Statewide ban on homeless encampments approved by Texas Senate
The vote comes only weeks after Austin residents voted to reinstate a local public camping ban — two years after it was lifted. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0167a6e07af9439f1e08e49ef82c4df9/Winter%20Storm%20Homeless%20JV%20TT%2001.jpg)
-
![A homeless Austinite wears extra blankets to protect against the cold as an unprecedented winter storm grips much of Texas on Feb. 13, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Allocating $16 billion in coronavirus relief funds will be part of special legislative session in the fall, Gov. Greg Abbott says
Abbott already planned to call a special session later in the year for the Legislature to do its decennial redrawing of Texas political maps. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/64a79345e18d8c1338af7a0e25d61f5d/Winter%20Storm%20Abbott%20Presser%20JV%20TT%2012.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference regarding Texas’ emergency response to an unprecedented winter storm gripping Texas on Feb. 13, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
A bill to expand Texas’ medical marijuana program started moving in the Senate. Advocates worry time is running out.
House Bill 1535 would expand the state’s medical cannabis program to include those with chronic pain, all cancer patients and Texans with post-traumatic stress disorder. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4c23c74dc3a4a883bf00b880d1250101/Medical%20Marijuana%20JV%20TT%2005.jpg)
![Mature marijuana plants at Texas Original Compassionate Cultivation Medical Marijuana facility in South Austin on April 30, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Priority bills imperiled as end-of-session tensions rise between Texas House and Senate
House lawmakers expressed frustration Thursday that some of their priority legislation had not moved in the upper chamber, including a package of health care and criminal justice reform bills pushed by House Speaker Dade Phelan. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/36561e55da4a668b3426ae8a3de805b5/RECOMP%20House%20Floor%20Phelan%20Abortion%20Bill%20%20MG%20TT%2014.jpg)
![House Speaker Dade Phalen on the House Floor on May 5, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
For the first time in more than 40 years, media were not allowed to witness a Texas execution
On Wednesday, the state executed Quintin Jones, 41, for the Tarrant County murder of his great-aunt in 1999. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f1f64241c4d6170d5baf1d796f00eea5/01%20Death%20Chamber%20TDCJ%20GR%20TT.jpg)
![Interior of Death Chamber in Texas.]()
Credit: Jenevieve Robbins/Texas Department of Criminal Justice -
What it’s like to be a doctor in training in the middle of a pandemic
After years of studying how to practice medicine, they quickly learned how to treat COVID-19 patients, relay difficult news to loved ones and manage their own mental health during a pandemic. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ec6dcef1d153c4a339909ac1ffb29b29/Brooke%20Wagen%20COVID%20Residents%20MM%20TT%2005.jpg)
![Brook Wagen in front of her home in Austin on May 15, 2021.]()
Credit: Montinique Monroe for the Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Greg Abbott wants Texas to be normal again
The governor is turning the dial to "normal," in more ways than one, dissolving pandemic restrictions and minding issues of interest to Republican primary voters. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4ea2c8a3276af4aedd4c1bedf6e880ce/Abbott%20Dallas%20Presser%20CM%20TT%2003.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott holds a press conference in Dallas on unaccompanied minors crossing the southern border on March 17, 2021.]()
Credit: Carly May for The Texas Tribune