Here's how the COVID-19 pandemic has unfolded in Texas since March
We put together a timeline of the state’s efforts to protect public health during the pandemic, and how those restrictions and provisions have changed over time. Full Story
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![Downtown Austin during the COVID-19 pandemic on April 12, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Watch: Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly on navigating the company through the pandemic
The Texas Tribune sat down for a virtual conversation with Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly to talk about the coronavirus outbreak’s impact on air travel, the state of the airline industry and the company’s future. Full Story
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U.S. Army sergeant who shot Austin protester Garrett Foster posted tweets about retaliating against demonstrators
Daniel Perry has come forward as the shooter of Garrett Foster, a 28-year-old armed demonstrator who was killed while protesting police brutality in Austin last Saturday. Full Story
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![A vigil is created for Garrett Foster on July 27, 2020, in Austin.]()
Credit: Marshall Tridick for The Texas Tribune -
Raul Reyes seeking recount in Republican runoff against Tony Gonzales for U.S. Rep. Will Hurd’s seat
Reyes was U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz's choice in the race. President Donald Trump backed Gonzales. Full Story
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![From left, Raul Reyes and Tony Gonzales are running for the Texas Congressional District 23 seat that is being vacated by U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas.]()
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Houston announces $15 million to assist tenants, but passes on mandatory eviction grace period for people behind on rent
The city's first program, launched in May, received overwhelming demand and ran out of funds in 90 minutes. Full Story
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![Latino workers gather for a car protest to demand economic, rental and health relief outside of Houston City Hall on Tues. July 28, 2020.]()
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"I truly thought last Friday was gonna be my last," says Texas lawmaker who was hospitalized for coronavirus
State Rep. Tony Tinderholt told The Texas Tribune he is recovering from a serious case of COVID-19, which he thought last week might kill him. His wife and two of his children also tested positive. Full Story
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![State Rep. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, on the House floor on April 11, 2019.]()
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Gov. Greg Abbott says local health officials can shut down schools only in limited circumstances
Abbott said local health authorities can't shut down in-person instruction before school starts, but an outbreak on campus once students have arrived could prompt a closure. Full Story
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![A student walks down the hallway at Cactus Elementary School in Cactus on Jan. 28, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
A federal prohibition against some evictions has expired. Here’s what you need to know about unpaid rent in Texas.
Many local governments have implemented their own measures to protect tenants from eviction during the pandemic, and there are groups that help tenants navigate what can be a complicated and traumatic process. Full Story
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![An East Austin neighborhood.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: President Trump's attempt to rock the vote sends a shudder through the political world
President Donald Trump tweeted about delaying the November election, and in the process, launched an attack on whether anyone should trust the results when the votes are tallied. Full Story
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![President Donald Trump descends from Air Force One, following a trip to New Jersey, at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. July 26, 2020.]()
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Who should prosecute the El Paso Walmart shooting suspect? A year after the massacre, local and federal prosecutors still face hard decisions
The incoming El Paso district attorney is going to inherit the biggest case in the city's history. But the federal government is pursuing its own charges, and the new DA is weighing whether to pursue the county's case. Full Story
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![Hundreds mourn for the victims and their family outside the El Paso Walmart where a mass murderer killed 22 people.]()
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Across Texas and the nation, the novel coronavirus is deadlier for people of color
New data on Texas coronavirus fatalities reveals stark racial disparities. Full Story
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![Juan Lopez wheels a stretcher out of the back of his vehicle in the early morning in McAllen. Lopez is picking up the body of a person who recently passed away from COVID-19. July 17, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
“It cost me everything”: Hispanic residents bear brunt of COVID-19 in Texas
Not only are Hispanic Texans catching the coronavirus at higher rates in the state's largest county, but they also suffer some of the worst outcomes. Full Story
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![Valery Martinez joined with friends and family of her cousin Arturo Valles to host a plate lunch fundraiser to aid with medical expenses for his COVID-19 treatments, at the Fuzon Bar & Lounge in Pasadena.]()
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For Austin officials investigating Garrett Foster’s death, a key question may be which party acted in self-defense
Comments by police officials have raised concerns about whether the department is biased against the 28-year-old man who was killed, activists and an Austin City Council member say. Full Story
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![People gather for a vigil in honor of Garrett Foster on July 27, 2020 in Austin.]()
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After voluntarily publishing its data, UT-Austin now has the unwelcome distinction of leading U.S. colleges in COVID-19 cases
While some universities nationwide and in Texas are still refusing to disclose coronavirus cases, UT-Austin set up a digital dashboard allowing community members to see updated student, faculty and staff cases. But the transparency has already proven to be a double-edged sword. Full Story
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![The University of Texas tower on July 16, 2020.]()
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In a rare move, Texas Republicans tell President Trump "no" after he calls for delaying the election — something he's not legally allowed to do
The president does not have the legal authority to move Election Day; that power resides with Congress. Full Story
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![U.S. President Donald Trump delivers a speech during a tour of the Double Eagle Energy Oil Rig in Midland on July 29, 2020.]()
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Custodians, cafeteria workers and bus drivers also fear returning to Texas schools
Texas schools employ almost as many support staff members as they do teachers, often in hourly or part-time jobs with low pay. The state has offered limited guidance on how to protect them on the job. Full Story
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![School buses are parked at the Austin Independent School District bus center in July.]()
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Colleagues feared U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert would catch COVID-19. Sure enough, he did.
Gohmert's colleagues were afraid the mask-avoiding congressman from Northeast Texas might get infected with the coronavirus. On Wednesday, their fears came true. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, uses a face covering during a U.S. House Natural Resources Committee hearing in Washington, D.C. on June 29, 2020.]()
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Texas schools are being compelled to reopen classrooms on the state's timetable, like it or not
Gov. Greg Abbott has yet to formally announce a definitive plan for reopening Texas schools safely, but two actions Tuesday effectively force districts to have students back in classrooms after eight weeks of the school year's start. Full Story
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![Science students at Bayless Elementary in Lubbock, raise their hands to answer a question.]()
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Trump rallies oil and gas workers in the Permian Basin against Democrats ahead of the November election
President Donald Trump's comments doubled as part campaign speech, part policy announcement, as polls continue to show a close competition with presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden in the once-solidly red state. Full Story
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![U.S. President Donald Trump signs presidential permits for energy development during a tour of the Double Eagle Energy Oil Rig in Midland on July 29, 2020.]()
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At least 187 Texans received mystery seeds mailed from China. State officials warn they shouldn't be planted.
Officials are unsure of the motive behind the unsolicited packets but suspect that they are part of an online scam. Full Story
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![Mystery seeds with labeling from China.]()
Credit: Washington State Department of Agriculture via REUTERS