Cotulla, population 4,000, built 20 hotels during a yearslong oil boom, calling itself the “Hotel Capital” of the Eagle Ford Shale. A plunge in oil prices has prompted questions about whether that was a good idea.
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.
Posted in
Energy
Study: Oil Activity May Be Cause of East Texas Quakes
University of Texas at Austin researchers call it “plausible” that underground injections of oil and gas waste triggered a series of temblors that rattled Timpson residents in 2012.
Posted in
Economy
Lawmakers Probe Pension Fund’s Interest In Hunt’s Oncor Bid
Texas lawmakers raised tough questions Wednesday about a plan to invest up to $250 million of teacher retirement funds in the Ray L. Hunt family’s bid to buy and reshape Oncor, the mammoth electric utility.
Posted inState Government
Libertarian Eyes a Third-Party Presidential Chance
Most U.S. voters are Libertarian, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson says, and the jaw-dropping 2016 presidential race may just help them realize that and vote for him.
Posted inState Government
Former RPT Chief Munisteri Draws New Convention Role
Also, Gov. Greg Abbott brushes off White House speculation after announcement of his new book. Abbott and Texas Sen. John Cornyn both submit briefs against Obama’s immigration orders.
Posted in
Politics
Rick Perry’s Criminal Case Officially Dismissed
The criminal case against former Gov. Rick Perry was officially dismissed on Wednesday, weeks after the Texas’ highest criminal court ordered that it be dropped.
Posted in
Economy
Years After Landmark Ruling, Court To Rehear “Bizarre” Pipeline Case
Nearly five years after issuing a ruling cheered by property rights advocates, the Texas Supreme Court is set to rehear a case pitting two Texas brothers against a pipeline company that seized their land through eminent domain.
Posted in
Economy
Federal Judge Approves $20.8 Billion BP Spill Settlement
A federal judge on Monday approved a $20.8 billion settlement between a group of five Gulf Coast states — including Texas — and BP stemming from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill.
Posted inState Government
Ahead of Wisconsin Primary, Gov. Scott Walker Cuts Ad for Cruz
Also, Ted Cruz says charge against Trump campaign manager clarifies “what the Trump campaign is all about,” and the Supreme Court is asked to stop Texas from enforcing voter ID law.
Posted inState Government
New Texas House Panel Grapples With Proposed EPA Rules
Also, a large chunk of Texas’ congressional delegation wades into Red River land dispute, and a state senator plans a two-day summit on threats to the electric grid.