Oil prices collapsed, but that doesn’t mean Texans will get free gasoline
With most Texans staying at home and not driving, the demand for gas has fallen off. But refineries would stop producing before giving gas away for free. Full Story
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![A flame burning natural gas is seen on an oil rig outside of Mentone on Oct. 12, 2014.]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
Coronavirus put her out of work, then debt collectors froze her savings account
Kim Boatswain's tax refund could have helped her get through the coronavirus slowdown. But debt collectors seized it. There are few options for Texans like Boatswain whose money was taken just before the state temporarily banned such garnishments. Full Story
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![Credit card debt illustration.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texans in Congress look for ways to help as oil prices tank
While some companies can access small-business funds, the major stimulus that has made its way through Congress has no specific help for the energy sector. Members from Texas are looking for other ways to help. Full Story
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![A pump jack in the Eagle Ford oil patch south of San Antonio.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
You might be protected from eviction until Aug. 23. Here's how to find out.
A new database allows renters to search if their buildings are under a federal eviction moratorium due to COVID-19. But advocates note that even if you aren't listed, you might still have protections. Full Story
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![The AMLI Eastside apartments at 11th St. and San Marcos St. in Austin on Jan. 30, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Energy isn’t the whole Texas economy, but it’s a critical piece
This week's drop in crude oil prices signals trouble for state and local government budgets. Energy isn't the biggest source of tax money in Texas, but the big one — the sales tax — is already falling. Full Story
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![A pump jack and a gas flare in the Eagle Ford oil patch south of San Antonio.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Trump campaign still owes El Paso more than $500,000 for a 2019 rally. City officials may sue to get the money.
City officials sent the campaign the most recent invoice in February. The mayor on Tuesday said the city should consider filing a lawsuit to recoup the money as it faces down a budget shortfall from the new coronavirus. Full Story
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![U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at El Paso County Coliseum in El Paso on Feb. 11, 2019.]()
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Texas investigating meat processing plants over coronavirus outbreaks
The Department of State Health Services is looking into outbreaks at JBS Beef in Moore County and Tyson Foods in Shelby County. Full Story
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![The JBS beef processing plant in Cactus on Jan. 28, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
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.]()
Credit: Emily Kinskey for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott's task force to reopen the economy is packed with top business leaders — and donors
The task force features some of the most prominent and politically powerful business executives in the state. They'll advise Abbott with the help of medical experts. Full Story
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![Vodka Street Global Bistro and Bar in downtown San Marcos has temporarily closed its operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Taken on April 10, 2020.]()
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Texas oil regulators take no action on production
A day after oil prices crashed, The Texas Railroad Commission opted against taking action to impose limits on oil producers. Full Story
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![An oil pump jack during a storm in Refugio County in 2017.]()
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This North Texas mayor is trying to reopen businesses in Colleyville, bucking Abbott’s stay-at-home order
Colleyville Mayor Richard Newton appears to be the first mayor in Texas to move ahead with plans to relax stay-at-home orders aimed to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Full Story
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![Mayor Richard Newton, center, and the Colleyville city council.]()
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Dan Patrick says “there are more important things than living and that’s saving this country”
Patrick went on Fox News on Monday evening to defend comments he made last month where he said he would rather die from the widely spreading coronavirus than see the economy destroyed for his children and grandchildren. Full Story
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Life after foster care was already tough. Now these Texans are facing the coronavirus pandemic, too.
As millions of Texans clamor for public benefits during the global health crisis, the pandemic has exposed gaps in support for young adults who have aged out of foster care. Many have experienced homelessness. Full Story
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![Montoya Thomas, 23, outside of her apartment in Houston on April 1, 2020. Thomas was recently let go of her bartending job and is only taking one online class at Lone Star College. She is trying to navigate her new normal during the COVID-19 pandemic.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
T-Squared: Our new women’s health reporter and copy editor
Shannon Najmabadi will cover women’s health at The Texas Tribune, and Emily Goldstein is our new staff copy editor. Full Story
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![Shannon Najmabadi moderates a panel at the Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 27, 2019.]()
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President Donald Trump says he's temporarily halting immigration during coronavirus pandemic
Trump tweeted Monday night that he will issue an executive order but gave few details about what it would do — or when he would issue it. Full Story
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![President Donald Trump at the daily coronavirus task force briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C. on April 20, 2020.]()
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Coronavirus in Texas: Most state parks reopen; National Guard to open new testing sites
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
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![Caprock Canyon State Park]()
Credit: David Ingram for The Texas Tribune -
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 -
Federal appeals court says Texas can block pill-induced abortions during pandemic
In March, Gov. Greg Abbott barred all procedures not “immediately medically necessary,” and the state’s attorney general declared that the restriction applied to abortions — sparking a weekslong court fight and prompting some women to seek abortions out of state. Full Story
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![An ultrasound machine at women’s health clinic in Austin, Texas.]()
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Drive-thrus and free pencils: Texas plans for July elections with in-person voting
Other states may be shifting to increased mail-in voting, but Texas' GOP leaders are fighting efforts to expand the practice. That leaves local elections officials to try to make polling places safe in a pandemic. Full Story
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![People wait to vote after polling places' official 7:00 closing time, at Tompkins High School in Katy in Fort Bend Co. on Nov. 6, 2018.]()
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Officials knew coronavirus could spread at the Houston Rodeo and proceeded with the event anyway
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the city’s largest annual event, attracting 2.5 million people and generating nearly $400 million. But officials pushed forward with this year's 20-day event until there was a positive coronavirus case from community spread. Full Story
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![The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo was shut down after concerns of the spread of the coronavirus in Houston]()
Credit: Katie Haugland Bowen/Flickr
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