Stories by Texas Tribune fellows

Since vaccines became widely available for Texans 12 and older last May, about 82% of Texas’ COVID-19 deaths were among the unvaccinated. Full Story 

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, the other Republican senator from Texas, asked the nominee about the court case legalizing gay marriage and questioned her defense of Guantánamo Bay detainees who allegedly faced mistreatment. Full Story 

A $30 million grant program aims to mitigate the fallout from drug addiction and overdoses. Officials say Cruz’s comments about it are misleading. Full Story 

The temporary injunction was issued as part of a lawsuit brought on behalf of parents being investigated by child welfare workers for letting their transgender teenager access gender-affirming health care. Full Story 

Wildfires have burned more than 58,000 acres across the state. At least one person has died and dozens of homes have burned down. Full Story 

A new law prohibits the state from contracting with or investing in companies that divest from oil, natural gas and coal companies. Full Story 

Land Commissioner George P. Bush is in the middle of a fierce runoff in the Republican primary for Texas attorney general against incumbent Ken Paxton. During the race, several of Bush’s opponents have criticized his office’s work in distributing Hurricane Harvey relief funds. Full Story 

Students are forming banned-book clubs and distribution drives to contest restrictions that focus mostly on LGBTQ and racial themes. ​ Full Story 

Citing potential criminal penalties, Texas Children’s Hospital will no longer provide hormone therapy to transgender patients. Full Story 

Ever since Gov. Greg Abbott directed the state’s child welfare agency to investigate parents who provide gender-affirming care to their children, LGBTQ-affirming family lawyers statewide have been deluged with calls. Full Story 

Redistricting has empowered activists of both parties to push platforms further right or left. Progressives view three key Democrats’ advancements in the Texas primary election as a potential turning point for their movement. Full Story 

A Texas judge was scheduled to consider a statewide injunction on investigations of parents over obtaining gender-affirming care. The appeal now puts the hearing on hold. Full Story 

Berry, who will face Ellen Troxclair in the runoff, was one of 19 Austin officers accused of using excessive force on people demonstrating against police brutality in 2020. Full Story 

The ACLU suit looks to block Gov. Greg Abbott’s directive that the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services investigate parents seeking gender-affirming care for their transgender children. Full Story 

Some experts doubt that classifying gender-affirming care as child abuse would hold up in court, but families still feel targeted by Gov. Greg Abbott’s new order Full Story 

The federal agency’s new guidance says most healthy Americans don’t need to wear masks in public. It marks a turning point in the pandemic. Full Story 

Land Commissioner George P. Bush is stepping down to run for attorney general. Four Democrats and eight Republicans are seeking their parties’ nominations for the office. Full Story 

Justin Berry is among 19 Austin law enforcement officers indicted and accused of using excessive force on anti-police brutality protesters in 2020. Full Story 

The Austin police officer is one of four Republicans seeking their party’s nomination for Texas House District 19, west of Austin. Full Story 

Paul Quinn College hopes the new practice will better combat intergenerational poverty and remove the pressure on first-generation college students to financially lift up their entire families. Full Story