Worried about current compliance, Gov. Greg Abbott signals openness to stricter coronavirus order
"It's clear to me that we may not be achieving the level of compliance that is needed," Abbott said during a news conference in Austin. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott addresses the press after a meeting with government officials on COVID-19 preparedness in the state. Feb. 27, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Coronavirus, family, economics and false choices
The threat to the economy is important, but it's also secondary. The worst of the new coronavirus has not yet been visited upon us. Full Story
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![Shuttered bars on Austin's iconic Sixth Street during the coronavirus pandemic.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt pushes back resignation to focus on coronavirus response
Eckhardt had been planning to resign to run for state Senate. Now she says she'll stay on until mid-May. Full Story
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![Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt speaks at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 29, 2018.]()
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Texas’ largest counties are issuing stay-at-home orders as coronavirus spreads
The orders represent some of the most stringent measures local officials in Texas have taken so far to address the colossal public health crisis. Full Story
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![Downtown Austin with considerably less traffic during the coronavirus outbreak on March 23, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Order Texans to stay home, or risk impeding the fight against COVID-19?
Health experts and local leaders want stricter state orders to keep Texans at home, but for now, Gov. Greg Abbott is leaving the decisions on "shelter-in-place" to local officials. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott is briefed on the coronavirus outbreak, in Austin on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Dallas County orders residents to shelter in place as coronavirus cases there spread
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins' new order came after Gov. Greg Abbott held off from issuing a similar directive to the entire state. Full Story
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![Aerial View of Downtown Dallas.]()
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Gov. Greg Abbott resists calls for statewide shelter-in-place; moves to expand hospital capacity
Abbott said he would applaud some local authorities for issuing such an order, while he would remain flexible on strategies as the new coronavirus continues to spread. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott declared a statewide emergency amid new cases of COVID-19 in the state. March 13, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Coronavirus in Texas 3/21: At least 325 cases reported in state; Gov. Greg Abbott moves to bolster number of practicing nurses
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
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![Medical staff from Riverside University Health collect nasal samples from members of the public that were referred for testing for the coronavirus at a drive-up site in Indian Wells, Calif., on. March 18, 2020.]()
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Texas restaurants are asking for tax relief from the state. But officials say they need those revenues during the pandemic.
Restaurant owners say that delaying sales tax payments could help them ride out the pandemic. State officials, however, say that those revenues help keep hospitals and emergency services running. Full Story
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![Caffe Medici, one of Austin's Oldest coffee shops, was forced to permanantly close one of its five locations and layoff 27 employees as the business attempts to stay afloat in the wake of the global economic crash from the COVID-19. March 19, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott closes bars, restaurants and schools as he anticipates tens of thousands could test positive for coronavirus
Abbott disclosed that estimate hours after he took sweeping action to stop the virus' spread. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott declares a statewide emergency amid new cases of COVID-19 in the state on March 13, 2020 at the state capitol.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Watch Gov. Greg Abbott give an update on Texas' efforts to combat coronavirus
Watch a livestream of the Texas governor discussing everything the state is doing to limit the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. The address is scheduled to start at noon Central Time. Full Story
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![Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announces the activation of the Texas National Guard in response the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement was made from the Governor's Conference Room in the Texas Department of Emergency Management Command Center. Abbott was joined by Chief Nim Kidd, head of the Texas Division of Emergency Management.]()
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Gov. Greg Abbott on Texas bars and restaurants: Expect an announcement Thursday
"We're dealing with something ... that is not just statewide in scope, not just nationwide in scope, but is worldwide in scope," Abbott said. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott declares a statewide emergency amid new cases of COVID-19 in the state on March 13, 2020 at the state capitol.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Coronavirus outbreak could postpone Texas municipal elections until November
Gov. Greg Abbott has yet to issue guidance on the May 26 runoff election. Full Story
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![Voting signs near the Travis County Granger Building election site on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2019.]()
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Staying home slows the coronavirus, but what if you’re homeless?
Local, state and national leaders are recommending people take a range of actions to protect themselves from the new coronavirus. But for those without homes, many of those measures are next to impossible. Full Story
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![Tents found in front of the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH) on Oct. 29, 2019. The residents have to make sure their tents are in “safe camping sites,” though many aren’t sure what it mean.]()
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As coronavirus stops people from gathering, Gov. Greg Abbott suspends part of open-meetings law
All sections of the Texas Open Meetings Act remain in place except for the requirement of a physical gathering space for people to watch the meeting and ask questions. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott declares a statewide emergency amid new cases of COVID-19 in the state on March 13, 2020 at the state capitol.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas coronavirus cases prompt Gov. Greg Abbott to activate National Guard
Abbott said that National Guard troops, if deployed, could do things like help with traffic at drive-through testing sites. Full Story
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![National guard troops help with Food distribution during the coronavirus outbreak in New Rochelle, New York on March 12, 2020.]()
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Texans still clamoring for coronavirus tests as state promises availability will skyrocket
Texas appears to be lagging behind other populous states in testing for COVID-19, but trying to determine how many tests have been given is as confusing as figuring out how to get one. Full Story
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![A medical professional wearing protective clothing administers a test to a patient at a drive-through COVID-19 testing facility at Baylor Scott and White Medical Center in Round Rock, on March 16, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
While other states fighting coronavirus enforce widespread closures, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott goes with a patchwork system
While most states have mandated the closure of schools, bars and restaurants; deployed their militaries; or diverted state resources to COVID-19 response, Texas is largely leaving it up to schools and local governments to decide how to proceed. Some say the approach can undermine response efforts. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott briefs reporters during a press conference on a Domestic Terrorism Task Force roundtable held at the capitol on Jan. 7, 2020.]()
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Gov. Greg Abbott postpones special Texas Senate election due to coronavirus pandemic
The special election is now set for July 14. Full Story
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![Super Tuesday voting lines at the Metropolitan Multi Service Center near downtown Houston on Tuesday, March 3, 2020.]()
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Degrees of anxiety: As college classrooms empty, students fear for educations, jobs
Texas universities are moving online, but how do you learn circuit welding or vocal ensemble by videoconference? What happens when campus jobs dry up? And will anyone get to walk the stage come graduation day? Full Story
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![Students during class at the University of Texas at Austin Oct. 25, 2011.]()
Credit: Spencer Selvidge for The Texas Tribune