With a Democrat back in the White House, Texas Republicans prepare to go on offense
For the past four years, Texas Republicans have had an ally in the White House. Now they’re readying for the familiar role of conservative counterweight. Full Story
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![Then-Democratic presidential candidate and Vice President Joe Biden at a campaign event in San Antonio on Dec. 13, 2019.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Joe Biden sworn in as the 46th president
With his hand on his family Bible, Biden recited the oath taken by his predecessors, promising to “faithfully execute the office of president of the United States." Full Story
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![President Joe Biden spoke during the 59th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2021.]()
Credit: Patrick Semansky/Pool via REUTERS -
Joe Biden to pause border wall construction, issue protections for DACA recipients and roll back other Trump immigration policies
The incoming president also plans to send a comprehensive immigration reform plan to Congress after he takes office. Full Story
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![Mexican nationals pass time in an encampment in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, as they wait their turn to seek asylum in the U.S. Oct. 13, 2019.]()
Credit: Verónica G. Cárdenas for The Texas Tribune/ProPublica -
Analysis: While his powers are questioned, Texas governor reaches for more
While some lawmakers are working to limit the governor's powers, curtailing what he can order during a pandemic, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has another project: Taking over law enforcement in cities that reduce police budgets. Full Story
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![Austin police officers stand guard outside of their headquarters during a protest over the death of George Floyd. Floyd died during an attempted arrest by Minneapolis police.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas has a problem with its COVID-19 vaccination data, and the stakes are high. Now the state is scrambling to solve it.
As the state began the massive undertaking of distributing the coronavirus vaccine, early data problems left state officials with immunization records that were outdated, incomplete and sometimes misleading. Full Story
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![Staff members work in Tarrytown pharmacy in Austin on Jan. 14, 2021.]()
Credit: Montinique Monroe for The Texas Tribune -
After a year of racial reckoning, Black lawmakers believe they can finally eliminate Confederate Heroes Day in Texas
On Tuesday, some Texans will take a paid day off for a state holiday honoring Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis and other leaders of the Confederate army. Full Story
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![The 1903 Confederate monument at the south entrance to the state Capitol grounds in 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas Republicans embraced Donald Trump for four years. Now they face a reckoning.
The president is leaving office Wednesday, but signs suggest his influence on the Texas GOP remains strong. Full Story
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![Then-presidential candidate Donald Trump at a campaign event in The Woodlands in June 17, 2016.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Federal officials charge former Houston police officer for participating in U.S. Capitol riot
A federal affidavit filed by a special agent Tuesday identified the Houston Police officer who participated in the pro-Trump riot at the Capitol as 18-year veteran Tam Dinh Pham. Full Story
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![Houston police officer Tam Pham.]()
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Texas has administered most of its 1.7 million vaccine doses as it prepares to receive 333,000 more
Some 78% of the 1,725,575 doses already shipped to providers have been used, including second doses, Gov. Greg Abbott said, and Texas is set to receive 333,650 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference in Austin on Dec. 17, 2020, regarding COVID-19 and the Pfizer vaccines that have been sent to hospitals across Texas. Gov. Abbott was adamant that despite rising cases and deaths, he will not be ordering any shutdowns. Gov. Abbott also said he has not received the vaccine, but he will take it when the time comes.]()
Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune -
Point of Order: The Queen’s Gambit
In this episode of our podcast about the Texas Legislature, recorded on Jan. 15, 2021, Evan Smith interviews 25-term state Rep. Senfronia Thompson about COVID-19, race, public ed and that whippersnapper Dade Phelan. Full Story
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Low-income Texans struggle to find new doctors as state officials boot Planned Parenthood off Medicaid
The state's health commission gave Planned Parenthood's Medicaid patients until Feb. 3 to find new doctors. Experts say there are limited places low-income patients can go, in part because Texas already has a shortage of doctors who accept Medicaid due to the state’s low payment rates. Full Story
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![An anonymous HPV patient living in a Houston hotel to escape domestic abuse navigates the uncertainties of Planned Parenthood being withdrawn from Medicaid coverage.]()
Credit: Briana Vargas for The Texas Tribune -
Texas-based anti-vaccine group received federal bailout funds in May as pandemic raged
The Austin-based group founded by anti-vaccine activist Del Bigtree regularly posts information questioning the safety of the coronavirus vaccines. Doctors and scientists say both the Moderna and the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Full Story
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![Anti-vaccination protestors at the Capitol in Austin on April 18, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Is the Texas Capitol a government building or a petri dish?
Legislating is a social enterprise. It draws crowds of Texans who want to testify, to be heard, to sightsee and to watch government in action. And it’s tailor made for spreading a contagious disease. Full Story
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“Lives are at stake”: Three Texas regions battered by coronavirus are out of intensive care beds
Hospitals in the Abilene, Bryan-College Station and Laredo areas have run out of intensive care unit beds. State health officials are “greatly concerned” about high numbers of hospitalized people throughout Texas. Full Story
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![A patient at the COVID-19 unit at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Health System in Edinburg on June 30, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Dade Phelan raised $4.4 million as he ascended to Texas House speakership
The Beaumont Republican saw a flood of campaign cash in the weeks before he was elected speaker on Tuesday. Full Story
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![Newly-elected House Speaker Dade Phelan speaks to the House of Representatives during opening ceremonies as the 2021 legislative session begins. Jan. 12, 2021.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich/CapitolPressPhoto/Pool -
Texas Capitol staffer says pandemic protocols are a must this session: “It’s the ability to think of others”
Odus Evbagharu says that like many of the thousands of people employed at the Capitol, he’s nervous he might catch COVID-19. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast. Full Story
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![The Weekend Brief.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
The NRA says it’s moving to Texas. Bankruptcy experts say it may be more of a legal move than a physical one.
The National Rifle Association filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy and may reincorporate in Texas. Experts say it’s fleeing a fraud case in New York. Full Story
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Texas lawmakers aren’t all eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Austin’s top health official is trying to get them vaccinated anyway.
Dr. Mark Escott, the interim medical director for Austin Public Health, told The Texas Tribune that he asked Ascension Seton hospital system “if they would be willing to vaccinate lawmakers and key staff if they had availability.” Full Story
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![The Texas House of Representatives on Jan. 13, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Trump administration extends health care safety net for uninsured Texans
A federal program known as the 1115 waiver helps pay for the costs of providing health care to people who are uninsured. Advocates for Medicaid expansion say it fills gaps in care that are caused by Texas’ refusal to expand coverage. Full Story
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![Dr. Spencer R. Berthelsen, M.D., Chairman, Board of Directors at Kelsey-Seybold, who still sees patients two days a week, visits with patient Francisco Garcia (also a doctor at Kelsey Seybold) before his annual physical at their clinic in Sugar Land. Sept. 22, 2011.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Capitol to close Saturday, before planned armed protests of Joe Biden’s inauguration
The FBI reportedly warned law enforcement agencies in all 50 states of possibly armed protests after the U.S. Capitol was besieged by pro-Trump rioters. Full Story
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![The Texas Capitol is locked on Jan. 6, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune
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