Texas Republicans embraced Donald Trump for four years. Now they face a reckoning.
The president is leaving office Wednesday, but signs suggest his influence on the Texas GOP remains strong. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/cc444da1b47a9bde6d78a86edce2873a/Trump%20Texas%20MS%20TT%2001.jpg)
-
![Then-presidential candidate Donald Trump at a campaign event in The Woodlands in June 17, 2016.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Texas has administered most of its 1.7 million vaccine doses as it prepares to receive 333,000 more
Some 78% of the 1,725,575 doses already shipped to providers have been used, including second doses, Gov. Greg Abbott said, and Texas is set to receive 333,650 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6c8ec38c94cb9ddaaef81be0d46c2b3b/Abbott%20Vaccine%20Presser%20SF%20TT%2014.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference in Austin on Dec. 17, 2020, regarding COVID-19 and the Pfizer vaccines that have been sent to hospitals across Texas. Gov. Abbott was adamant that despite rising cases and deaths, he will not be ordering any shutdowns. Gov. Abbott also said he has not received the vaccine, but he will take it when the time comes.]()
Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune -
Texas becomes first state to administer 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine
The milestone comes as intensive care beds are dwindling across the state and as experts predict daily coronavirus cases and hospitalizations will worsen following an influx of holiday season gatherings. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/674a67ebf8ac98fb54c8196ab0e81fbf/HISD%20COVID%20Vaccine%20MYL%20TT%2020.jpeg)
![A pharmacist prepares the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at Houston Independent School District’s Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center. HISD partnered with Kroger to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to educators, police officers and school nurses as part of Phase 1A and 1B of the vaccine rollout. Jan. 9, 2021.]()
Credit: May-Ying Lam for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House requires masks for 2021 legislative session, declines to expand virtual testimony
The rules, which passed unanimously Thursday, will help govern the House during the Legislature’s 2021 session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a689f0ac2f89852303d477218e5def01/House%20Floor%20Opening%20Day%20BD%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Legislators greet each other on the floor of the House of Representatives prior to the opening of the 2021 Legislative Session.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich/CapitolPressPhoto/Pool -
A Texas lawmaker worked with the state restaurant association to draft an alcohol-to-go bill. His wife lobbies for the group.
State Rep. Charlie Geren filed legislation that would let restaurants battered by the coronavirus pandemic permanently sell alcohol to go. The measure already has backing from top state officials. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/323d94ef9db28ecb38466aa15fdceed1/ATX%20Drinks%20To%20Go%20AG%20TT%2012.jpg)
![A Waterloo Margarita DIY Cocktail Kit and two margaritas to-go from Waterloo Icehouse on June 30, 2020 in Austin.]()
Credit: Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribune -
Texas House elects Dade Phelan speaker as 2021 legislative session gets underway
Phelan’s election to the gavel was one of the House’s first order of business Tuesday, when the Legislature kicked off the 2021 legislative session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/abd9934fdbde517767ef4ee47ed057b3/Dade%20Phelan%20MG%20TT%2002.jpg)
![State Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, held a press conference at the capitol to declare that he had enough votes to become Speaker of the House. Nov 4, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
The Texas Legislature convenes for its 2021 session Tuesday. Here are 5 things to watch.
Much about the session — including how it will be conducted during a pandemic — remains uncertain. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/679a71cbb184a24b24f172fa3e496034/05_HB2_House_Floor_MG.jpg)
![House floor on April 11, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Wendy Davis says Trump supporters harassing a Biden bus in Texas should have served as a warning before U.S. Capitol riot
The former state senator, speaking publicly for the first time about the October incident, said she was not surprised by last week's insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, criticizing Republicans for emboldening Trump supporters to act lawlessly. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5021dbf33ebaa0a7076a1c74fdd18228/Biden%20Bus%20Trump%20Train%20Accident.jpg)
![A Twitter user captured the moment a truck and a vehicle collided as the Biden-Harris bus tour was being followed by a caravan of Trump supporters.]()
Credit: Screenshot via Twitter -
After a rocky start, Gov. Greg Abbott promises to ramp up COVID-19 vaccinations across Texas
Twenty-eight coronavirus vaccination hubs will receive most of the state's next shipment of COVID-19 vaccines this week, with 158,825 doses shipping to providers able to manage large-scale efforts as more doses arrive in the state. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c861e5cf6109437b520ce9141937b63e/Abbott%20Vaccine%20Presser%20SF%20TT%2007.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference in Austin on Dec. 17, 2020, regarding COVID-19 and the Pfizer vaccines that have been sent to hospitals across Texas. Gov. Abbott was adamant that despite rising cases and deaths, he will not be ordering any shutdowns. Gov. Abbott also said he has not received the vaccine, but he will take it when the time comes.]()
Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune -
GOP megadonor couple from Hill Country launch PAC for 2022 Texas elections
The couple, Michael and Mary Porter, have emerged as some of the top donors to Texas Republicans over the last few years, and now they are getting even more serious about their political activities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5ceb699b53266cee2691afaa82e2cca0/First%20Day%20of%2086%20Lege%20AP%20TT%2015.jpg)
![A view of the rotunda at the state capitol. Jan. 8, 2018.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: A frustrating vaccine rollout in Texas that should’ve been smoother
The vaccine rollout in Texas is bumpier than it ought to be, especially because the federal and state governments in charge of distributing vaccines have known for months that they’d be doing this as soon as the drugs were developed. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bb09b9c0ea37a532cc3a0c7010f876bb/Arlington%20Vaccinations%20BT%20TT%2015.jpg)
![Tarrant County residents wait in line to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the Esports Stadium in Arlington on Jan. 05, 2021.]()
Credit: Ben Torres for The Texas Tribune -
Already in crisis, Texas hospitals treat record numbers of COVID-19 patients while preparing for another post-holiday surge
The state has reported at least 28,545 fatalities tied to the virus, available intensive care unit beds are at a low and health experts say Texans can’t vaccinate their way out of the current surge. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dcc54ef5846f71a7fc430e5dda329528/DHR%20COVID%20Ward%20Edinburg%20MG%20TT%2064.jpg)
![A nurse visits a patient in the COVID-19 ward at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Health System in Edinburg on June 30, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: The Texans objecting to Joe Biden's Electoral College victory
In this edition of the TribCast, Emma talks to Abby, Ross and Cassi about Electoral College drama at the U.S. Capitol — and a new session about to start at the Texas Capitol. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4e226acd89563edebf1057e1766c0c32/Pres%20Biden%20Tribcast.jpg)
![U.S. President-elect Joe Biden during a briefing where he delivered remarks on the U.S. response to the COVID-19 outbreak, at his transition headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, on Dec. 29, 2020.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst -
Texas gives Medicaid recipients using Planned Parenthood until Feb. 3 to find new health care provider
The extension comes after the conservative U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in November sided with Texas officials who have long tried to block Planned Parenthood from participating in Medicaid, the federal-state health insurance program for the poor. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/cb67316a1f107af5821eed9ee8e1c1b3/Planned%20Parenthood%20EG%20TT%2028.jpg)
![The exterior of Planned Parenthood's Downtown Austin Health Center on Jan. 14, 2020. The location was being renovated at time of capture.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Early in the pandemic, Texas banned most abortions. After the ban lifted, second-trimester abortions jumped, a new study shows.
Texas officials cited a need to preserve medical supplies as a reason to crack down on abortions. A new study finds that many Texans left the state during this time seeking the procedure. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1d8a6d44bcb4602f26a92afaa2ceed93/Womens%20Health%20Clinic%20CR%20TT%2004.jpg)
![A women's health clinic in Texas.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
Analyzing 2020: Some things Texans didn’t expect
We've selected some columns from 2020 on assorted topics. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1fdbd2e7eb9fa238ec4dfdc838c7c042/02%20Ken%20Paxton%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton holds a press conference in front of the Supreme Court on June 9, 2016.]()
Credit: Reuters/Bill Clark -
Eligible Texans can’t get answers about the COVID-19 vaccine. It’s not clear who — if anyone — has them.
Getting the COVID-19 vaccine to the people eligible to receive it has proven far from easy. Its rollout in Texas has been marred by poor messaging from state officials, technical errors, logistical delays and supply shortages. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9bf3f1bb0485eb28e4bc0c1640398967/DHR%20Pfizer%20Vaccine%20Distro%20JG%20TT%2025.jpg)
![A patient received a COVID-19 vaccine at DHR Edinburg Conference Center. Dec. 19, 2020.]()
Credit: Jason Garza for The Texas Tribune -
Despite committee’s recommendation, ending Texas’ partisan judicial elections looks unlikely
Several Texas lawmakers said they would not vote to end the system of partisan judicial elections, which critics say allows for the appearance of impropriety if not bias itself. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/15cb105b44faa22de231c889b5899fd3/Texas%20Supreme%20Court%20MG%20TT%2012.jpg)
![The Texas Supreme Court on Jan. 15, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Ken Paxton sues after Austin bans late on-site dining for New Year’s weekend amid COVID-19 surge
Mayor Steve Adler said the severity of the COVID-19 situation in Austin requires more drastic measures. El Paso County announced a similar order earlier this month. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8fb63bb1705753cdf3d3ffb6b7a5d3e7/ATX%20Shelter%20in%20Place%20MG%20TT%2006.jpg)
![A positive message is spray painted on a business on Sixth Street in Austin. Many businesses have closed their doors on the strip as a result of the recent coronavirus outbreak. March 25, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott sets Jan. 23 special election to fill Drew Springer's Texas House seat
Springer is joining the state Senate after a hard-fought special election runoff earlier this month. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e39d09de3549101c30d7c0473de2ff4b/Drew%20Springer%202019%20JJ%20TT.jpg)
![State Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, spoke during a Texas Tribune panel in 2019.]()
Credit: John Jordan/The Texas Tribune