It’s unclear whether Texas will expand who is eligible for a mail-in ballot during the pandemic, as other states have. But the people who normally qualify to vote by mail can still do so in July.
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.
Texas doctors say their revenue has dropped by at least 50% since the pandemic, survey data shows
Pandemic-related financial strain has hit independent medical practices especially hard, the survey showed. Many physicians have resorted to taking pay cuts or working fewer hours.
UT-Austin will resume classes this fall โ but students won’t return to campus after Thanksgiving
After the November holiday, students will not return to campus in an effort to avoid spreading the coronavirus.
Former Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt says Abbott’s actions to reopen Texas are divisive, scary and confusing
Abbott’s recent decisions to reopen the economy despite rising infection rates signal that something has “spooked” the governor, Eckhardt said at a Tribune event.
Dancing is discouraged: Bars, sports and child care centers can open if they follow these rules
Among the businesses reopening are day and overnight youth camps, professional sports without spectators and massage services.
Senate committee advances nomination of U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe for director of national intelligence
The Texas representative’s nomination will go to the full Senate after receiving approval from the Senate Intelligence Committee.
“Itโs a bizarre time to be job searching”: College graduates looking for first jobs face catastrophic economic conditions
As 2020 college graduates prepare to enter the workforce, they are having to contend with a historic economic recession. Experts say those who do get jobs in the recession may accept lower wages and salaries than theyโd have otherwise settled for.
Texas had plans to replace its outdated unemployment system. The coronavirus pandemic hit first.
The Texas Workforce Commission had finally lined up enough federal money to move the system โ built in the 1990s โ to the cloud. But before that happened, nearly 2 million suddenly unemployed Texans overwhelmed the old system.
Texas is testing everyone in nursing homes for coronavirus, but not state-run homes for people with disabilities
The facilities are still only testing residents and patients who are symptomatic or were potentially exposed to the virus, despite concerns raised by employees and family members about outbreaks.
Here’s what we know about Texasโ economic reopening, and what might be coming next
On Monday, gyms were allowed to reopen in Texas. What’s next for Texas’ reopening plan?

