Nearly 80 Texas counties have opted out of Gov. Greg Abbott's mask order. Others refuse to enforce it.
The governor allowed counties with 20 active cases or fewer to opt out. Full Story
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![Pedestrians wearing masks to protect against COVOD-19 in downtown Austin on June 24, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Two major Texas counties are trimming polling locations as workers pull out over coronavirus
Gov. Greg Abbott's decision to not require voters to wear masks is driving away some poll workers, officials say. Full Story
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![A man enters Toney Burger stadium in South Austin where early voting has begun for the July 14 runoff and special election, in Austin on June 29, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas bans elective surgeries in more than 100 counties as coronavirus hospitalizations keep climbing
Gov. Greg Abbott said the decision is meant to free up resources to address the pandemic. The attorney general's office has not said the order bans abortions, an assertion that sparked a legal battle over Abbott's earlier prohibition on elective procedures. Full Story
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signals support as Austin weighs fines for people not wearing face masks
In a letter to Austin's mayor, Abbott said the city's consideration of new enforcement measures "to ensure compliance with my Executive Orders is an important step toward reducing the spread" of the coronavirus. Full Story
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![Pedestrians on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake in Austin on June 24, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Mask orders, convention drama and the road ahead for reopening schools
On this week's TribCast, Alexa talks to Matthew, Cassi and Aliyya about the governor's mask order, the politics of canceling political conventions and challenges ahead for reopening schools. Full Story
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![A CapMetro bus driver wears a mask while driving his route in Austin on May 16, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas executes Billy Wardlow, who was 18 when he killed a man. Experts argued that's too young for a death sentence.
Wardlow had asked the U.S. Supreme Court to rule that he was too young to get the Texas death penalty. His execution was the first in Texas to proceed during the pandemic as the coronavirus rages across the state. Full Story
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![Interior of execution chamber.]()
Credit: Texas Department of Criminal Justice -
Analysis: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is lucky not to be on the 2020 ballot
The governor would face real competition if he were on the ballot this year — even in a Republican Party primary. His response to the pandemic has opened him to political attacks from the left and the right alike. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott gives an update on Texas hospital bed capacity and the state's strategy for fighting COVID-19 during a press conference at Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin on June 16, 2020.]()
Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell/Pool via Austin American-Statesman -
Texas GOP convention will happen in person — but Republican leaders will speak via video
As the state has seen a surge in coronavirus cases, calls have been growing over the past week for the party to cancel its Houston event. Full Story
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![James Dickey, Texas GOP Chairman is seen on a large video screen during the final afternoon of the 2018 Texas GOP Convention in San Antonio.]()
Credit: Robin Jerstad for The Texas Tribune -
In GOP runoffs for the Texas House, viability in November is a leading concern
Republicans are hoping to line up their best candidates with control of the lower chamber possibly up for grabs in the fall. Full Story
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![The floor of the house on April 11, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
He was supposed to be in prison less than a year. Instead, he died after catching the coronavirus.
At least 84 Texas state prisoners have died after contracting the coronavirus, including men who were serving short sentences or set to soon go home. As the death count rose, advocates unsuccessfully called on the governor and parole board for early release. Full Story
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![James Allen Smith, 73, died after contracting the coronavirus in a Texas prison. He was only supposed to be in prison for a months-long rehabilitation program.]()
Credit: Courtesy of Jami Smith Hanchey -
How Texans celebrated July Fourth during the coronavirus pandemic
Four Texas Tribune photographers went out to see how Texans were celebrating the holiday as the new coronavirus surges and new restrictions are imposed to stem its rise. Here's what they saw. Full Story
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![People watch a fireworks display from the parking lot of Church of the Springs in Dripping Springs on July 4, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Ector County GOP censures Abbott over executive power amid coronavirus, state Sen. Charles Perry calls for special session
The developments came two days after Abbott announced an executive order requiring Texans to wear masks in most public places. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks about the categories of medical surge facilities during a press conference at the Texas Department of Public Safety on Tuesday, June 16, 2020.]()
Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell/Pool via Austin American-Statesman -
"Kill 'em": Houston GOP powerbroker Steve Hotze left Greg Abbott a voicemail requesting that National Guard "shoot to kill" rioters
Hotze, a staunch critic of Abbott's coronavirus response, left a voicemail with the governor's chief of staff in early June with the incendiary instruction. Full Story
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![Steve Hotze.]()
Credit: Social media -
How Texans behave on July Fourth will shape the next phase of the state's coronavirus epidemic
Millions of decisions by a restive population eager to barbecue, jump in lakes and gather for fireworks could have disastrous consequences for public health. Officials are crossing their fingers, and pleading for Texans to give up a little independence. Full Story
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![Aransas Pass hosts its Fourth of July fireworks display on Thursday, July 2, 2020, over Conn Brown Harbor. Attendees were encouraged to social distance and stay in their cars during the show.]()
Credit: USA TODAY NETWORK via Reuters -
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's statewide mask mandate exempts voting sites and churches
As for the voting exemption in his mask order, Abbott says it was designed to make sure Texans do not lose their right to vote "simply because they don't have a mask." Full Story
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![A man exits Toney Burger stadium in South Austin where early voting has begun for the July 14th runoff and special election, in Austin on June 29, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas GOP will proceed with in-person state convention in Houston this month
In light of the decision to go forward with an in-person convention with a new mask requirement, two sponsors announced they would drop out. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said he was hopeful that the organization would still reconsider. Full Story
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![The Texas Republican Convention at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center in San Antonio. Bob Parks salutes the flag from the front row on June 14, 2018.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott orders Texans in most counties to wear masks in public
Abbott previously resisted calls for such an order and at one point banned local governments from requiring masks. First-time violators will be issued a warning, though repeat offenders could be fined up to $250. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott gives an update on Texas hospital bed capacity and the state's strategy for fighting COVID-19 during a press conference at Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin on Tuesday, June 16, 2020.]()
Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell/Pool via Austin American-Statesman -
Analysis: With a wingman like Dan Patrick, who needs critics?
While Gov. Greg Abbott has been responding to the twin crises on his plate, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s been stirring the pot — at the governor’s expense. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick spoke to Tarrant county Tea Party supporters in Grapevine for the Spread the Red event on Oct. 17, 2018.]()
Credit: Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Early voting begins as coronavirus surges in Texas and a debate over sex ed curriculum
In this edition of TribCast, Emma talks to Matthew, Aliyya and Ross about the state's latest efforts to mitigate spread of the new coronavirus, and the State Board of Education’s ongoing debate over Texas’ sex ed curriculum. Full Story
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![Pharmacy technician Ashley Perez passes a self-swab coronavirus test to a patient at a drive thru testing site at a Walmart in McKinney on Tuesday, June 29, 2020.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
Texas sales tax revenue declined 6.5% versus last June as state reopened for business
While collections from restaurants were depressed, Comptroller Glenn Hegar said that take-out and delivery sales, along with online purchases, helped buoy revenue in the restaurant and retail sectors. Full Story
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![Downtown Dallas on March 19, 2018.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune
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