Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declares state of disaster after George Floyd protests
In a statement, Abbott said the declaration would allow him to designate federal agents to serve as peace officers in Texas. Full Story
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![Austin police officers stand on Interstate 35 and watch protesters on the frontage road. Police officers would occasionally shoot into the crowd to disperse protesters. May 30, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
A weekend of protest and mourning: George Floyd’s death spurs demonstrations in Texas cities
Floyd, who was raised in Houston's Third Ward, was killed in Minneapolis by police. Officer Derek Chauvin has been fired, and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter. Rallies and protests are happening all over the nation, including in several Texas cities. Full Story
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![Protesters gather south of the Capitol building in Austin on Sunday, May 31, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
As Texans demonstrate anger over George Floyd’s death, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner asks for “peaceful” protests
Floyd, a black man who formerly lived in Houston, was killed in Minneapolis police custody after a white officer kneeled on his neck. Hundreds in Houston turned out Friday to demonstrate their anger over his death. Full Story
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![Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner on Sept. 25, 2017.]()
Credit: Pu Ying Huang for The Texas Tribune -
Texas elected leaders condemn the death of George Floyd as “horrific,” “senseless”
In a TV interview Friday, Gov. Greg Abbott said said that the death of Floyd, a black man who was killed Monday in Minneapolis police custody, “should not have happened.” But Texas’ GOP congressional officials declined to comment on President Donald Trump’s “looting” tweet. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott briefs reporters during a press conference on a Domestic Terrorism Task Force roundtable held at the capitol on Jan. 7, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
As Texas inmates' lawsuit over coronavirus response winds through courts, infections among prisoners surge
Judges questioned both the inmates' arguments and state's positions in a Thursday hearing. In April, the appeals court temporarily blocked a lower judge's order against the Texas Department of Criminal Justice over its coronavirus practices and policies at a geriatric prison. Full Story
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![An inmate sleeps in his cubicle in the geriatric unit of the Estelle Prison in Huntsville.]()
Credit: Caleb Bryant Miller for The Texas Tribune -
She walked out of jail into a pandemic. Now she can't find the help she needs to get back on her feet.
Many reentry services offered to those leaving incarceration — like help with housing and employment — have moved online or been halted since the new coronavirus hit the state. Full Story
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![Recently released from jail, Rachel Schuyler panhandles with her dog, Kaido, near the intersection of Burnet Road and U.S. Highway 183 in Austin on May 16, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
How a Dallas salon owner changed Texas' reopening debate
After Shelley Luther was jailed for opening her salon in blatant defiance of emergency orders, top Texas Republicans in all three branches of government scrambled to ensure her release. Full Story
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![Shelley Luther comforts Brenda Stephanie Mata as she addresses supporters at a Freedom Rally in Laredo. Mata was arrested for operating an eyelash salon from her home during the coronavirus lockdown.]()
Credit: Jessica Nicole Rodriguez for The Texas Tribune -
Texas is spending $45 million on new coronavirus tests that prisoners are administering to themselves
The state purchased 300,000 oral swab tests from a months-old California company. So far, only highly-infected prisons are using them for mass testing. Full Story
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![Telford prison in New Boston on March 21, 2018]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
Texas prisons to begin widespread coronavirus testing for inmates with self-administered tests
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice said it will begin having prisoners test themselves with a newly approved test. So far, less than 2% of state prisoners have been tested for the virus. More than 1,700 have been infected, and 30 have died. Full Story
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![Telford prison in New Boston.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
Coronavirus in Texas: San Antonio expands free testing to asymptomatic residents; state to test all nursing home residents
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
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![A worker for Code 4 Event Management sprays disinfectant on a staircase as he and his colleagues disinfect a building during the COVID-19 pandemic.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Top Texas officials denounce Dallas salon owner’s jail sentence for defying orders to close
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton said the seven-day jail sentence was excessive. Paxton called for her immediate release. Full Story
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![Shelley Luther, owner of Salon a la Mode in Dallas, was recently issued a citation after reopening her business in violation of local and state stay at home orders. Luther spoke to a crowd of supporters at an Open Texas rally against coronavirus pandemic restrictions outside of the City Hall in Frisco on April 25, 2020.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Jeremy Lock -
Dallas salon owner who refused to close sentenced to seven days in jail, ordered to pay fines
Salon a la Mode owner Shelley Luther reopened Thursday even though the state had required nonessential businesses to remain closed. Full Story
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![Shelley Luther, owner of Salon a la Mode in Dallas, was recently issued a citation after reopening her business in violation of local and state stay at home orders. Luther spoke to a crowd of supporters at an Open Texas rally against coronavirus pandemic restrictions outside of the City Hall in Frisco on April 25, 2020.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Jeremy Lock -
70% of Texas prisoners tested have the coronavirus. Experts say it's time for more testing and fewer inmates.
Some of the nation's biggest COVID-19 outbreaks have been in prisons and jails, and they can quickly spread to surrounding communities. Are Texas prisons doing enough to protect inmates, staff and the public? Full Story
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![The exterior of Huntsville Unit, a prison in Huntsville, on Nov. 14, 2019.]()
Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune -
“I do not want to die in here”: Letters from the Harris County Jail
A series of letters from detainees in one of America’s largest jails reveals the mounting dread and uncertainty as the coronavirus spreads inside the 7,500-inmate facility. Full Story
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![A letter from an incarcerated individual in Texas.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas voters overwhelmingly approve of business closures, stay-at-home orders despite blow to state's economy, says UT/TT poll
The poll results come as Gov. Greg Abbott prepares to announce his plans for reopening a wide range of Texas businesses. Full Story
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![Shuttered restaurant in Waco on March 25, 2020.]()
Credit: Angela Piazza for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Supreme Court sides with Abbott after judge halted his order restricting jail release
The high court did not weigh in on the arguments that Gov. Greg Abbott's order went beyond his executive powers in a disaster. Instead, it ruled that the Harris County judges were the wrong plaintiffs. Full Story
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![Inmates at the Harris County Jail.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
Federal appeals court stops earlier order, says Texas doesn't have to give inmates hand sanitizer or face masks for now
The ruling temporarily halted a lower court's order that was handed down after inmates at a geriatric prison sued the Texas prison system over its handling of the coronavirus. Full Story
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![Texas Department of Criminal Justice William G. McConnell Unit at Chase Field in Beeville.]()
Credit: Jennifer Whitney for The Texas Tribune -
Coronavirus in Texas: Hard-line conservatives want stay-at-home order relaxed; Paxton issues opinion on temporary tax exemption
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
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![A coronavirus related message on the Fairmont Hotel in downtown Austin on April 12, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Many Texas prisoners have been approved for parole but can't walk free yet. Advocates say coronavirus should change that.
Relatives of Texas prisoners approved for parole question why their loved ones have to stay in disease-prone facilities while completing programs they say could be done virtually and from home. Full Story
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![Prisoners work outdoors at the Dr. Lane Murray Unit, a women's prison that's part of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Supreme Court stays lower court ruling, temporarily reviving Gov. Abbott's order restricting jail release
On Friday, a state district judge blocked enforcement of Abbott's order, which prohibits jail release for some inmates without paying bail during the coronavirus pandemic. She cited unconstitutional provisions and executive overreach as reasons for her order. Full Story
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![The Texas Supreme Court on Jan. 15, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune