Coronavirus outbreak could postpone Texas municipal elections until November
Gov. Greg Abbott has yet to issue guidance on the May 26 runoff election. Full Story
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![Voting signs near the Travis County Granger Building election site on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2019.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Staying home slows the coronavirus, but what if you’re homeless?
Local, state and national leaders are recommending people take a range of actions to protect themselves from the new coronavirus. But for those without homes, many of those measures are next to impossible. Full Story
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![Tents found in front of the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH) on Oct. 29, 2019. The residents have to make sure their tents are in “safe camping sites,” though many aren’t sure what it mean.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
As coronavirus stops people from gathering, Gov. Greg Abbott suspends part of open-meetings law
All sections of the Texas Open Meetings Act remain in place except for the requirement of a physical gathering space for people to watch the meeting and ask questions. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott declares a statewide emergency amid new cases of COVID-19 in the state on March 13, 2020 at the state capitol.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas coronavirus cases prompt Gov. Greg Abbott to activate National Guard
Abbott said that National Guard troops, if deployed, could do things like help with traffic at drive-through testing sites. Full Story
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![National guard troops help with Food distribution during the coronavirus outbreak in New Rochelle, New York on March 12, 2020.]()
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While other states fighting coronavirus enforce widespread closures, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott goes with a patchwork system
While most states have mandated the closure of schools, bars and restaurants; deployed their militaries; or diverted state resources to COVID-19 response, Texas is largely leaving it up to schools and local governments to decide how to proceed. Some say the approach can undermine response efforts. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott briefs reporters during a press conference on a Domestic Terrorism Task Force roundtable held at the capitol on Jan. 7, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texans still clamoring for coronavirus tests as state promises availability will skyrocket
Texas appears to be lagging behind other populous states in testing for COVID-19, but trying to determine how many tests have been given is as confusing as figuring out how to get one. Full Story
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![A medical professional wearing protective clothing administers a test to a patient at a drive-through COVID-19 testing facility at Baylor Scott and White Medical Center in Round Rock, on March 16, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott postpones special Texas Senate election due to coronavirus pandemic
The special election is now set for July 14. Full Story
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![Super Tuesday voting lines at the Metropolitan Multi Service Center near downtown Houston on Tuesday, March 3, 2020.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Degrees of anxiety: As college classrooms empty, students fear for educations, jobs
Texas universities are moving online, but how do you learn circuit welding or vocal ensemble by videoconference? What happens when campus jobs dry up? And will anyone get to walk the stage come graduation day? Full Story
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![Students during class at the University of Texas at Austin Oct. 25, 2011.]()
Credit: Spencer Selvidge for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says to expect "exponential" increase in positive coronavirus cases
As the virus that causes COVID-19 increasingly spreads through Texas communities and the state's testing capacity increases, the number of positive cases will rise. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott addresses the press after a meeting with government officials on COVID-19 preparedness in the state. Feb. 27, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas STAAR test requirements waived due to coronavirus outbreak
Gov. Greg Abbott also said he would ask the federal government to waive federal testing requirements, which apply to all states. Full Story
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![A student in a classroom at Cactus Elementary School.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Stop buying all the toilet paper. There's no shortage if everyone takes only what they need.
State officials and industry representatives say Texans should relax: Stores plan to be stocked for months, so there's no need to stockpile groceries and household items. Full Story
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![The parking lot of HEB in Westlake Hills overflows Friday morning after the announcement of the first two presumptive positive tests of COVID19 in Central Texas.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for the Texas Tribune -
Texas governor declares statewide emergency, says state will soon be able to test thousands
Gov. Greg Abbott also announced drive-through testing capabilities in San Antonio, which could expand to Dallas, Houston and Austin in the coming weeks. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott declares a statewide emergency amid new cases of coronavirus in the state on March 13, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Coronavirus in Texas 3/13: Shuttered schools can provide students' lunches, Texas courts allowed to change deadlines
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott is briefed on the coronavirus outbreak, in Austin on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas wants health insurers to waive costs of diagnosing coronavirus
"We must ensure no Texan is denied access to testing resources relating to coronavirus," Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday. Full Story
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![Canan Emcan, 31, chief nurse of the infection and virology ward at Essen University Hospital in Essen, Germany, with a test used for suspected COVID-19 cases on March 5, 2020.]()
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Texas labs can now test for coronavirus, but capacity remains limited
The state lab in Austin can only test samples from up to 26 patients per day, while labs in Houston and El Paso can test up to 15 samples daily, officials said. Full Story
![Canan Emcan, 31, chief nurse of the infection and virology ward at Essen University Hospital in Essen, Germany, with a test used for suspected COVID-19 cases on March 5, 2020.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay -
What can Texas do if a coronavirus outbreak hits?
While Texas has not yet seen “community spread” of coronavirus, U.S. health officials have told states to begin considering special measures in case of a COVID-19 outbreak. Full Story
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![A test tube with 2019-nCoV on the label on January 29, 2020.]()
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San Antonio mayor demands extension of coronavirus quarantine, bans evacuees from entering city
Those moves — and an unsuccessful attempt to get an injunction against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — came after a person who tested "weakly positive" for the new coronavirus was released over the weekend. Full Story
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![The entrance to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.]()
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Abbott's state-run camp for the homeless in Austin to be taken over by nonprofit with new shelter plans
The Texas Department of Transportation will begin lease negotiations with ATX Helps, which plans to construct a large shelter on the southeast Austin property where more than 100 people reside. Some camp residents say they're concerned about the proposed changes. Full Story
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![Tents at the state-run homeless encampment off of U.S. Highway 183 in Austin on Feb. 25, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Abbott says the homeless need mental health care. Advocates say Medicaid expansion would help.
Abbott has long opposed extending state-funded health coverage to 1.5 million Texans under the Affordable Care Act. But a spokesman for the governor did not rule out a possible coverage expansion under a new Trump administration block grant policy. Full Story
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![Susan Peake lives at the state-run homeless encampment off of U.S. Highway 183 in Austin. Feb 25, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Speaking statistically, this GOP donor wants to convince you that money buys justice in Texas
After losing a case at the all-Republican Texas Supreme Court, millionaire Salem Abraham set out to mathematically test the idea that campaign contributions influence the elected justices. Now he wants to change the system. Full Story
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![Salem Abraham in his office on Dec. 19, 2019.]()
Credit: David Bowser for The Texas Tribune