Texas hemp farmers fear full THC ban would nip industry in the bud
As lawmakers work to close loopholes that allow minors access to cannabis consumables, hemp farmers warn a total THC ban would strangle a once-hailed crop. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5036a13a4ce7a66a5449e223005060e3/0410%20Hemp%20Farm%20TrT%20TT%2025.jpg)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/TEMP_Stephen_Simpson.jpeg)
Stephen Simpson is the mental health reporter, based in Austin, where he covers behavioral health in schools, treatment in the judicial system, substance abuse and the state mental health system, among other topics. He previously worked in his home state of Arkansas as a politics reporter, where he covered the state's Supreme Court, House of Representatives and correctional system for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Stephen's earliest career experiences include reporting and copy editing at The Jonesboro Sun and The Pine Bluff Commercial. He earned a degree in online and print journalism with a minor in filmmaking from the University of Central Arkansas.
Latest Contributions
-
![bin of proccessed hemp at Bingham Family Venards outside Meadow, TX.]()
Credit: Trace Thomas for The Texas Tribune -
Texas AG investigating insurance company accused of spying on lawmakers, journalists, other Texans
Superior HealthPlan’s CEO, whom lawmakers grilled about the company’s alleged hiring of private investigators, was reportedly fired after the inquiry was announced. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f229b8ca966f7038783b30f80514cccb/0106%20Paxton%20Ft%20Worth%20EL%20TT%2063.JPG)
![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton addresses the crowd during a rally at the Tarrant County Republican Party Headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.]()
Credit: Emil T. Lippe for The Texas Tribune -
Texas is poised to make measles a nationwide epidemic, public health experts say
Public health experts say Texas needs better messaging on vaccinations and quarantining and more people conducting contact tracing to contain the spread. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6881e80e0240b9720daba45b9ff9e0fb/MEASLES%20AP%20JC%2056.jpg)
![A sign donning measles information is posted outside of the office of Dr. Rumbidzai Mutikani, a pediatrician at the Hobbs Medical Clinic, as she works at her desk Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, in Hobbs, N.M.]()
Credit: AP Photo/Julio Cortez -
Abbott praises Trump’s efforts to eliminate Education Department at White House
Gov. Greg Abbott dismissed concerns that federal funding and civil rights could be jeopardized by the reduction of the department. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1e355cdc38894ccfb34387bf964e195b/Greg%20Abbott%20Ed%20Dept%20Signing%20REUTERS.JPG)
![Gov. Greg Abbott applauds as he attends the signing of an executive order to shut down the Department of Education by President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, D.C., on March 20, 2025.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Carlos Barria -
After COVID, Texas is less prepared for the next pandemic
Five years after Texas’ first COVID death, the state spends less on public health, vaccination rates have dropped and a distrust of authority has taken hold. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/458ffd7e7ba31ad9465e21b335a37672/Covid-5%20Illo%20FINAL%20JPEG.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Diana Branzan for The Texas Tribune -
Texas health experts want a study of the state’s COVID-19 response before the next crisis
Public health advocates said the state needs to analyze what happened during the pandemic to better tackle inevitable emergencies. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a2cd9790af9353628f4686b8130c58f9/04-01_HealthCrisis-Lead-Logo-01-v1.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Obstacles slow Texas’ effort to improve conditions at substance abuse recovery homes
A new law was meant to uphold standards at homes where substance abusers are trying to rebuild their lives. But compliance is proving difficult. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4913e23857598deb1e89806674bde3c9/Substance%20Use%20Housing%20DL%20TT%2023.jpg)
![House of Extra Measures residents during a meeting at a home in Houston, Texas, on March 2, 2025.]()
Credit: Danielle Villasana for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate advances bill to start a $3 billion dementia research fund
The legislation would require voters to approve the $3 billion start-up cost, and then the fund would be maintained at no more than $300 million annually. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/12262a410c05911b5aca7ffff9d3c7b5/0628%20Second%20Special%20Session%20EL%2026.JPG)
![State Senators discuss a Point of Order on an amendment to the SJR 1 property tax bill to include a bonus for Texas teachers, with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on the Senate floor during the first day of the second special session at the state Capitol in Austin on June 28, 2023.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Texas mental health licensing board gives initial OK to remove training requirement associated with DEI
Officials say the motive for the change to the rule requiring mental health providers to receive cultural diversity or competency training for license renewals has been misunderstood. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/08c220d7cf4e6f53458716d349a2d0de/Therapist%20LW%2013.jpg)
![Psychotherapist Monrovia Van Hoose's office on Friday, Mar. 11, 2022.]()
Credit: Lauren Witte/The Texas Tribune -
Texas measles cases rise to 561. Here is what you need to know.
There are now 23 counties reporting at least one measles case. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bd8ad482f78442ca98da07249d45f471/0226%20Measles%20Covenant%20TrT%2049.jpg)
![Covenant Childrens hospital located in Lubbock on Feb. 26, 2025. Covenant has addd a patient screening check before entering the children's emergency entrance.]()
Credit: Trace Thomas for The Texas Tribune