The companies have faced waves of public backlash in Texas. To battle that negative public perception, they’ve donated millions to community causes and needs.
Jayme Lozano Carver
Jayme Lozano Carver is the Tribune’s first Lubbock-based reporter, covering the South Plains and Panhandle through a partnership with Report for America. Jayme previously worked for Texas Tech Public Media, Lubbock’s NPR station, where she spearheaded “Rural Healthcare: The Other Texas Drought,” a series for PBS’ “Frontline” on rural hospital closures in Texas. She also covered a broad range of topics for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, including climate change, agriculture, entertainment and health care. Born in Levelland, Jayme is a native of the South Plains area and studied at South Plains College and Texas Tech University. She loves to talk about her cats, horror movies and pro wrestling.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Texas agriculture commissioner candidates trade ineligibility jabs
The candidates accused one another of not having ties to the agriculture industry, a requirement under state law.
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Economy
Cattle associations say ICE operations are disrupting Texas agriculture industry, will cause higher beef prices
The beef industry has been under pressure recently from market disruptions, record high beef prices and small herd sizes. The groups say the ICE operations are another challenge for the industry.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Texas agriculture commissioner 2026: Who is running and what you need to know
Agriculture is the state’s second largest industry. Here’s a look at the 2026 midterm candidates to oversee the agriculture department and where they stand on the issues.
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Environment
Despite state law, only eight of 160 utility companies have filed wildfire response plans
Lawmakers recently learned of the slow progress made by the companies, which have four months to come under compliance with the law prompted by the 2024 Panhandle wildfires.
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Screwworm in Texas
Where is screwworm in Texas? Track cases here.
The New World screwworm poses a multibillion-dollar threat to the state’s cattle industry. We’re keeping track of where these cases are reported.
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Texas Legislature 2027
Texas lawmaker vows to keep pushing for statewide emergency disaster response system
State Rep. Ken King, whose proposal to create a system failed twice, heard testimony about firefighters being forced to carry multiple radios in an emergency and how long it takes to coordinate agencies.
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Data Centers in Texas
After years of hardship, Texas agriculture faces a new threat: data centers
Data centers and agriculture depend on many of the same resources, such as water, land and electricity, which has some in the industry worried about the future.
Posted in
Economy
Broadband grants paused as critics allege favoritism toward Elon Musk’s Starlink
The Texas Broadband office made the announcement after facing scrutiny from lawmakers for changing the rules to seemingly favor companies such as Elon Musk’s Starlink.
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Data Centers in Texas
Sid Miller says Republicans will lose statewide elections due to rapid data center development, backlash
The Texas agriculture commissioner has openly criticized Gov. Greg Abbott for not taking a stronger stand against data center development. The governor has ignored him.