The latest East Texas news from The Texas Tribune.
A lawsuit claims UT Tyler Health Science Center is trying to pull the veil of governmental immunity over doctors who do all of their work for a for-profit, private equity-backed health care system. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/37cd9031d83c14e2f191c4f5605023f1/1207%20Med%20Malpractice%20GDGV%20TT%2028.jpg)
Texas police killed 141 people last year, according to a database. At least 22, including Aaliyah Anders, were Black. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6d6a9e291ed356c76205ba586b5e60ae/0124%20Lufkin%20Shooting%20JA%20TT%2009.jpg)
Georgia DeVries, an East Texas 17-year-old, shared her experience living in a car for one month last year on TikTok. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9d579e82e0acf5acff9b7512df840c89/0118%20Homeless%20Teen%20LN%20TT%2018.jpg)
Tax policy is messy. Here are a few tips to help you understand what the recent voter-approved tax cuts mean for your mortgage. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2a1659d1a62759e8ff9001fc03f47b53/Longview%20Housing%20File%20MC%20TT%2034.jpg)
Rudolph the Red-Nose Pumping Unit has long been a holiday tradition in Lufkin. The machinery, now used worldwide to extract oil from the ground, was invented by a local businessman. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/38ec0b48c5670e784287f2348151351c/Rudolph%20Pumpjack%20JA%20TT%2005.jpg)
Once a tool of journalists and concerned citizens to hold government accountable, open records requests have been increasingly used by political opponents and conspiracy theorists to slow down the pace of government. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6de7e6618f2d48acfce4cb83fd949122/David%20Stua%20FOIA%20TT%2005.jpg)
Livingston and Jasper residents hope a lawsuit will force their municipality-operated utility company to offer lower rates and create more transparency in setting rates. They’re among the 5 million Texans living outside the state’s deregulated market and cannot choose their energy provider. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dbe958495ccf2cad44fe029109c737b6/Whinstone%20Bitcoin%20Mine%20MGO%20TT%2016.jpg)
The Martinsville Independent School District used a federal grant to replace four buses, which started transporting students last month. The principal believes he will save enough money on gas to hire a new teacher. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bc4ca1316b15ca4abe83235a9720b1a6/AISD%20School%20Busses%20AG%20TT%2007.jpg)
The legislation behind the historic investment directs state agencies to send money to the state’s smaller, cash-strapped towns that have difficulty paying for upgrades. Federal money is also expected to flow to regions that need broadband. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/72012e4a9391d7e563da51bf37b90ca0/0410%20Zavalla%20Water%20MF%20TT%2028.jpg)
Health care workers in East Texas said easier access to health insurance — such as Medicaid — could help drive down the number of people living with uncontrolled diabetes. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/78456f85d444d8e3a3c5c03cb137c7f2/Yolanda5-X%20Lead%20Image%20TT.jpg)
The East Texas town is one of 218 local governments asking voters to approve new debt for repairs and upgrades to city infrastructure. Local leaders say inflation isn’t helping them keep up with capital needs. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a654c3eb184e240079025c5ee2774d82/Nacogdoches%20File%20MF%2001.JPG)
The East Texas school leader was following school district policy — and state law — which allows for corporal punishment. Texas is one of 17 states that allows it, despite one Democrats efforts to ban the practice. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bbc6ac04afcd9184d5149b8205088c6d/Classroom%20CollegeReady017%20TT.jpg)
The Dallas-based trucking company, Stevens Transport, said they do not discriminate against women and the complaint is based on a “misunderstanding.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f391e1b6d520c6ce6ed87cfcc8d05f1e/Ashli%20Streeter%20MM%20TT%2001.jpg)
Conroe is one of the fastest growing school districts in the state. It and other districts say they need voters to OK bonds to keep up with the influx of students. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bbb2235086ef3420da2b0920d2acb475/0913%20Odessa%20School%20Tours%20EH%20TT%2039.jpg)
Globally, mass timber construction projects are expected to reach more than 24,000 by 2034. So far, at least 134 mass timber projects are in progress or completed in Texas. The first such project was a six-story office building in downtown San Antonio. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1c13a26d17dcf7ce22c367b29d2c754f/Chloe%20Riley%20AM%2002.jpg)
Jasper’s second Black mayor wants to help residents pay their bills while a younger city council wants to invest in the city’s culture. Residents call their heated arguments at city council meetings “foolishness” and “embarrassing.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0fa6b063959543a0332055bc2fab45aa/0620%20Jasper%20Mayor%20Race%20MF%20TT%2023.jpg)
Grant applicants are required to have a line of credit from a major bank and put up 25% of the project cost ahead of time. That will likely disqualify many small internet service providers in rural areas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e9c4a44b547a301cb379cfa821b69c81/0725%20Rural%20WiFi%20MF%20TT%2003.jpg)
Some Texans may have to wait a week for their power to be restored during a period of extreme heat and humidity. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/721ef8b97df07f2f8e617678bd27f938/CCR_9836.jpg)
On the eve of a historic investment in connecting the Lone Star State, advocates worry maps that will help establish which communities get funding have bad information. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/35a0663d10c052a13ea2b1a0f38b9f67/120308_lubbock_0190.jpg)
The quiet East Texas town of Jasper came together immediately after the racist murder of James Byrd Jr. Now, Texas is leading the nation in incidents of white supremacist propaganda. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7f10d159e28c99ad0e13529cc22c949b/JamesByrdJr_Anniversary_025.jpg)