Bob Sechler
Austin American-Statesman
Austin, TX, United States
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Past articles by Bob:
Texas weighs an 'Alec Baldwin law' to prevent firearm tragedies on movie sets
The bill, filed by Austin lawmaker Sheryl Cole, was inspired by a fatal shooting on the set of the film "Rust" in New Mexico in 2021. → Read More
Austin unemployment rate dips to 2.7%, but there's 'no slowdown in the need for people'
Austin's job market remains strong, despite ongoing worries of a looming recession. → Read More
Overhaul plan for ERCOT power market wins approval from Texas regulators.
The measure now will be considered by state lawmakers, who could endorse it, revise it or scrap it altogether in favor of something else. → Read More
Texas regulators punt decision on ERCOT market redesign to next week
The chief of the state utility commission said whatever the vote, it will be merely a recommendation to the Legislature. → Read More
Is ERCOT shielded from lawsuits? Legal debate reaches Texas Supreme Court
Texas justices will decide whether ERCOT, the agency that operates the state's power grid, is a governmental entity with legal immunity. → Read More
Texas power grid holding up despite higher-than-anticipated demand amid deep freeze
State power grid operators have consistently issued demand forecasts that have proved to be too low, raising alarm for some experts. → Read More
Texas business groups push Legislature for new corporate tax break program
Lawmakers let Chapter 313 program die, but Texas shouldn't "unilaterally disarm" when it comes to incentives, they say. → Read More
'So many open jobs': Austin jobless rate steady at 2.8% despite recession fears
The job market is still strong, experts say, but some sectors of the area's economy are seeing signs of strain. → Read More
'Better prepared': Officials say Texas power grid ready for winter, despite concerns
Under most anticipated and 'extreme' conditions, the state's power grid is expected to be able to meet electricity demand this winter. → Read More
Man dies after shooting involving Round Rock police
Officers had responded to a reported domestic disturbance in the 3000 block of Bradford Park Drive. → Read More
Economic worries abound, but Austin's unemployment holds at 2.8%. How long will that last?
The local unemployment rate is extremely low, but it's also a lagging indicator, meaning it may not reflect the latest economic trends. → Read More
'Marginally better': Texas power grid still vulnerable to extreme winter weather, federal report warns
State utility regulators contend the federal analysis contains inaccuracies. → Read More
Austin's jobless rate ticks down again: What you need to know
The local unemployment came in at 2.8% last month and has been below 3.5% for a year now. → Read More
'Fingers crossed for soft landing': Worries persist for Texas economy, Dallas Fed surveys show
If the economy statewide and nationally slows significantly, experts have said it will take air out of what has been booming local business activity. → Read More
ERCOT's calls to conserve power might become common during summer heat
If record-setting heat continues in Texas through the summer, the strain on the state's power grid is likely to continue, experts say. → Read More
ERCOT urges Texans to conserve power Monday amid concerns that demand could outstrip capacity
With sweltering temperatures expected to drive huge electricity usage, ERCOT is asking Texans to voluntarily conserve from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. → Read More
Changes to Texas' power grid costing state hundreds of millions of dollars
Texas ratepayers ultimately are on the hook for the added costs of managing the grid with more reserve power built in. → Read More
ERCOT urges Texans to cut back on power usage over weekend
Six power plants across the state tripped offline Friday afternoon amid anticipated high demand for electricity because of unseasonably hot weather. → Read More
Elon Musk's influence? Travis County tops Texas in electric vehicle ownership
Overall figures are still small locally and statewide, but consumer demand is expected to climb. → Read More
We're tracking power outages in Austin and Central Texas, plus ERCOT grid updates
The Austin area is under a winter storm warning. See the latest updates regarding power outages and the condition of ERCOT's power grid. → Read More