State News

South Texas Geothermal Energy Project Ready to Provide Power That Never Stops

bySumaiya Malik

A geothermal test project that could set the stage for “always on” green energy is set to take root in South Texas with a goal of competing with wind and solar energy production. The project is a joint venture between Sage Geosystems, a private green energy company, and the Bureau of Economic Geology at the Jackson School of Geosciences at the University of Texas at Austin, based on a U.S. Air Force-funded initial feasibility study.

Gender Gap Persists in UT System Senior Leadership 

byMadi Donham

In 2015, a group of female UT System employees sent a report to then-UT System Chancellor William McRaven detailing how women were underrepresented in leadership positions in the system. The 2015 report’s authors acknowledge the progress has been made in the intervening five years, but they say more needs to be done.

The Uphill Climb for Stricter Gun Laws in Texas

byMadi Donham

A Republican state representative from Odessa — which witnessed the third mass-shooting tragedy nationwide in a single month last year — filed the first gun-safety-related bill of the upcoming 87th Legislature. 

Black-Owned Plant-Based Restaurants Taking Root in Texas

byMadelyn Gee 

Many African-Americans simply are not used to having plant-based ingredients replace meat in the cuisine they grew up with. However, an increasing number of black-owned plant-based restaurants around the state are showing that going meatless is becoming more popular among African-American Texans.

Falconry Soars in Texas 

bySumaiya Malik

Falconry is a niche sport, but the state has seen an uptick in applications for falconry permits. “We have an average of 14 new applicants each year, but in 2019 that number increased to 27,” Megan Nelson, falconry permit coordinator at Texas Parks and Wildlife, said. There are 389 licensed falconers in Texas.

Central Texas School Social Workers and Counselors Face Pandemic-related Challenges

byBenton Graham and Jillian Price  

Since the pandemic forced schools to limit in-person classes, social workers and counselors have struggled to maintain relationships with students. In addition to the difficulty of staying in touch with students virtually, social workers have had to navigate what experts call a mental health crisis.

Professor Provides Insight on Governor’s Proposed Protest Laws

byMizelle Mayo

In September, Gov. Greg Abbott suggested legislation that takes aim at protesters. The Governor’s proposals are part of a renewed law and order focus promoted by President Donald Trump. Reporting Texas spoke with Arizona State Criminal Justice Professor Edward Mcguire about the measures.

Texas Separatists Aim to Go Mainstream

byAimée Knight

The Texas Nationalist Movement, a peaceful advocacy group formed in 2005, is intensely critical of the federal government. Its central goal is fundamentally revolutionary: an economically, politically and culturally independent Texas.

Texas A&M Forest Service Takes Proactive Approach to Fighting Wildfires

byCat DeLaura

The service is building fire barriers around two Panhandle towns that are highly vulnerable to wildfires.

Understanding the Constitutional Amendment That Would Exempt Gold from Taxation

byNataleah Small

On Nov. 5, voters will weigh in on Proposition 9, a state constitutional amendment that would exempt metals stored in the Texas Bullion Depository — the only state-backed precious metals depository in the nation — from property taxes.

Racial Politics and Economic Woes Roil an East Texas City

byVicky Camarillo

How the battle over an East Texas city’s economic development corporation laid bare racial fault lines in the age of Trump.

28 Years After a Forgotten Mass Shooting in Texas, a Survivor Looks Back

byJack Keyes

Tommy Vaughn says he’s no hero, but his actions helped save lives.