Past Contributions

• CDC wants more vaccinated people and schoolchildren to mask up — but Texas keeps it voluntary

  By Karen Brooks Harper July 27, 2021

  Texas Republican state leaders held their ground against allowing local schools and governments to require masks. The CDC guidelines are not mandates and have no weight of law. Full Story 

• Austin announces stricter coronavirus protocols for unvaccinated residents as cases increase. But it can’t legally enforce them.

  By Karen Brooks Harper and Colleen DeGuzman Updated: July 15, 2021

  The city’s return to Stage 3 risk-based guidelines marks the first time a major Texas city has reversed direction in the trend toward normalcy. But others are also reporting surges in cases. Full Story 

• Texas Democrats’ decampment over voting legislation has echoes of 2003 redistricting fight

  By Karen Brooks Harper July 15, 2021

  Now, as in 2003, Democrats say their main motivator is protecting the voices of Texas voters. Can they stop legislation that would restrict voting in Texas? Full Story 

• Amarillo was vaccinating people at double the state’s pace. Then the effort hit a wall.

  By Karen Brooks Harper and Carla Astudillo July 6, 2021

  Local health officials are trying to boost vaccinations in this Panhandle city and its surrounding counties, which rank near the bottom of the state’s population centers in the percentage of residents fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Full Story 

• After a year of living carefully, nearly half of Texas voters have returned to their pre-pandemic lives, UT/TT Poll finds

  By Karen Brooks Harper June 30, 2021

  In the June poll, 47% of voters said they were coming and going as they were before the pandemic, while 39% said they were leaving the house but exercising caution. Full Story 

• Texas congressional Democrats propose bill to let local governments expand Medicaid without state consent

  By Karen Brooks Harper Updated: June 21, 2021

  The bill would let counties and cities apply to the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for funds that were declined by their states. Full Story 

• Supreme Court tosses Texas-led Affordable Care Act challenge, preserving sweeping health care law

  By Karen Brooks Harper Updated: June 17, 2021

  The 7-2 ruling said the plaintiffs didn’t have standing to sue over the law. The court’s ruling did not include an official opinion on whether the law, commonly known as Obamacare, was constitutional. Full Story 

• After Austin shooting, advocates and Texas Democrats renew calls for action on gun violence

  By Heidi Pérez-Moreno and Karen Brooks Harper June 15, 2021

  State Rep. Joe Moody, a Democrat from El Paso, said a special legislative session already planned for later this year should also address gun violence. Full Story 

• Some medically vulnerable Texans feel left behind as the state returns to normal

  By Karen Brooks Harper June 14, 2021

  The possibility that the vaccine won’t work — or that, as some worry, it could even hurt them — is a devastating blow after a year of sacrifice, isolation and waiting for protection against the virus. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott signs bill to punish businesses that require proof of COVID-19 vaccination

  By Karen Brooks Harper June 7, 2021

  Abbott's signature means that businesses that require so-called vaccine passports can't get state contracts and could lose state licenses or operating permits. Full Story