Experts and officials say people are exhausted with coronavirus restrictions and have begged them to don face coverings, socially distance and take “personal responsibility” for keeping themselves and their neighbors safe.
Shannon Najmabadi
Shannon Najmabadi was a reporter at the Tribune from 2017 to 2021, most recently covering women's health. Her stories — on higher education and other topics — have prompted lawmakers to change three state laws, including one involving a very narrow definition of the word “pickle.” She is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley and Columbia University.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Coronavirus hospitalizations are up in Texas as some fear the state is headed toward another surge
Experts blame social gatherings like birthday parties and football games for the recent upticks. They say there is widespread fatigue for following stringent guidelines to wear masks, practice social distancing and avoid crowded indoor spaces.
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Politics
Embattled Texas AG Ken Paxton and outside attorney respond to complaint that led to staff uprising
Outside attorney Brandon Cammack said he’d never met Paxton before he was asked to apply for the position, but he “rose to the occasion” in accepting a major assignment.
Posted in
Health care
Texas’ attempt to ban common abortion procedure blocked by appeals court
Women in Texas can continue to access the most common procedure used to end a pregnancy in the second trimester, after a federal appeals court Tuesday struck down a state law that would have curtailed its use.
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Politics
Donor accuses Texas AG Ken Paxton’s office of mishandling complaint that led to staff mutiny
Aides in the attorney general’s office have said their boss used the power of the agency to serve the financial interests of Nate Paul, an Austin investor and donor. Paul’s attorney said his client has been the victim of agency “dysfunction.”
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Criminal Justice
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton hired an inexperienced lawyer to investigate claims by his political donor
The young lawyer has five years of experience and apparent ties to an attorney for Nate Paul, a political donor to Paxton at the center of the latest allegations against the attorney general.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office said it’s closing investigation into donor’s claims, which top aides linked to criminal allegations
Top aides have accused Paxton of using the agency to serve the interests of the donor through the investigation — which has involved subpoenas related to the donor’s financial interests.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
In new email, senior aides say Ken Paxton used power of his office to benefit political donor Nate Paul
The aides are doubling down on accusations they made last week to law enforcement that Paxton had committed crimes including bribery and abuse of office.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Travis County district attorney’s office disputes part of Ken Paxton’s defense of bribery allegations
Among the documents Paxton released Wednesday was a June 10 referral from the Travis County district attorney’s office, which asked the attorney general’s office to investigate a complaint that appears to come from Nate Paul.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
How a glitchy computer system skewed Texas’ coronavirus data and hampered its pandemic response
Local health officials describe the electronic system as “cumbersome,” “archaic” and “really slow,” though its performance has improved since it was upgraded in August.