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.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
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.]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
U.S. House Oversight Committee investigating operator of Texas’ power grid
A subcommittee chair wrote in a letter to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas that the grid’s failures were “costly” and disproportionately affected low-income communities and communities of color. Full Story
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![The U.S. Capitol. Democratic members of the House prepare articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 12, 2021.]()
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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.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texans support keeping “Dreamers" in the U.S., poll finds
Texas voters are divided about whether to deport immigrants illegally living in the U.S., but they are more welcoming to youths brought here as children and say they shouldn't be deported, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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![People protest for immigration reform for DACA recipients and a new Dream Act, in Los Angeles, California on Jan. 22, 2018.]()
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Pentagon review says U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson made sexual comments, violated alcohol policy while White House physician, CNN reports
The former top White House physician defended his actions in a statement to The Texas Tribune, calling the Defense Department inspector general report "a political hit job because I stood with President Trump." Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Amarillo, speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Orlando on Feb. 28, 2021.]()
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In lifting coronavirus restrictions, Gov. Greg Abbott heeds the call of his GOP critics
Abbott's announcement Tuesday that he was fully reopening Texas capped a nearly yearlong stretch of the most intraparty dissent he has seen in his time as governor. Full Story
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![Protesters at the Governor's Mansion protest government mandates on wearing face masks in businesses and recent bar closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. June 28, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
“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.]()
Credit: Bronte Wittpenn/American-Statesman via USA TODAY NETWORK -
Texas' local officials blast Gov. Greg Abbott for "irresponsible action" of lifting coronavirus restrictions
City and county leaders urged residents in their areas to still follow recommendations from health experts and officials that call for wearing face masks in public. Full Story
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![Pedestrians wearing masks to protect against COVOD-19 in downtown Austin on June 24, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Keep wearing your mask, health officials say after Gov. Greg Abbott lifts mask mandate
Some variants of COVID-19 are more contagious and researchers believe they can reinfect people who already have gotten the virus. Doctors and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still recommend wearing masks. Full Story
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![Austin residents take photos on Congress Avenue bridge in Austin on May 13, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
How to get involved in the Texas redistricting process
Given Texas' history, it would be unusual if, at the very least, some redistricting plans didn’t end up in federal court. Here’s how you can get involved in the redistricting process and help work toward fair and equal districts for your community. Full Story
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![The 2020 Census questionnaire on April 26, 2020.]()
Credit: Kristoffer Tripplaar/Sipa USA via REUTERS -
Point of Order: Higher ed’s gap year
In the latest episode of our podcast about the Texas Legislature, Evan Smith talks to Renu Khator, the president of the University of Houston, about a difficult 12 months of disruption and dislocation for the more than 47,000 students on her campus — and what state lawmakers can do to help. Full Story
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Texas voters' views shifting on abortion, pot, gambling and Confederate monuments, poll finds
According to the latest UT/TT Poll, most Texas voters support expanded gambling and would legalize marijuana. Half would leave Confederate statues and monuments where they are. And they're divided on whether to change state abortion laws or leave them as is. Full Story
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![A container of dried hemp plant with leaves and stems on Jan. 23, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
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 -
Gov. Greg Abbott says he's rescinding statewide mask mandate and capacity limits on businesses
The change, which comes as the seven-day average of new coronavirus deaths remains above 200, will go into effect March 10. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference in Austin on Dec. 17, 2020, regarding COVID-19 and the Pfizer vaccines that have been sent to hospitals across Texas. Gov. Abbott was adamant that despite rising cases and deaths, he will not be ordering any shutdowns. Gov. Abbott also said he has not received the vaccine, but he will take it when the time comes.]()
Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune -
Lawyer for Texas attorney general’s office repeatedly tries to block testimony and evidence at whistleblower hearing
A Travis County judge opted to move forward with Monday's hearing without ruling on the motion to dismiss the whistleblower lawsuit. Late Monday night, an appeals court halted the second day of proceedings at the request of the agency's attorney. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at the Texas Federation of Republican Women Convention in Dallas on Oct. 19, 2017.]()
Credit: Laura Buckman for The Texas Tribune -
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick calls for resignations at Public Utility Commission, power grid operator over winter storm
Patrick's statements come after the officials testified for hours late last week in committee hearings as state lawmakers grilled them over the power grid failures. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick at the dias in the Senate chamber on the second day of the 2021 legislative session on Jan. 13, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
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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In first visit, President Joe Biden commits to being "true partners" with Texas through storm recovery, vaccination effort
Biden was joined by Gov. Greg Abbott and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, among other officials. Full Story
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![U.S. President Joe Biden bumps elbows with a person at the Houston Food Bank on Feb. 26, 2021.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
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