Stories by Texas Tribune fellows

Tribune energy and economy reporter Mitchell Ferman moderated a conversation with labor and economic development experts who discussed how COVID-19 has affected Texas’ economy and how businesses, workers and government have responded. Full Story 

Sid Miller is challenging a debt relief program that the U.S. Department of Agriculture saw as a way to correct historic discrimination. An advocate for Black Texas farmers says the challenge “pushes us back even further.” Full Story 

The federal infrastructure bill’s passage renewed hopes that Texas would finally get a coastal storm barrier. But Galveston and Houston could still get hit by a hurricane before it is built. Full Story 

An FBI spokesperson said the agency was present on two streets around Cuellar’s house in Laredo “conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity.” Full Story 

Controlled burns, used to prevent catastrophic wildfires, are typically safe and rarely get out of control. Experts warn that burns gone awry can scare residents and compromise the critical fire management tool. Full Story 

School district leaders are desperately trying to fill vacant roles to stay open and some say they have no choice but to close. Full Story 

Ongoing La Niña conditions have brought warm, dry weather and deepened drought conditions across the state. Full Story 

About half the patients at Trust Women’s Wichita clinic come from out of state. Full Story 

Some Texas residents are asking for greater say in what titles appear on public library shelves. Full Story 

After months of contentious negotiations, the U.S. House passed the Build Back Better plan. It would establish universal pre-K and provide funding to combat climate change, among other things. Full Story 

Last November, the board expanded curriculum standards to include birth control in addition to abstinence education. Full Story 

Thirty-eight percent of respondents said the state economy is doing worse than a year ago, further evidence that Texans are still feeling the pandemic’s consequences. Full Story 

In a final push to secure federal voting rights legislation this year, congressional Democrats failed to secure the necessary votes to avoid a GOP filibuster on the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Full Story 

Austin fire officials said they’re investigating a Sunday incident that caused about $25,000 in damage as a potential arson. Full Story 

Since 2000, Texas lawmakers have reduced the number of abortions in the state by restricting access to the procedure. Full Story 

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Gov. Greg Abbott have been at war with locals and federal officials over vaccinate mandates. Earlier this month, Abbott expanded an executive order to block the requirement for any entity in Texas, including health care facilities and private businesses. Full Story 

Texas Republicans have largely welcomed the blockchain technology industry with open arms. But skeptics are concerned about cryptocurrency mining’s impact on the environment and energy grid. Full Story 

The U.S. Senate is expected to vote this week on the Freedom to Vote Act, which would supersede some of Texas’ new elections law. Full Story 

Providers want the Supreme Court to take the case before an appeals court hears it. The high court gave defendants, including Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, until Thursday to respond to the providers’ request. Full Story 

Court decisions have gone back and forth on the law’s enforceability over several weeks. Full Story