After 91 years, coronavirus brings a Texas rancher’s last sunset
Raymond Reeves, a storybook Texas farmer and rancher, died of COVID-19 complications in November, one of Texas’ more than 34,000 deaths. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/063a315f3c0917a2d97842b0009272d3/Raymond%20Reeves%20Lead%20Temp%20TT.jpg)
-
![tktktk]()
Credit: Courtesy of the Reeves family -
“If we’re all sick, we can’t legislate”: Coronavirus cases at Texas Capitol put lawmakers further on edge
At least four Texas House members have tested positive for the coronavirus since the legislative session began this month. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dfa6745787969c3e782a1897b31e4941/Lege%202021%20Opening%20Day%20MG%20TT%2009.jpg)
![A state trooper stand guard outside of the door to the House chamber on opening day of the legislative session on Jan. 12, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
How to connect with your Texas lawmakers during the pandemic
While COVID-19 guidelines will vary between lawmakers’ offices, communication between legislators and the public will largely consist of phone and video calls or small, in-person meetings by appointment. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/75e4e0b5a3e0394a24d756a68fb7a037/Lege%202021%20Opening%20Day%20MG%20TT%2020.jpg)
![The state Capitol on Jan. 12, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Internet and phone services in rural Texas threatened as state slashes subsidies for providers
A state fund that subsidizes rural network service is bleeding money. Now the state is drastically cutting the amount of money that it typically pays out to these service providers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/12e275e66cba1b5fa9fcbda5f78819e7/Cactus%20Texas%20Rural%20MG%20TT%2005.jpg)
![The a road in the town of Cactus.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: A call for unity in government — in Texas, two years ago
State leaders started their last legislative session, in 2019, with a call for unity. By their measure, they got what they set out to accomplish. They’re back to normal this year — not at odds, but not singing “Kumbaya,” either. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/73fcfe3de0881c4a68d4dff318a19b8e/Abbott_Patrick_Bonnen_Joint_Presser_5.jpg)
![Governor Greg Abott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen pet Pancake, the governor’s dog after their joint press conference. Jan. 9, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / The Texas Tribune. -
Two Republicans headed to runoff for Northwest Texas House seat
David Spiller advances along with second-place finisher Craig Carter in the race to replace outgoing state Rep. Drew Springer, who was elected to the Texas Senate. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fb5f75adddf6c2325c54cc9150229429/House%20Floor%20Jan%2013%20JV%20TT%2016.jpg)
![The Texas House of Representatives on Jan. 13, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Texas state Rep. Carl Sherman says he’s tested positive for COVID-19
Sherman did not say how he thought he contracted the virus. The House, which gaveled in for start of the 2021 legislative session last week, adjourned Jan. 14 and is not set to convene again until Tuesday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1370288af2493f851b08273704393343/Carl%20Sherman%20JF%20May%208.jpg)
![State Rep. Carl Sherman, D-DeSoto, on the House floor on May 8, 2019.]()
Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Top Texas lawyers skipping the honeymoon with the Biden administration
As the new president and vice president were taking their oaths in Washington, D.C., the state's top lawyers were promising to legally challenge the new administration at every step. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d308db08126121d2e9f89c634ea12143/Pres%20Joe%20Biden%20Inauguration%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
![President Joe Biden salutes as first lady Jill Biden puts her hand over her heart during the pass in review after the inauguration ceremony, in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2021.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Mike Segar -
Dan Patrick asks Texas to revise coronavirus vaccine distribution plan as eligible people experience frustration trying to locate a dose
The lieutenant governor's request comes as distribution of the vaccine in Texas has been beset with miscommunication and technical issues that have created confusion for patients and providers, even as Texas outpaces other states in administering the vaccine. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b27c2c997adb941af3fc378bfad1f12b/Fair%20Park%20Vaccine%20ST%20TT%2039.jpg)
![Long lines of people wait to receive their COVID-19 vaccine at Fair Park, where Dallas County opened its first "mega" vaccination site. Jan. 11, 2021.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House and Senate propose similar spending amounts in preliminary budgets
The proposals are about $7 billion over the amount Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said lawmakers have to spend during the 2021 legislative session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/10ccfdf5a2728929cf1371f4cd52a98b/House%20Floor%20Jan%2013%20JV%20TT%2002.jpg)
![The Texas House of Representatives on Jan. 13, 2021.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Dallas County axes plan to prioritize vaccinating communities of color after state threatens to slash allocation
State officials told Dallas leadership the plan was "not acceptable," and threatened to cut the county's vaccine supply. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d4df97b0e46d7922d11c36dd788f283c/Fair%20Park%20Vaccine%20ST%20TT%2022.jpg)
![Long lines of people waited to receive their COVID-19 vaccine at Fair Park, where Dallas County opened its first "mega" vaccination site. Jan. 11, 2021.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
With a Democrat back in the White House, Texas Republicans prepare to go on offense
For the past four years, Texas Republicans have had an ally in the White House. Now they’re readying for the familiar role of conservative counterweight. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bb100b6ddeadf0ef761532d898f59bbe/Biden%20San%20Antonio%20EG%20TT%2022.jpg)
![Then-Democratic presidential candidate and Vice President Joe Biden at a campaign event in San Antonio on Dec. 13, 2019.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: While his powers are questioned, Texas governor reaches for more
While some lawmakers are working to limit the governor's powers, curtailing what he can order during a pandemic, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has another project: Taking over law enforcement in cities that reduce police budgets. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c1411536747f7c42a085c94822292659/Police%20File%20Austin%20MG%20TT%2005.jpg)
![Austin police officers stand guard outside of their headquarters during a protest over the death of George Floyd. Floyd died during an attempted arrest by Minneapolis police.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas has a problem with its COVID-19 vaccination data, and the stakes are high. Now the state is scrambling to solve it.
As the state began the massive undertaking of distributing the coronavirus vaccine, early data problems left state officials with immunization records that were outdated, incomplete and sometimes misleading. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/18098408dc89d87b204b33ee324ac3dc/Tarrytown%20Pharmacy%20MM%20TT%2005.jpg)
![Staff members work in Tarrytown pharmacy in Austin on Jan. 14, 2021.]()
Credit: Montinique Monroe for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Republicans embraced Donald Trump for four years. Now they face a reckoning.
The president is leaving office Wednesday, but signs suggest his influence on the Texas GOP remains strong. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/cc444da1b47a9bde6d78a86edce2873a/Trump%20Texas%20MS%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Then-presidential candidate Donald Trump at a campaign event in The Woodlands in June 17, 2016.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Texas has administered most of its 1.7 million vaccine doses as it prepares to receive 333,000 more
Some 78% of the 1,725,575 doses already shipped to providers have been used, including second doses, Gov. Greg Abbott said, and Texas is set to receive 333,650 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6c8ec38c94cb9ddaaef81be0d46c2b3b/Abbott%20Vaccine%20Presser%20SF%20TT%2014.jpg)
![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 -
Point of Order: The Queen’s Gambit
In this episode of our podcast about the Texas Legislature, recorded on Jan. 15, 2021, Evan Smith interviews 25-term state Rep. Senfronia Thompson about COVID-19, race, public ed and that whippersnapper Dade Phelan. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ee3b23c67609fb74b29eb60f2b7d02d0/TT-PointofOrder-podcast-launch-art.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Low-income Texans struggle to find new doctors as state officials boot Planned Parenthood off Medicaid
The state's health commission gave Planned Parenthood's Medicaid patients until Feb. 3 to find new doctors. Experts say there are limited places low-income patients can go, in part because Texas already has a shortage of doctors who accept Medicaid due to the state’s low payment rates. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/91853c9c5222c751412768bf62a6137c/REDO%20Planned%20Parenthood%20HTX%20BV%20TT%2006.jpg)
![An anonymous HPV patient living in a Houston hotel to escape domestic abuse navigates the uncertainties of Planned Parenthood being withdrawn from Medicaid coverage.]()
Credit: Briana Vargas for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Is the Texas Capitol a government building or a petri dish?
Legislating is a social enterprise. It draws crowds of Texans who want to testify, to be heard, to sightsee and to watch government in action. And it’s tailor made for spreading a contagious disease. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Capitol staffer says pandemic protocols are a must this session: “It’s the ability to think of others”
Odus Evbagharu says that like many of the thousands of people employed at the Capitol, he’s nervous he might catch COVID-19. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8666ac0a2ad9a601c1f5c12e03ac1a79/TheBriefPodcast%20Capitol%20Lede%2001.jpg)
![The Weekend Brief.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/32a7f097b3008bc42dcb9bae1c138051/BD%20INC%20Filibuster%20Gallery%20560%202013)