Rural counties endured the same storm as big cities, but many haven’t fallen under President Joe Biden’s major disaster declaration. Officials say it’s because those counties lack data on damages.
Stories by Texas Tribune fellows
The Texas Tribune welcomes a group of student fellows into our newsroom each spring, summer and fall. Here is a sampling of their work. Learn more about the fellowship program here.
Posted in
Higher Education
$34 million, private planes, cars and housing allowances: Here’s how much UT-Austin is paying football coach Steve Sarkisian
Steve Sarkisian’s guaranteed compensation will be approved by the UT Board of Regents Thursday and is at least $5 million higher than any previous head coach.
Posted in
Winter Storm 2021
“We are resilient people”: Texans share how they weathered the winter storm
From a new mom in Pflugerville who struggled to keep her baby warm to a Houston teacher worried about her students, listen to what some Texans endured in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast.
Posted in
Winter Storm 2021
How to help and get help in Texas as the winter storm causes power outages
Local organizations are providing warming shelters and resources, while nonprofits are asking for donations and volunteers.
Posted in
Winter Storm 2021
Here’s what you need to know if you don’t have access to clean water or are concerned about burst pipes
As power returns, half the state has issues with its water supply, and thawing pipes are at risk of bursting and flooding homes.
Posted inEnvironment
Thousands of Texans depend on dialysis treatments. Extended power outages put their lives at risk.
Dialysis patients need treatments for hours at a time, multiple times a week. Power and water outages forced local centers to shut down.
Posted in
Winter Storm 2021
“We’re in it alone”: Power outages leave millions of Texans desperate for heat and safety
Texas residents said the storm — and ensuing partial collapse of the state’s power system — sapped what mental reserves they had left after eleven months of a global health crisis that has cost thousands of jobs and claimed more than 40,000 lives in the state.
Posted in
Winter Storm 2021
With more dangerous weather approaching, Texans say officials didn’t warn them about going days without power
Texas’ energy grid operators warned of rolling, short-term power outages. Millions of homes have been without power since early Monday morning.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2021
Democratic lawmakers hope to enact statewide nondiscrimination law and ban conversion therapy for LGBTQ Texans
As the Biden administration works to expand federal nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people, Texas advocates and lawmakers are pushing for similar legislation here.
Posted in
State Government
Judge says Texas officials need to speed up foster care reforms
U.S. District Judge Janis Jack says she will give state officials until May to make progress on her orders to overhaul the state’s foster care system, or face hefty fines.