/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Mitchell_Ferman_EG_TT_01.jpg)
Mitchell Ferman is a reporter for The Texas Tribune covering energy and the economy from a base in Houston. Before joining the Tribune he was a reporter for The Monitor in McAllen, where he covered cross-border trade, politics and the city of McAllen. He also regularly freelanced from the Rio Grande Valley and beyond for The New York Times, Texas Monthly and Reuters, writing about topics including the family separation crisis and unexpected consequences of the border wall. He graduated from the University of Missouri.
President Donald Trump has suggested he will veto COVID-19 aid legislation, creating uncertainty about when assistance may reach Americans. Meanwhile, Texans are living in cars and the state is sitting on unspent relief money. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7eb0473132ba6cd4cf8ef4616e91cc5b/ATX%20Bars%20Close%20Again%20JV%20TT%2005.jpg)
Although normally ineligible, gig workers and independent contractors qualified for unemployment aid during the pandemic. The assistance is set to expire at the end of December. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/67f77804a5092dae1c81a7af02777b0c/San%20Marcos%20COVID%20File%20Barbershop%20EG%2001.jpg)
Miller said he will quarantine at his ranch. He's the second Texas statewide elected official to confirm testing positive for the virus. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5ad6759778d75f130b45653b57b0d39f/Sid%20Miller%20JF%20TTF.jpg)
Adelson's Las Vegas Sands has built a stable of high-powered lobbyists for the session, which starts in January, and the company acknowledged Tuesday that it is serious about bringing casinos to Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/eb35434533edd2f1da88b5a09ce31caa/Sheldon%20Adelson%20REUTERS%20TT%20Brighter.jpg)
Despite details released from the Paycheck Protection Program this week, a full snapshot of the program remains unclear. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fdc096c2e745cfcd4d9dbdb08c706d02/El%20Paso%20During%20Coronavirus%20Pandemic%20EK%20TT%2015.jpg)
The state’s unemployment system is confusing and frustrating. Getting familiar with the Texas Workforce Commission’s jargon may help you access assistance. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c4598a1262ed603504ee6ef7560f5a01/Texas%20Workforce%20MG%20TT%2005.jpg)
People across Texas are struggling to navigate a maze-like system to get unemployment benefits. Gov. Greg Abbott announced Texas was opting out of some federal assistance programs, which now end June 26. Here are the answers to the most common questions about getting benefits from the Texas Workforce Commission. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9e39efec91f8d75616c08256f08c9a6d/TWC%20Unemployment%20Illo%20Final%20PPTT.JPG)
While struggling to figure out the state's unemployment system, Alia Kirschner found a Facebook group for thousands of jobless Texans. Now she spends hours a day online, helping others with their benefit claims during the COVID-19 recession. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/079b32be3713eb40fa63868c55f3803e/Austin%20COVID%20Quarantine%20JV%20TT%2014.jpg)
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar didn't provide details as he told lawmakers Monday that the financial forecast isn't as dire as earlier feared. But he said revenues are still down "significantly" compared with last year. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6a18563ed67e1f5ccd5bd2ce25e4d165/Glenn_Hegar_Biennial_Revenue_Estimate_5.jpg)
The border city recently resorted to using inmates from the county jail to move bodies. At the request of county officials, the state is sending assistance. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fc29fd84f9843dbc4e6e2df4601c6a59/El%20Paso%20COVID%20Tents%20IPA%20TT%2003.jpg)
A new wave of coronavirus infections this month could further set back the state's economic recovery, while Gov. Greg Abbott has ruled out "any more lockdowns." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2c9d63ad2818bba859f3258ef5d73953/Kyle%20COVID%20Food%20Drive%20JV%20TT%2012.jpg)
Voters in the historically Democratic stronghold of South Texas are left wondering whether this was simply a strange election during an unusual year or a sign of a profound political realignment in the region. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c9aeef5ae206bd35cda42c62c70cc4a6/RGV%20Post%20Election%20JG%20TT%2028.jpg)
The closures of nine drive-thru locations follow a series of legal challenges led by a group of Texas Republicans. The county will still offer more than 800 polling locations. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/444e137de7dfb2f5f83fc3365befa401/Houston%20Drive%20Thru%20Voting%20AM%20TT%2006.jpg)
Texas' oil and gas industry has had a horrible year. As the recession persists and Election Day nears, Republicans have latched on to Donald Trump and Joe Biden's debate exchange about the energy sector and the environment. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0a9ccc8511b81ce7524abc1c338b6139/Oil%20Gas%20Pump%20Jacks%20JF%20TT%2002.jpg)
After a summer of declining unemployment rates following Gov. Greg Abbott's widespread business reopenings during the pandemic, the state's unemployment rate jumped to 8.3% in September. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fd9e2009f0100e738a478287c730bc87/Business%20Closures%20EG%20TT%2001.jpg)
The Texas Workforce Commission is trying to recoup $214 million in unemployment benefits it says people were overpaid this year. A North Texas woman says appealing the agency's findings is an uphill battle through an opaque appeals process. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4f5aa56160238a4f21b6fbad87502847/Texas%20Workforce%20MG%2001%20TT.jpg)
Gary Cohn said another round of federal coronavirus relief funding is needed to ensure a strong economic recovery. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9e1f53f3021dc7329942f599700655b5/Gary%20Cohn%20TTF20.JPG)
The U.S. Labor Department on Friday announced Texas' unemployment rate for August fell to 6.8%. That is still far above pre-pandemic levels, underscoring a summer of steady joblessness for many Texans. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/16473b836b745f021f47327ea96fc475/%20Rural%20File%20Pearsall%20JV%20TT%2006.jpg)
Nearly 350,000 Texans don't qualify for the extra payment because they either earned too little from the work they lost or didn't indicate on paperwork that they lost their jobs due to the pandemic. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1a353501450c2769216245f5e0710361/Central%20TX%20Food%20Bank%20AG%20TT%2018.jpg)
Texans receiving less than $100 in weekly unemployment benefits do not qualify for the extra $300 weekly payments the Trump administration is distributing to Texas and other states. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/26c25bf5be80b17d02e97b84d6a5c34d/Threadgills%20COVID%2019%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)