A proposed change in how the federal government classifies the drug won’t change state laws.
Megan Menchaca
Megan Menchaca was a reporting fellow at The Texas Tribune in 2021 after two semesters as an engagement fellow. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Megan previously worked as an audience engagement intern at The Dallas Morning News, a digital intern at the Austin American-Statesman and a news intern at the Austin Chronicle. She was also the managing editor and news editor at The Daily Texan.
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COVID-19 Recession in Texas
Jobless Texans say Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to end federal unemployment benefits will worsen their already dire situations
Jobless Texans say they’re desperate to return to work, but they haven’t had any luck when applying to multiple jobs every month. For some, one month isn’t enough time to apply for and find a job.
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COVID-19 Recession in Texas
Jobless Texans will lose all federal unemployment benefits, including extra weekly $300, after Gov. Greg Abbott opts out of the program
The extra $300 federal benefit will end June 26 for jobless Texans. Abbott also cut off another federal benefit that extended aid to gig workers, self-employed people and others who aren’t traditionally covered by unemployment insurance.
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Texas Legislature 2021
Texas House adds MLK and Frederick Douglass speeches to bill that would mandate teaching “informed American patriotism”
House Bill 4509 would mandate that students study documents such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Federalist Papers. The bill’s author added speeches from Black historical figures after criticism at a hearing last month.
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Courts
Attorney General Ken Paxton unblocks nine Texans on Twitter after lawsuit claiming he violated First Amendment rights
It’s unclear if Paxton has unblocked others on Twitter who were not named in the lawsuit.
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Politics
Local Texas Democratic party declines to accept resignation of chair who called U.S. Sen Tim Scott an “oreo”
Representatives of the Lamar County Democrats met Tuesday to consider the resignation of Gary O’Connor, the local party chair. O’Connor called U.S. Sen. Tim Scott an “oreo” following his rebuttal to the president’s congressional address.
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Politics
Republicans Susan Wright, Jake Ellzey headed to runoff for North Texas congressional district
A runoff date has yet to be scheduled in the race, which drew 23 candidates vying to replace U.S. Rep. Ron Wright, R-Arlington.
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Criminal Justice
Texas officials and activists say murder conviction for George Floyd’s death “is only one step” in reforming policing
Before moving to Minneapolis, Floyd had been a longtime Houston resident. That city’s mayor on Tuesday said he and the Houston Police Department would be announcing police reforms next week.
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Politics
Texans sue Attorney General Ken Paxton, accuse him of violating First Amendment for blocking them on Twitter
The lawsuit argues that being blocked from viewing the attorney general’s tweets is a violation of the First Amendment because it limits the right of people to participate in a public forum and access Ken Paxton’s statements.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Experts hopeful about state’s economic recovery, but jobless Texans still face problems filing for benefits
Some businesses are already seeing customers return. But the numbers of people seeking unemployment aid surged in recent weeks to levels not seen since July. Many of them still face problems getting through to the Texas Workforce Commission.