Sheets, in an interview with The Texas Tribune, also promised to lower costs for farmers and work with federal officials to beat a parasitic fly heading toward Texas.
Jess Huff
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.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Nate Sheets defeats three-term incumbent Sid Miller in GOP primary for Texas agriculture commissioner
Sheets’ campaign was boosted by major endorsements from Gov. Greg Abbott, Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham and industry groups like the Texas Farm Bureau.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Turnover in East Texas politics may jeopardize regional sway at the Legislature
Some advocates for the region worry freshmen lawmakers will start deal-making at a deficit, while other voters see a chance for new blood.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Can Jasmine Crockett’s East Texas past give her an electoral boost in rural Texas?
Before she was a firebrand congresswoman, Jasmine Crockett was a public defender — and local Democratic party chair — in Texarkana.
Posted in
2026 Texas Elections
Texas Senate candidate says “no strings attached” to $2 million donation from businessman
Rhonda Ward, a first-time candidate for elected office who previously served on the state GOP’s policy committee, is challenging Trent Ashby for the East Texas seat.
Posted in
Economy
This East Texas town wants to capitalize on the state’s growth. Can it break 1,000 residents?
In Pineland, a fresh batch of local elected officials and an expansion of the town’s biggest employer have created the conditions for an economic renaissance. A dearth of housing could slow growth.
Posted in
Environment
Thousands of East Texans remain without power after winter storm shuts down most of state
East Texas experienced some of the worst freezing rain. Dense forests and icy roads are making it more difficult to restore electricity.
Posted in
Economy
In this East Texas county, you need a membership to drink at a bar. That may soon change.
Texas cities and counties largely control when and where liquor can be sold. Just three counties are totally dry.
Posted in
Immigration
Immigrant families in Texas have gone into hiding after latest Trump administration policy
Last month the Trump administration made people from 19 nations ineligible to obtain legal status. “Fear won,” said one woman who came from Venezuela nearly a decade ago.
Posted in
Public Education
Texas Education Agency taking over Lake Worth, Connally and Beaumont school districts
The three interventions come after the state’s education agency announced plans to take over Fort Worth ISD in October.