Incarcerated Texans enlisted to work in county morgue as COVID-19 deaths overwhelm El Paso
The inmates working in the morgue will earn $2 an hour. They are low-level offenders that are part of the detention facility's trustee program. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1dd94245ec760b55363a18440ea84696/REUTERS%20El%20Paso%20COVID%20Inmates%2001.jpg)
-
![El Paso County detention inmates, also known as “trustees” who are low-level offenders, help move bodies to mobile morgue units outside the Medical Examiner's Office in El Paso on Nov. 14, 2020.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Ivan Pierre Aguirre -
Appeals court again halts El Paso County’s shutdown of nonessential businesses
The 8th Court of Appeals urged the county judge and a group of local restaurants to find some middle ground on coronavirus restrictions that don’t violate Gov. Greg Abbott’s statewide mandate. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/30e1c6705064ac418f554d10ada68651/El%20Paso%20Closed%20Business%20IPA%20TT%2013.jpg)
![People wait outside to pick up their food order on day one of the shelter-in-place order that was put in place by the county judge on Oct. 30, 2020, in El Paso. The El Paso mayor and Gov. Abbott are fighting the order in court.]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
Texas reports more than 1 million COVID-19 cases, but state officials are slow to act
Texas joins California, which has 10 million more residents than Texas, as the nation’s leaders in coronavirus cases. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1a9104c9befb13334b987c6de7148dbe/El%20Paso%20COVID-19%20Testing%20JAJ%20TT%2003.jpg)
![Medical personnel wear personal protective equipment at a COVID-19 testing site at Nations Tobin Recreation Center in El Paso on Oct. 21, 2020.]()
Credit: Joel Angel Juarez for The Texas Tribune -
Despite rising COVID-19 cases, universities including Texas Tech and Texas A&M are planning in-person fall graduations
Multiple Texas universities are planning in-person graduation ceremonies this December, despite the fact that the state’s daily COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations are higher today than they were in May when most universities first scrambled to cancel the celebratory events. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/803eccc53aae05679ede7d0b887ddfa9/Klay%20Davis%20JR%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Klay Davis is a senior animal science major and a member of student government at Texas Tech University. Davis is pictured in Lubbock on Nov. 9, 2020.]()
Credit: Justin Rex for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is back in hot water. He’s escaped before.
Paxton has spent much of his time in public life haunted by accusations of illegal or unethical behavior, causing quiet discomfort among some Republican colleagues. He’s always held on. Will this time be different? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/88b280f4ec705b6ed3d5401e0b0c3c2a/Ken%20Paxton%20BD%20TT%2006.jpg)
![Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to the Gun Owners of America assembly.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Texas Republicans and Allen West, their nettlesome party animal
Republican officeholders couldn't have had a better election in Texas this year, but they've still got noisy and loud critics — inside their own political party. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/00044a67a9b759f12a3117fd2b3650b1/Allen%20West%20MKC%20TT%2001.jpg)
![The Honorable Allen West gave remarks during TPPR's Policy Orientation on February 9, 2018.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Key U.S. Supreme Court justices sound skeptical of Texas' argument to throw out Affordable Care Act
Texas argues the entire law must fall after Congress zeroed out one critical provision. Several justices seemed unconvinced. Full Story
Credit: REUTERS/Jim Young -
Gov. Greg Abbott doesn't acknowledge Joe Biden as president-elect, calls for vote-counting and recounts to continue
Abbott didn't raise any accusations of malfeasance in the election but said election winners "are certified by designated governmental bodies, not by media outlets." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/77913878a25dcee66f04bb5f80dc257f/Abbott%20April%2017%20Presser%20MG%20TT%2008.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott announced a strike force in charge of laying steps to re-open the Texas economy at a press conference in the capitol on April 17, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
What to expect as Texas heads to the U.S. Supreme Court in bid to overturn the Affordable Care Act
On Tuesday morning, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear a Texas-led challenge to the landmark health law. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/28ed5d238f3ea4173d73fc8866ec8c56/ACA%20Obamacare%20Support%20DC%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
![Protestors gathered in front of the Supreme Court in Washington D.C., in 2015, to show support for the Affordable Care Act.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Gary Cameron -
A controversial rule limiting housing options for homeless Texans with criminal records was softened, but it still worries advocates
The regulation applies to new supportive housing projects, which provide subsidized homes and social services. Gov. Greg Abbott still needs to approve the rule by Dec. 1. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/202244b0745c349237892ad77363c781/Homeless%20Encampment%20MG%20TT%2004.jpg)
![Tents at the state-run homeless encampment off of U.S. Highway 183 in Austin on Feb. 25, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Republicans appear to keep majority of Texas House
Texas Republicans appeared to have fended off a well-financed Democratic effort to gain a majority in the Texas House. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/620fd7ee57e63ca4f775ddbbbcecf31a/.Republican%20Party%20Paraphernalia%20EG%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Republican Party emblems and signage are seen at the Republican Party of Texas office in downtown Austin.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texans no longer have a straight-ticket voting option. How that affects Texas House races is unclear.
With control of the Texas House on the line, Republicans and Democrats are closely monitoring the state's massive voter turnout. But with no straight-ticket voting, how many voters are getting to the end of their ballots? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/83edab25ef99543d49839174ff033725/Early%20Voting%20ATX%20Day%201%20AI%20TT%2014.jpg)
![A voter casts their ballot at the Parque Zaragoza Recreation Center in Austin on the first day of early voting on Oct. 13, 2020. Voters are able to cast their ballots early until Oct. 30, 2020.]()
Credit: Amna Ijaz/The Texas Tribune -
Despite polls showing a close race, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick claims if Democrats win on Election Day, it will be "because they stole it"
Voter fraud in absentee voting, as with any type of voting, is rare. Many states, including many run by Republicans, have expanded mail-in voting options during the pandemic. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6a89a16362beff6d2b1298fdf50216e3/Dan%20Patrick%20MG%20TT%2016.jpg)
![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at the dais on the Senate floor on May 25, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas voters won't be required to wear masks while voting after appeals court temporarily lets Abbott order stand
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocked a previous ruling that found the exemption to Gov. Greg Abbott’s statewide face mask mandate put a discriminatory burden on Black and Latino voters. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/197cafd81363bcd1631a28dd11dcff65/Hays%20County%20Early%20Voting%20JV%20TT%2023.jpg)
![Voters cast their ballots at the Performing Arts Center at Texas State University in San Marcos.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas counties will be allowed only one drop-off location for mail-in ballots, state Supreme Court rules
The court upheld Gov. Greg Abbott's authority under state law to limit ballot drop-off locations, issuing what is expected to be the final ruling in numerous lawsuits that challenged his order. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e00a05b48e5f7eda6301c1db589fb80d/Mail-In%20Ballot%20Drop%20AI%20TT%2011.jpg)
![The Travis County Tax Office at 5501 Airport Blvd is now the only drive-thru location open for hand delivery of mail ballots in the county. The drop-off location photographed here on Oct. 2, 2020, will be open until Nov. 3, 2020.]()
Credit: Amna Ijaz/The Texas Tribune -
In Lubbock, pandemic fatigue sets in as hospitalizations rise
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. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f45f897bd894b214e089ffe6fedd3bce/Lubbock%20Bars%20Reopen%20JR%20TT%2077.jpg)
![A line forms outside of Mesquites Bar and Grill in Lubbock on Oct. 17.]()
Credit: Justin Rex for The Texas Tribune -
In high-stakes Texas election, Republicans hope willingness to resume door-knocking gives them edge
Republicans say they have built a major advantage by resuming door-knocking more quickly and aggressively amid the coronavirus pandemic, while Democrats say they are being the more responsible party while reaching voters in other ways. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a3999056d6455149bed86472d2faa18e/Chen%20Button%20Block%20Walk%20Abbott%20ST%20TT%2011.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott joins state Rep. Angie Chen Button, R-Richardson, for a block walk on Oct. 24 in Richardson.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
El Paso officials ask residents to stay home for two weeks as COVID-19 hospitalizations surge
"Please continue to exercise your right to vote," said El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego, who announced a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/28eb51ed50bdac44bda4f40c6f73f060/El%20Paso%20Mobile%20Morgues%20JAJ%20TT%2011.jpg)
![A sanitizing station is set up at the entrance of the emergency room at the El Paso Children's Hospital in El Paso on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020.]()
Credit: Joel Angel Juarez for The Texas Tribune -
Order allowing Texas counties to have multiple mail-in ballot drop off sites is upheld, but appeal halts openings
The state is continuing to fight a Travis County district court's ruling that overrode Gov. Greg Abbott's order limiting counties to one absentee ballot drop-off location. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b4cb714cebf415f9a2bbb8e3e6a1420d/Mail-In%20Ballot%20Drop%20AI%20TT%2004.jpg)
![The Travis County Tax Office at 5501 Airport Blvd. is now the only drive-thru location open for hand delivery of mail ballots in the county. The drop-off location photographed here on Oct. 2, 2020, will be open until Nov. 3, 2020.]()
Credit: Amna Ijaz/The Texas Tribune -
Texas’ massive early voting numbers have persisted, leading to predictions of overall turnout unseen in years
Experts are predicting that as many as 12 million people could vote in Texas this year. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/583b2b5f2d5ca8e9e8ac6b102f30d94b/Early%20Voting%20Day%201%20EP%20IPA%20TT%2003.jpg)
![Voters wait in line to cast their ballots at the Sunland Park Mall in El Paso on the first day of early voting in Texas on Oct. 13, 2020.]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/83ab40d4b03ab90c4e6a7f70a3740b08/US_Supreme_Court_Sunset)