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. Full Story
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Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
GOP leaders have expressed skepticism about expanding gambling in Texas. But supporters see hope in the long run.
People pushing for the move say they are hopeful they'll get legislative approval this year. If not, one executive said, it's "inevitable" in the future. Full Story
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![Gamblers play slot machines during the reopening of The D hotel-casino, closed by the state since March 18, 2020, as part of steps to slow the spread of COVID-19, in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 4, 2020.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Steve Marcus -
Texas lawmakers have denounced Joe Biden's energy moves, but experts say they could benefit the state
A global push toward a cleaner climate and safer environment — from the free market and not just the White House — has not kept Texas lawmakers from criticizing the new president. Full Story
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![House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy speaks at a press conference at the Houston Ship Channel on Feb. 2, 2021. McCarthy and other politicians joined Texas oil and gas executives to appeal to President Joe Biden to visit Texas.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Nearly a year into the pandemic, grocery workers in Texas are more fatigued than ever as they await vaccine access
After the Department of State Health Services neglected to include front-line essential workers in the latest phase of the vaccine rollout, grocery store workers juggle stressful work while waiting for the vaccine. Full Story
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![After two confirmed cases of COVID-19 cased in the Austin area, a long line formed at the H-E-B grocery store at Hancock Center. Many residents waited in line for 30 to 45 minutes, as lines stretched to the rear of the store.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas cities face difficulties counting their unsheltered homeless population — at a time when their numbers matter most
Despite changes to the regular count of people experiencing homelessness, support organizations are hoping they’ll still be able to capture a clear picture of who is unhoused in Texas as the pandemic continues. Full Story
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![Nicole Aurit sits by her tent under a highway overpass in downtown Austin on Jan. 15, 2021. Aurit had been working as a manager at a Supercuts before her job shut down due to COVID-19.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Texas tenants behind on rent will soon be able to seek aid from $1.3 billion assistance program
The statewide program will start on Feb. 15 and will be able to help tenants with past and future rent. Full Story
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![An East Austin neighborhood.]()
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"We do a lot of work": Texas' low-wage workers hope for more as Biden, Congress push minimum wage hike
The minimum wage in Texas pays $7.25 an hour, well below a livable wage and far lower than the minimum hourly pay in most states. Full Story
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![Monique Warren works as a baggage handler at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. Warren earns $9/hour, and is a supporter of President Biden's proposals to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Jan. 28, 2021.]()
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As Gov. Greg Abbott vows to ban homeless camping in public, Austin officials and unsheltered residents push for better housing access
A year and a half after Austin lifted a local ban on camping in public, some city officials are pushing to turn hotels into housing for people experiencing homelessness. Meanwhile, a state-sanctioned encampment in the city is full and can't accept new residents. Full Story
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![Teddy Maddux sits on his couch inside a tent made out of tarps at a homeless encampment on state-owned land in Austin on Jan. 18, 2021.]()
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Analysis: At a time like this, who needs another emergency?
Gov. Greg Abbott will give a State of the State speech next week, an occasion where governors can declare “emergency items” for early legislative consideration. It would be hard to top the emergencies already on the agenda. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott addresses state officials at the State of the State address in the House Chambers at the State Capitol on Feb. 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott pushes Legislature to protect businesses from coronavirus-related lawsuits
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, unsuccessfully pushed for similar federal legislation. Abbott's support comes as Texas intensive care units are filling up with coronavirus patients. Full Story
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![Elia Montoya serves breakfast dishes to U.S. Representative Chip Roy and his family at Juan In A Million, located in East Austin, on May 1, 2020. This was the first phase of Gov. Greg Abbott’s order to gradually reopen Texas businesses during the coronavirus outbreak.]()
Credit: Bronte Wittpenn/Austin American-Statesman via USA TODAY NETWORK/REUTERS -
Texans receiving federal food assistance could soon get more aid under Joe Biden's executive order
To combat food insecurity during the pandemic, the new president is increasing assistance for families receiving help to make up for free and reduced-cost school lunches. He also wants to increase food stamp benefits. Full Story
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![Third-grade lunch on the first day of in-person classes at Highland Village Elementary on Sept. 8, 2020.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: A call for unity in government — in Texas, two years ago
State leaders started their last legislative session, in 2019, with a call for unity. By their measure, they got what they set out to accomplish. They’re back to normal this year — not at odds, but not singing “Kumbaya,” either. Full Story
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![Governor Greg Abott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen pet Pancake, the governor’s dog after their joint press conference. Jan. 9, 2019.]()
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Texas Republicans are angry at big tech’s reaction to U.S. Capitol siege. But few mention the GOP’s role in sowing election misinformation.
The state’s GOP leaders have launched a campaign against technology and social media companies after officials and followers faced repercussions for sowing the election doubts that fueled the Capitol insurrection. Full Story
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![Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to the Gun Owners of America assembly in 2018.]()
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A Texas lawmaker worked with the state restaurant association to draft an alcohol-to-go bill. His wife lobbies for the group.
State Rep. Charlie Geren filed legislation that would let restaurants battered by the coronavirus pandemic permanently sell alcohol to go. The measure already has backing from top state officials. Full Story
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![A Waterloo Margarita DIY Cocktail Kit and two margaritas to-go from Waterloo Icehouse on June 30, 2020 in Austin.]()
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Analysis: The Texas Legislature isn’t like Congress, right?
The Texas Legislature is more bipartisan than Congress, historically speaking. But a unique set of issues to address and an atmosphere of division emanating from Washington, D.C., could test that in the session that starts Tuesday. Full Story
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![Signs adorn every seat in the House Gallery to ensure social distancing in the house chamber. Jan 4, 2021.]()
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A lender sued thousands of lower-income Latinos during the pandemic. Now it wants to be a national bank.
Oportun, which lends in only a dozen states, applied for a bank charter late last year. Consumer and Latino civil rights groups are pushing back, citing the findings of a joint investigation by ProPublica and The Texas Tribune. Full Story
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![Oportun, located at 3909 North Interstate 35 in Austin.]()
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Watch: Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar on vaccines and the state’s economic recovery
Texas’ uncertain economic recovery is tied to the coronavirus vaccine, Hegar said, as state lawmakers convened this week to begin working on a new state budget with less money than they had to spend during the last legislative session. Full Story
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Trump signs stimulus bill granting most Americans $600 in pandemic aid
The president's decision to back down and sign the measure released $900 billion in stimulus funds into the economy that had been held up for nearly a week. Full Story
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![U.S. President Donald Trump speaks after signing executive orders for economic relief during a news conference amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at his golf resort in Bedminster, New Jersey Aug. 8, 2020.]()
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A grieving daughter, a dedicated teacher and a former bar owner: We check back in with Texans about the pandemic and 2020
Like so many people, everyone we spoke to for this special edition of The Brief podcast said they're ready for this year to be over. Full Story
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Analyzing 2020: The COVID-19 pandemic
We've selected some columns from 2020 on the coronavirus. Full Story
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![Kroger pharmacists explain and collect self-swab COVID-19 tests at a testing site in the Fifth Ward in Houston on June 27, 2020.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune