Texas Legislative Black Caucus starts planning legislative responses to police brutality, racial inequality
Lawmakers took input from constituents during the first in a seres of virtual town halls scheduled this week. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/43b59b57d692e2f5f6bbb66fefe2845c/Texas%20Legislative%20Black%20Caucus%20CROWN%20ACT%20MS%20TT%2002.jpg)
-
![Members of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus at a press conference supporting the CROWN Act in Houston on Feb. 6, 2020.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Texas' big-city mayors ask Gov. Greg Abbott for power to impose face mask rules
Abbott has banned local governments from fining people who don't wear masks in public. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b8d3dacf60e5af57f945560df864b994/COVID%20Barbershop%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
![A man receives a haircut at Doug’s Barber Shop in Houston. May 8, 2020.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Callaghan O'Hare -
Surge in coronavirus cases linked to more Texans in their 20s getting sick, officials say
Gov. Greg Abbott and health experts say young adults may be taking social distancing less seriously. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/46577d4d189e92b1584ee85aa543b0d6/Bars%20and%20Bowling%20Alleys%20reopen%20JV%20TT%2019.jpg)
![Customers wait in line to enter Chupacabra Cantina in downtown Austin as Texas bars reopened on May 22, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott points to “abundant” hospital capacity as Texas continues with business reopenings
The state reported Tuesday that the number of people hospitalized who are confirmed to have the coronavirus has reached a new peak of 2,518. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6f2590b9e0d28d1e8b17259b868f78b8/ATX%20COVID%20Medical%20MG%20TT%2004.jpg)
![The emergency drop-off at an Austin hospital on March 30, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
U.S. Supreme Court halts Texas execution of Ruben Gutierrez during legal fight over religious advisers' access to death chamber
Gutierrez has long fought for DNA testing he says could prove his innocence in a 1998 Brownsville murder and home robbery. But the high court's ruling centered on Texas prison officials' recent decision to keep religious advisers out of the execution room. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/46c56ab8b2090084a470aa5475938656/Death%20Row%20Photo%20TDCJ%20BW%20TT.jpg)
![Interior of execution chamber.]()
Credit: Texas Department of Criminal Justice -
As Texas coronavirus hospitalizations rise, local officials can recommend precautions but they can't enforce many of them
Austin-area officials recommended Monday that businesses further limit operations. But an order from Gov. Greg Abbott doesn't let them enforce those suggestions. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/516f05cb6188086e93813e1772df507d/ATX%20Covid%20May%20MG%20TT%2003.jpg)
![A sign requiring masks is posted at Cosmic Cowboy on South Congress Avenue on Austin. May 8, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas Democrats urge Abbott to call special session as details emerge showing Javier Ambler’s death at the hands of sheriff's deputies
In 2019, Williamson County sheriff's deputies held down Ambler and stunned him four times before his body went limp. He died at a hospital about an hour later. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4fadaf5ec713e7e29c7118c36ed4de06/Javier%20Ambler%20II%20FB%20TT%2003.jpg)
![Javier Ambler II.]()
Credit: Social media -
With coronavirus cases climbing, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says "no real need" to scale back business reopenings
He cited the number of hospital beds available in the state as a reason. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/562ead02432f9ef5ec2b9b7b8b702239/ATX%20COVID%20Reopening%20AG%20TT%2013.jpg)
![Signs posted on the door of Ruth's Chris Steak House outline the restaurant's social distancing guidelines on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 in Austin.]()
Credit: Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Casting nervous looks at Texas’ medical charts as numbers worsen
State leaders knew COVID-19 cases would rise as businesses and other public places opened, but steady increases over the last two weeks have everyone watching the numbers very closely. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/63d4a9fdf77b1ca7817341aabde678c3/Coronavirus%20May%20REUTERS%20TT%2003.JPG)
![Gov. Greg Abbott waits backstage before holding a press conference on the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas on May 5, 2020.]()
Credit: USA Today Network via REUTERS -
Greg Abbott has condemned the death of George Floyd, but he’s been silent on Texas’ recent history of police killings
Abbott also has praised Texas’ “legacy of success” on criminal justice reforms. In recent years, many police reform efforts have repeatedly failed at the Texas Capitol. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/da1eed7d77a1f754fbf22ebc245d26e5/ATX%20George%20Floyd%20Protest%20June%2006%20MG%20TT%2013.jpg)
![State troopers stand guard at the state Capitol grounds to prevent protesters from entering during a protest over the death of George Floyd.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
George Floyd laid to rest in Houston as protests against police brutality and calls for change continue
After the service, Floyd was carried by a horse drawn carriage to his final resting place in Pearland next to his mother. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/987b53c4516108cb69eb96f009ce483e/George%20Floyd%20Funeral%20REUTERS%2003%20TT.jpg)
![The Floyd family and others attend the funeral service for George Floyd at The Fountain of Praise church in Houston on Tuesday, June 9, 2020.]()
Credit: David J. Phillip/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Network -
Anger, anguish and calls for change mark George Floyd’s memorial in Houston
Mourners from across the nation gathered in Houston for a public viewing to celebrate George Floyd, a friend, father and martyr to many in attendance, but also a victim of police brutality and racial injustice. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5a45477ec104e006aa4777c7fc7fbab6/Floyd%20Memorial%20Service%20AM%20TT%2006.jpg)
![Lines bend, turn and cross leading up to the public memorial service honoring George Floyd at the Fountain of Praise Church in Houston on June 8, 2020.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott raises idea of "George Floyd Act" at Houston visitation
Without offering specifics, Abbott said he is committed to working with lawmakers and Floyd's family to prevent police brutality. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/969856e55dd7d2c00ec0eaea64cb1f0e/Abbott%20Open%20Texas%20RB%20TT%2001.JPG)
![Gov. Greg Abbott announces his plan to reopen the economy during the coronavirus pandemic.]()
Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell/Pool/Austin American-Statesman -
Analysis: Events — and their own words — put Texas Republicans in an election year bind
Texas Democrats convened last week. But it was the state's Republicans giving them the most hope about the coming November elections. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/08c9e39945eed3ca25001c060518f211/Texas%20Capitol%20ATX%20TT.jpg)
![The Texas Capitol Building.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Conspiracy theories and racist memes: How a dozen Texas GOP county chairs caused turmoil within the party
On Friday morning, five GOP county chairs were facing backlash for sharing racist social media posts. The Texas Tribune identified seven other GOP county chairs across the state who shared similar posts. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b5a85b04c8beb1b875084ded7986b461/Republican%20Party%20Paraphernalia%20EG%20TT%2007.jpg)
![The Republican Party of Texas office in downtown Austin.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas to increase coronavirus testing — and study the virus’ impact — in black and Hispanic communities
The state’s data on the impacts of the pandemic on people of color has been incomplete. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0dfb456ef41a4633e033982ed06cdf1c/HTX%20COVID%20Testing%20Site%20RM%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Harris County Health Department nurse Harriet Lewis administers a test at a Harris County testing site located at Stallworth Stadium in Baytown on March 21, 2020.]()
Credit: Reggie Mathalone for The Texas Tribune -
As Texas grapples with a pandemic, officials must also prepare for what could be an unusually active hurricane season
State and local officials are adjusting their plans during the coronavirus outbreak to inform residents in the Houston area and along the Gulf Coast of safe steps they could take in advance of the year’s first storm. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9de00c566a269d1896704e8370bbc9d2/Hurrican%20Harvey%20TG%20TT.jpg)
![Damage from Hurricane Harvey near the gulf coast on August 27, 2017.]()
Credit: Tomas Gonzalez for The Texas Tribune -
In false Facebook posts, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller accused George Soros of paying protesters to “destroy” the country
The posts are similar in tone to racist posts by local GOP officials that drew calls for resignation from leaders of their party. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b07990e6e3c96c30a9e1acd4c69fdf91/Sid%20Miller%20BD%20TT.jpg)
![Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller addressed delegates at the Texas Republican Convention. June 16, 2018.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Five Texas GOP county leaders share racist Facebook posts, including one juxtaposing an MLK quote with a banana
Gov. Greg Abbott called on two Republican county chairs in Bexar and Nueces counties to resign after they shared a racist conspiracy theory about George Floyd's death. The post was also was shared by the GOP chairs in Comal and Harrison counties. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f3ee8639fb2b7b3faacc1de5479c5e8a/Republican%20Party%20Paraphernalia%20EG%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Republican Party emblems and signs at the Republican Party of Texas office in downtown Austin.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Almost all Texas businesses are allowed to open at 50% capacity, Gov. Greg Abbott says
The governor announced his third phase Wednesday of reopening the state’s businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/442bd2de84738bda5527d5ddd2cfd9b3/Abbott%20April%2017%20Presser%20MG%20TT%2002.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 in April.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr/The Texas Tribune