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Megan Menchaca was a reporting fellow at The Texas Tribune in 2021 after two semesters as an engagement fellow. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Megan previously worked as an audience engagement intern at The Dallas Morning News, a digital intern at the Austin American-Statesman and a news intern at the Austin Chronicle. She was also the managing editor and news editor at The Daily Texan.
Some businesses are already seeing customers return. But the numbers of people seeking unemployment aid surged in recent weeks to levels not seen since July. Many of them still face problems getting through to the Texas Workforce Commission. Full Story
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Texans face challenges trying to book a vaccine appointment through a time-consuming process that inherently favors people who have easy access to internet and transportation. The situation is contributing to inequitable access for many people in the state. Full Story
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Some schools are letting students have a full week off. Others are spreading out free days to discourage travel. And some plan on-campus alternatives to leaving for vacation. Full Story
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Abbott’s order will leave it to business owners to decide whether to require customers wear masks inside their establishments. Some say they will keep coronavirus restrictions in place, but some business owners worry those decisions could anger potential customers. Full Story
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Local organizations are providing warming shelters and resources, while nonprofits are asking for donations and volunteers. Full Story
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As the Biden administration works to expand federal nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people, Texas advocates and lawmakers are pushing for similar legislation here. Full Story
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Temporary power outages, which would last around 10 to 45 minutes, are a last resort, officials say. The peak demand for power is expected to exceed the all-time record. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott urged Texans to stay alert as the National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings or watches for most of the state. Experts fear that electricity demand during the frigid temperatures could cause power outages. Full Story
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While COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are trending downward, the numbers are higher than when Abbott initially announced restrictions on businesses. Full Story
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Despite changes to the regular count of people experiencing homelessness, support organizations are hoping they’ll still be able to capture a clear picture of who is unhoused in Texas as the pandemic continues. Full Story
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