Coronavirus in Texas 4/2: More than a quarter million Texans file for unemployment relief in one week
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
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![The streets of downtown Houston during the coronavirus pandemic.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Thousands in Texas face delays to their unemployment relief because of busy phone lines and website outages
As tens of thousands of Texans try to file unemployment insurance claims, they're finding the Texas Workforce Commission's phone lines jammed and website servers overloaded as the agency is swamped by the crush of sudden need. Full Story
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![Kerbey Lane Cafe’s empty dining room during the coronavirus pandemic on March 30, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Watch our interview with Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar about the coronavirus’ impact on the state economy
We sat down for a live virtual event with Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar to discuss the COVID-19 outbreak and its effect on the state budget, economy and workforce. Full Story
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Coronavirus in Texas 4/1: El Paso strengthens stay-at-home order
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
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![A hand written signs alerts costumers that Jake’s Texas Tea House is closed indefinitely in Waco. March 25, 2020.]()
Credit: Angela Piazza for The Texas Tribune -
Rent is due. But thousands of Texans have lost their jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Evictions across the state are halted until at least April 20, thanks to a Texas Supreme Court moratorium. But both renters and landlords are worried about what comes next. Full Story
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![An aerial view of the Clayton Homes complex near I-45 in Houston on Sept. 16, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: A digital divide with dire consequences for Texas
The new coronavirus has forced Texans online for education, commerce, work and entertainment. But a third of the state's residents don't have broadband in their homes. Full Story
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![A streetview of Dumas.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Someone says they have 2 million N95 masks for sale. The asking price is six times the usual cost.
As health care professionals beg for supplies to protect themselves from COVID-19 infection, a Texas company found a seller with at least 2 million masks and quietly offered them for sale at $6 each. Before the pandemic, they cost around $1. Full Story
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![An N95 respiration mask.]()
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Texas shale producers ask state to cut oil output as demand plummets during coronavirus pandemic
Two Texas oil companies with big business in the Permian Basin wrote to state regulators requesting an emergency meeting to consider reducing oil production as demand around the world has collapsed due to the new coronavirus. Full Story
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![A new pump jack on the north side of Midland.]()
Credit: Jerod Foster for the Texas Tribune -
Texas gun stores are essential businesses, may stay open during the pandemic, attorney general says
City and county officials cannot prohibit the sale of guns during an emergency declaration, according to the Texas Attorney General. Full Story
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![A gun store near Independence.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Coronavirus in Texas 3/27: U.S. House approves coronavirus spending bill
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
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![Starbucks' South Shore location in Austin is only open for grab-and-go operations following an executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott which limits social gatherings to 10 people at a time. March 20, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas' shuttered businesses, laid-off workers and overwhelmed hospitals among beneficiaries of coronavirus relief bill
The historic legislation, worth more than $2 trillion, heads to the U.S. House on Friday after the Senate passed it unanimously. Full Story
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![Mour Cafe in Austin closed its dining operations following an executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott which limits social gatherings to 10 people and prohibits eating and drinking at restaurants but allows take-outs. March 20, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Is Cabela's an "essential" business? Texas counties differ on who should work during shelter in place
With Gov. Greg Abbott resisting calls for a statewide stay-at-home order, local officials are tasked with deciding which businesses and employees are essential. This strategy means the rules differ from county to county, and many employees are confused about why they're being called in to work. Full Story
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![Cabela's, an outdoor recreational retailer, is deemed an essential business.]()
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The number of Texans filing for unemployment increased 860% in a week
Two weeks ago, 16,176 Texans filed for new unemployment benefits. But just one week later — after leaders shut down businesses across the state to slow the spread of the new coronavirus — that number jumped up to 155,657 out-of-work people filing for unemployment relief. Full Story
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![Shuttered bars on Austin's Sixth street during the COVID-19 pandemic on March 19, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas hospitals brace for coronavirus surge with uncertain stocks of protective gear
“’I will give you X number, you are to make these last for however long,’” a Panhandle hospital executive told one of his clinics when it sought more respirators. “We’ve got to ration these resources.” Full Story
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![Austinites drop off medical personal protective equipment into bins outside Bicycle Sport Shop. Once full, employees will donate the equipment to local hospitals to help fight a shortage of personal protective equipment in Austin. March 22, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Coronavirus in Texas 3/25: Unemployment claims surge
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 safety sign and sanitizing products at the entrance to Ventec Life Systems, a ventilator manufacturer that has seen a large increase in demand since the global coronavirus disease outbreak began. Washington, March 18, 2020.]()
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TribCast: How coronavirus is affecting Texas workers, immigrants and the courts
On this week's TribCast — a different format in the time of the new coronavirus — Alexa talks to Mitchell, Julián and Jolie about rising unemployment in Texas, the outbreak's effect on immigrants and delayed justice in the court system. Full Story
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![Oasis Eyebrow and Threading in Austin closed its operations following an executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott which limits social gatherings to 10 people. Taken on March 20, 2020.]()
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Texas unemployment rate headed toward double digits, comptroller warns
Texas reported a record low unemployment rate of 3.5% in January. The historic high was 9.2% in 1986. Full Story
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![Pueblo Viejo in Austin closed its dining operations following an executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott which limits social gatherings to 10 people. March 20, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Grocery workers are risking their health during the pandemic to keep stores open. They want better pay and protections.
Union members are advocating for government benefits like priority child care and better access to testing. Workers also want hazard pay and expanded sick leave policies. Full Story
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![Shoppers line up with carts outside an H-E-B prior to opening. The COVID-19 outbreak has caused HEB to shorten its store hours in order to restock its inventory and better serve customers. March 21, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Coronavirus in Texas 3/24: Quarantine ending for cruise ship evacuees at Lackland Air Force Base
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
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!["Wash Ur Hands" was spray-painted over the iconic “Be Somebody" graffiti that normally appears on a rail bridge near downtown Houston. The new message is in response to the recent coronavirus outbreak. March 3, 2020.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Texas' budget could take massive hit as coronavirus crisis continues unfolding, lawmakers learn
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar told House members that it's too soon to make detailed forecasts, but both the state budget and Economic Stabilization Fund could be drastically revised down. Full Story
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![Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announces his office has picked a private vendor to run the Texas Bullion Depository, which will be designed to store gold for both the state and private citizens, at the Capitol on June 14, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune