The latest Greg Abbott news from The Texas Tribune.
Child care opens immediately, bars can open Friday and sports will be allowed to return at the end of the month, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday. Full Story
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As state officials and some Texas cities tangle over local COVID-19 restrictions, El Paso officials say their area isn't ready for the next phase of reopening. They want Gov. Greg Abbott to give them an exemption. Full Story
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As some pandemic doors are slowly opened, others are getting kicked in. Either way, individual choices are quickly replacing the weeks of government instructions about what and what not to do. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott says the cases were detected by targeted testing at meatpacking plants. Full Story
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In the weekend edition of The Brief podcast, listen to the 17-year-old describe the backlash she says she faced from customers when enforcing the governor's social distancing guidelines. Full Story
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Texas has seen a modest but steady increase in the growth of new coronavirus cases in the two weeks since some businesses reopened at 25% capacity. Gov. Greg Abbott sees hope in other metrics. Full Story
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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. Full Story
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Texas cities and counties have dramatically different interpretations of the state’s COVID-19 emergency orders. Complaint data from a dozen cities shows that disparate approaches to enforcement, particularly among businesses, have been incredibly common. Full Story
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State health officials say the JBS Beef plant rejected its efforts to test all employees. The company switched gears Wednesday afternoon after the Tribune reported on the lack of testing at a plant tied to a rapidly growing cluster of coronavirus cases. Full Story
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Last month, the governor said he hoped to reopen bars "on or no later than mid-May.” He has since walked back the timeline for when bars can open their doors to customers, saying he needs more input from doctors. Full Story
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Even as Gov. Greg Abbott is loosening his pandemic restrictions on people and businesses, he is buckling to opponents who protest that he's moving too slowly. He's undermining his own authority — and enforcement of the rest of his rules. Full Story
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The Texas Department of Criminal Justice said it will begin having prisoners test themselves with a newly approved test. So far, less than 2% of state prisoners have been tested for the virus. More than 1,700 have been infected, and 30 have died. Full Story
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Reopening Texas businesses in a contained way gives the appearance of thawing out a frozen economy while keeping crowds at bay. That might make people feel better, but it's no way to supercharge an economy. Full Story
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Barbers reported being booked through the day due to pent-up demand related to the coronavirus. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott clarified this week that in-person funerals can be held if attendees stay 6 feet apart. But restrictions still have some postponing memorials until after the pandemic ends. “If you can’t hug anyone or shake their hand, what’s the point of having anyone physically attend?” one mourner said. Full Story
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The governor and other top Texas officials love promoting the rule of law, but they also love good politics. The civil disobedience of a Dallas beautician forced them to choose a favorite — and maybe hurry changes in pandemic policy. Full Story
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During the visit, Trump also inquired about Dallas salon owner Shelley Luther, who was freed from jail Thursday after being sentenced to seven days for violating a court order to close. Full Story
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The order followed Gov. Greg Abbott’s announcement that he was eliminating jail time for Texans who violate stay at home orders. Full Story
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Limited services, face coverings and smaller occupancies are among the new rules businesses will follow if they open this Friday. Full Story
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On this week's TribCast, Alexa talks to Matthew, Emma and Ross about the governor's move to reopen more businesses in Texas more quickly than expected and the implications of those reopenings. Full Story
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