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Texas

A Warmer World

As Texas uses more renewable power, it bets on batteries to keep the lights on

by Elizabeth Trovall
Jun 8, 2023
They help when the sun isn't shining and the wind isn't blowing but everyone's AC is on full blast.
A wind energy plant in Dawson, Texas. As the state leans into renewable sources of energy, it's also been expanding its battery capacity.
Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images
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How would a U.S. debt default play out in Texas?

by Elizabeth Trovall
May 18, 2023
Half a million jobs could be lost in the second-biggest state economy. Pensioners, the food insecure and many others could suffer.
Treasury chief Janet Yellen has warned that the federal government could run out of money by June 1. Moody’s estimates that in a default, the giant Texas economy could lose more than half a million jobs.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
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A family fled Texas to protect their transgender child. They're still afraid.

by Amy Scott
May 8, 2023
As conservative politicians target LGBTQ rights, more families worry they'll have to move.
Demonstrators gather at the Texas State Capitol on March 8.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images
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A Warmer World

Texas lawmakers want state-funded power plants to improve grid reliability

by Ali Budner
Apr 13, 2023
Blackouts and brownouts are becoming more common thanks to climate change. Grid managers say backup electricity options are essential — but at what cost?
Texas lawmakers are debating a bill that would fund new natural gas plants to act as a sort of fleet of emergency generators. Above, transmission towers near Houston.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images
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In Dallas, housing voucher holders face limited options when looking for a home

by Christopher Connelly
Mar 20, 2023
More than 90% of landlords in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area won’t rent to people who rely on housing vouchers to pay the rent.
Texas is one of a number of states that does not prohibit discrimination against recipients of federal housing vouchers.
Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images
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Red Texas is flush, blue California has a deficit, but it's more about economics than politics

by Matt Levin
Jan 11, 2023
Fewer tech millionaires were minted in 2022, hurting California's bottom line, while in Texas, the oil and gas industry boomed.
"Because [California is] a heavy tech economy, it means tech has a disproportionate impact on the state’s revenues," said Chris Hoene at the California Budget & Policy Center. 
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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Some Texas school districts are pivoting to a 4-day week

by Bill Zeeble
Oct 31, 2022
One district that has made the move is finding it easier to recruit and hire teachers. But some working parents say it is harder to manage.
The Athens Independent School District launched a three-year pilot program in 2019 as it transitioned to a shorter week with longer days. That schedule is now permanent, and the district isn’t looking back.
Bill Zeeble/KERA
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As the GOP makes inroads with South Texas voters, political ad spending is soaring

by Andy Uhler
Oct 26, 2022
Democrats aren't used to spending in districts that were once a lock for them.
A man wearing a "Latinos for America" t-shirt attends a campaign event for Republican Monica De La Cruz, running for Congress, and US Representative Mayra Flores (R-TX), on October 10, 2022 at the University Drafthouse in Mcallen, Texas.
Allison Dinner/AFP via Getty Images
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Texas redistricting changes how congressional candidates allocate money

by Nancy Marshall-Genzer
Oct 26, 2022
Some congressional candidates are doubling down on campaign spending to win over new districts.
"We’re running a full campaign like we did the very first time," says Vicente Gonzalez, who campaigned at an event in Harlingen, Texas, above. "We’ve knocked on over 145,000 doors.”
Nancy Marshall Genzer/Marketplace
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Texas taxpayers shell out millions to defend redistricting maps

by Nancy Marshall-Genzer
Oct 25, 2022
The GOP-approved maps have drawn the ire of civil rights groups.
Kelly Nguyen knocks on doors in Houston's Chinatown, encouraging Asian Americans to vote.
Nancy Marshall Genzer
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