In Texas, COVID-19 case totals and hospitalizations are rising. The state says prisons and meatpacking plants are key factors.
The 14-day trend line shows new infections in Texas have risen about 71% in the past two weeks. Full Story
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![Harris County Health Department nurse Harriet Lewis administers a test at a Harris County testing site located at Stallworth Stadium in Baytown on March 21, 2020.]()
Credit: Reggie Mathalone for The Texas Tribune -
Texas to increase coronavirus testing — and study the virus’ impact — in black and Hispanic communities
The state’s data on the impacts of the pandemic on people of color has been incomplete. Full Story
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![Harris County Health Department nurse Harriet Lewis administers a test at a Harris County testing site located at Stallworth Stadium in Baytown on March 21, 2020.]()
Credit: Reggie Mathalone for The Texas Tribune -
Texas is short of its contact tracing workforce goal by more than 1,000 people
Health officials said there were roughly 2,900 contact tracers working in Texas, short of Gov. Greg Abbott's initial goal of 4,000 workers by June 1. State officials say it's enough for the current need. Full Story
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![Ector County Health Department workers narrow down the numbers of contact exposures while the screen projects positive case numbers and recovered patients at the Ector County Emergency Operations Center in Odessa. April 9, 2020.]()
Credit: Ben Powell for The Texas Tribune -
“The African American community is not alone”: A Houston restaurant owner joins the protests
They went to protests in Houston and El Paso, spoke at an online town hall in Midland and held small celebrations amid national upheaval. In this weekly series, Texans from across the state share stories about how they’re navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Full Story
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![From left, Au Huynh, Vee Duong, Emma Crooks, Gloria Gonzalez, Long Nguyen, Debbie Chen, Dr. Stephen Chao, Patricia Garcia.]()
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Almost all Texas businesses are allowed to open at 50% capacity, Gov. Greg Abbott says
The governor announced his third phase Wednesday of reopening the state’s businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott announced a strike force in charge of laying steps to re-open the Texas economy at a press conference in the capitol in April.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr/The Texas Tribune -
The coronavirus pandemic has strained the mental health of front-line health workers
Doctors, nurses and other health workers are increasingly reaching out for mental health support as they risk exposing themselves or their families to the novel coronavirus. Full Story
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![Dr. Lane Aiena.]()
Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune -
As coronavirus hits Texas, the state's top health official is spending 30 hours a week on a second job — that pays $600,000
Acting Executive Commissioner Phil Wilson chose not to accept salary and benefits for a temporary position leading one of Texas’ largest and most high-profile agencies. Instead, he continues to earn $636,694 from the Lower Colorado River Authority, more than double what the previous health commissioner made. Full Story
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Long a GOP voice on health care, U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess seeks a higher post
The North Texas representative is vying to be the top Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Lewisville, gives an opening statement during the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing at the U.S. Capitol in response to COVID-19 outbreak. May 14, 2020.]()
Credit: Greg Nash/Pool via REUTERS -
“I didn’t care if I was exposed to COVID”: Protesters’ anger outweighed their fear of getting sick
Political leaders have sought to balance support for demonstrators’ rights of free expression with warnings about the public health risks of large crowds. Full Story
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![Protesters marched in Austin against the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers on May 31, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Watch: Tom Luce and Margaret Spellings discuss the future of Texas
We sat down for a live virtual event with the leaders of the nonprofit research organization Texas 2036 to discuss education, reopening the economy and how the state can be competitive. Full Story
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T-Squared: Here’s our plan for the virtual Texas Tribune Festival. Tickets are on sale now.
Our signature ideas weekend is now an ideas month, and that’s only one of the many pandemic-inspired changes we have in store. Full Story
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As Texas businesses reopen, a short-lived coronavirus safety net is dismantled
Evictions and debt collections have resumed, child care subsidies will be discontinued and those who are out of work will again have to prove they are searching for a job in order to receive unemployment benefits. Full Story
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![The Central Texas Food Bank hosts a food drive at the Toney Burger Activity Center in Austin on April 30, 2020.]()
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Dallas, San Antonio extend curfews through Sunday night
Throughout the weekend, protesters marched in Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Fort Worth, clashing with police officers, over the death of George Floyd. Full Story
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![Police officers on horseback are among a crowd gathered to protest protest the deaths of George Floyd and Mike Ramos, in Austin on May 30, 2020.]()
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San Antonio mayor imposes curfew to curb protesting
After a demonstration against police violence blocked traffic in Austin on Interstate 35, police used tear gas and rubber bullets. Full Story
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![Protesters march in downtown Austin on May 31, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Is El Paso ready to reopen? Not all Texas officials agree.
Gov. Greg Abbott gave El Paso an extra week to implement the latest phase of reopening. The county judge says El Paso still isn't ready to take the next step, but the governor isn't giving the city an extension. Full Story
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![Shuttered store fronts in downtown El Paso during the the coronavirus pandemic.]()
Credit: Emily Kinskey for The Texas Tribune -
Texas will extend early voting period this fall, Gov. Greg Abbott says
Abbott has already added more time to the early voting period for the July runoff election, citing the need to create a safe environment for in-person voting during the coronavirus pandemic. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott announced a strike force in charge of laying steps to re-open the Texas economy at a press conference in the capitol on April 17, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
With three generations under one roof, pandemic risks multiply
The Golinelli family is among many Texas households navigating working in a pandemic while trying to keep high-risk older relatives safe from the coronavirus. Full Story
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![Alex Golinelli Sr. works as an electrician during the day. His wife, Claudia Golinelli, brings him a change of clothes when he returns home from work, as the pair don’t want to risk their multi-generational family home being contaminated with COVID-19.]()
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With a baby on the way, Midland couple has to decline in-person family celebrations
A family plans a drive-by baby shower. A Houston restaurant gears up to reopen its dining room. And an East Texas town regains a sense of normalcy. In this weekly series, Texans from across the state share stories about how they’re navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Full Story
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Texas Supreme Court: Lack of immunity to coronavirus alone isn’t enough for mail-in ballot
Although the court sided with state Attorney General Ken Paxton's interpretation of what constitutes a disability, it indicated that it is up to voters to assess their health and determine if they meet the state's definition, which could allow them to vote by mail. Full Story
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![The Texas Supreme Court on Jan. 15, 2020.]()
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Coronavirus in Texas: 250,000 Texans with approved unemployment claims have yet to request payment
Live updates: To receive benefits, people who filed for unemployment must request payments every two weeks on an assigned day. Full Story
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![The entrance of a convience store in downtown Austin on May 21, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune
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