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Patrick Svitek is the primary political correspondent for The Texas Tribune. Patrick logged countless miles on the 2016 campaign trail, covering the many Texas angles of the momentous presidential race. He previously worked for the Houston Chronicle's Austin bureau. He graduated in 2014 from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. He is originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The Heath Republican is on track to be confirmed as the director of national intelligence, which would create a vacancy in his solidly red district. Full Story
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Kathaleen Wall, a Republican activist and donor in a runoff for a battleground U.S. House seat, has said the secretary of state expanded who is eligible to vote by mail. The secretary of state's office says that's not true. Full Story
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During the visit, Trump also inquired about Dallas salon owner Shelley Luther, who was freed from jail Thursday after being sentenced to seven days for violating a court order to close. Full Story
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One group, Everytown for Gun Safety, has already committed $8 million to the state this election cycle and is now naming three hires, including two seasoned Democratic operatives, to help see the plan through. Full Story
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The governor had initially eyed May 18 as the next date to announce further business reopenings, but he faced growing pressure in recent days from some in his own party to move more quickly. Full Story
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The former Dallas congressman has spent over $80,000 on legal fees since launching his campaign to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Bill Flores, R-Bryan. Full Story
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Abbott is looking at two figures: the percentage of tests in the state that come back positive and the percentage of patients with COVID-19 who are hospitalized. Full Story
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After Gov. Greg Abbott announced he would reopen large parts of the economy Friday, some local leaders argued that his orders were vague. Top state attorneys disagree. Full Story
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Abbott’s instinct so far has been mostly to deescalate, staving off confrontations that could hobble the careful course he is charting. Full Story
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Starting Friday, road and air travelers entering Texas from Louisiana will no longer have to self-quarantine for 14 days. Full Story
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The businesses must limit occupancy to no more than 25%. Abbott said the state's stay-at-home order "has done its job to slow the growth of COVID-19." Full Story
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Olson retired from the Air Force amid a contracting scandal. Some Democrats worry the circumstances will make her vulnerable as she runs for a battleground U.S. House seat. Full Story
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Abbott said he is seeking approval from medical advisers on the business reopenings and that they will reopen under new standards to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Full Story
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The reopening will happen in phases, Abbott said, and will be guided by data and doctors. Full Story
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The Texans' campaigns are announcing their latest fundraising numbers ahead of an end-of-day deadline to disclose them to the Federal Election Commission. Full Story
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He says he'll outline his plans this week, but it won't be a "rush-the-gates, everybody-is-able-to-suddenly-reopen-all-at-once" situation. Full Story
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Top health officials stressed, however, that it's far too soon to declare victory as the number of Texans infected continues to grow. Gov. Greg Abbott said he'd issue an order next week to lay the groundwork for reopening the state's economy. Full Story
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The physician and nursing home medical director who prescribed the drug is a campaign surrogate for President Donald Trump. Full Story
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The order "requires all Texans to stay at home except to provide essential services or do essential things like going to the grocery store," Abbott said this week. Full Story
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Officials in both regions are tracking the movements of nursing home staffers, many of whom work at multiple facilities. Full Story
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