Latest Contributions

• We’ve been tracking COVID-19 trends in Texas for 20 months. Take our survey to help inform what we do next.

  By Darla Cameron and Chris Essig Dec. 17, 2021

  Our tracker presents the latest on tests, cases, hospitalizations, people who died and vaccinations. We want to know how this information can be more valuable to readers. Full Story 

• Search the newly updated Government Salaries Explorer

  By Chris Essig Oct. 26, 2021

  The Texas Tribune’s database of Texas state employees’ compensation has been updated to represent salaries as of Sept. 30. This update also includes new job descriptions and salary ranges for many positions. Full Story 

• People of color make up 95% of Texas’ population growth, and cities and suburbs are booming, 2020 census shows

  By Alexa Ura, Jason Kao, Carla Astudillo and Chris Essig Aug. 12, 2021

  The state’s Hispanic population is now nearly as large as the non-Hispanic white population, with Texas gaining nearly 11 Hispanic residents for every additional white resident since 2010. Those trends set up a pitched battle for political control when state lawmakers redraw legislative districts. Full Story 

• Polling places for urban voters of color would be cut under Texas Senate's version of voting bill being negotiated with House

  By Alexa Ura, Chris Essig and Madison Dong May 23, 2021

  Voters in some urban, Democratic areas of Harris and Tarrant counties would see a drastic drop in polling places under the Senate version of Senate Bill 7, a Texas Tribune analysis shows. Full Story 

• Search the newly updated Government Salaries Explorer

  By Chris Essig and Mandi Cai May 3, 2021

  The Texas Tribune’s database of Texas state employees' compensation has been updated to represent salaries as of April 1. It includes detailed data for the 111 agencies in state government and positions at each of those agencies. Full Story 

• One year ago, the first Texan was killed by COVID-19. 47,000 deaths followed — and it’s not over.

  By Mandi Cai, Emily Albracht and Chris Essig March 15, 2021

  This timeline tracks COVID-19’s rampage through Texas over the last year: the growing death toll, the policy decisions made in response to the pandemic that often influenced its course, and the stories of some of the Texans claimed by the virus. Full Story 

• Search the newly updated Government Salaries Explorer

  By Chris Essig and Mandi Cai Feb. 12, 2021

  The Texas Tribune’s database of Texas state employees' compensation has been updated to represent salaries as of February 1. It includes detailed data for the 111 agencies in state government and positions at each of those agencies. Full Story 

• Watch: Live video of the Texas House and Texas Senate

  By Chris Essig Updated: Jan. 12, 2021

  During the 2021 legislative session, The Texas Tribune is streaming the Texas House and Senate chambers, which you can watch here. The session runs from Jan. 12 to May 31. Full Story 

• Federal loans helped more than 400,000 Texas companies retain workers during the pandemic, new data shows

  By Mitchell Ferman, Chris Essig, Abby Livingston and Carla Astudillo Dec. 4, 2020

  Despite details released from the Paycheck Protection Program this week, a full snapshot of the program remains unclear. Full Story 

• Texas again sets record for new coronavirus infections as testing also sees sustained highs

  By Edgar Walters, Carla Astudillo, Chris Essig and Mandi Cai Nov. 25, 2020

  The apparent record comes one day before the Thanksgiving holiday. Public health authorities have urged people to celebrate apart this year as many Texas hospitals report overwhelming volumes of COVID-19 patients. Full Story