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• Already in crisis, Texas hospitals treat record numbers of COVID-19 patients while preparing for another post-holiday surge

  by Shannon Najmabadi Jan. 7, 2021

  The state has reported at least 28,545 fatalities tied to the virus, available intensive care unit beds are at a low and health experts say Texans can’t vaccinate their way out of the current surge. Full Story 

• First Texas case of more contagious coronavirus variant identified in Harris County

  by Shannon Najmabadi Jan. 7, 2021

  It does not cause a more severe disease, and vaccines “are expected to be effective against it,” the health services department said of the strain. Full Story 

• Texas gives Medicaid recipients using Planned Parenthood until Feb. 3 to find new health care provider

  by Shannon Najmabadi Jan. 5, 2021

  The extension comes after the conservative U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in November sided with Texas officials who have long tried to block Planned Parenthood from participating in Medicaid, the federal-state health insurance program for the poor. Full Story 

• Early in the pandemic, Texas banned most abortions. After the ban lifted, second-trimester abortions jumped, a new study shows.

  by Shannon Najmabadi Jan. 4, 2021

  Texas officials cited a need to preserve medical supplies as a reason to crack down on abortions. A new study finds that many Texans left the state during this time seeking the procedure. Full Story 

• Austin won’t be allowed to restrict dining-in at restaurants, Texas Supreme Court says

  by Shannon Najmabadi Jan. 1, 2021

  Austin Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Andy Brown sought to restrict dine-in food and beverage service both indoors and outdoors from 10:30 p.m. to 6 a.m., starting on New Year’s Eve and ending at 6 a.m. Sunday. The measure allowed restaurants to offer drive-thru, curbside pick-up, take out, or delivery services. Full Story 

• Trump commutes remaining prison term of former Texas GOP congressman Steve Stockman, who was convicted of misusing charitable funds

  by Shannon Najmabadi Dec. 22, 2020

  President Donald Trump also pardoned former Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, who were convicted of shooting an unarmed drug smuggler and covering it up in 2006. Full Story 

• $1.7M for George Strait, six-figure bonuses: Months later, a lawsuit forced Texas to release details on inaugural spending

  by Shannon Najmabadi, The Texas Tribune, and Jay Root, Houston Chronicle Dec. 17, 2020

  For months, Gov. Greg Abbott and the 2019 Texas Inaugural Committee fought to avoid disclosing how they spent a record-setting $5.3 million. The Texas Tribune sued and obtained the documents in an out-of-court settlement. Full Story 

• Nine months on the pandemic’s front line have crushed Texas health care workers’ spirits and killed their colleagues

  by Shannon Najmabadi and Edgar Walters Dec. 11, 2020

  The virus has claimed the lives of more than 1,000 U.S. health care workers; others could face lasting mental scars. It’s “the time when we’re needed most,” one doctor said, “and we’re burned out.” Full Story 

• Eight months into the pandemic, this women’s health clinic in rural Texas struggles to meet demand for care

  by Shannon Najmabadi Nov. 30, 2020

  At a housing unit turned health clinic in rural Brown County, the director of a family planning clinic laughs at the idea of offering tele-health visits to limit the virus' spread: “Where we are, that is just not an option for us.” Full Story 

• COVID-19 vaccines may be coming soon, but most Texans won’t get them for months. Here’s why.

  by Shannon Najmabadi and Edgar Walters Nov. 20, 2020

  Officials are preparing for the massive undertaking of distributing a vaccine that may require multiple doses and subzero storage temperatures across a state that covers 270,000 square miles and some 170 rural counties. Full Story 

• These Texans were rescued by the U.S. government after getting stranded in Peru. Now, the bills are arriving.

  by Shannon Najmabadi Nov. 17, 2020

  The U.S. State Department has sent letters to Americans rescued abroad during the pandemic asking for repayment for the repatriation flights and threatening to withhold tax refunds or social security payments if the debt goes unpaid for months. Full Story 

• Funeral homes and hospitals in parts of Texas brace for new wave of coronavirus infections and deaths

  by Shannon Najmabadi Nov. 10, 2020

  Texas is closing in on 1 million confirmed coronavirus cases, according to state data, and the pandemic has claimed more than 18,700 lives in the state. Full Story 

• Court documents show friendly relationship between Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Nate Paul, donor at the center of new criminal allegations

  by Emma Platoff and Shannon Najmabadi Nov. 6, 2020

  Paul’s testimony included a reference to having hired a woman who, according to two people who were told by Paxton, was involved in an extramarital relationship with the attorney general. Full Story 

• Democrats hoped high turnout would usher in a blue wave across Texas. It didn’t.

  by Shannon Najmabadi and Mandi Cai Nov. 4, 2020

  In Texas, at least 66% of the 17 million registered voters cast ballots in the 2020 general election. That’s 6.6 percentage points higher than total turnout in 2016. Full Story 

• In Lubbock, pandemic fatigue sets in as hospitalizations rise

  by Shannon Najmabadi Oct. 27, 2020

  Experts and officials say people are exhausted with coronavirus restrictions and have begged them to don face coverings, socially distance and take “personal responsibility” for keeping themselves and their neighbors safe. Full Story 

• Coronavirus hospitalizations are up in Texas as some fear the state is headed toward another surge

  by Shannon Najmabadi and Edgar Walters Oct. 16, 2020

  Experts blame social gatherings like birthday parties and football games for the recent upticks. They say there is widespread fatigue for following stringent guidelines to wear masks, practice social distancing and avoid crowded indoor spaces. Full Story 

• Embattled Texas AG Ken Paxton and outside attorney respond to complaint that led to staff uprising

  by Shannon Najmabadi and Emma Platoff Oct. 14, 2020

  Outside attorney Brandon Cammack said he'd never met Paxton before he was asked to apply for the position, but he “rose to the occasion” in accepting a major assignment. Full Story 

• Texas' attempt to ban common abortion procedure blocked by appeals court

  by Shannon Najmabadi Updated: Oct. 13, 2020

  Women in Texas can continue to access the most common procedure used to end a pregnancy in the second trimester, after a federal appeals court Tuesday struck down a state law that would have curtailed its use. Full Story 

• Donor accuses Texas AG Ken Paxton’s office of mishandling complaint that led to staff mutiny

  by Shannon Najmabadi and Emma Platoff Oct. 12, 2020

  Aides in the attorney general’s office have said their boss used the power of the agency to serve the financial interests of Nate Paul, an Austin investor and donor. Paul’s attorney said his client has been the victim of agency “dysfunction.” Full Story 

• Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton hired an inexperienced lawyer to investigate claims by his political donor

  by Emma Platoff and Shannon Najmabadi Oct. 9, 2020

  The young lawyer has five years of experience and apparent ties to an attorney for Nate Paul, a political donor to Paxton at the center of the latest allegations against the attorney general. Full Story