https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/paul-cobler/The latest news by Paul Cobler.enFri, 26 Sep 2025 16:26:25 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/26/texas-energy-fund-loan-nrg-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.By Paul CoblerFri, 26 Sep 2025 16:26:25 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/26/texas-energy-fund-loan-nrg-baytown/A gas-fired power plant in Midlothian. The state announced Friday that NRG will receive a loan under the Texas Energy Fund to build a new gas-fired power plant near Baytown.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.Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/23/texas-minors-21-age-limit-thc-hemp/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.By Paul CoblerTue, 23 Sep 2025 11:46:07 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/23/texas-minors-21-age-limit-thc-hemp/THC products sit near the cash register in Hyde Park Market in Austin on May 5, 2025.THC products sit near the cash register in Hyde Park Market in Austin on May 5, 2025.Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/10/texas-thc-executive-order-greg-abbott-weed-cannabis/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.By Alex Nguyen and Paul CoblerWed, 10 Sep 2025 11:03:19 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/10/texas-thc-executive-order-greg-abbott-weed-cannabis/THC products sit near the cash register in Hyde Park Market in Austin on May 5, 2025.THC products sit near the cash register in Hyde Park Market in Austin on May 5, 2025.Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/05/texas-thc-shops-retailers-ban-relief-age-limit/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.By Paul Cobler and Alex NguyenFri, 05 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/05/texas-thc-shops-retailers-ban-relief-age-limit/THC products sit near the cash register in Hyde Park Market in Austin on May 5, 2025.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.Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/03/texas-legislature-thc-deal-ban-hemp/Legislators couldn’t reach a last-minute deal to tighten regulations on consumable hemp products.By Alex Nguyen, Kayla Guo, Renzo Downey and Paul CoblerWed, 03 Sep 2025 15:03:41 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/03/texas-legislature-thc-deal-ban-hemp/Hemp plants are seen at Caprock Family Farms, Friday, May 23, 2025, in Lubbock.Hemp plants are seen at Caprock Family Farms, Friday, May 23, 2025, in Lubbock.Annie Rice for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/14/texas-rgv-workers-next-generation-brownsville/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.By Paul CoblerFri, 29 Aug 2025 13:50:59 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/14/texas-rgv-workers-next-generation-brownsville/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/14/texas-rgv-preserving-economic-miracle/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.By Paul CoblerFri, 29 Aug 2025 13:45:53 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/14/texas-rgv-preserving-economic-miracle/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/26/texas-energy-fund-natural-gas-power-plants/Experts say the Texas Energy Fund is facing an energy market that makes new power plants more expensive and less profitable.By Paul CoblerTue, 26 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/26/texas-energy-fund-natural-gas-power-plants/Vistra Corp.’s Midlothian Power Plant. State lawmakers have approved more than $7 billion to provide low-interest loans to companies that agree to build more gas-fired power plants in Texas.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.Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/13/texas-economy-slowing-dallas-federal-reserve-bank-report/Increasing tariffs on foreign goods and the impact of deportations on the work force cited as job growth slows in Texas.By Paul CoblerWed, 13 Aug 2025 15:30:04 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/13/texas-economy-slowing-dallas-federal-reserve-bank-report/An 18-wheeler travels on U.S. Highway 281 in Pharr.A truck travels on U.S. Highway 281 in Pharr. 281 stretches from the U.S.-Mexico border to the U.S.-Canada border.Reynaldo Leal for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/13/texas-hill-country-summer-camps-kerrville-floodplain/Most of the camps were built decades ago, before modern modeling and flood maps. Counties have little power to regulate construction flood plains.By Paul Cobler and Edison WuWed, 13 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/13/texas-hill-country-summer-camps-kerrville-floodplain/Flood damage around a bridge in Hunt on July 5, 2025.Damage from the flood around a bridge on HWY 39 in Hunt on July 5, 2025.Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/11/uvalde-new-records-media-lawsuit-texas/Local records released this week — after a yearslong lawsuit —affirm previous reporting about law enforcement’s flawed response to Texas’ deadliest school shooting.By Lomi Kriel, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica, and Alex Nguyen and Paul Cobler, The Texas TribuneMon, 11 Aug 2025 22:31:56 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/11/uvalde-new-records-media-lawsuit-texas/Hundreds of flowers, toys, and candles surround the crosses in memorial of the 21 victims of the Robb Elementary school shooting at Robb Elementary in 2022.Hundreds of flowers, toys, and candles surround the crosses in memorial of the 21 victims of the school shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, on June 9, 2022.Evan L'Roy for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/25/texas-tariffs-impact-trump-mexico-canada-exports-imports/A vast majority of trade between Mexico and the U.S. has been exempt from tariffs for months. That could change on Monday.By Paul CoblerFri, 25 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/25/texas-tariffs-impact-trump-mexico-canada-exports-imports/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/23/texas-hill-country-floods-legislative-committee-hearing/Lawmakers serving on special committees investigating deadly floods blasted a river authority for failing to build a flood warning system on the Guadalupe River.By Emily Foxhall, Hayden Betts, Paul Cobler and Ayden RunnelsWed, 23 Jul 2025 17:05:43 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/23/texas-hill-country-floods-legislative-committee-hearing/Members of the Texas Senate and House hold a joint Disaster Preparedness and Flooding committee meeting on July 23 at the state Capiol in Austin. The joint committee was formed in the aftermath of recent devastating flooding in the Hill Country.Members of the Texas Senate and House hold a joint Disaster Preparedness and Flooding committee meeting Wednesday, July 23, 2025 in Austin. The joint committee was formed in the aftermath of recent devastating flooding in the Hill Country.Ronaldo Bolaños/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/10/texas-floods-kerr-county-search-recovery-debris-removal/Crews are using construction equipment to clear vehicles, trees and homes in a race to locate more than 170 people still missing since Friday’s devastating flood.By Paul Cobler, Ayden Runnels, Colleen DeGuzman and Hayden BettsThu, 10 Jul 2025 13:46:40 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/10/texas-floods-kerr-county-search-recovery-debris-removal/Search and recovery teams along the Guadalupe River in Kerrville on July 7, 2025, three days after the flood that has claimed more than 100 lives.Search and recovery teams in Kerrville, Texas on Monday, July 7, 2025.Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/09/texas-floods-growth-kerr-county-camp-mystic/Experts suggested that more data and education are needed as Texas and the rest of the country build in known flood plains.By Joshua Fechter and Paul Cobler, Graphics by Carla AstudilloWed, 09 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/09/texas-floods-growth-kerr-county-camp-mystic/Local officials have a limited set of tools to keep people from building in flood-prone areas. And as the state continues to grow, policymakers will have to grapple with how to manage new construction and extreme weather.Damage from the flood around a bridge on Highway 39 in Hunt on July 5, 2025.Brenda Bazán for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/05/texas-hill-country-floods-warning-forecast-nws/Water rose fast along the Guadalupe River, causing dozens of deaths. Local officials said they couldn’t have seen it coming.By Paul CoblerSat, 05 Jul 2025 15:24:26 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/05/texas-hill-country-floods-warning-forecast-nws/https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/30/texas-state-budget-revenues/As federal pandemic aid ends and sales tax revenues cool, analysts say it could constrain the Texas Legislature in coming years. But they don’t see an immediate budget crisis on the horizon.By Paul Cobler, Graphics by Chris EssigMon, 30 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/30/texas-state-budget-revenues/Dense fog blankets the dome of the Capitol in Austin on March 12, 2019.Dense fog blankets the dome of the Capitol in Austin on March 12, 2019.Emree Weaver/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/27/texas-porn-websites-age-verification-law-supreme-court/The case involves a 2023 state law requiring adult websites to verify users’ ages, but the ruling is expected to have broader implications for free speech law.By Kayla Guo, Eleanor Klibanoff and Paul CoblerFri, 27 Jun 2025 11:18:26 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/27/texas-porn-websites-age-verification-law-supreme-court/Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to the media outside the Supreme Court building in Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 following arguments in the case “Free Speech Coalition, Inc., et al. v. Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas.”Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to the media outside the Supreme Court building in Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 following arguments in the case “Free Speech Coalition, Inc., et al. v. Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas.”Luke Johnson for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2018/08/20/hurricane-harvey-one-year-later-debt-loss-and-faith-3-texas-families/The deadly storm was indiscriminate during its week of destruction. Texans living in the massive disaster area were thrust into a historic housing recovery effort rife with bureaucratic roadblocks, agonizing financial decisions and still-lingering anxieties.By Paul CoblerMon, 20 Aug 2018 00:01:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2018/08/20/hurricane-harvey-one-year-later-debt-loss-and-faith-3-texas-families/The Eichberger family RV housed Kareen, Jon and two of their sons for nearly a year after their house was flooded by the rains of Tropical Storm Harvey. The RV is parked in the driveway of their damaged home, allowing Kareen and Jon to oversee ongoing repairs.The Eichberger family RV housed Kareen, Jon and two of their sons for nearly a year after their house was flooded by the rains of Tropical Storm Harvey. The RV is parked in the driveway of their damaged home, allowing Kareen and Jon to oversee ongoing repairs.Stephanie Kuzydym for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2018/07/05/houston-sees-first-major-flooding-harvey/Residents watched cautiously as parts of the city received up to 8 inches of rain.By Natalia Alamdari and Paul CoblerThu, 05 Jul 2018 17:59:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2018/07/05/houston-sees-first-major-flooding-harvey/Streets flood in central Houston during heavy rain on July 4, 2018.Streets flood in central Houston during heavy rain on July 4, 2018.Stephanie Kuzydym for The Texas Tribune