Coronavirus in Texas 4/3: Harris County has 1,000 infected residents; CDC now recommends cloth face coverings in public
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
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![Sparse traffic on the Congres Avenue bridge during the coronavirus pandemic. April 2, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Watch our interview with Judge Lina Hidalgo on coronavirus in Texas and its impact on Harris County
We hosted an interview Friday with Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, who discussed the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the Houston community. Full Story
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Along the border, the population is high risk for coronavirus, but testing is in short supply
Gov. Greg Abbott promised that all those who need a coronavirus test “will get one,” but near the border tests are scarce, and the death toll is beginning to rise. Full Story
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![Kristen Howell, a licensed vocational nurse, relays patient information to the testing team at the Austin Regional Clinic COVID-19 drive-up testing site in Kyle on March 31, 2020.]()
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Analysis: It’s still religion even if you’re not congregating in person
To help keep the new coronavirus at bay, Gov. Greg Abbott wants us to stay away from each other, but he made an exception for church services. That was a critical mistake during the 1918 flu pandemic. It still is. Full Story
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![The interior of St. Mary Cathedral in downtown Austin on Jan. 30, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Coronavirus in Texas 4/2: More than a quarter million Texans file for unemployment relief in one week
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
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![The streets of downtown Houston during the coronavirus pandemic.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Texas tells locals they must delay their upcoming May elections
Gov. Greg Abbott previously paved the way for municipalities to push their May elections to November. But a handful of small towns and special districts hadn't canceled despite fears of infection spreading at polling places. Full Story
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![Williamson Co. residents vote at Southwestern University’s Howry Center in Georgetown on March 3, 2020.]()
Credit: Angela Piazza for The Texas Tribune -
Candidate jolts battleground congressional race with ad blasting China for coronavirus
The ad from Republican Kathaleen Wall says China "poisoned our people" with the coronavirus. The Democratic nominee for the seat, Sri Preston Kulkarni, denounced it as "race-baiting." Full Story
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![Democrat Sri Preston Kulkarni and Republican Kathaleen Wall are vying for U.S. House Texas District 22. Kulkarni is the Democratic nominee; Wall is in a runoff with Republican Troy Nehls.]()
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“A church is hands on”: Why these Texas churches aren't closing their doors
As religious groups across the state move their services online in response to COVID-19 and local governments mandate stay-at-home orders, there are still some who say in-person gatherings are an integral part of their faith. Full Story
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![A parishioner prays in a church in Texas.]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
Despite coronavirus risks, some Texas religious groups are worshipping in person — with the governor's blessing
COVID-19 has spread rapidly in Texas, and many congregations closed their doors and moved religious services online. But there are some religious groups who say it’s their right to remain open because they believe they provide an essential service to their communities. Full Story
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![Worshippers arrive for a church service at City on a Hill Church in Houston. Rubber gloves were handed out as people arrived and a sign on the door asked people to sit six feet apart as a precaution. April 1, 2020.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Expecting a rush of COVID-19 patients, hospitals prepare their most important resource: health care workers
With elective procedures canceled, hospitals are reassigning staff. But even the best-laid plans may go awry if clinicians fall ill in large numbers. Full Story
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![Outside the trauma center at Ben Taub Hospital in Houston on April 1, 2020.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
The number of Texans filing for unemployment has soared 1,600% in two weeks
Last week alone, 275,597 out-of-work Texans filed for unemployment relief. Full Story
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![Closed businesses in the Deep Ellum area of Dallas on March 31, 2020.]()
Credit: Cooper Neill for The Texas Tribune -
Lack of rapid coronavirus tests hinders care for respiratory patients, emergency doctors say
Without rapid testing available in hospitals and ambulances, doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists are left to make difficult decisions about patients with other conditions who are struggling to breathe. Full Story
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![Medical personnel walk along an elevated walkway at the Dell Seton Medical Center on March 30, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Local governments, already hard hit by the coronavirus, are facing a fresh budget threat: economic recession
Cities are projecting decreases in sales tax revenue, one of their most important financial sources. How bad the losses are — and what will have to be cut — depends on how long the pandemic lasts. Full Story
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![An empty Sixth Street during rush hour in downtown Austin. The city’s streets were mostly empty as a result of the coronavirus pandemic in Texas. March 25, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Coronavirus in Texas 4/1: El Paso strengthens stay-at-home order
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
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![A hand written signs alerts costumers that Jake’s Texas Tea House is closed indefinitely in Waco. March 25, 2020.]()
Credit: Angela Piazza for The Texas Tribune -
Inmates' attorneys challenge Gov. Greg Abbott's order banning some jail releases, say it's unconstitutional
Plaintiffs in an ongoing Harris County lawsuit over felony bail practices are asking a federal judge to temporarily block Abbott's order. Full Story
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![Inmates chat inside a cell block at the Harris County Jail.]()
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Thousands in Texas face delays to their unemployment relief because of busy phone lines and website outages
As tens of thousands of Texans try to file unemployment insurance claims, they're finding the Texas Workforce Commission's phone lines jammed and website servers overloaded as the agency is swamped by the crush of sudden need. Full Story
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![Kerbey Lane Cafe’s empty dining room during the coronavirus pandemic on March 30, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas schools are paying support staff; work for substitute teachers dries up
With schools closed statewide to halt the spread of the new coronavirus, hourly workers like custodians and bus drivers worry how long their paychecks will keep coming. Substitute teachers aren't finding paid work at all. Full Story
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![A Buffalo ISD school bus on its morning route in Buffalo on March 28, 2019.]()
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TribCast: The politics of coronavirus in Texas
On this week's TribCast, Alexa talks to Ross, Emma and Jolie about Gov. Greg Abbott's response to the coronavirus outbreak, the newest front in the state's fight against abortion and the state vs. local battle over bail. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott is briefed by government officials about the state’s preparedness in addressing a potential outbreak of COVID-19 in the state. Feb 27, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Some local elections in Texas moving ahead despite coronavirus spread
A few small towns and water districts aren't canceling their May 2 elections despite fears of infection spreading at polling places. But it appears most cities across Texas have pushed their elections back to November. Full Story
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![Super Tuesday voting lines at the Metropolitan Multi Service Center near downtown Houston on Tuesday, March 3, 2020.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Rent is due. But thousands of Texans have lost their jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Evictions across the state are halted until at least April 20, thanks to a Texas Supreme Court moratorium. But both renters and landlords are worried about what comes next. Full Story
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![An aerial view of the Clayton Homes complex near I-45 in Houston on Sept. 16, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune