Coronavirus in Texas: U.S. Senate backs new round of economic aid; Dallas County extends stay-at-home order
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
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![A shuttered store front on El Paso Street in downtown El Paso during the the COVID-19 pandemic.]()
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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. Full Story
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![An oil pump jack near Odessa.]()
Credit: Ben Powell for The Texas Tribune -
Texas utility regulators have programs to prevent shutoffs during the pandemic. But some Texans are falling through the cracks.
Although some counties have moratoriums on disconnections, in most of the state customers need to apply for the benefit. Full Story
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![Carly Eaves poses for a portrait at her parent's home on April 15,]()
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Texas’ unemployment rate has fallen by nearly half since the record high in April 2020
The coronavirus pandemic swiftly swept Texas into an economic recession, prompting millions to seek unemployment aid and complicating the state budget. Here’s a look at how the recovery is going. Full Story
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As economic data lags, Texas reports 4.7% jobless rate for March
The figures predate the widespread business closures and layoffs that occurred in the wake of the pandemic. Analysts estimate the actual rate of jobless Texans is greater than 10%, which could be a record high. Full Story
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![Cars line up at LBJ Early College High School in Austin to receive food and hygiene products from the Central Texas Food Bank’s donation event on April 15, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas' oil and gas regulators aren't ready to cut production yet. They're not even sure how it would work if they did.
The Railroad Commission, which oversees the state's oil and gas industry, took more than 10 hours of testimony about whether the agency should lower production as the coronavirus lowers demand. Full Story
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![Looking west, a lone pump jack sees the sun dip below the horizon Saturday April 11, 2020 as oil prices continue to drop, causing residents of the Permian Basin to look at the future with uncertainty.]()
Credit: Ben Powell for The Texas Tribune -
Coronavirus in Texas: Hard-line conservatives want stay-at-home order relaxed; Paxton issues opinion on temporary tax exemption
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
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![A coronavirus related message on the Fairmont Hotel in downtown Austin on April 12, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
As oil price crisis grips the globe, small Texas producers feel the ripple effects
Plummeting demand and an international price dispute have forced Texas oil producers to begin shutting wells. Full Story
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![Oil pumps during sunset.]()
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Someone says they have 2 million N95 masks for sale. The asking price is six times the usual cost.
As health care professionals beg for supplies to protect themselves from COVID-19 infection, a Texas company found a seller with at least 2 million masks and quietly offered them for sale at $6 each. Before the pandemic, they cost around $1. Full Story
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![An N95 respiration mask.]()
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Texas shale producers ask state to cut oil output as demand plummets during coronavirus pandemic
Two Texas oil companies with big business in the Permian Basin wrote to state regulators requesting an emergency meeting to consider reducing oil production as demand around the world has collapsed due to the new coronavirus. Full Story
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![A new pump jack on the north side of Midland.]()
Credit: Jerod Foster for the Texas Tribune -
Midland confronts coronavirus after oil prices plummet
The city’s new mayor is struggling to inspire in a moment of overlapping crises. Full Story
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![Midland Mayor Patrick Payton.]()
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Citing coronavirus pandemic, Trump administration stops enforcing environmental laws
A Texas environmental protection group said it is "reckless" for the Environmental Protection Agency to waive enforcement of many protections. The federal agency said companies could have trouble complying due to the new coronavirus. Full Story
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![A gas flare burns bright on a production site northeast of Andrews, Texas.]()
Credit: Jerod Foster for The Texas Tribune -
Texas regulators contemplating a reduction in oil production amid coronavirus crisis
A Texas Railroad Commission official said no decision has been made yet and the agency is looking into options. Full Story
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![A worker waits to load a piece of pipe, or casing, that will be lowered into the well at a Chesapeake Energy drill site in Dimmit County on the Eagle Ford Shale.]()
Credit: Tamir Kalifa for The Texas Tribune -
Texans were already feeling coronavirus' financial squeeze. Then the cases increased and cancellations mounted.
The state's oil and gas industry has cratered. Major events have been called off, and tourism across Texas has dipped. It is too soon to tell the statewide economic impact from COVID-19, but Texans are already feeling a pinch. Full Story
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![Billy Benedict, the owner of J&J Spirits in Austin's historic East 11th street, poses for a photo amid the economic uncertainty of the COVID19 outbreak.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
White House likely to pursue federal aid for shale companies hit by oil shock, coronavirus downturn
The idea could face resistance from those who support direct aid to workers. One critic called the idea ‘absurd.' Full Story
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![President Donald Trump delivers remarks on the humanitarian crisis on the Southern border and the shutdown at the White House in Washington, D.C. on January 19, 2019.]()
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How will collapsing oil prices affect Texas? It depends on these two factors, experts say.
A dramatic drop in oil prices over the weekend could harm Texas' oil and gas industry and economy, but experts say it all depends on how long they remain low — and how the COVID-19 epidemic plays out. Full Story
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![Pumpjack with oil on the ground in Pecos County near Fort Stockton, Texas.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
U.S. markets crater as coronavirus-sparked oil war sends prices spiraling; trading suspended
The Dow plunges more than 1,900 points in a brutal global sell-off, and treasury yields dive to new lows, amplifying recession fears. Full Story
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![An oil refinery is shown in the Houston Ship Channel in 2011.]()
Credit: Louis Vest for The Texas Tribune -
T-Squared: Take The Texas Tribune's annual reader survey
Your responses will help us better understand the people consuming our journalism and how they use it — and that will make us better equipped to serve you. Full Story
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![Amanda Elise Salas asks a question to state Senator and Representatives during a panel of The Rio Grande Valley & 86th Legislature event by The Texas Tribune on June 10, 2019 in Edinburg, Texas.
Verónica G. Cárdenas for The Texas Tribune]()
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"It's a joke": Flaring expert finds big problems in report from Texas oil and gas regulator
"It looks more like a political manifesto to me," a Texas A&M professor said about a report from the Railroad Commission of Texas. Full Story
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![A gas flare burns bright on a production site northeast of Andrews, Texas.]()
Credit: Jerod Foster for The Texas Tribune -
Report: Six Texas oil refineries spewing cancer-causing pollutant above federal threshold
An environmental nonprofit has released an analysis of first-of-its-kind air monitoring data that shows benzene levels at 10 U.S. petroleum refineries exceeded limits established in an Obama-era environmental regulation. Six are in Texas. Full Story
![An oil refinery is shown in the Houston Ship Channel in 2011.]()
Credit: Louis Vest for The Texas Tribune