State approves $562 million Texas Energy Fund loan for power plant near Baytown
The low-interest loan to NRG Energy for a gas-fired power plant is the largest of three loans approved through the $7 billion fund since its creation in 2023. Full Story
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Paul Cobler is the Tribune's economy and industry reporter, covering the socioeconomic and political forces that impact Texans’ pocketbooks and upward mobility. Before joining the Tribune, he was a politics reporter for the Houston Landing and covered Baton Rouge City Hall for The Advocate in Louisiana. Paul grew up in Victoria, Texas, and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. His reporting has appeared in news publications across the state, including the Dallas Morning News, Austin American-Statesman and the Houston Chronicle. He is based in Austin.
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![Vistra Corp.’s Midlothian Power Plant opened its doors to media on October 15, 2021 to show the plant’s weatherization process. Energy providers like Vistra are preparing their plants for extreme weather conditions following the February winter storm Uri, which disrupted the Texas electric grid and led to the deaths of more than 200 people.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
Many Texas retailers can no longer sell THC to customers under 21
The age limit is expected to go into effect Tuesday after the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission approved the rule. Enforcement won’t begin until Oct. 1. Full Story
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![THC products sit near the cash register in Hyde Park Market in Austin on May 5, 2025.]()
Credit: Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott orders minors banned from THC products
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Friday called Abbott’s decision a pathway to full legalization of cannabis, including marijuana which is still federally illegal. Hemp-derived THC is legal. Full Story
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![THC products sit near the cash register in Hyde Park Market in Austin on May 5, 2025.]()
Credit: Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribune -
Retailers relieved that Texas skirted a THC ban — again
While Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick remains adamant about a ban, hemp industry representatives say they would compromise on creating a 21 age limit to purchase. Full Story
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![THC products sit near the cash register in Hyde Park Market in Austin, Texas on May 5, 2025. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has partnered with the senate in pursuing a complete ban on THC products across the state.]()
Credit: Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribune -
Most Texas THC products remain legal after GOP leaders fail to break legislative impasse
Legislators couldn’t reach a last-minute deal to tighten regulations on consumable hemp products. Full Story
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![Hemp plants are seen at Caprock Family Farms, Friday, May 23, 2025, in Lubbock.]()
Credit: Annie Rice for The Texas Tribune -
Rio Grande Valley leaders underscore education’s role in boosting region’s economy
Panelists at a Brownsville event hosted by The Texas Tribune said the region’s recent economic growth must be paired with an educated workforce to support new companies. Full Story
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Rio Grande Valley leaders discuss challenges and misconceptions facing region
Panelists at the Edinburg event hosted by The Texas Tribune highlighted the area’s role in helping power Texas’ recent economic growth and the political and economic headwinds it faces. Full Story
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Texas’ $7.2 billion loan program for gas power plants has approved two projects in two years
Experts say the Texas Energy Fund is facing an energy market that makes new power plants more expensive and less profitable. Full Story
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![Vistra Corp.’s Midlothian Power Plant opened its doors to media on October 15, 2021 to show the plant’s weatherization process. Energy providers like Vistra are preparing their plants for extreme weather conditions following the February winter storm Uri, which disrupted the Texas electric grid and led to the deaths of more than 200 people.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
Texas economy, job growth slowing amid trade war and immigration crackdown, Dallas fed report says
Increasing tariffs on foreign goods and the impact of deportations on the work force cited as job growth slows in Texas. Full Story
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![A truck travels on U.S. Highway 281 in Pharr. 281 stretches from the U.S.-Mexico border to the U.S.-Canada border.]()
Credit: Reynaldo Leal for The Texas Tribune -
Along Guadalupe River, more than a dozen summer camps have structures in flood zones
Most of the camps were built decades ago, before modern modeling and flood maps. Counties have little power to regulate construction flood plains. Full Story
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![Damage from the flood around a bridge on HWY 39 in Hunt on July 5, 2025.]()
Credit: Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribune