Past Contributions

• How coronavirus impacted the Texas economy

  By Anna Novak, Mandi Cai and Mitchell Ferman June 25, 2021

  The coronavirus pandemic swiftly swept Texas into an economic recession, upending several industries and prompting millions to seek unemployment aid. Here’s a look at how the state was impacted between March 2020 and May 2021. Full Story 

• In Texas, Biden’s urban wins couldn’t offset Trump’s millions of votes in rural, red counties

  By Mandi Cai, Matthew Watkins, Anna Novak and Darla Cameron Nov. 6, 2020

  In order to turn the tide in 2020, Biden needed to take advantage of population growth in the state’s biggest cities and political shifts in the suburbs to erase Trump’s massive advantages in rural areas of the state. Full Story 

• Joe Biden’s struggles along the Texas border raise questions about Democrats’ outreach there

  By Alex Samuels, Patrick Svitek, Anna Novak and Mandi Cai Nov. 4, 2020

  Democrats once again won a large number of counties along or near the Texas-Mexico border, but by narrower margins than in recent elections. That showing played a big role in disappointing results for the state’s Democrats. Full Story 

• As Texas college towns emerge as coronavirus hot spots, universities try to keep students from infecting locals

  By Emma Platoff, Shawn Mulcahy and Anna Novak Sept. 22, 2020

  In counties where four-year college students make up at least 10% of the population, cases have grown 34% since Aug. 19, according to a Texas Tribune analysis. That’s compared with 23% in counties with a smaller proportion of students. Full Story 

• Texas’ Hispanic population grew by 2 million in the past decade, on pace to be largest share of state by 2021

  By Alexa Ura and Anna Novak June 25, 2020

  New U.S. census estimates show the gap between Hispanic and white populations in the state continues to narrow, and Hispanics are projected to become the largest population group a year earlier than previously expected. Full Story 

• Texas attributes record-high coronavirus cases to bars, beaches and a data backlog in Harris County

  By Julián Aguilar and Anna Novak June 20, 2020

  More than 4,400 positive cases were reported Saturday. The state also set its ninth consecutive record for hospitalizations, but officials say hospital capacity isn't a concern. Full Story 

• Business has reopened in Texas, but the economy won’t be back anytime soon, experts say

  By Mitchell Ferman and Anna Novak May 8, 2020

  The Texas energy sector has helped insulate the state's economy during national downturns. This time, experts say the industry could hold the economy back. Full Story 

• Texas’ unemployment rate has fallen by nearly half since the record high in April 2020

  By Anna Novak, Mitchell Ferman and Mandi Cai Updated: June 21, 2021

  The coronavirus pandemic swiftly swept Texas into an economic recession, prompting millions to seek unemployment aid and complicating the state budget. Here’s a look at how the recovery is going. Full Story 

• More Texans filed for unemployment in the last 4 weeks than all of 2019

  By Mitchell Ferman, Anna Novak and Clare Proctor Updated: April 9, 2020

  The numbers are early — but incomplete — indicators of how dramatically and suddenly the state's economy has collapsed under social distancing orders officials issued to curb the still growing public health crisis spurred by the novel coronavirus. Full Story 

• Texas hospitals don't have enough beds for coronavirus patients if too many people get sick at once

  By Edgar Walters and Anna Novak Updated: March 17, 2020

  Texas has about 2.9 hospital beds per 1,000 people — less than one-fourth the rate of South Korea. Full Story