Analysis: Masking the real problem — a deadly virus
More people are out and about, and coronavirus cases are rising in Texas. But there's an easy way to limit the spread of the virus, if people will set their politics aside: masks. Full Story
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![A protestor with a 'Don't Tread On Me' flag tied to his rilfe at the 'Re-Open America' protest at the state Capitol.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Empower Texans opponents rush to exact revenge over anti-Abbott tirade
The release last week of audio of two Empower Texans staffers disparaging Gov. Greg Abbott with profanity and jokes about his disability became nearly instant fodder in the fast-approaching runoffs. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott gives an update on Texas hospital bed capacity and the state's strategy for fighting COVID-19 during a press conference at Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin on Tuesday, June 16, 2020.]()
Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell/Pool via Austin American-Statesman -
Texas attributes record-high coronavirus cases to bars, beaches and a data backlog in Harris County
More than 4,400 positive cases were reported Saturday. The state also set its ninth consecutive record for hospitalizations, but officials say hospital capacity isn't a concern. Full Story
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![A health care worker talks to a potential COVID-19 patient at a drive-through testing site at an Austin Emergency Center on Wednesday, June 17, 2020.]()
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As face mask requirements pop back up across Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott faces criticism from local leaders and fellow Republicans
State and local officials disagree on whether mandating businesses to require employees and customers to wear face masks is a small burden or a threat to their freedom. Full Story
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![People with and without masks wait outside of a grocery store in Houston on March 31, 2020.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Recording reveals Empower Texans employees joking about Gov. Greg Abbott's wheelchair use
Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick both denounced the recording, which also includes the staff members using multiple profanities in describing Abbott. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott announces his plan to reopen the economy during the coronavirus pandemic.]()
Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell/Pool/Austin American-Statesman -
Bexar and Hidalgo counties require face masks in businesses as coronavirus surges. Other Texas leaders consider similar measures.
Austin's mayor issued a similar order late Wednesday. Local leaders have been asking for the ability to impose more strict mask orders, but Gov. Greg Abbott never publicly mentioned that one option was ordering businesses to require them. Full Story
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![The Barn Door restaurant during dinner service in San Antonio on May 18, 2020.]()
Credit: Christopher Lee for The Texas Tribune -
Texas bars and restaurants were eager to reopen. Now some are closing their doors again as coronavirus cases rise.
As employees test positive, some bars and restaurants are closing even though Texas allows them to operate. Many owners are balancing feedback from their staffs, their patrons, state guidelines and local officials. Full Story
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![A bartender waits for customers at Buck Wild on West Sixth Street in downtown Austin as bars reopen on May 22, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Polls suggest Joe Biden has a shot at winning Texas. How he fares here could reshape the state’s politics.
It’s unclear whether it’ll be worth it for Biden to spend the money to compete in Texas. But a strong showing here could help Democrats flip the state House and solidify control of the U.S. House. Full Story
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![Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at a community event in San Antonio on Dec. 13, 2019.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas Legislative Black Caucus starts planning legislative responses to police brutality, racial inequality
Lawmakers took input from constituents during the first in a seres of virtual town halls scheduled this week. Full Story
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![Members of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus at a press conference supporting the CROWN Act in Houston on Feb. 6, 2020.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Texas' big-city mayors ask Gov. Greg Abbott for power to impose face mask rules
Abbott has banned local governments from fining people who don't wear masks in public. Full Story
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![A man receives a haircut at Doug’s Barber Shop in Houston. May 8, 2020.]()
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Surge in coronavirus cases linked to more Texans in their 20s getting sick, officials say
Gov. Greg Abbott and health experts say young adults may be taking social distancing less seriously. Full Story
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![Customers wait in line to enter Chupacabra Cantina in downtown Austin as Texas bars reopened on May 22, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott points to “abundant” hospital capacity as Texas continues with business reopenings
The state reported Tuesday that the number of people hospitalized who are confirmed to have the coronavirus has reached a new peak of 2,518. Full Story
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![The emergency drop-off at an Austin hospital on March 30, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
U.S. Supreme Court halts Texas execution of Ruben Gutierrez during legal fight over religious advisers' access to death chamber
Gutierrez has long fought for DNA testing he says could prove his innocence in a 1998 Brownsville murder and home robbery. But the high court's ruling centered on Texas prison officials' recent decision to keep religious advisers out of the execution room. Full Story
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![Interior of execution chamber.]()
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As Texas coronavirus hospitalizations rise, local officials can recommend precautions but they can't enforce many of them
Austin-area officials recommended Monday that businesses further limit operations. But an order from Gov. Greg Abbott doesn't let them enforce those suggestions. Full Story
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![A sign requiring masks is posted at Cosmic Cowboy on South Congress Avenue on Austin. May 8, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas Democrats urge Abbott to call special session as details emerge showing Javier Ambler’s death at the hands of sheriff's deputies
In 2019, Williamson County sheriff's deputies held down Ambler and stunned him four times before his body went limp. He died at a hospital about an hour later. Full Story
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![Javier Ambler II.]()
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With coronavirus cases climbing, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says "no real need" to scale back business reopenings
He cited the number of hospital beds available in the state as a reason. Full Story
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![Signs posted on the door of Ruth's Chris Steak House outline the restaurant's social distancing guidelines on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 in Austin.]()
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Analysis: Casting nervous looks at Texas’ medical charts as numbers worsen
State leaders knew COVID-19 cases would rise as businesses and other public places opened, but steady increases over the last two weeks have everyone watching the numbers very closely. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott waits backstage before holding a press conference on the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas on May 5, 2020.]()
Credit: USA Today Network via REUTERS -
Greg Abbott has condemned the death of George Floyd, but he’s been silent on Texas’ recent history of police killings
Abbott also has praised Texas’ “legacy of success” on criminal justice reforms. In recent years, many police reform efforts have repeatedly failed at the Texas Capitol. Full Story
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![State troopers stand guard at the state Capitol grounds to prevent protesters from entering during a protest over the death of George Floyd.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
George Floyd laid to rest in Houston as protests against police brutality and calls for change continue
After the service, Floyd was carried by a horse drawn carriage to his final resting place in Pearland next to his mother. Full Story
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![The Floyd family and others attend the funeral service for George Floyd at The Fountain of Praise church in Houston on Tuesday, June 9, 2020.]()
Credit: David J. Phillip/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Network -
Anger, anguish and calls for change mark George Floyd’s memorial in Houston
Mourners from across the nation gathered in Houston for a public viewing to celebrate George Floyd, a friend, father and martyr to many in attendance, but also a victim of police brutality and racial injustice. Full Story
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![Lines bend, turn and cross leading up to the public memorial service honoring George Floyd at the Fountain of Praise Church in Houston on June 8, 2020.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune