https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/jess-huff/The latest news by Jess Huff.enMon, 04 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/04/harris-county-child-care-vote/The debate over whether to ask voters to cover the program comes as the nation’s third-largest county faces a projected $270M budget shortfall.By Jess HuffMon, 04 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/04/harris-county-child-care-vote/Harris County Judge Lina Hildago wants taxpayers to help pay for the county's work improving the region's child care landscape.Shelbi Adams spends her morning watching over children at Katherine Sage Temple Early Learning Center, on Tuesday February 25, 2025, in Diboll.Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/29/texas-east-carrizo-wilcox-aquifer-wells/Texas law largely allows landowners to do what they want with the groundwater beneath them, potentially protecting the latest plan to ship water out of East Texas.By Jess HuffTue, 29 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/29/texas-east-carrizo-wilcox-aquifer-wells/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/17/east-texas-black-farmers-donald-trump/Trump’s rollback is another example of the federal government’s lackluster efforts at giving Black farmers a boost in recent years.By Jess HuffThu, 17 Jul 2025 11:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/17/east-texas-black-farmers-donald-trump/Roy Mills speaks about growing hay at J&R Mills Family Farms in Nacogdoches County on Feb. 26, 2025.Roy Mills speaks about growing hay at J&R Mills Family Farms, on Wednesday February 26, 2025, in Nacogdoches County.Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/16/texas-robert-roberson-execution-date/Roberson’s attorneys have asked the state’s Court of Criminal Appeals to pause his execution until the court has considered his case.By Jess Huff and Stephen SimpsonWed, 16 Jul 2025 11:51:20 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/16/texas-robert-roberson-execution-date/Shackled and chained, Robert Roberson is led away from his lawyers by an Anderson County Sheriff’s Office deputy Wednesday morning after a new execution date of Oct. 16, 2025 was set by presiding Judge Austin Jackson of Smith County at the Anderson County Courthouse in Palestine.Shackled and chained, Robert Roberson is led away from his lawyers by an Anderson Co. Sheriff’s Office deputy Wednesday morning after a new execution date of Oct. 16, 2025 was set by presiding Judge Austin Jackson of Smith County at the Anderson County Courthouse in Palestine.Joel Andrews for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/15/crockett-texas-installs-sirens-hill-country-flood/As the public scrutinizes parts of the Hill Country for a lack of sirens during the July 4 floods, Crockett turned its own tragedy into preparedness.By Jess HuffTue, 15 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/15/crockett-texas-installs-sirens-hill-country-flood/The city of Crockett has secured funding to install a siren system, such as the one shown here in Comfort on July 10.A siren alert system in Comfort on Thursday July 10, 2025. Across the state in East Texas, the city of Crockett has secured the funding and has embarked on installing its own auditory alarm system.Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/08/randall-county-gop-chair-felony-election-fraud/Kelly Kenten Giles, 64, is accused of providing false information on his application and petition to run for the Randall County Republican Party Chair seat.By Jess HuffTue, 08 Jul 2025 17:08:28 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/08/randall-county-gop-chair-felony-election-fraud/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/23/texas-child-care-disabliiteis-legislature/Lawmakers added $100 million to a child care scholarship program but failed to expand access to free preschool for children with disabilities.By Jess HuffMon, 23 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/23/texas-child-care-disabliiteis-legislature/Texas lawmakers added $100 million to the state's child care scholarship fund. However, advocates worry the state is falling behind taking care of its youngest living with disabilities.A students watercolors at the Learning Tree childcare center in Yoakum, Texas, on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022.Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/09/texas-hunting-sheep-helicopter/Aoudad sheep are joining the short list of animals Texas lawmakers allow to be shot from a helicopter, along with coyotes and feral hogs.By Jess HuffMon, 09 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/09/texas-hunting-sheep-helicopter/Barbary sheep, also known as Aoudad sheep, were introduced to Texas from their native habitat in North Africa mid-20th century. Popular among hunters, considered an invasive species by farmers and ranchers, the Texas Legislature has added them to the list of animals that can be hunted helicopters, along with feral pigs and coyotes.Barbary sheep, also known as Aoudad sheep, were introduced to Texas from their native habitat in North Africa mid-20th century. Popular among hunters, considered an invasive species by farmers and ranchers, the Texas Legislature has added them to the list of animals that can be hunted helicopters, along with feral pigs an coyotes.Courtesy of Leroy Williamson/Texas Parks and Wildlifehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/05/rural-texas-legislation/Lawmakers sought to close gaps in education and support funding for agriculture, disaster preparedness and health care this year.By Jayme Lozano Carver, Carlos Nogueras Ramos, Jess Huff and Berenice GarciaThu, 05 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/05/rural-texas-legislation/The Texas State Capitol on March 17, 2025.The Texas State Capitol on March 17, 2025.Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/02/texas-maha-food-labels-vaccines-robert-kennedy/Texas is poised to lead the country in an initiative to inform denizens of what’s in their food. Food industry experts say it’s going too far.By Terri Langford and Jess HuffMon, 02 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/02/texas-maha-food-labels-vaccines-robert-kennedy/A woman pushes her shopping cart down an aisle at a Brookshire Brothers grocery store in Buffalo, Texas, on June 29, 2023.A woman pushes her shopping cart down an aisle at a Brookshire Brothers grocery store in Buffalo, Texas, on June 29, 2023. According to clients of The Lord’s Pantry of Leon County, Brookshire Brothers is the only grocery store in the county which they describe as a food desert.Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/29/texas-child-care-scholarship-funding/Reallocated funding for the program that will go to providers will benefit nearly 95,000 children on a waitlist for scholarships.By Jess HuffThu, 29 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/29/texas-child-care-scholarship-funding/Pita Espinosa leads a group of young children in a song that teaches Spanish words at the Learning Tree child care center in Yoakum in 2022.Teacher Pita Espinosa leads a group of young children in a song that teaches Spanish words at the Learning Tree childcare center in Yoakum on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022.Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/27/east-texas-school-choice-closures/The schools were closed last week after years of declining enrollment. The school communities said increased choices were to blame.By Jess HuffTue, 27 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/27/east-texas-school-choice-closures/Starla Hill, principal at Coston Elementary in Lufkin, greets visitors on May 6. Lufkin Independent School District closed both the Coston campus and Kurth Primary at the end of the school year.Starla Hill, principal at Coston Elementary, greets visitors Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Lufkin, Texas. Lufkin Independent School District will be closing the campus at the end of the school year in an effort to reduce spending.Joel Andrews for the Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/21/texas-screwworm-cattle-industry-border/U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz hope to fund an operation to kill the parasitic fly before too much damage is done.By Berenice Garcia and Jess HuffWed, 21 May 2025 14:20:58 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/21/texas-screwworm-cattle-industry-border/The U.S. has once again suspended live animal imports at the southern border as fear of screwworm grows.Cattle are brought across the U.S.-Mexico border at the livestock import/export facility in Santa Teresa, New Mexico on January 22, 2021.Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/13/texas-child-marriages-ban/Before the House takes a final vote on the bill, it could face a proposal that would allow adults and minors to marry if their age gap is three years or less.By Jess HuffTue, 13 May 2025 18:06:52 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/13/texas-child-marriages-ban/The dome of the Texas State Capitol on Thursday, April 24, 2014.The dome of the Texas State Capitol on Thursday, April 24, 2014.Anneke Els Paterson for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/10/texas-child-marriage-loophole/Lawmakers in 2017 took a major step to end most child marriages. However, emancipated teenagers 16 and older can get married.By Jess HuffSat, 10 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/10/texas-child-marriage-loophole/Texas lawmakers are debating a bill that would close a loophole that allows certain teenagers to marry before they are 18.The Capitol dome is seen from the north side of the complex in Austin on March 18, 2025.Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/02/texas-legislature-teachers-parents-protections/A fiery debate on the House floor Friday gave way to the Senate Bill 412’s final vote. Supporters say it’s needed to protect children.By Jess Huff and Sofia SorochinskaiaFri, 02 May 2025 19:16:33 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/02/texas-legislature-teachers-parents-protections/Critics say Senate Bill 412 will lead teachers and librarians to remove any materials out of fear it could be seen as too mature. Supporters maintain it is a crucial next step in protecting Texas children.The library at Blanco Vista Elementary in San Marcos on Nov. 4, 2021.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/02/texas-may-election-ending-legislature/The Texas House is considering a bill to abolish May elections, which have the lowest turnout of any election.By Jess HuffFri, 02 May 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/02/texas-may-election-ending-legislature/Texas might end May municipal elections if the Legislature approve a bill that would move most contests to November.Love Vial, center, votes at the West Gray Multiservice Center in Houston on Election Day, Nov. 7, 2023.Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/29/texas-farm-loans/If approved, the legislation would expand one of the state's most popular loan programs with even lower interest rates.By Jess HuffTue, 29 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/29/texas-farm-loans/A farmworker harvests spinach at Johnson's Backyard Garden, an organic farm east of Austin, on April 21, 2020.A farmworker harvests spinach at Johnson's Backyard Garden, an organic farm east of Austin, on April 21, 2020.Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/24/texas-gulf-of-america-name-change/Senate Bill 1717 would require the name of Gulf of Mexico to be changed in every official reference made by a state agency, resolution, rule or publication.By Jess HuffThu, 24 Apr 2025 15:27:45 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/24/texas-gulf-of-america-name-change/Senate Bill 1717, which seeks to rename the Gulf of Mexico, was passed with 20 out of 31 senators in favor of the bill.Beach goers at the Gulf of Mexico coastline in Corpus Christi on July 6, 2024.Pete Garcia for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/23/texas-rural-trinity-hospital-closes/Residents in Trinity County will now have to travel 30 miles to access the closest hospital.By Jess HuffWed, 23 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/23/texas-rural-trinity-hospital-closes/Mid Coast Medical Center in Trinity is scheduled to close April 25 after just 14 months in operation. The district is working quickly to find someone to take over the hospital, which serves the East Texas town of Trinity, about 90 miles north of Houston.Mid Coast Medical Center - Trinity is scheduled to scheduled to close after just 14 months in operation. The district is working quickly to find someone to take over the hospital, which serves the East Texas town of Trinity, about 90 miles north of Houston.Mid Coast Medical Center - Trinity website