Economy

Across the country, ranchers have fewer cattle than at any point since 1952, leading to rising beef prices. Farmers are still expected to accumulate more debt this year.

The state’s health department has finalized sweeping new regulations for the Texas hemp industry. As KUT’s Nathan Bernier reports, the new rules include sharply higher fees on businesses and a ban on selling smokable forms of cannabis. Terms end this year for several local elected positions, including school boards, and Lubbock ISD’s Board of Trustees recently passed a motion to cancel the LISD portion of the general election, because none of the races were contested.

Members of the International Energy Agency have announced a coordinated release of 400 million barrels of stockpiled oil in an attempt to counter the disruption in oil trade triggered by the Iran war.

Texas' status as the nation's largest oil producer will partially insulate its residents from some gas price hikes, but it's not immune to disruptions, experts say.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that more than $126 billion in emergency tariffs were illegally collected, and the U.S. Court of International Trade said the Trump administration must refund them.

This weekend, Texas Tech University announced the immediate pause of business travel to certain countries in the Middle East. The U.S. Court of International Trade has ordered the Trump administration to repay tariffs imposed by President Trump just over a year ago. Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider reports many Texas businesses may wait years for any reimbursement. Former candidate competing to represent the Republican Party for Lubbock County Clerk, Jim Baxa has dropped out of the May runoff race.

The Supreme Court ruled Friday that President Trump overstepped his authority in ordering tariffs on nearly everything the U.S. imports. Here's some economic context to understand that decision.

Leaders in the construction industry say immigration raids at work sites are causing worker shortages in the building industry. Texas Public Radio’s David Martin Davies reports on slowing projects, rising costs, and economic impact. Workforce Solutions South Plains is hosting a Leaders Career Fair today from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M at the Centerpointe Event Center located at 4925 Marsha Sharp Freeway. The event is geared towards those ages 16 to 24, but all ages are permitted, no registration needed.

Incomes and education attainment among Texans have increased, while poverty has declined.

Under the current system, producers must be the sole owner-operator of their farm or ranch to qualify for loans from the federal government. A bipartisan bill would expand the eligibility requirements for applicants.