Tropical Storm Beryl is on a path to hit the Texas coast as a hurricane Monday
At least two counties, Nueces and Refugio, have issued mandatory evacuation orders. Full Story
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Stephen Simpson is the mental health reporter, based in Austin, where he covers behavioral health in schools, treatment in the judicial system, substance abuse and the state mental health system, among other topics. He previously worked in his home state of Arkansas as a politics reporter, where he covered the state's Supreme Court, House of Representatives and correctional system for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Stephen's earliest career experiences include reporting and copy editing at The Jonesboro Sun and The Pine Bluff Commercial. He earned a degree in online and print journalism with a minor in filmmaking from the University of Central Arkansas.
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![NOAA graphic shows current position of Tropical Storm Beryl as of 7:00 p.m. Central Time on July 7, 2024, along with its projected path towards the Texas coast and beyond.]()
Credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration -
Cook Children’s sues Texas over potential Medicaid contract loss
For years, Cook’s Children, two other children’s hospitals have administered Medicaid health coverage plans. Canceling their contracts would put jobs and coverage at risk, they say. Full Story
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![A Texas Health and Human Services client application on April 24, 2018.]()
Credit: Pu Ying Huang for The Texas Tribune -
Texas to begin construction this year on seven new psychiatric hospital projects
The construction begins after lawmakers have allocated $2.5 billion to modernize and increase access to inpatient psychiatric care in Texas. Full Story
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![A map of Texas showing various psychiatric hospitals in Texas inside the Austin State Hospital on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 in Austin.]()
Credit: Maria Crane/The Texas Tribune -
An East Texas town wants to revolutionize how the state cares for people living with memory loss
The ambitious project has won a federal grant. But the Texas Legislature has not yet given its blessing, a crucial step to move the facility forward. Full Story
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![Quitman Mayor Randy Dunn speaks about working with the Wood County Health Care Foundation to plan out and build the Memory Health Life Center on Thursday March 14, 2024 during a meeting at UT Health East Texas in Quitman.]()
Credit: Michael Cavazos for The Texas Tribune -
With too few mental health providers, more patients turn to primary care
While primary care is experiencing its own workforce shortage, the profession is shouldering more mental health screenings to help bridge the behavioral health provider gap. Full Story
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![Francisco Garcia arrives at Kelsey-Seybold clinic in Sugar Land to see his doctor Spencer Berthelsen for annual physical. Sept. 22, 2011.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
“Grateful to be alive”: Clubhouse programs take pressure off overwhelmed Texas mental health hospitals
Thousands of people are discharged from Texas mental health hospitals yearly, and so-called step-down programs like clubhouses can help them integrate back into the community. Full Story
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![AUSTIN, TX - MAY 29: Austin Clubhouse member Jonathan Denhart poses for a portrait at Hyde Park Christian Church in Austin, Texas on May 29, 2024. Photo by Montinique Monroe for the Texas Tribune]()
Credit: Montinique Monroe for The Texas Tribune -
Travis County is shifting focus to prevent overdose deaths as fentanyl ravages the area
Since 2019, accidental drug deaths have been rising in Texas, with the number tripling in Travis County. Full Story
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![An Austin-Travis County EMS vehicle parked outside of St. Davidís North Austin Medical Center on July 7, 2020.]()
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New $305 million Austin State Hospital unveiled as Texas revamps psychiatric system
The facility has 240 single-person rooms, a basketball gym and outdoor courtyards. It’s part of a $2.5 billion overhaul of the state’s mental health hospital system. Full Story
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![Patient rooms include a bed, desk and private bathroom in the Austin State Hospital on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 in Austin. The hospital has 240 beds for adult inpatients.]()
Credit: Maria Crane/The Texas Tribune -
79 arrested amid second crackdown on UT-Austin campus
Authorities and protesters clashed during the latest pro-Palestinian demonstration at the university on Monday. Full Story
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![Protestors chant “Off our campus” to law enforcement at the University of Texas on Apr. 29, 2024.]()
Credit: Leila Saidane for The Texas Tribune -
Dozens more arrested at UT-Austin as police use pepper spray, flash bangs to break up protests
The arrests mark the second time in less than a week that police have broken up a pro-Palestinian demonstration. This time protesters tried to set up an encampment on campus. Full Story
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![Texas department of Public Safety troopers surround a pro-Palestinian encampment on the University of Texas at Austin campus on Monday, April 29, 2024.]()
Credit: Julius Shieh for The Texas Tribune