Legislation backed by casino giant would allow casinos, sports gambling in Texas
Las Vegas Sands is pushing to create the opportunity for casinos at "destination resorts" in the state's four largest metropolitan areas. Full Story
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![Gene Koonce plays on a craps table fitted with protective plexiglass panels during the reopening of Bellagio hotel-casino, closed since March because of COVID-19. Las Vegas, Nevada on June 4, 2020.]()
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A Texas lender sued thousands of low-income Latinos during the pandemic. Now the feds are investigating.
Oportun Inc., a small-dollar loan company, disclosed to investors that it is the subject of a probe by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau following reporting by The Texas Tribune and ProPublica. Full Story
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Analysis: After the blackouts, a whiff of the 2022 elections in Texas
A proposed remodeling of the state’s electricity grid from Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller might be more than it seems. It reads like a campaign’s position paper. Full Story
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![Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller addressed delegates at the Texas Republican Convention. June 16, 2018.]()
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A Mexican restaurant in Houston is keeping its mask rule. People threatened to call ICE on the staff.
Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to lift the statewide mask mandate has not come easily for many businesses that are navigating enforcement of mask rules while facing backlash. “It was just horrific,” said Monica Richards, co-owner of Picos. Full Story
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![A sign outside of a store in Downtown Austin asking customers to wear a mask inside the business on March 3, 2021.]()
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Senate passes Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill
The Senate approved the relief plan on Saturday after roughly 24 hours of debate. The bill includes $1,400 stimulus checks for millions of Americans, as well as an additional $300-per-week in unemployment payments until early September. Full Story
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![The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on April 20, 2020.]()
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Watch: Texas farmers start to replant after winter freeze left "total devastation"
Johnson’s Backyard Garden, an organic farm near Austin, lost almost its entire crop during February's devastating winter storm. Full Story
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![Farmworkers harvest a small patch of carrots that survived the winter storm at Johnson’s Backyard Garden, east of Austin, on Feb. 22, 2021. The organic farm experienced a near-total loss of their crops after a winter storm ravaged Texas.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
For some Texans who lost loved ones to the coronavirus, lifting the mask mandate is a “slap in the face”
One woman whose husband died said Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to end the mask mandate makes the convenience of not wearing a mask seem more important than loss of life. Abbott's spokesperson says he “joins all Texans in mourning every single life lost.” Full Story
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![A sign requiring masks is posted at Cosmic Cowboy on South Congress Avenue on Austin. May 8, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Debate ramps up at Texas Legislature over governor’s emergency powers during pandemic
Gov. Greg Abbott is well aware that some lawmakers, particularly in his own party, are interested in reining in his authority. However, it remains to be seen how much power Abbott is willing to relinquish. Full Story
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![Medical personnel wear personal protective equipment at a COVID-19 testing site at Nations Tobin Recreation Center in El Paso on Oct. 21, 2020.]()
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Three of Gov. Greg Abbott’s four coronavirus medical advisers say they weren’t directly consulted before he lifted mask mandate
One adviser said he thinks it's too soon for the state to stop requiring masks in public. Full Story
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![The COVID-19 unit at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Health System in Edinburg on June 30, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas businesses must decide whether to require face masks. Some worry they could lose customers either way.
A day after Gov. Greg Abbott announced plans to fully reopen businesses and end the state’s mask mandate, small business owners across Texas found themselves struggling to decide what to do next. Full Story
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![Server Ashleigh Roessler dons a new pair of gloves as part of safety measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. Aug. 13, 2020 at Bar Peached in Austin.]()
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TribCast: Gov. Greg Abbott drops Texas' mask mandate
On this week's TribCast, Matthew speaks with Ross, Patrick and Kate about Gov. Greg Abbott's decision to rescind statewide coronavirus orders and the fight over "The Eyes of Texas" at the University of Texas at Austin Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott adjusts his mask after giving an update on the categories of medical surge facilities at a press conference at the Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin on June 16, 2020.]()
Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell/Pool/Austin American-Statesman -
Analysis: Abbott’s icebreaker
Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to end his pandemic restrictions on masks and business capacity was a surprise — and a convenient change of subject for an executive under scrutiny for statewide blackouts last month. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott meets with local El Paso leaders to discuss the coronavirus situation for the city and state on Aug. 13, 2020.]()
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Few Texas voters say they're doing better economically than they were a year ago, poll finds
Only 18% of Texas voters say they're better off than they were 12 months ago. A year ago, twice as many said they and their families were better off than before, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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![Caffe Medici was forced to close one of its five locations and layoff employees in the wake of closures from COVID-19. March 19, 2020.]()
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“It’s putting us in the firing line”: Some small-business owners worry about Gov. Greg Abbott lifting coronavirus restrictions
Abbott’s order will leave it to business owners to decide whether to require customers wear masks inside their establishments. Some say they will keep coronavirus restrictions in place, but some business owners worry those decisions could anger potential customers. Full Story
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![Juan Meza take a to-go order at Juan In A Million located in Austin, on May 1, 2020. Meza decided to open the restaurant's doors during the first phase of Gov. Greg Abbott's order to reopen Texas businesses.]()
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Pandemic response tops Texas voters’ legislative priorities, poll finds
Texas voters also think the state spends too little on mental health, and public education, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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![The Senate Floor on Jan. 13, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas voters’ apprehension about COVID-19 has risen since October, poll finds
The surge of COVID-19 cases from October to January got a response from Texas voters: Their concerns about the spread of the virus increased, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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![A nurse conducts a swab test for COVID-19 on a patient in a drive-thru station at the Austin Emergency Center at Mueller on Jan. 25, 2021.]()
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After a year of pandemic, Texas voters more open to sending kids to school, poll finds
The perceived risks of most activities haven't changed, but Texas voters are warming to the idea of sending their kids back to public schools, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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![A COVID-19 safety sign at Wild About Music in Austin. June 24, 2020.]()
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U.S. House passes $1.9 trillion coronavirus aid package, but minimum wage hike isn’t likely to survive
The provision to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour isn't likely to make it through the Senate. But the package the House passed offers a blueprint for what is expected to be a staggering round of government spending. Full Story
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Rural Texas communities face long recoveries and stretched budgets without federal aid
Debbie Gosnell, city manager of Cross Plains, said it could take months for her community to recover from the winter storm. Without approval for federal aid, Gosnell worries the town's budget will not cover the numerous broken pipes and damaged buildings. Full Story
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![Marfa is covered with snow a second time. Another snowstorm came in early Thursday morning, the day after the power was restored in town. The temperature dropped to 7 degrees on Friday morning. Feb. 18, 2021.]()
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Texas workers struggle to pay for groceries and rent after losing wages during winter storm
Many hourly wage employees across the state lost working hours last week during the storm and power outage disaster. Now, they’re left with a choice between paying for rent or groceries. Full Story
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![A sign informs customers of a store closure due to the recent winter snowstorm in South Austin. Feb. 16, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune
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