Coronavirus in Texas: Democrats ask Trump to suspend construction of border wall
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
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![A handful of cars drive down Grant Avenue Thursday evening as an advertisement from Medical Center Hospital urges community members to stay home in Odessa on April 9, 2020.]()
Credit: Ben Powell for The Texas Tribune -
MJ Hegar far outpaces Royce West in U.S. Senate fundraising, but both are far behind John Cornyn
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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![From left, U.S. Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate MJ Hegar and State Senator Royce West.]()
Credit: The Texas Tribune -
"They're proud of me": With a mask and a passion to help, lawyer keeps working in Mexican border city
An El Paso lawyer helps migrants in Juárez. A student struggles to focus while studying at home. A food pantry worker searches for a familiar face. In this weekly series, Texans from across the state share stories about how they're navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Full Story
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Texas' oil and gas regulators aren't ready to cut production yet. They're not even sure how it would work if they did.
The Railroad Commission, which oversees the state's oil and gas industry, took more than 10 hours of testimony about whether the agency should lower production as the coronavirus lowers demand. Full Story
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![Looking west, a lone pump jack sees the sun dip below the horizon Saturday April 11, 2020 as oil prices continue to drop, causing residents of the Permian Basin to look at the future with uncertainty.]()
Credit: Ben Powell for The Texas Tribune -
Texas school closings fray the personal bonds between teachers and students
Karen Sams and Michelle Sandoval, both 2020 Texas Teachers of the Year, know how important it is to see their students in the classrooms and hallways. Without that contact, they fear some are slipping away. Full Story
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Credit: Courtesy of Adelynne Davis -
Analysis: What will Texas reopen, and when?
The same questions shadow the debates about when to ease coronavirus restrictions on business and social activities and whether to broaden voting by mail in Texas in advance of elections in July and November. Full Story
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![The intersection of Kermit Highway and Andrews Highway is empty as an advertisement urges the community to stay home during the coronavirus pandemic in Odessa on April 8, 2020.]()
Credit: Ben Powell for The Texas Tribune -
In a pandemic and an election year, Texas Democrats look for the right tone
The party, which has high hopes in the state in 2020, is looking to offer contrast without politicizing a crisis. Full Story
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![Democratic Party signage and logos at the Texas Democratic Party office in Austin.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Baylor University announces up to $80 million in budget cuts in wake of coronavirus pandemic
The private school, anticipating a drop in enrollment next school year, is one of the first major Texas colleges to announce budget cuts due to the public health and economic crises. Full Story
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![Baylor University on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
Texas tax breaks help in disasters — just not public health disasters
Property tax exemptions and sales tax holidays only offer savings for events like hurricanes or floods. Full Story
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![A man walks through floodwaters after surveying his property in Rockport, which was hit by Hurricane Harvey, on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017.]()
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Coronavirus in Texas: Hard-line conservatives want stay-at-home order relaxed; Paxton issues opinion on temporary tax exemption
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
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![A coronavirus related message on the Fairmont Hotel in downtown Austin on April 12, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Watch: Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins wants more widespread coronavirus testing, will let data guide when stay-at-home order lifts
We asked Jenkins about the coronavirus outbreak’s impact on residents and businesses in North Texas and Dallas County’s response. Full Story
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![Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins during "All Transportation is Local," part of The Texas Tribune Transportation Symposium on Oct. 17, 2013.]()
Credit: Mark Graham -
Many Texas prisoners have been approved for parole but can't walk free yet. Advocates say coronavirus should change that.
Relatives of Texas prisoners approved for parole question why their loved ones have to stay in disease-prone facilities while completing programs they say could be done virtually and from home. Full Story
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![Prisoners work outdoors at the Dr. Lane Murray Unit, a women's prison that's part of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Federal appeals court allows medication abortions in Texas during coronavirus pandemic
The appeals court's latest ruling comes after abortion providers and state officials have battled over what access to the procedure should be allowed during the public health crisis. Full Story
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![A women's health clinic in Texas.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
Coronavirus in Texas: Texas reports 13,906 cases and 287 deaths; Austin-area officials mandate face coverings in some instances
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
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![Dr. Umair Shah speaks with Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo during a media tour of a medical shelter at NRG Park in Houston on Saturday, April 11, 2020. The facility was built in less than a week for possible overflow of COVID-19 patients in the greater Houston area.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Texas redistricting could be affected by coronavirus-related delays of census
Under a proposal by the Trump administration, the delivery of data Texas lawmakers need to redraw political districts would be pushed to July — past the end of the state's regular legislative session. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
230,000 Texas families filed for SNAP food assistance in March, twice as many as same month last year
Texas has implemented some changes to help Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients, but it hasn't relaxed eligibility requirements. Full Story
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![Volunteers from neighboring small towns divide, box-up, and load their trucks with food from the Amarillo-based High Plains Food Bank for monthly delivery to Quitaque on June 28, 2019.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
After a beloved principal's death, Waco middle school community grieves apart
Phillip Perry was the leader many believed would rescue a troubled Waco middle school and help its students soar. Two weeks after his death from the coronavirus, students and teachers learn the added pain of mourning during a pandemic. Full Story
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![G.W. Carver Middle School seventh grade student Tabitha Hawkins, 13, left, and mother Tobie release balloons in front of a memorial outside of the school for Principal Phillip Perry, 49, who died from coronavirus on March 31.]()
Credit: Angela Piazza for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott says reopening the Texas economy will be a slow process
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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![Gov. Greg Abbott, flanked by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, left, and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, speaks during a press conference at the state Capitol over the state's response to the coronavirus on March 31, 2020.]()
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Analysis: Is voting in person during a pandemic the best we can do?
Texas lawmakers are historically resistant to changing voting practices — and the current coronavirus-inspired push for voting by mail is no exception. But this isn't just about voting anymore. Full Story
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![Dallas voters in line to vote on March 3, 2020.]()
Credit: Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson for The Texas Tribune -
Coronavirus in Texas 4/12: More than 13,400 Texans infected, 271 deaths
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
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![Harris County Health Department nurse Harriet Lewis administers a test at a Harris Co. testing site located at Stallworth Stadium in Baytown on March 21, 2020.]()
Credit: Reggie Mathalone for The Texas Tribune
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