Elizabeth Trovall

Houston

Houston-based reporter for @Marketplace covering energy & immigration / Formerly: @HoustonChron @HoustonPubMedia / Tips + ideas: [email protected]

Featured in: Favicon

marketplace.org Favicon

aol.com

npr.org

chron.com

statesman.com Favicon

wbur.org

houstonchronicle.com Favicon

theworld.org Favicon

govtech.com Favicon

mysanantonio.com + 104 more

Articles

Federal Energy Star label program, which helped curb electricity demand, said to be on chopping block

1 day ago | marketplace.org | Elizabeth Trovall

An energy efficiency program looks to be the next to get the axe from the Trump administration, according to reports by the New York Times and CNN. Energy Star is on the chopping block, despite a government report that found the program has saved households and businesses $500 billion in energy costs since it was implemented by George H. W. Bush.
What's important in the latest US-UK trade deal?

6 days ago | marketplace.org | Elizabeth Trovall

Markets rose today after a new U.S.-U.K. trade deal was announced by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Though many details remain TBD, the news brought reassurance and clarity to an important trade relationship between the U.S. and a top ally. It’s also the start of what’s expected to be more deal-making ahead. So what was agreed upon, exactly?
International student enrollment may be declining under Trump

1 week ago | marketplace.org | Elizabeth Trovall

There are early signs that international student enrollment in the U.S. may be declining. New survey data from the Association of International Educators, or NAFSA, shows a 13% dip in postgraduate program enrollment for the upcoming academic year. Visa issues and other government policies are the top reason NAFSA CEO Fanta Aw said they’re seeing a decline in international enrollment.
As conclave begins, people around the world are betting on who the next pope will be

1 week ago | marketplace.org | Elizabeth Trovall

May 6, 2025Bets on real-world events are becoming more common, and putting down some money on who will become the Catholic Church’s next leader is just one more example. On Wednesday, 133 cardinals are expected to enter the Sistine Chapel to elect the next pope. People worldwide are placing millions of dollars in bets over who they think will get the two-thirds majority required to become the Catholic Church’s next leader. Thousands are even playing “Fantapapa,” a pope fantasy football-type game.
Sunbelt homebuying slows outside of luxury property market

1 week ago | marketplace.org | Elizabeth Trovall

Record high housing costs and economic uncertainty are sidelining homebuyers across the country, according to a report out Thursday from Redfin. Mortgage-purchase applications are down 6% from March and pending sales are also down year-on-year — especially in warm weather markets like Miami and Houston. Some of of these would-be buyers may be nervous about job security, said Bryan Glasshagel who covers Texas markets for the real estate data firm Zonda.
Texas invests $1 billion in private school vouchers

1 week ago | marketplace.org | Elizabeth Trovall

Houston-area educator Michelle Palmer is skeptical that receiving $10,000 in newly approved private school vouchers will help many of the students in her district, where she teaches high school social studies. “There are very few parents in Aldine (Independent School District) that can afford private school, even with vouchers,” Palmer said.
Handful of sectors still hiring at a clip, despite uncertainty

2 weeks ago | marketplace.org | Elizabeth Trovall

By the end of the week, we’ll know more about just how resilient this job market really is in the face of uncertainty, with new data out about job openings and unemployment. For now, what we do know is that many firms are taking a wait-and-see approach before investing in new employees — but not all of them.
U.S. switches on nuclear power, but China's all charged up

3 weeks ago | marketplace.org | Elizabeth Trovall

As we’ve noted before, global demand for electricity is increasing, and that includes the USA. We’ve turned to low-cost natural gas and subsidized wind and solar to supply a lot of our new power. Nuclear energy, on the other hand, is expensive, and, let’s face it, it still has a public relations problem. But it also checks two big boxes. It’s low-carbon and it’s “firm,” which means it can provide constant power, unlike the sun or the wind.
HHS eliminates funding to protect immigrant children from exploitation

3 weeks ago | ourcommunitynow.com | Elizabeth Trovall

Share Sofia, 19, has a soft spot for animals. She pulls out her phone to show me a tiny kitten she rescued at the beach near Galveston. She found him so young his eyes were still closed. The beach is one of Sofia’s favorite places since she moved to the U.S. five years ago. She traveled here alone with her younger brother. At the time, she was eager to attend high school. But her guardian in Houston, a family member, told her she had to work instead.
HHS eliminates funding to protect immigrant children from exploitation

3 weeks ago | marketplace.org | Elizabeth Trovall

Sofia, 19, has a soft spot for animals. She pulls out her phone to show me a tiny kitten she rescued at the beach near Galveston. She found him so young his eyes were still closed. The beach is one of Sofia’s favorite places since she moved to the U.S. five years ago. She traveled here alone with her younger brother. At the time, she was eager to attend high school. But her guardian in Houston, a family member, told her she had to work instead.