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Rural Poverty, Youth Homelessness Abound in Loraine, Pop. 587
Loraine ISD helps homeless students cope, but few other public resources are available for youth in Texas’ remote Big Country.
Christopher Collins
Christopher Collins is a freelance writer and formerly an associate editor at the Texas Observer. The Wichita Falls native graduated from Midwestern State University in 2012 with a degree in Mass Communication. He previously has worked as a reporter at the Abilene Reporter-News and the Wichita Falls Times Record News.
Articles by Christopher Collins
Big Spring Vs. Big Oil
In the heart of the West Texas oil patch, a new fracking frenzy is putting a strain on groundwater.
Former Monsanto Lobbyist is Trying to Trump Sid Miller’s Extreme Views in GOP Primary
Austin attorney Trey Blocker is challenging Sid Miller for agriculture commissioner, and both candidates are pandering to ultraconservative GOP primary voters.
Homelessness in Texas Public Schools is a Suburban and Rural Problem, Too
The state of Texas provides no specific funding for the estimated 113,000 homeless students who attend public schools here.
Top 1 Percent of Texas Commodity Farmers Get Quarter of $1.6 Billion in Subsidies
Subsidy program reforms were supposed to save taxpayers billions, but corn and sorghum farmers in Texas are getting more money than they have in a decade.
Lawsuit: City of Port Isabel Blocked Public Housing for Latinos Displaced by Hurricane Dolly
After the 2008 hurricane, city officials refused to issue permits so that public housing could be rebuilt in an affluent neighborhood, the complaint says.
USDA Rolls Back ‘Fair Practice’ Rule That Would’ve Protected Texas Chicken Farmers
Texas is the sixth biggest producer of broiler chickens in the nation, accounting for $2.6 billion in sales.
New Estimate Puts Harvey Agriculture Losses at $200 Million, One-Tenth of Irma
The figure is only one-fifth of Hurricane Ike’s $1 billion agriculture losses and one-tenth of Irma’s.
Immigrant Workers in Texas Could Fill Farm Vacancies, but They’re Trapped in the Valley
Immigration checkpoints are keeping undocumented immigrants in South Texas while farmers in other parts of the state are desperate for labor.
Despite GOP Claims, an Estate Tax Repeal Won’t Help 99 Percent of Farmers
The estate tax is levied on few farmers and ranchers, but Republicans still are pushing for its repeal.