State officials and virologists say the highly contagious delta variant is causing the rise — and is particularly impacting unvaccinated people.
July 2021
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Texas Legislature 2021
Extra money for retired teachers in a “13th check” at center of Republican-Democrat shouting match
On Tuesday, the Senate passed Senate Bill 7, which would provide retired teachers, counselors and school staff a one-time payment of up to $2,400 through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
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Immigration
Texas judge orders federal government to stop granting new DACA applications
Judge Andrew Hanen’s ruling doesn’t affect the status of more than 600,000 current DACA recipients.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas Senate advances bills limiting education about race, access to abortion-inducing medications. The House is still sidelined.
It’s largely symbolic, but the Texas Senate is nearing the end of its work on Republican priorities for the special legislative session after passing bills limiting “critical race theory” and abortion access Friday.
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Immigration
U.S.-Mexico border apprehensions for the fiscal year surpassed 1 million in June
Apprehensions last reached the 1-million milestone in 2006. But far fewer attempted to cross that year during the searing-hot summer months, when the journey across the Rio Grande or vast ranches is especially dangerous.
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Congress
Sen. Joe Manchin, key Democratic holdout on federal voting protections, coming to Texas for fundraiser hosted by several GOP donors
The fundraiser comes just a day after Manchin met with Texas House Democrats on Capitol Hill who are desperate for his support of the congressional efforts which could preempt the statewide GOP’s push to pass bills that would restrict voting access for Texans.
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State Government
Can Greg Abbott actually build Trump’s border wall?
The governor wants to finish the wall that Donald Trump began on the Texas-Mexico border, but he’ll have to overcome the same hurdles that impeded the ex-president’s efforts.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas House Speaker offers Democrats free plane ride home to return to state
The plane will be on standby at Dulles International Airport, and Dade Phelan’s team said his political campaign, not taxpayers, will pay for the flight.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Austin announces stricter coronavirus protocols for unvaccinated residents as cases increase. But it can’t legally enforce them.
The city’s return to Stage 3 risk-based guidelines marks the first time a major Texas city has reversed direction in the trend toward normalcy. But others are also reporting surges in cases.
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Texas Legislature 2021
El Paso Democrat Joe Moody stripped of leadership position in Texas House after leaving state with Democrats
Moody, one of House Speaker Dade Phelan’s closest Democratic allies, is the first Democrat to suffer political backlash after the quorum break.
