Analysis: It's harder to vote in Texas than in any other state
Voting laws in Texas are the most restrictive in the country. And voter turnout here is among the lowest, too. Maybe those facts are related. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e8d2ca579c1bda167d57d718d4212f7a/ATX%20Early%20Voting%20Day%20Two%20MG%20TT%2018.jpg)
-
![A voter casts their ballot at a polling site at the Austin Oaks Church on Oct. 14, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott boosts COVID-19 resources in Amarillo, Lubbock, where hospitalizations are rising
Abbott said Friday that the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Division of Emergency Management sent surge resources to the Panhandle and South Plains areas. Full Story
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Coronavirus hospitalizations are up in Texas as some fear the state is headed toward another surge
Experts blame social gatherings like birthday parties and football games for the recent upticks. They say there is widespread fatigue for following stringent guidelines to wear masks, practice social distancing and avoid crowded indoor spaces. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7e4fc107051c1284f5d5749da855c26c/El%20Paso%20During%20Coronavirus%20Pandemic%20EK%20TT%2031.jpg)
![A drive-thru testing location for COVID-19 at El Paso Children’s Hospital.]()
Credit: Emily Kinskey for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Running government like a business — except for elections
You've heard that refrain — the one about running the government like a business — from dozens of candidates over the years. In the case of voting, businesses might be a good place for government officials to pick up some pointers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1ac682888daf6067ad5c445a68e5dab9/Harris%20County%20Early%20Voting%20AM%20TT%2007.jpg)
![Herb Kelly and his wife Linda Simien Kelly, who is an artist in Houston, wait in line at the Metropolitan Multi-Services Center on W. Gray Street during the first day of early voting in Houston on Oct. 13, 2020.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
As El Paso sees another record high for coronavirus infections, leaders step up restrictions
In addition to greater capacity limits for nonessential businesses, visits to nursing homes and elderly care facilities will be put on hold. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0bdb6b55fa5a832117bb0494d2534b36/El%20Paso%20During%20Coronavirus%20Pandemic%20TT%2002.jpg)
![A sign over U.S. Route 54 in El Paso cautions social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic.]()
Credit: Emily Kinskey for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott picks Rebeca Huddle for Texas Supreme Court vacancy
Abbott, a former Texas Supreme Court justice himself, picked Huddle to serve on the all-Republican high court. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/38903d7220f42886adada08eb1fd031a/Rebeca%20Huddle%20TT.jpg)
![Rebeca Huddle.]()
Credit: via Baker Botts -
Harris County tried to make voting easier during the pandemic. Texas Republicans fought every step of the way.
In a bitterly contested election overlaid with the fears and risks of an uncontrolled pandemic, Harris County has become a case study in raw politics and partisan efforts to manipulate voter turnout. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/aa11beff2ced2d08db670cab8471236c/Harris%20County%20Early%20Voting%20AM%20TT%2008.jpg)
![A man readjusts his mask after showing his face to match his ID at the Metropolitan Multi-Services Center on W. Gray Street during the first day of early voting in Houston on Oct. 13, 2020.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
As Texas asks her to repay unemployment aid, a Dallas County instructor faces confusing appeals process to fight back
The Texas Workforce Commission is trying to recoup $214 million in unemployment benefits it says people were overpaid this year. A North Texas woman says appealing the agency's findings is an uphill battle through an opaque appeals process. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4f5aa56160238a4f21b6fbad87502847/Texas%20Workforce%20MG%2001%20TT.jpg)
![The Texas Workforce Commission Building in Austin on March 30, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
At least 9.7 million Texans — 57% of registered voters — voted early
During early voting in Texas, at least 9.7 million people — 57.4% of registered voters — cast their ballots in the 2020 general election. Turnout on Election Day brought this year’s overall turnout to 66%, surpassing 2016's turnout of 59.4%. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/28aecd5f36f313df8007afd9a6137968/TT-2020-voter-turnout-general-pointer-v2.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Emily Albracht -
Early voting appears up in Texas. It’s too early to know what that means.
First-day turnout was up just under a percentage point in Texas' 10 biggest counties, but it's unclear whether that trend will continue through Election Day. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7b1520e5eae2c737c11d3110ecf5fc39/Early%20Voting%20Day%201%20Dallas%20MM%20TT%2025.jpg)
![People wait in line to vote at Audelia Road Branch Library on the first day of early voting in Dallas on Oct. 13, 2020.]()
Credit: Montinique Monroe for The Texas Tribune -
Eight Texas school systems will get rapid coronavirus tests with new pilot program
Gov. Greg Abbott, with the Texas Education Agency and Texas Division of Emergency Management, announced the COVID-19 Rapid Testing Pilot Program on Wednesday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1dd681e0b72efd256291fa0088b76230/COVID%20School%20Reopening%20Abilene%20ISD%20RE%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Partitions made from clear shower curtains and PVC pipe separate desks in a fourth grade classroom at Abilene's Texas Leadership Charter Academy. The barriers are to prevent children from potentially spreading coronavirus to classmates when school resumes later this month.]()
Credit: Ronald W. Erdrich/Abilene Reporter-News -
New Texas rule lets social workers turn away clients who are LGBTQ or have a disability
A professional organization of social workers called the change "incredibly disheartening," while Gov. Greg Abbott's office said it was necessary to conform with existing state law. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/63bb871761622ca67c767b18fc3c968b/ATX%20LBGTQ%20Stonewall%20Rally%20AP%20TT%2005.jpg)
![Activists and members of Austin's LGBTQ community gather on the steps of the capitol on June 28, 2017, to celebrate the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots. These riots signify a key moment in the birth of the modern LGBTQ movement in America.]()
Credit: Austin Price/The Texas Tribune -
Texas' attempt to ban common abortion procedure blocked by appeals court
Women in Texas can continue to access the most common procedure used to end a pregnancy in the second trimester, after a federal appeals court Tuesday struck down a state law that would have curtailed its use. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a7633b101c55f4a6d8153be23f19e3d7/Womens%20Health%20Clinic%20SS%20TT%2006.jpg)
![A nurse practitioner consults with a patient at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Austin.]()
Credit: Tamir Kalifa for The Texas Tribune -
Texas counties can offer only one drop-off ballot location, federal appeals court rules, upholding Gov. Greg Abbott’s order
Civil rights groups and voting advocates had argued the restriction would disproportionately impact low-income voters, voters with disabilities, older voters and voters of color in Democratic counties. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c439d9ad4e9c38673bac3dfe4726dc8c/Mail-In%20Ballot%20Drop%20AI%20TT%2005.jpg)
![The Travis County Tax Office at 5501 Airport Blvd is now the only drive-thru location open for hand delivery of mail ballots in the county. The drop-off location photographed here on Oct. 2, 2020, will be open until Nov. 3, 2020.]()
Credit: Amna Ijaz/The Texas Tribune -
Fears about the coronavirus dip from April peak, but remain high, UT/TT Poll says
Amid the apprehension that Texans expressed about the spread of infections, there are partisan differences about how serious a problem the coronavirus is, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/883114e83cbd446b220048d72ed39076/UT-TT%20Pandemic%20Response.jpg)
![A Kroger pharmacist explains how to administer the self-swab test at a COVID-19 testing site in the Fifth Ward in Houston on June 27, 2020.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Donor accuses Texas AG Ken Paxton’s office of mishandling complaint that led to staff mutiny
Aides in the attorney general’s office have said their boss used the power of the agency to serve the financial interests of Nate Paul, an Austin investor and donor. Paul’s attorney said his client has been the victim of agency “dysfunction.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e95e48ebc9f6fa558c4410f4b7f5d7d4/.AG%20Ken%20Paxton%20BD%20TT%2004.jpg)
![Attorney General Ken Paxton spoke to the Republican convention delegates in 2018.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Paxton fought $300 hourly rate for attorneys prosecuting him, but OKs it for “rookie” lawyer in donor’s case
The long-running securities fraud case against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton — now more than five years old — has been delayed for years as he resists paying special prosecutors $300 an hour. But he personally signed off on that rate for an inexperienced attorney probing a political donor’s complaint. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/12/20/NMC_01_paxtonhearing_112JL_TT.jpg)
![Special prosecutors Brian Wice, left, and Kent Schaffer enter the Collin County Courthouse during a pre-trial motion hearing for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015, in McKinney.]()
Credit: Jae S. Lee/The Dallas Morning News -
Special election runoff between Shelley Luther and state Rep. Drew Springer set for Dec. 19
Springer, a state representative, faces Luther, the Dallas salon owner who was jailed earlier this year after refusing to shutter her business due to pandemic restrictions, for the seat of state Sen. Pat Fallon, R-Prosper. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fb2d273c77738156012d1769e191307d/Luther%20and%20Springer%20Split.jpg)
![Dallas salon owner Shelley Luther and State Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster.]()
Credit: The Texas Tribune -
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton hired an inexperienced lawyer to investigate claims by his political donor
The young lawyer has five years of experience and apparent ties to an attorney for Nate Paul, a political donor to Paxton at the center of the latest allegations against the attorney general. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9c90b231853c0fc6b5105ea4e2587ff2/Brandon%20Cammack%20TT.jpg)
![Brandon Cammack.]()
Credit: via Cammack Law Firm -
Texas budget cuts to children's therapy programs flouted special education guidelines, U.S. officials say
A state program that helps with speech and occupational therapy and other services is in need of a new funding strategy, the officials say. They've instructed the state to craft a plan to ensure such services are available for all eligible Texans. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/48a461db2c5591be1b1bb0a2e9b8133f/Judson%20HS%20AG%20TT%2006.jpg)
![Chairs are stacked on tables in a classroom at Judson High School in Converse on Aug. 11, 2020.]()
Credit: Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribune
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/44f4376a234432fa1f65bd85f0f3f834/DHR%20COVID%20Ward%20Edinburg%20MG%20TT%2010)