While many county leaders were grateful that Texas deployed coronavirus testing resources in their communities, others complained of a chaotic planning process and test results delayed for weeks.
Emma Platoff
Emma Platoff was a reporter at the Tribune from 2017 to 2021, most recently covering the law and its intersection with politics. A graduate of Yale University, Emma is the former managing editor of the Yale Daily News.
Rejecting appeal, Texas Supreme Court blocks Austin’s paid sick leave ordinance
The high court let stand a lower court’s ruling that Austin’s paid sick leave ordinance is unconstitutional because it conflicts with the Texas Minimum Wage Act.
“The African American community is not alone”: A Houston restaurant owner joins the protests
They went to protests in Houston and El Paso, spoke at an online town hall in Midland and held small celebrations amid national upheaval. In this weekly series, Texans from across the state share stories about how they’re navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As Texas businesses reopen, a short-lived coronavirus safety net is dismantled
Evictions and debt collections have resumed, child care subsidies will be discontinued and those who are out of work will again have to prove they are searching for a job in order to receive unemployment benefits.
With a baby on the way, Midland couple has to decline in-person family celebrations
A family plans a drive-by baby shower. A Houston restaurant gears up to reopen its dining room. And an East Texas town regains a sense of normalcy. In this weekly series, Texans from across the state share stories about how they’re navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There won’t be a goodbye party”: Hospital administrator prepares to retire during pandemic
A hospital administrator gets a special gift. A food pantry worker gets her coronavirus test results. A Midland family cancels its annual fishing trip. In this weekly series, Texans from across the state share stories about how they’re navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Coronavirus throws Texas Supreme Court justices into the spotlight — and into Democrats’ crosshairs
In a year when four justices face reelection, the all-Republican high court has made a slate of controversy-generating decisions, including lifting a moratorium on evictions and — for now — limiting voting by mail in this year’s elections.
Gov. Greg Abbott says Texas ranks high in coronavirus recoveries, but many large states don’t report that figure
Texas’ recovery total is not a tally of the patients no longer experiencing symptoms, but rather an estimate based on a string of assumptions about the virus’ longevity.
How a Dallas salon owner changed Texas’ reopening debate
After Shelley Luther was jailed for opening her salon in blatant defiance of emergency orders, top Texas Republicans in all three branches of government scrambled to ensure her release.
Eviction proceedings and debt collections can resume this month, Texas Supreme Court orders
The state’s highest civil court initially paused eviction proceedings and debt collections during the coronavirus pandemic. Those moratoriums are being lifted after more than 1.9 million Texans filed for unemployment.



