Past Contributions

• Texan Bitcoin miners profit by using less electricity; advocates say all Texans should get the same chance

  By Kevin Vu and Emily Foxhall Jan. 3, 2024

  Bitcoin miner Riot Platforms made headlines over the summer for making millions by selling pre-purchased power back to the grid. The news highlighted how the grid can benefit businesses more than consumers. Full Story 

• Texas must remove floating barrier from Rio Grande, Fifth Circuit Court orders

  By Kevin Vu Updated: Dec. 1, 2023

  The appeals court upheld an earlier ruling by an Austin federal judge to remove the 1,000-foot-long barrier the state deployed near Eagle Pass. Full Story 

• Texas board rejects many science textbooks over climate change messaging

  By Erin Douglas and Kevin Vu Nov. 17, 2023

  The Republican-controlled Texas State Board of Education this week rejected most of the proposed textbooks that include climate science for eighth grade students. Five of 12 were approved. Full Story 

• Proposition 9 would increase pensions for retired teachers and public school employees

  By Kevin Vu Nov. 3, 2023

  If approved by voters on Nov. 7, the proposal would allocate $3.3 billion to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, increasing pensions between 2% and 6%. Full Story 

• Texas power grid operator approved for a 40% budget increase

  By Kevin Vu and Emily Foxhall Nov. 2, 2023

  The Electric Reliability Council of Texas said it needs more money to comply with new regulations, hire more employees and fight legal challenges. It said the budget increase will cost power customers less than 20 cents per month. Full Story 

• Author Dan Egan talks with The Texas Tribune about phosphorus overuse and toxic algae blooms

  By Kevin Vu, The Texas Tribune Updated: Oct. 27, 2023

  Egan sat down with Tribune environmental reporter Alejandra Martinez to talk about his new book, “The Devil’s Element: Phosphorus and a World Out of Balance,” which explains how overuse of phosphorus is impacting the environment. Full Story 

• How Texas lawmakers are trying to deter illegal immigration and secure the border

  By Kevin Vu, The Texas Tribune Updated: Oct. 30, 2023

  Two Texas House members and an immigration lawyer sat down with Matthew Watkins, the Tribune’s managing editor of news and politics, to discuss the current state of Texas’ border and immigration bills that lawmakers are weighing during the special session. Full Story 

• Texas drought has deepened amid this year’s brutal heat

  By Kevin Vu, The Texas Tribune Oct. 2, 2023

  After a long summer of extreme heat, Texas has been battered by a lingering drought that’s damaging crops, drying up water supplies and causing wildfires. Full Story 

• Texans in U.S. House describe GOP in chaos ahead of likely government shutdown

  By Kevin Vu, The Texas Tribune Sept. 23, 2023

  Texas Democrats decry Republican infighting that has halted attempts to approve annual spending bills and avoid a federal government shutdown. Full Story