Coronavirus in Texas: Dallas salon owner jailed after reopening wants to donate to Laredo beauticians arrested for working
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
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![A healthcare worker walks through the Texas Medical Center as social distancing guidelines meant to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic are relaxed in Houston on May 4, 2020.]()
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“I’m over it. I need a haircut.” Eager but nervous Texans venture back into busy salons and barbershops
Barbers reported being booked through the day due to pent-up demand related to the coronavirus. Full Story
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![Stevin Kane, who has owned and operated Kane's Barber Shop since 2006, gives his first haircut of the day to loyal customer Larry Franklin.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
As coronavirus shutdowns sink city budgets, Dallas furloughs almost 500 employees
Experts and local leaders have warned that the next fiscal year will be a historically hard one for cities. Full Story
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![Aerial View of Downtown Dallas.]()
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Texas passes grim threshold, marking more than 1,000 COVID-19 fatalities
Texas seems to have fewer to mourn than some of the hardest-hit states. But experts say the official state death toll is likely an undercount. Full Story
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![Oakwood Cemetery in Austin on May 7, 2020.]()
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Coronavirus restrictions alter funeral plans, leaving some Texans to grieve alone
Gov. Greg Abbott clarified this week that in-person funerals can be held if attendees stay 6 feet apart. But restrictions still have some postponing memorials until after the pandemic ends. “If you can’t hug anyone or shake their hand, what’s the point of having anyone physically attend?” one mourner said. Full Story
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![Julia and Helen at a Wellesley College reunion in 2004. This was Julia’s 15th class reunion and Helen’s 50th. Helen is holding a fan of Mona Lisa because the movie Mona Lisa Smile was set in Wellesley in 1953-54, her senior year at the school.]()
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Analysis: Splitting hairs in Texas, for politics and profit
The governor and other top Texas officials love promoting the rule of law, but they also love good politics. The civil disobedience of a Dallas beautician forced them to choose a favorite — and maybe hurry changes in pandemic policy. Full Story
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![Shelley Luther, the owner of the Dallas hair salon "Salon a la Mode," who was recently issued a citation after reopening her business in violation of local and state stay at home orders, speaks to a crowd of supporters at an "Open Texas" rally outside city hall in Frisco on April 25, 2020.]()
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President Donald Trump applauds Gov. Greg Abbott's handling of Texas reopening during White House visit
During the visit, Trump also inquired about Dallas salon owner Shelley Luther, who was freed from jail Thursday after being sentenced to seven days for violating a court order to close. Full Story
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![President Donald Trump makes remarks as he meets with Gov. Greg Abbott in the Oval Office on Thursday, May 7, 2020.]()
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Dallas salon owner released from county jail after defying orders by reopening early
The order followed Gov. Greg Abbott’s announcement that he was eliminating jail time for Texans who violate stay at home orders. Full Story
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![Shelley Luther after being released from jail in Dallas.]()
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247,179 more Texans filed for unemployment, but their jobs might not be waiting for them when they return
The Texas Workforce Commission relaxed guidelines so high-risk workers and people without child care can refuse work and still receive benefits. But that doesn’t protect workers from being fired in the meantime. Full Story
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![Mochas and Javas in San Marcos.]()
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Texas hair salons, barbershops and other beauty businesses can reopen Friday. Here are the rules they have to follow.
Limited services, face coverings and smaller occupancies are among the new rules businesses will follow if they open this Friday. Full Story
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![Downtown San Marcos during the COVID-19 pandemic on April 10, 2020.]()
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"We need herd immunity": U.S. Rep. Chip Roy of Texas says Americans can't wait for a vaccine to return to normalcy
The firebrand Austin conservative spoke with The Texas Tribune's Evan Smith about reopening the economy, voting in person and how he practices social distancing. Full Story
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Rent assistance programs in Texas' largest cities are running dry, but advocates say statewide relief is unlikely
Dallas, San Antonio and Austin recently implemented housing relief programs, and Houston will consider one this week. But local officials and advocates agree they aren't enough to see Texans through the pandemic. Full Story
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![A home in Texas.]()
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Analysis: Reopening Texas as hot spots multiply
State officials are gradually allowing the reopening of businesses and organizations that were closed to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Meanwhile, hot spots continue to flare in Texas — signs the virus is still raging. Full Story
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![Protesters at the State Capitol building defied city and state mandates of social distancing and mandatory face coverings to demand the reopening of the Texas economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
GOP lawmakers got illegal haircuts while calling on Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to reopen salons
State Reps. Briscoe Cain and Steve Toth said there's no reason to continue banning businesses from operating as long as they follow CDC guidelines. Such restrictions, the two said, are hurting the Texas economy. Full Story
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![From left, State Representatives Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, and Briscoe Cain, R-Deer Park, get haircuts in defiance of Gov. Greg Abbott’s orders on business closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.]()
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Texas agency won't cut oil production despite cratering prices
Two global crises have brought unusual attention to Texas oil regulators, who decided against taking action some producers wanted. One regulator said, "Politics win, Texans lose." Full Story
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![Midland's skyline is a backdrop for another pump jack that has ceased to move its head as oil prices continue to drop.]()
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Watch Gov. Greg Abbott's press conference on Texas coronavirus updates
Among the governor's announcements: Hair salons can reopen Friday, and gyms will be allowed to open May 18. 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 at the capitol on April 17, 2020.]()
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Health care workers are living in treehouses, RVs and hotels to protect their families from coronavirus
To avoid accidentally sickening medically fragile children or elderly parents with the new coronavirus, some health care workers are aggressively disinfecting their clothes and homes or trying to isolate themselves. The efforts can take a mental toll. Full Story
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![Marissa Hudler outside of her home in Little River Academy.]()
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Analysis: If reopening the economy is risky, who’s getting protection?
Top officials say it's safe to reopen at least some of the economy, but they're also pushing for "blanket immunity" for businesses, should anything go wrong. That leaves some people out. Full Story
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![Social distancing signs mark tables as the Cleburne Cafeteria prepares to reopen for business.]()
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At a Texas mall reopening, some antsy shoppers wore homemade masks while others called coronavirus a farce
Friday was the first day that shopping malls — along with restaurants, retail outlets and movie theaters — were allowed to reopen in Texas. Under an order from Gov. Greg Abbott, stores can open their doors, but they must limit occupancy to no more than 25% of capacity. Full Story
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![Customers practice social distancing as they wait for the Barton Creek Square Mall in Austin to open on May 1, 2020.]()
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Gov. Greg Abbott said museums can reopen — but there will be no tours of the state Capitol or Governor's Mansion
The Texas historic landmarks previously offered frequent guided tours to the public. But there are no plans to open the Capitol or the Governor's Mansion despite the governor's order allowing museums to reopen. Full Story
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![Governor's Mansion in Austin.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich/BDP, Inc.
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