Texas' population grew robustly in the two years ended July 2009 despite the recession's impact on labor markets. The state added more people than any other--almost 1 million--and expanded at a faster pace than all but Utah and Wyoming.>

Texas' foreign-born population increased in 2008 by 58,320, or 1.5 percent, according to newly released data from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Expanding trade has brought jobs and business to Texas, but has left the state particularly vulnerable to antitrade actions. Texas would suffer greatly if the U.S. and other countries implement protectionist measures.

A drought that has persisted for two years shows no signs of relenting, taking an increasing toll on Texas agriculture.

The U.S. housing market's troubles have spread to financial markets, and news reports have focused on broad indicators of Wall Street's distress, such as stock market indexes and interbank lending rates. However, the pinch on Main Street has been impacting low-wage workers for more than two years.

Recessions in both the U.S. and Mexico have slowed the flow of goods across the Rio Grande.

As the U.S. and Texas slipped into recession last year, a balanced economy lessened the impact on upper East Texas. In March, the region's year-over-year nonfarm employment was down 0.4 percent, compared with the state's decline of 0.8 percent and the nation's 3.5 percent. Unemployment rates in...

In both Texas and the U.S., existing-home sales have been rising since March 2009--due in part to a tax credit of up to $8,000 for first-time homebuyers. The tax credit has also helped stimulate construction.

On Sept. 13, Hurricane Ike made landfall at Galveston. Six months later, many Texas Gulf Coast communities continue to struggle with debris and damage. Rebuilding is under way, but full recovery is likely to take years.