On Friday morning, five GOP county chairs were facing backlash for sharing racist social media posts. The Texas Tribune identified seven other GOP county chairs across the state who shared similar posts.
Naomi Andu
Naomi Andu was a reporting fellow at The Texas Tribune in 2020. A graduate of Northwestern Universty, Naomi was the print managing editor at the student-run campus magazine North by Northwestern. She has also worked as an editorial intern at The TRiiBE, a digital media platform in Chicago, and was a mentor for the Medill Media Teens Program.
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Criminal Justice
Four Austin City Council members say they’ve lost faith in police chief after use of force on protesters, report says
Council member Greg Casar asked Manley to do the honorable thing and step down, and others expressed their disappointment in his handling of ongoing protests against police brutality.
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Police brutality in Texas
Austin city leaders and residents criticize police officers’ use of force during demonstrations against brutality
A City Council meeting that coincided with another protest included calls for police Chief Brian Manley’s termination and cutting his department’s budget.
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Coronavirus in Texas
After an “anticlimactic” virtual goodbye, Dell Medical School’s inaugural class heads to the front lines of the pandemic
On Thursday evening, Dell Medical School’s first cohort of students graduated in a virtual ceremony. Over the next month, the inaugural class will scatter across the country to begin residencies in the thick of a pandemic.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Budget cuts at UT-Austin will likely bring furloughs and layoffs, campus leaders say
The university is gearing up for a second wave of cuts brought upon by the coronavirus pandemic.
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Higher Education
Former U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego named sole finalist for Sul Ross State University presidency
If confirmed in June, Gallego will be Sul Ross’ 13th president and the first alumnus to lead the school.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Coronavirus restrictions alter funeral plans, leaving some Texans to grieve alone
Gov. Greg Abbott clarified this week that in-person funerals can be held if attendees stay 6 feet apart. But restrictions still have some postponing memorials until after the pandemic ends. “If you can’t hug anyone or shake their hand, what’s the point of having anyone physically attend?” one mourner said.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Rent assistance programs in Texas’ largest cities are running dry, but advocates say statewide relief is unlikely
Dallas, San Antonio and Austin recently implemented housing relief programs, and Houston will consider one this week. But local officials and advocates agree they aren’t enough to see Texans through the pandemic.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Texas A&M and University of Texas systems expect to reopen in the fall, and A&M says it will play football
Texas Tech University also says it’s planning for a return to campus for the upcoming school year.
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COVID-19 Recession in Texas
With little certainty and a lot of hope, Texas restaurants and retailers navigate new rules as they prepare to reopen
After weeks of limited business operations, the first wave of the Texas economy will reopen on Friday. The service and entertainment industries are preparing for new rules even as they face an uncertain future.