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.
Stories by Texas Tribune fellows
The Texas Tribune welcomes a group of student fellows into our newsroom each spring, summer and fall. Here is a sampling of their work. Learn more about the fellowship program here.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Calls spiked — then dropped. Domestic abuse survivors, at home with abusers during the pandemic, may be unable to get help.
Advocates worry that survivors are struggling to seek help because they’re stuck with their abusers at home due to stay-at-home orders.
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Coronavirus in Texas
At Huston-Tillotson University, a stepping stone from poverty gets steeper
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.
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Coronavirus in Texas
280,000 more Texans filed for unemployment last week as oil collapse and coronavirus precautions wallop state’s economy
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.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Texas will not release information about coronavirus clusters at state-run homes for Texans with disabilities
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.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Harris County latest to mandate face masks as criticism mounts that the requirement is “government overreach”
GOP officials called it “tyranny” and “government overreach,” taking issue in particular with the $1,000 fine associated with violating the mask requirement.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Oil prices collapsed, but that doesn’t mean Texans will get free gasoline
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.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Texans in Congress look for ways to help as oil prices tank
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.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Texas is running out of money to pay unemployment benefits. People will still get paid, but businesses may see tax hikes as a result.
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.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Texas universities are getting millions in federal money to offset coronavirus losses. It won’t be enough, officials say.
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.