge Approves Energy Future Holdings' Bankruptcy Plan

By Jim Malewitz Dec. 3, 2015

A federal bankruptcy judge has signed off on a plan break up key pieces of Energy Future Holdings — a major step in the conglomerate’s effort to shed tens of billions of dollars in debt. Full Story
Firm May Pay $2 Million for Cleanup of Site Feds Say Costs $23 Million

By Jim Malewitz Dec. 2, 2015

Energy Future Holdings, mired in bankruptcy, has agreed to pay up to $2 million to help clean up long-abandoned uranium mines in New Mexico — a sum far lower than the federal government originally sought. Full Story

Credit: Dan Atrill
George P. Bush Wades into Red River Fight with Feds

By Jim Malewitz Dec. 1, 2015

The Texas land commissioner on Tuesday asked to joined seven North Texas families in a federal lawsuit that accuses the U.S. Bureau of Land Management of perpetuating an “arbitrary seizure” of land along the Red River. Full Story

Credit: Robert W. Hart
Texas Lawmakers Seek Abbott's Blessing on Oil Theft Crackdown

By Jim Malewitz Nov. 29, 2015

Oil rustlers of Texas beware: State lawmakers want to crack down on the those who swipe hundreds of barrels of black gold to sell on the black market. But first, they need the governor’s blessing. Full Story

Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman
Investor Objection Threatens Hunt's $18 Billion Oncor Takeover Plan

By Jim Malewitz Nov. 20, 2015

A group of minority investors is threatening to derail a plan to lift Texas’ biggest power conglomerate from one of the largest corporate bankruptcies in American history. Full Story
After Outcry, Miller Delays Hikes on Agriculture Fees

By Jim Malewitz Nov. 20, 2015

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller will wait to hike fees on many licenses, registrations and services that his agency provides — a response to widespread concerns from state lawmakers and the agriculture community. Full Story

Credit: Gabriel Cristóver Pérez
Cruz Issues A Challenge to Obama on Syrian Refugees

By Patrick Svitek, Abby Livingston and Jim Malewitz Nov. 19, 2015

The Texas senator says he's ready to debate on Syrian refugee policy "any time and any place." Full Story

Credit: Abby Livingston
Miller Facebook Post Compares Refugees to Rattlesnakes

By Jim Malewitz Nov. 19, 2015

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller — no stranger to social media fireworks — appears to be comparing Syrian refugees to venomous rattlesnakes. Full Story
Biden Touts Houston's Green Makeover as National Model

By Jim Malewitz Nov. 18, 2015

Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday praised Houston's effort to turn greener — by harnessing millions of dollars in public and private funds to build parks and paths to connect them. Full Story

Credit: Eric Kayne