Private philanthropy in Midland tries to make up for government shortfalls

May 17, 2018
Midland, which has only one homeless shelter with 20 beds but 264 homeless people, is resistant to government aid for its needy residents.
A billboard promotes the oil industry along a road in Midland on February 6, 2015 in Midland, Texas. 
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

There is a major digital divide on the Texas-Mexico border, one of least connected parts of the country

May 3, 2018
The Texas-Mexico border is one of the least connected in the U.S. A map  from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas shows border counties bathed in bright red, meaning less than around 60 percent have home internet access. It’s a distinction shared by the Mississippi Delta and Appalachia, other parts of the country with pernicious […]

The NFL draft is a business all its own

Apr 27, 2018
The football rookie draft is expected to bring $100 million in economic activity.
The AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX is the site of this year's NFL draft. 
Andy Uhler/Marketplace

Oil boom cheers Texas town, but some worry about education

Apr 25, 2018
Midland, Texas, is doing well with high oil prices but having trouble retaining teachers for its public schools.
A state-of-the-art Midland Public Library was built using sales tax money.
Filipa Rodrigues/Marketplace

Midland, Texas, is booming as oil prices rise

Apr 24, 2018
Times are good in the Permian Basin, but schools and roads still need improvement.
Workers on an oil rig in Midland, Texas, part of the Permian Basin, where output has tripled in the past three years.
Filipa Rodrigues/Marketplace

Oil prices are on the rise, but some in oil country are feeling left out

Apr 24, 2018
In Midland, Texas, the gap between rich and poor is evident at every turn.
Flags shown in Midland, Texas.
Filipa Rodrigues/Marketplace

Despite domestic oil boom, some students in Texas are hesitant to enter the field

Mar 26, 2018
Some colleges are finding that students are not eager to enroll in oil and gas majors.
Spencer Platt / Getty Images

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Texas could take a big hit if tariffs are introduced

Mar 6, 2018
President Donald Trump’s planned tariffs on steel and aluminum would affect businesses in many part of the nation. Some states, though, would be affected more than others. A paper published today by  the Tax Foundation criticizes the president’s plans and says thatTexas would  be hit hardest if tariffs were imposed. How exactly? Click the audio […]

Texas legislature taking on college costs

Feb 21, 2018
Legislatures across the country are trying to contain tuition hikes.

Study shows worrying credit card debt burden

Feb 8, 2018
People who have credit card debt in America carry, on average, about $11,000 of it. A new study from Creditcards.com tells us that people in southern cities have the highest credit card debt burden, particularly in Texas. Click the audio player above to hear the full story.