Public health experts and medical professionals are sounding the alarm over the highly transmissible delta variant of COVID-19. The governor has stood firm on his ban against masking mandates in schools.
July 2021
Posted in
Politics
Justice Department sues Texas over Gov. Greg Abbott’s order for law enforcement to pull over vehicles with migrants
On Wednesday, Abbott issued the order, allowing Texas Department of Public Safety troopers to reroute civilian vehicles back to their origin point or a port of entry, or seize the vehicles, if police suspect the driver is transporting migrants who have COVID-19.
Posted in
Politics
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar joins Sen. Lindsey Graham in demanding that Biden appoint border czar
Cuellar and Graham’s letter is the latest in a series of criticisms against the Biden administration’s border security response.
Posted in
Demographics
UT System board votes to accept invitation for UT-Austin to join the SEC
The decision comes just a week after news surfaced that the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma planned to leave the Big 12, sending shockwaves through college sports and many Texas lawmakers who feel the expansion will have drastic consequences on the remaining Texas schools in the Big 12.
Posted in
Operation Lone Star
Gov. Greg Abbott’s border security initiative rolls out with confusion, missteps and a whole lot of state troopers in Val Verde County
The governor’s decision to go all in on border security is evolving rapidly, and many of those on the ground don’t know how it’s going to work.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
As federal eviction moratorium expires, tenants and rent advocates scramble to obtain state and local rental relief funds
In the first phase of funding from the federal government for emergency rental assistance, Texas received about $2 billion. Now the state has to get those funds in the hands of Texans.
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Criminal Justice
Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee arrested for civil disobedience over voting rights bill
It was unclear what the Houston Democrat did to spur the arrest, though she said, “I engaged in civil disobedience.”
Posted in
Congress
Texas House Democrats spar with congressional Republicans over their protest of state voting bills
Three Texas House Democrats testified before a congressional committee on their efforts to thwart voting restrictions — and were met with heat from their Republican counterparts.
Posted in
Politics
How Republican Jake Ellzey’s bipartisan appeal, positive campaign helped him upset Trump’s pick for Congress
Wright’s coveted endorsement from Trump — which appeared so powerful in propelling her to the top in the initial election — may have contributed to her undoing in the runoff where state Rep. Jake Ellzey benefited from a more bipartisan appeal, coupled with a more positive, energetic campaign.
Posted in
Immigration
U.S. attorney general blasts Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s latest border directive and threatens a legal battle
One day after Abbott told state troopers to pull over vehicles with migrants suspected of having COVID-19, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said the governor’s order violated federal law.
