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Elizabeth Byrne was a reporting fellow at The Texas Tribune in 2019, covering health and human services issues. She graduated from Northwestern University, where she studied journalism and sociology. Elizabeth previously served as the summer editor in chief and campus editor for The Daily Northwestern, where she covered local and campus news. If she's not in the newsroom, then she's enjoying the outdoors or searching for the perfect mac and cheese.
In Texas, parents can get their children exemptions from the vaccines required to attend public and private schools for "reasons of conscience." Use our lookup tool to see how exemption rates have changed in school districts and private schools across the state. Full Story
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Abbott said the measure "is an unnecessary invasion of parental rights and an unfortunate example of over-criminalization." Full Story
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The governor cited Texas' continued recovery from Hurricane Harvey as a reason why he was issuing an executive order to continue the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, which was on track to shut down. Full Story
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Texas has resisted recent attempts to change its vaccine laws, allowing parents to get their children exemptions for "reasons of conscience." Use our lookup tool to see how exemption rates have changed in school districts and private schools across the state. Full Story
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Previous state law explicitly permitted breastfeeding in public, but the bill adds a protection for women who choose to pump breast milk in public. Full Story
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Problems with the state’s data led to initial reports that Texas' maternal mortality rate was far higher than it is. Full Story
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The city had 40 homicides last month, the highest monthly total since the 1990s. Full Story
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The bills aim to create a "hostile environment" for human trafficking in Texas and address sexual assault, said Gov. Greg Abbott at a bill signing ceremony Tuesday in Dallas. Full Story
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One bill awaiting action by the governor will require freestanding emergency rooms to clearly disclose the in-network health plans they accept and the fees patients may be charged. Full Story
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Texas joins 18 other states that have passed similar laws restricting access to over-the-counter cough medicines like Nyquil and Robitussin that include the ingredient dextromethorphan. Full Story
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