Stories by Texas Tribune fellows

The violent storming of the U.S. Capitol prompted some states to reconsider allowing firearms in their statehouses. Not Texas. Full Story 

The high court vacated two rulings from the lower U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals that sided with Texas GOP officials arguing that Gov. Greg Abbott’s March 2020 executive order prohibited abortion under all but a few narrow circumstances in an attempt to preserve medical resources for COVID-19 patients. Full Story 

The two Texans in the U.S. Senate have called the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump "vindictive." Full Story 

While COVID-19 guidelines will vary between lawmakers’ offices, communication between legislators and the public will largely consist of phone and video calls or small, in-person meetings by appointment. Full Story 

A state fund that subsidizes rural network service is bleeding money. Now the state is drastically cutting the amount of money that it typically pays out to these service providers. Full Story 

The complaint says that Cruz lent “legitimacy” to unfounded claims of voter fraud prior to the violence on Jan. 6. Full Story 

Experts say the GOP's rhetoric about Section 230 of a 1996 communications law suggests a deep misunderstanding of how it works. Full Story 

The state’s GOP leaders have launched a campaign against technology and social media companies after officials and followers faced repercussions for sowing the election doubts that fueled the Capitol insurrection. Full Story 

Some Texas Republicans in Congress called for bipartisanship, but many others criticized Biden's early policy moves. Full Story 

A federal affidavit filed by a special agent Tuesday identified the Houston Police officer who participated in the pro-Trump riot at the Capitol as 18-year veteran Tam Dinh Pham. Full Story 

The Austin-based group founded by anti-vaccine activist Del Bigtree regularly posts information questioning the safety of the coronavirus vaccines. Doctors and scientists say both the Moderna and the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Full Story 

Hospitals in the Abilene, Bryan-College Station and Laredo areas have run out of intensive care unit beds. State health officials are “greatly concerned” about high numbers of hospitalized people throughout Texas. Full Story 

Both Cruz and Cornyn confirmed that they will be at Biden’s inauguration next week, even as Cruz continues to spread false claims casting doubt on Biden’s victory. Full Story 

On Tuesday, some Texans will take a paid day off for a state holiday honoring Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis and other leaders of the Confederate army. Full Story 

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo announced Thursday that the 18-year veteran of the department had resigned. Full Story 

COVID-19 rules and accommodations are still uncertain in the Capitol, though many people with disabilities don't plan to give testimony in person because of fears of exposure. Full Story 

Lawmakers could face a multibillion-dollar budget deficit due to the coronavirus pandemic and its accompanying recession. That will only compound the difficulties of balancing the budget. Full Story 

The arrival of the vaccine signaled an emergence from what countless health care workers called the darkest time in their careers. Full Story 

Texas health officials have told vaccine providers that they could resume using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in all adult recipients. Use of that vaccine had been paused for nearly two weeks. Full Story 

The group cautions that the more than 8,000 Texans on Medicaid who rely on Planned Parenthood could lose coverage during a pandemic. Full Story