A hospital administrator gets a special gift. A food pantry worker gets her coronavirus test results. A Midland family cancels its annual fishing trip. In this weekly series, Texans from across the state share stories about how they’re navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mitchell Ferman
Mitchell Ferman covered energy and the economy from 2020 to 2022, based 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.
Dallas food pantry worker gets a boost during the pandemic: a promotion
Mother’s Day brought tough decisions on whether to get together with family, and some took the risk while others spent the day apart. In this weekly series, Texans from across the state share stories about how they’re navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Business has reopened in Texas, but the economy won’t be back anytime soon, experts say
The Texas energy sector has helped insulate the state’s economy during national downturns. This time, experts say the industry could hold the economy back.
“There’s no sense in risking it”: As Texas eases restrictions, a family keeps its social distance
The governor is allowing more businesses to reopen, and Texans are weighing the risks of returning to normalcy. In this weekly series, Texans from across the state share stories about how they’re navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Texas agency won’t cut oil production despite cratering prices
Two global crises have brought unusual attention to Texas oil regulators, who decided against taking action some producers wanted. One regulator said, “Politics win, Texans lose.”
In Houston’s Chinatown, restaurants plan to feed front-line workers during the pandemic
Restaurant owners aim to give 10,000 meals to frontline workers. A boy with cancer wants a mohawk. An East Texas town prepares to reopen some businesses. In this weekly series, Texans from across the state share stories about how they’re navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With little certainty and a lot of hope, Texas restaurants and retailers navigate new rules as they prepare to reopen
After weeks of limited business operations, the first wave of the Texas economy will reopen on Friday. The service and entertainment industries are preparing for new rules even as they face an uncertain future.
“A victory every time”: Battling cancer while the world battles the coronavirus
A 5-year-old continues his cancer treatments. A couple watch the business they built wither. A small hospital treats its first coronavirus patient. In this weekly series, Texans from across the state share stories about how they’re navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Texas oil regulators take no action on production
A day after oil prices crashed, The Texas Railroad Commission opted against taking action to impose limits on oil producers.
Texas oil price plummets into the negatives as the coronavirus pandemic’s economic woes continue battering the state
It’s the lowest price for a barrel of crude since at least the 1980s and another sign, experts say, of rough economic times ahead — especially for Texas’ energy sector.



