Paxton is banking on his recent lawsuits against tech and social media companies like Meta, WhatsApp and Discord to win a Senate seat, building on notable victories in years past.
Paul Cobler
Paul Cobler is the Tribune's economy and industry reporter, covering the socioeconomic and political forces that impact Texans’ pocketbooks and upward mobility. Before joining the Tribune, he was a politics reporter for the Houston Landing and covered Baton Rouge City Hall for The Advocate in Louisiana. Paul grew up in Victoria, Texas, and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. His reporting has appeared in news publications across the state, including the Dallas Morning News, Austin American-Statesman and the Houston Chronicle. He is based in Austin.
Posted in
State Government
Texas’ app age verification law allowed to go into effect for now
A federal appeals court allowed Texas to require app stores to verify users’ ages and seek parental consent before a minor can download apps.
Posted in
State Government
Texas sues Discord, arguing online messaging platform endangered children, misled users
The lawsuit comes after a Galveston County family said their 13-year-old daughter was sexually assaulted by a person she interacted with on the platform.
Posted in
State Government
WhatsApp, Meta can access Texans’ private messages, AG Ken Paxton claims in lawsuit
The attorney general’s office argues WhatsApp and parent company Meta are deceiving users by claiming the companies can’t view their encrypted messages.
Posted in
Economy
Seesaw rulings on Texas’ smokeable hemp ban is bad for business, retailers say
Some smoke shops say the flurry of court actions since March 31 has already forced them to scale back hours, cut staff and prepare to shut down.
Posted in
Economy
Companies moving their legal homes to Texas is good PR, but don’t expect many new jobs
A company’s legal home determines which state taxes and laws governing corporations it will be subject to. Some are fleeing Delaware in search of a friendlier environment in Texas.
Posted in
Economy
World Cup hotel bookings short of expectations in Texas amid anti-U.S. sentiment abroad
A recent survey of hoteliers in the Dallas area and Houston found anticipated demand is not translating into strong hotel bookings less than 40 days from the start of the tournament.
Posted in
Transportation
High gas prices eating into Texans’ budgets, fueling inflation
The average price for a gallon of gas in Texas has risen from $2.55 in early February to $3.78 at the end of April.
Posted in
Higher Education
AI is changing how Texas universities teach computer science as job market slows
Admissions to Texas computer science programs are down roughly 20%, professors said, but they still see a future for their students.
Posted in
State Government
Texas grid operator forecasts massive growth in demand, but says data is likely flawed
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas reported that peak energy demand could quadruple by 2032, but cautioned that its estimate is likely too high and must be revised.
