6 things to watch in Texas’ primary runoff election
In the middle of a pandemic, voters will be weighing in on primary runoffs for U.S. Senate, nationally watched congressional races and a handful of seats in the Texas Legislature. Full Story
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Alex Samuels
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Alex Samuels was a reporter for The Texas Tribune from 2017 to 2021. She helped with national campaign coverage, wrote stories about the intersection of race and politics in Texas, and covered the hottest political news bubbling out of local communities. She was also one of the primary authors of The Blast, the Tribune’s subscription-only daily newsletter for political insiders. Alex began at the Tribune as a fellow in 2016. She graduated in 2017 from the University of Texas at Austin’s School of Journalism. She originally is from Massachusetts and is the best pingpong player at the Tribune.
Past Contributions
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![Connie Ford explains the curbside voting system to poll worker Jeremy Matthews at the Collin County Elections Department on June 23. The polling site included newly added signs to inform voters and employees on how to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 during the voting process.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott warns if spread of COVID-19 doesn’t slow, “the next step would have to be a lockdown”
Abbott has repeated that warning multiple times in local television interviews this week. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott gives an update on Texas hospital bed capacity and the state's strategy for fighting COVID-19 during a press conference at Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin on Tuesday, June 16, 2020.]()
Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell/Pool via Austin American-Statesman -
After losing big on Super Tuesday, Texas progressives hope to salvage some victories in July
The left wing of the Democratic Party is hopeful voters will embrace their priorities during the pandemic and after the death of George Floyd. Full Story
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![Sara Stapleton-Barrera, Democratic candidate for state Senate District 27, in downtown Brownsville on July 4, 2020. Stapleton-Barrera is facing incumbent state Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr. in the July primary runoff.]()
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Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says Dr. Anthony Fauci “doesn’t know what he’s talking about”
Fauci and other top medical leaders have flagged Texas as a COVID-19 hot spot, but Patrick said the infectious disease doctor has “been wrong every time on every issue.” Full Story
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Sudden shutdown of Texas bars leaves owners, employees (and patrons) uncertain about the future
Bars had to shut down by noon Friday after a statewide surge in coronavirus infections that officials said was largely driven by activities like congregating in close spaces. There’s no immediate plan for when they’ll be able to reopen. Full Story
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![Workers boarded up bars on Sixth Street in Austin after Gov. Greg Abbott closed bars in Texas for the second time in three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic on June 26, 2020.]()
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Texas to impose new safety rules for child care centers due to increase in coronavirus cases
Gov. Greg Abbott also issued an order allowing local officials to regulate public outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people. Those officials previously could only regulate events of over 500 people. Full Story
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![The University of Texas Child Development day care center in Austin on April 6, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Running for Congress while responding to a pandemic, these three Texans say they’re uniquely equipped for the job
Three Texas doctors didn’t know about the coronavirus when they filed to run for Congress this year, but now the pandemic has upended their professional and political lives. Full Story
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U.S. Sen. John Cornyn will file bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday
Cornyn is not the first Texas lawmaker to take similar steps toward celebrating Juneteenth. On Monday, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, introduced a resolution aiming to recognize the historical significance of the holiday. Her measure has more than 200 cosponsors. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, speaks to the press at the University of Texas at Austin tower in Austin on June 14, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
As COVID-19 cases surge in Texas, a hospital administrator retires — but is ready to jump back into the fight
A hospital says goodbye, a restaurant welcomes diners back and others reflect on the pandemic’s lessons. In the finale of our weekly series, Texans from across the state share stories about how they’re navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Full Story
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![Smiling as she notices the incoming air ambulance helicopter, outgoing CEO Donna Boatright watches it land in the parking lot of Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital in Sweetwater June 12, 2020. The crew came out to congratulate Boatright on her retirement, the party for it being held in front of the hospital.]()
Credit: Ronald W. Erdrich for The Texas Tribune -
Polls suggest Joe Biden has a shot at winning Texas. How he fares here could reshape the state’s politics.
It’s unclear whether it’ll be worth it for Biden to spend the money to compete in Texas. But a strong showing here could help Democrats flip the state House and solidify control of the U.S. House. Full Story
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![Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at a community event in San Antonio on Dec. 13, 2019.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune
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