Latest Contributions

• Texas doctors, seeing unprecedented numbers of pregnant patients with COVID-19, urge pregnant people to get vaccinated

  by Allyson Waller Sept. 16, 2021

  Pregnant women are getting vaccinated at lower rates than the general population. “This variant is much more aggressive, [and] pregnant women are getting sicker much faster,” one doctor says. Full Story 

• Texas has banned abortions at about six weeks. But the time frame for pregnant patients to get one is less than two.

  by Allyson Waller Sept. 8, 2021

  Here's how the timeline works. Full Story 

• At least 45 districts shut down in-person classes due to COVID-19 cases, affecting more than 40,000 students

  by Allyson Waller, Kalley Huang and Mandi Cai Sept. 3, 2021

  Caseloads have left districts scrambling when many have said they have fewer tools at their disposal to combat the spread of the virus. Full Story 

• Texas Senate approves spending nearly $2 billion on border security

  by James Barragán and Allyson Waller Updated: Sept. 1, 2021

  Proponents of House Bill 9 denounced the Biden administration’s approach to border security, saying the state had no choice but to step in to ramp up enforcement. Full Story 

• The state’s sending thousands of health care workers to Texas hospitals amid a new COVID-19 surge. Will it be enough?

  by Allyson Waller Aug. 30, 2021

  So far the state has paid to hire more than 8,000 contract health care workers as hospitalizations from COVID-19 in Texas approach the record set last winter. Full Story 

• Maternal health care advocates applaud new state law to extend Medicaid coverage, but say it doesn’t go far enough

  by Allyson Waller Aug. 27, 2021

  The law, which takes effect Sept. 1, gives new mothers six months of postpartum Medicaid coverage instead of two. That’s less than many advocates and some lawmakers wanted. Full Story 

• A ripped-off mask and verbal assault: how tensions over changing mask rules spilled over in one Texas school district

  by Allyson Waller Aug. 20, 2021

  In a letter to parents and staff, Eanes ISD’s superintendent called the incidents unacceptable and warned parents that the “the kids are watching.” Full Story 

• Siding with Gov. Greg Abbott, Texas Supreme Court temporarily halts mask orders in Dallas and Bexar counties

  by Allyson Waller Updated: Aug. 15, 2021

  The ruling comes after several school districts and a handful of counties across the state defied the governor’s executive order that restricted local entities from instituting mask mandates. Full Story 

• Flooding from summer thunderstorm closes Texas Capitol

  by Allyson Waller Updated: Aug. 15, 2021

  Video showed water pouring from the massive skylights above the building’s underground annex. The Capitol is expected to reopen Monday. Full Story 

• As Texas GOP leaders continue targeting transgender children, state’s protective services agency takes aim at surgeries rarely used on kids

  by Izz Scott LaMagdeleine and Allyson Waller Updated: Aug. 11, 2021

  Medical experts said gender-affirming care for transgender children rarely, if ever, includes use of the surgeries. Most care for transgender kids involves social transitioning and puberty blockers. Full Story 

• Texas judges temporarily allow officials in Bexar and Dallas counties to issue mask mandates, despite Gov. Greg Abbott’s ban

  by Allyson Waller and Matthew Watkins Updated: Aug. 10, 2021

  The rulings came in two separate lawsuits. A Bexar County health official quickly required masks in public schools. And Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins may soon issue a mandate. Full Story 

• Austin still struggling to find places for people experiencing homelessness as it begins enforcing public camping ban

  by Allyson Waller and Sophie Park Aug. 9, 2021

  After weeks of educating people about the ban that voters approved in May, police are allowed to start arresting violators this week as the city tries to find more housing. 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 

• Federal judge tosses lawsuit that sought to end UT-Austin’s affirmative action policy

  by Allyson Waller July 27, 2021

  The judge found that the group behind the suit had essentially brought the same claims in a previous case in which the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the University of Texas at Austin’s policy. Full Story 

• Texas Supreme Court extends state program to help tenants avoid eviction until Oct. 1

  by Allyson Waller July 19, 2021

  The extension comes as the federal moratorium on evictions is set to expire on July 31. Full Story 

• Five Texas House Democrats who traveled to Washington, D.C., have tested positive for coronavirus

  by Allyson Waller Updated: July 18, 2021

  Three lawmakers tested positive on Saturday and two more on Sunday. All of the lawmakers are fully vaccinated. Full Story 

• Texas Senate approves limits on transgender athletes, but bills are still in limbo

  by Allyson Waller July 14, 2021

  Transgender students would be prevented from joining public school and university sports teams that correspond to their gender. Full Story 

• After hours of impassioned testimony, Texas Senate panel advances bills limiting the school sports teams that transgender athletes can join

  by Allyson Waller July 12, 2021

  Gov. Greg Abbott added the legislation to the special session agenda after similar bills failed to pass during the regular session earlier this year. Full Story 

• Federal judge finds U.S. government inaction mostly to blame for Sutherland Springs mass shooting

  by Allyson Waller July 7, 2021

  Federal Judge Xavier Rodriguez said the U.S. Air Force's failure to report the shooter's domestic violence conviction to the FBI allowed him to purchase the gun used in Texas' deadliest mass shooting. Full Story 

• Texas students of color returned to in-person learning at below-average rates. Experts say the reasons are nuanced.

  by Allyson Waller July 6, 2021

  The Texas Education Agency cited COVID-19’s disproportionate effect on communities of color as reason for lower engagement and attendance rates among students of color. Full Story