University of Texas president defends decision to join SEC as lawmakers criticize lack of warning

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• With the delta variant spreading, the number of hospitalized Texans has increased to levels not seen since February

  by Texas Tribune Staff Updated: 8 hours ago

  The Texas Tribune is using daily data from the Texas Department of State Health Services to track coronavirus vaccinations, cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Full Story 

• Analysis: Groundhog Day in Texas

  by Ross Ramsey Aug. 2, 2021

  A lot of the news from the last few days — about the Legislature, about COVID-19 and about immigration — has a real déjà vu quality to it. And there’s a good reason for that. Full Story 

• San Antonio built a pipeline to rural Central Texas to increase its water supply. Now local landowners say their wells are running dry.

  by Erin Douglas Aug. 2, 2021

  A pipeline helped secure water for San Antonio for decades to come — at a potentially high cost to some rural residents who are losing groundwater to the big city. Is it a preview for the rest of the state as climate change brings more water scarcity and cities keep sprawling? Full Story 

• With school openings near, parents and teachers say state leaders have stripped them of weapons against COVID-19

  by Reese Oxner July 30, 2021

  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. Full Story 

• Justice Department sues Texas over Gov. Greg Abbott's order for law enforcement to pull over vehicles with migrants

  by Uriel J. García July 30, 2021

  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. Full Story 

• U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar joins Sen. Lindsey Graham in demanding that Biden appoint border czar

  by Farah Eltohamy July 30, 2021

  Cuellar and Graham’s letter is the latest in a series of criticisms against the Biden administration’s border security response. Full Story 

• UT System board votes to accept invitation for UT-Austin to join the SEC

  by Heidi Pérez-Moreno Updated: July 30, 2021

  ​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. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott's border security initiative rolls out with confusion, missteps and a whole lot of state troopers in Val Verde County

  by Jolie McCullough July 30, 2021

  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. Full Story 

• As federal eviction moratorium expires, tenants and rent advocates scramble to obtain state and local rental relief funds

  by Allyson Waller July 30, 2021

  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. Full Story 

• Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee arrested for civil disobedience over voting rights bill

  by Abby Livingston July 29, 2021

  It was unclear what the Houston Democrat did to spur the arrest, though she said, “I engaged in civil disobedience.” Full Story 

• Texas House Democrats spar with congressional Republicans over their protest of state voting bills

  by Farah Eltohamy July 29, 2021

  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. Full Story 

• How Republican Jake Ellzey's bipartisan appeal, positive campaign helped him upset Trump's pick for Congress

  by Patrick Svitek July 29, 2021

  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. Full Story 

• U.S. attorney general blasts Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s latest border directive and threatens a legal battle

  by Uriel J. García July 29, 2021

  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. Full Story 

• "On a crash course": Texas hospitals brace for another COVID-19 surge as delta variant burns through unvaccinated communities

  by Karen Brooks Harper Updated: July 29, 2021

  Hospital officials worry that "staggering and frightening" hospitalization rates will push facilities to capacity at a time when staffing is short and workers are exhausted. Full Story 

• Texas Democrats in Washington, D.C., to meet with Stacey Abrams and the Clintons

  by Farah Eltohamy July 29, 2021

  Texas Democrats have been in the nation’s capital for more than two weeks, seeking the support of as many high-profile politicians as they can. Full Story 

• With federal eviction ban expiring July 31, community organizers help Texans apply for rent relief

  by Lauren Santucci July 29, 2021

  As the safety net for Texas tenants behind on rent begins to disappear, a 19-year-old Houston organizer helps Hispanic residents apply for emergency financial assistance. Full Story