Harris County got rid of cash bail for many people accused of minor crimes. GOP lawmakers want to walk that back.

Latest News

• President Joe Biden says Texas made "big mistake" by lifting mask mandate, suggests "Neanderthal thinking"

  by Patrick Svitek Updated: 14 minutes ago

  The president's comments came the day after Gov. Greg Abbott announced he was ending the statewide mask requirement and letting businesses reopen at 100% capacity. Full Story 

• Texas teachers, child care workers now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine

  by Aliyya Swaby 28 minutes ago

  The change in eligibility comes the day after the Biden administration urged all states to prioritize teachers. Full Story 

• U.S. House Oversight Committee investigating operator of Texas’ power grid

  by Bryan Mena Updated: 2 hours ago

  A subcommittee chair wrote in a letter to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas that the grid’s failures were “costly” and disproportionately affected low-income communities and communities of color. Full Story 

• Most white Texas voters believe the deaths of Black people in police custody aren’t a systemic problem

  by Ross Ramsey 8 hours ago

  Texas voters support the police and don't want to cut their budgets. But they disagree on the reasons behind the deaths of Black people in encounters with law enforcement, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story 

• Texans support keeping “Dreamers" in the U.S., poll finds

  by Ross Ramsey 8 hours ago

  Texas voters are divided about whether to deport immigrants illegally living in the U.S., but they are more welcoming to youths brought here as children and say they shouldn't be deported, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story 

• Few Texas voters say they're doing better economically than they were a year ago, poll finds

  by Ross Ramsey 8 hours ago

  Only 18% of Texas voters say they're better off than they were 12 months ago. A year ago, twice as many said they and their families were better off than before, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story 

• In San Antonio, teachers hit the streets in search of students disappearing from online learning

  by Bekah McNeel, The74Million.org 9 hours ago

  Every few weeks, teams of teachers from one middle school knock on doors looking for students who have disengaged with online classes. It seems to work. Full Story 

• Pentagon review says U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson made sexual comments, violated alcohol policy while White House physician, CNN reports

  by Mitchell Ferman March 2, 2021

  The former top White House physician defended his actions in a statement to The Texas Tribune, calling the Defense Department inspector general report "a political hit job because I stood with President Trump." Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott heeds the call of his GOP critics in removing coronavirus restrictions

  by Patrick Svitek March 2, 2021

  Abbott's announcement Tuesday that he was fully reopening Texas capped a nearly yearlong stretch of the most intraparty dissent he has seen in his time as governor. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott says he's rescinding statewide mask mandate and capacity limits on businesses

  by Patrick Svitek Updated: March 2, 2021

  The change, which comes as the seven-day average of new coronavirus deaths remains above 200, will go into effect March 10. Full Story 

• “It’s putting us in the firing line”: Some small-business owners worry about Gov. Greg Abbott lifting coronavirus restrictions

  by Mitchell Ferman, Duncan Agnew and Megan Menchaca March 2, 2021

  Abbott’s order will leave it to business owners to decide whether to require customers wear masks inside their establishments. Some say they will keep coronavirus restrictions in place, but some business owners worry those decisions could anger potential customers. Full Story 

• Texas reports decline in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, but still averages 200 daily deaths as Gov. Greg Abbott lifts restrictions

  by Texas Tribune Staff Updated: March 2, 2021

  Health experts say the pandemic is far from over and Texans should keep wearing their masks as new variants of the virus emerge. Full Story 

• Texas' local officials blast Gov. Greg Abbott for "irresponsible action" of lifting coronavirus restrictions

  by Juan Pablo Garnham March 2, 2021

  City and county leaders urged residents in their areas to still follow recommendations from health experts and officials that call for wearing face masks in public. Full Story 

• Keep wearing your mask, health officials say after Gov. Greg Abbott lifts mask mandate

  by Karen Brooks Harper Updated: March 2, 2021

  Some variants of COVID-19 are more contagious and researchers believe they can reinfect people who already have gotten the virus. Doctors and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still recommend wearing masks. Full Story 

• Caught by surprise, Texas education officials unsure how end of mask mandate will affect schools

  by Aliyya Swaby March 2, 2021

  Some superintendents say they will continue requiring students and staff to wear masks as they await further guidance from the Texas Education Agency. Full Story 

• How to get involved in the Texas redistricting process

  by Yasmeen Khalifa March 2, 2021

  Given Texas' history, it would be unusual if, at the very least, some redistricting plans didn’t end up in federal court. Here’s how you can get involved in the redistricting process and help work toward fair and equal districts for your community. Full Story