More than 30 Texas bars sue over Gov. Greg Abbott's recent shutdown order
Abbott has said the actions of his executive order "are essential to our mission to swiftly contain this virus and protect public health." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b416ac392ef5e97b07ba403712435f97/ATX%20Bars%20Close%20Again%20JV%20TT%2002.jpg)
Mitchell Ferman
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Mitchell_Ferman_EG_TT_01.jpg)
Mitchell Ferman covered energy and the economy from 2020 to 2022, based in Houston. Before joining the Tribune he was a reporter for The Monitor in McAllen, where he covered cross-border trade, politics and the city of McAllen. He also regularly freelanced from the Rio Grande Valley and beyond for The New York Times, Texas Monthly and Reuters, writing about topics including the family separation crisis and unexpected consequences of the border wall. He graduated from the University of Missouri.
Past Contributions
-
![John Caldwell, manager of Coyote Ugly, boards up his bar on Sixth Street in Austin after Gov. Greg Abbott closed bars in Texas for the second time in three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. June 26, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
As COVID-19 cases surge in Texas, a hospital administrator retires — but is ready to jump back into the fight
A hospital says goodbye, a restaurant welcomes diners back and others reflect on the pandemic’s lessons. In the finale of our weekly series, Texans from across the state share stories about how they’re navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/92d4345c98cb65d2b91fdd323235ab6e/Donna%20Boatright%20WK11%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Smiling as she notices the incoming air ambulance helicopter, outgoing CEO Donna Boatright watches it land in the parking lot of Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital in Sweetwater June 12, 2020. The crew came out to congratulate Boatright on her retirement, the party for it being held in front of the hospital.]()
Credit: Ronald W. Erdrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas bars and restaurants were eager to reopen. Now some are closing their doors again as coronavirus cases rise.
As employees test positive, some bars and restaurants are closing even though Texas allows them to operate. Many owners are balancing feedback from their staffs, their patrons, state guidelines and local officials. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/11ae4cd4c1d3eadd7990fab15a4b9557/Bars%20and%20Bowling%20Alleys%20reopen%20JV%20TT%2017.jpg)
![A bartender waits for customers at Buck Wild on West Sixth Street in downtown Austin as bars reopen on May 22, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
The oil crash folded their old business. Now they’re betting on a new kind of oil.
A family launches a new business with a baby on the way. A small town stages a socially distant graduation. In this weekly series, Texans from across the state share stories about how they’re navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/66c24da7c9b71eb03e26627b47f770ae/Joseph%20Norman%20WK%2010%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Courtesy of Joseph Norman -
As Texas grapples with a pandemic, officials must also prepare for what could be an unusually active hurricane season
State and local officials are adjusting their plans during the coronavirus outbreak to inform residents in the Houston area and along the Gulf Coast of safe steps they could take in advance of the year’s first storm. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9de00c566a269d1896704e8370bbc9d2/Hurrican%20Harvey%20TG%20TT.jpg)
![Damage from Hurricane Harvey near the gulf coast on August 27, 2017.]()
Credit: Tomas Gonzalez for The Texas Tribune -
“The African American community is not alone”: A Houston restaurant owner joins the protests
They went to protests in Houston and El Paso, spoke at an online town hall in Midland and held small celebrations amid national upheaval. In this weekly series, Texans from across the state share stories about how they’re navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8ef07c29aeacd9d81231b9cb9e76e83a/Debbie%20Chen%20WK%209%20TT%2001.jpg)
![From left, Au Huynh, Vee Duong, Emma Crooks, Gloria Gonzalez, Long Nguyen, Debbie Chen, Dr. Stephen Chao, Patricia Garcia.]()
Credit: Courtesy of Debbie Chen -
Joe Biden to attend George Floyd's funeral in Houston, family attorney says
Biden, the former vice president, has spoken out multiple times about Floyd's death in recent days, including in a speech Tuesday morning that called the tragedy a "wake-up call for our nation." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/108c837fb077585226837afa3e099824/Biden%20Dallas%20CN%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks to a supporters in Dallas the night before Super Tuesday.]()
Credit: Cooper Neill for The Texas Tribune -
With a baby on the way, Midland couple has to decline in-person family celebrations
A family plans a drive-by baby shower. A Houston restaurant gears up to reopen its dining room. And an East Texas town regains a sense of normalcy. In this weekly series, Texans from across the state share stories about how they’re navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/62d3f13657ec515d498747ae13366b16/Joseph%20Norman%20WK%208%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Courtesy of Joseph Norman -
As Texas’ unemployment rate hits record high 12.8%, experts say the ongoing public health crisis will hamper an economic rebound
Until now, the state’s worst-ever monthly unemployment rate was 9.2% in November 1986, as Texas reeled from the last big oil bust. A combination of the coronavirus pandemic and a contracting energy industry are expected to slow Texas' economic recovery. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/26c25bf5be80b17d02e97b84d6a5c34d/Threadgills%20COVID%2019%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
![Threadgill’s restaurant is closing permanently due to the coronavirus pandemic.]()
Credit: Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via REUTERS -
Texas businesses returning during coronavirus are unlikely to spur fast economic recovery
As workers and customers reemerge into a society still grappling with a spreading coronavirus, the power Gov. Greg Abbott and officials across the globe used to close businesses in the first place does not extend to reviving the economy. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/267332b28738baf27cd7c4b21607d34f/The%20Barn%20Door%20SATX%20CL%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Donna Heath, floor manager of The Barn Door Restaurant, poses for a portrait during her shift in front of the restaurant in San Antonio on May 18, 2020.]()
Credit: Christopher Lee for The Texas Tribune