Gov. Greg Abbott and health experts say young adults may be taking social distancing less seriously.
Austin
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Coronavirus in Texas
Texas’ big-city mayors ask Gov. Greg Abbott for power to impose face mask rules
Abbott has banned local governments from fining people who don’t wear masks in public.
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Police brutality in Texas
Texas Democrats urge Abbott to call special session as details emerge showing Javier Ambler’s death at the hands of sheriff’s deputies
In 2019, Williamson County sheriff’s deputies held down Ambler and stunned him four times before his body went limp. He died at a hospital about an hour later.
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Police brutality in Texas
For these Texas organizers and officials, defunding the police means remedying effects of racism
Some Texas cities are eyeing cuts to police department budgets to fund social services like housing assistance, mental health services and job training.
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Police brutality in Texas
Joshua Howell doesn’t want “thoughts and prayers.” He wants Austin police to take responsibility for critically injuring his brother at a recent protest.
While Howell says he’s pleased Austin police have vowed to stop using such tactics in crowds, he hopes his brother’s story sparks real change. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast.
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Higher Education
UT-Austin football players demand school rename buildings named after racist figures, donate to Black Lives Matter
Athletes say they will forgo participating in recruiting and donor-related events if campus and athletic leadership fails to implement their demands, which are aimed at supporting students of color.
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Police brutality in Texas
Austin City Council unanimously limits police officers’ use of force and asks for cuts to department budget
The moves came after the department was criticized for how it responded to police brutality protesters and as residents continue calling for the police chief’s resignation.
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Police brutality in Texas
Houston officials increase police budget as Dallas and Austin officials consider decreases in wake of police brutality protests
Some of Texas’ biggest cities appear headed in different directions with police budgets during nationwide calls to cut law enforcement funding.
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Police brutality in Texas
In George Floyd-inspired protests, Texas organizers find new allies in quest for police reforms
“They had to watch this man literally gasp for air … to give a damn,” one Austin organizer said about the momentum building after millions saw the video of Floyd’s death. “They saw it. It was real, and I think that’s why we are where we are.”
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Criminal Justice
Four Austin City Council members say they’ve lost faith in police chief after use of force on protesters, report says
Council member Greg Casar asked Manley to do the honorable thing and step down, and others expressed their disappointment in his handling of ongoing protests against police brutality.
