Past Contributions

• Texas ranchers, activists and local officials are bracing for megadroughts brought by climate change

  By Meena Venkataramanan July 27, 2020

  A new study from the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University warns that droughts in the latter part of this century could be the worst on record. Full Story 

• A federal prohibition against some evictions has expired. Here’s what you need to know about unpaid rent in Texas.

  By Meena Venkataramanan Updated: July 31, 2020

  Many local governments have implemented their own measures to protect tenants from eviction during the pandemic, and there are groups that help tenants navigate what can be a complicated and traumatic process. Full Story 

• As Congress feuds over unemployment payments, more than 1.6 million jobless Texans are about to lose a $600 weekly benefit

  By Meena Venkataramanan Updated: July 23, 2020

  The CARES Act's $600 weekly unemployment benefit expires in Texas on Saturday, leaving out-of-work Texans in a period of uncertainty as Congress debates what to put in new federal relief legislation. Full Story 

• Undocumented immigrants behind on their rent are self-evicting across Texas

  By Meena Venkataramanan and Juan Pablo Garnham July 22, 2020

  Without money to pay rent, facing pressures from landlords and afraid of courts, people without legal immigration status have limited options. Full Story 

• Texas' June unemployment rate falls to 8.6%, but experts warn unemployment could worsen next month

  By Meena Venkataramanan July 17, 2020

  Texas' June unemployment rate fell to 8.6% — but experts say the improvement may be short-lived with recent surges in coronavirus hospitalizations and deaths. Full Story 

• Texas organizers and candidates hope to engage a key voting bloc in 2020: South Asian Americans

  By Meena Venkataramanan July 11, 2020

  At least five Texan candidates of South Asian descent are running for county, state and federal office this year, including three who are vying to become the first Asian American congressperson from Texas. Full Story 

• Houston convention center operator cancels in-person Texas GOP meeting

  By Cassandra Pollock and Meena Venkataramanan Updated: July 8, 2020

  The Republican Party of Texas' in-person convention was scheduled to happen in Houston next week. Chair James Dickey has said party leaders have worked on a contingency plan to host the convention online. Full Story 

• More than $54 million in PPP loans went to small private Texas colleges and universities

  By Meena Venkataramanan July 7, 2020

  Schools said they used the money to make payroll. Full Story 

• Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner urges Texas GOP to cancel its convention

  By Cassandra Pollock and Meena Venkataramanan Updated: July 6, 2020

  The in-person event is scheduled for next week, even as the coronavirus continues to spread through Houston. Full Story 

• High school coaches’ convention will draw thousands to San Antonio as pandemic rages across Texas

  By Meena Venkataramanan July 2, 2020

  To stop the spread of the new coronavirus in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott closed bars and banned nonessential surgeries in counties that are hot spots. But indoor conventions that will draw thousands of people are still moving forward. Full Story