Stories by Texas Tribune fellows

254,199 Texans filed for unemployment last week — bringing the total number of claims to over 1.5 million in six weeks. Full Story 

A&M officials say they have the largest public lab capacity in the state, but the federal government won't let them use it for humans. Full Story 

If a business reopens and an employee chooses not to return to work, they become ineligible for unemployment, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. Full Story 

County Judge Lina Hidalgo’s order, which carries a penalty of up to $1,000, drew harsh criticism from GOP officials and members of law enforcement. Full Story 

Advocates worry that survivors are struggling to seek help because they're stuck with their abusers at home due to stay-at-home orders. Full Story 

The historically black school in Austin moved online as coronavirus shut down college campuses. The loss of community is difficult for a school with a hands-on tradition of boosting students, many poor and the first in their families to attend college. Full Story 

The total number of out-of-work Texans is 1.3 million since mid-March as the state's economy continues roiling from business closures, a troubled energy sector and corporate layoffs. Full Story 

Residents' families, restricted from visiting in an effort to stop the spread, are pleading for information. Even they aren’t being told how severe the outbreaks are where their loved ones live. Full Story 

GOP officials called it "tyranny" and "government overreach," taking issue in particular with the $1,000 fine associated with violating the mask requirement. Full Story 

With most Texans staying at home and not driving, the demand for gas has fallen off. But refineries would stop producing before giving gas away for free. Full Story 

While some companies can access small-business funds, the major stimulus that has made its way through Congress has no specific help for the energy sector. Members from Texas are looking for other ways to help. Full Story 

The coronavirus pandemic swiftly swept Texas into an economic recession, prompting millions to seek unemployment aid and complicating the state budget. Here’s a look at how the recovery is going. Full Story 

Texas Workforce Commission officials say the state will run out of money in May or June. Other economists predict that could happen in as soon as three weeks. Full Story 

Texas officials closed down campuses in early March and are losing millions of dollars as they pay students back for housing, parking and other unused services. Full Story 

Texas unemployment claims continue to rise as Texans struggle to file. The Texas Workforce Commission is expanding its call centers, servers and staff, but many still face delays. Full Story 

The private school, anticipating a drop in enrollment next school year, is one of the first major Texas colleges to announce budget cuts due to the public health and economic crises. Full Story 

The method has been used to treat the sick in past epidemics, and it's generally considered low risk. Doctors around the nation have started using it on the sickest COVID-19 patients. Full Story 

The courts volleyed back and forth this week, siding in turns with the state and then with abortion providers. But clinics across the state are responding inconsistently, with some shutting down altogether while they await a final answer. Full Story 

The numbers are early — but incomplete — indicators of how dramatically and suddenly the state's economy has collapsed under social distancing orders officials issued to curb the still growing public health crisis spurred by the novel coronavirus. Full Story 

Officials say they're ramping up support by providing more testing across Texas and additional personnel for facilities where the virus has been detected. But people close to the facilities have reported that the state is responding too slowly to the emergency. Full Story