Dallas salon owner released from county jail after defying orders by reopening early
The order followed Gov. Greg Abbott’s announcement that he was eliminating jail time for Texans who violate stay at home orders. Full Story
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![Shelley Luther after being released from jail in Dallas.]()
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247,179 more Texans filed for unemployment, but their jobs might not be waiting for them when they return
The Texas Workforce Commission relaxed guidelines so high-risk workers and people without child care can refuse work and still receive benefits. But that doesn’t protect workers from being fired in the meantime. Full Story
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![Mochas and Javas in San Marcos.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texans could soon have to start looking for work to keep unemployment benefits if reopening continues
The Texas Workforce Commission's executive director told lawmakers that it plans to reinstate work-search requirements once stores and restaurants are allowed open to 50% capacity. Full Story
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![The Texas Workforce Commission Building in Austin on March 30, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas hair salons, barbershops and other beauty businesses can reopen Friday. Here are the rules they have to follow.
Limited services, face coverings and smaller occupancies are among the new rules businesses will follow if they open this Friday. Full Story
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![Downtown San Marcos during the COVID-19 pandemic on April 10, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: The governor's quicker-than-expected move to further reopen Texas
On this week's TribCast, Alexa talks to Matthew, Emma and Ross about the governor's move to reopen more businesses in Texas more quickly than expected and the implications of those reopenings. Full Story
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![The Parlour Salon in San Marcos on April 10, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
"We need herd immunity": U.S. Rep. Chip Roy of Texas says Americans can't wait for a vaccine to return to normalcy
The firebrand Austin conservative spoke with The Texas Tribune's Evan Smith about reopening the economy, voting in person and how he practices social distancing. Full Story
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Coronavirus in Texas: Dan Patrick says economy can be fully reopened in "not too distant future"
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
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![Children's buggies and other common use feature of the mall were closed in order to minimize people's exposure to the coronavirus.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
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.]()
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GOP lawmakers got illegal haircuts while calling on Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to reopen salons
State Reps. Briscoe Cain and Steve Toth said there's no reason to continue banning businesses from operating as long as they follow CDC guidelines. Such restrictions, the two said, are hurting the Texas economy. Full Story
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![From left, State Representatives Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, and Briscoe Cain, R-Deer Park, get haircuts in defiance of Gov. Greg Abbott’s orders on business closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.]()
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Texas agency won't cut oil production despite cratering prices
Two global crises have brought unusual attention to Texas oil regulators, who decided against taking action some producers wanted. One regulator said, "Politics win, Texans lose." Full Story
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![Midland's skyline is a backdrop for another pump jack that has ceased to move its head as oil prices continue to drop.]()
Credit: Ben Powell for The Texas Tribune -
Watch: Texas Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick discusses the effects of the coronavirus on the oil and gas industry
We sat down for a live virtual event with Craddick to discuss her take on oil prices, Texas’ energy industry and the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Full Story
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Analysis: If reopening the economy is risky, who’s getting protection?
Top officials say it's safe to reopen at least some of the economy, but they're also pushing for "blanket immunity" for businesses, should anything go wrong. That leaves some people out. Full Story
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![Social distancing signs mark tables as the Cleburne Cafeteria prepares to reopen for business.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Dallas-based hotel group to return $76 million in disaster loans meant for small businesses
The network of companies — Ashford Hospitality Trust, Ashford Inc., and Braemar Hotels & Resorts — are run by prominent Texas GOP donor Monty Bennett. Full Story
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![An aerial view of Dallas.]()
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A prominent Texas man's network of hotels got millions in taxpayer loans, irking smaller businesses and some lawmakers
Monty Bennett's Dallas-based hotel network applied for $126 million from the government's Paycheck Protection Program and has received $76 million, according to data compiled by The Washington Post. Full Story
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![Monty Bennett.]()
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At a Texas mall reopening, some antsy shoppers wore homemade masks while others called coronavirus a farce
Friday was the first day that shopping malls — along with restaurants, retail outlets and movie theaters — were allowed to reopen in Texas. Under an order from Gov. Greg Abbott, stores can open their doors, but they must limit occupancy to no more than 25% of capacity. Full Story
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![Customers practice social distancing as they wait for the Barton Creek Square Mall in Austin to open on May 1, 2020.]()
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U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia of Texas predicts cities and local governments could be facing bankruptcy
Garcia said the country could be heading toward the next Great Depression. Full Story
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![U.S Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 28, 2019.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa for The Texas Tribune -
Texas sales tax revenues fall by 9.3% in April
For the past several weeks, the comptroller has been referring to the state of the economy as a recession. The latest sales tax figures give the first glimpse of how much the economic downturn will hurt the state budget. Full Story
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![Shuttered businesses on South Congress during the coronavirus pandemic. April 2, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas halted evictions, giving renters some relief. But what happens when the moratorium ends?
Experts and advocates say renters — hit particularly hard by the economic downturn — face a financial cliff if more monetary aid doesn't arrive before moratoriums lift. Full Story
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![Credit card debt illustration.]()
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Coronavirus in Texas: Texas State University System says it'll resume on-campus classes in the fall
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
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![The Central Texas Food Bank hosts a food drive at the Toney Burger Activity Center in Austin on April 30, 2020.]()
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Texas' front-line workers in the pandemic are predominantly women and people of color, analysis finds
Sixty-two percent of front-line workers in the 11 Texas cities with the the largest populations of front-line workers are women, compared with 48% of all workers there, the analysis shows. Full Story
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![A volunteer coordinator prepares boxes of food at the Kelly Memorial Food Pantry in Central El Paso, which serves 700-1000 families a day during the COVID-19 pandemic.]()
Credit: Emily Kinskey for The Texas Tribune
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