Harris County orders schools closed until Sept. 8
The order could extend further, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b9fc0ba2b725956146213a658e678c3d/Wheatley%20HISD%20PY%20TT%20344.jpg)
Stacy Fernández
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/Stacy_Fernandez_2019_TT.jpg)
Stacy Fernández was the Tribune’s breaking news reporter in 2019-20. When she wasn't breaking stories, Stacy covered the gun beat and led the Tribune’s reader-driven explainer series, Texplainer. First introduced to the Lone Star State as an intern at the Dallas Morning News, she was also a News21 fellow, reporter for NPR’s Next Generation Radio Project and Buffalo News intern. Stacy graduated from Syracuse University with dual degrees in magazine journalism and Latino-Latin American studies. The Afro-Dominicana thrifts frequently, is a solid bachata dancer and is a firm believer that listening to audiobooks is just as good as reading.
Past Contributions
-
![Computer station at the library in Wheatley High School on Nov. 14, 2019.]()
Credit: Pu Ying Huang for The Texas Tribune -
Travis County DA will not take Javier Ambler, Michael Ramos cases to grand jury before leaving office this year
District Attorney Margaret Moore was originally slated to present both cases to a special grand jury in August. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/39741e8373d1413baea30a8068608e19/Michael%20Ramos%20and%20Javier%20Ambler.jpg)
![Michael Ramos (left) and Javier Ambler.]()
Credit: Social media -
Some Texas high schools can start football, volleyball practices as soon as Aug. 3
Bigger schools — those with a 5A or 6A designation — will have to wait until September. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/91e838e150fc3c8c7cc95c634cc38232/%20High%20School%20Football%20Corpus%20Christi%20REUTERS%20TT%2001.jpg)
![A high school football game at Buc Stadium in Corpus Christi in 2019.]()
Credit: USA TODAY NETWORK via Reuters -
Five U.S. Navy teams deploy to Rio Grande Valley, other Texas coronavirus hot spots
Doctors and nurses at local hospitals across South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley have been working a number of extra shifts as their hospitals near capacity. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1a130858e92256454f299d79d210ecff/DHR%20COVID%20Ward%20Edinburg%20MG%20TT%2067.jpg)
![A patient at the COVID-19 unit at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Health System in Edinburg on June 30, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas A&M System will provide free COVID-19 tests, but it’s a mixed bag for other schools
Up to 15,000 test kits will be available per month across its 11 universities. The system has set aside $16 million to pay for the testing program. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a93d4c5c53bae2810ded0abb1604d349/TAMU%20File%20AG%20TT%2013.jpg)
![The Texas A&M University campus on June 15, 2020 in College Station.]()
Credit: Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribune -
Fiesta San Antonio canceled for 2020 because of coronavirus
The annual festival draws in more than 3.5 million people to the city. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7c73de109dddd1c8f5663480bfcd802b/San%20Antonio%20Fiesta%20TT.jpg)
![San Antonio’s historic Market Square during Fiesta.]()
Credit: Getty Images/iStock Photo -
Texas teachers caught in the middle of political battles over schools reopening
Many Texas Education Agency employees are working from home, but the agency is requiring schools to open five days a week for in-person instruction this fall. Teachers say that mandate has grave implications for their health. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/353c01141d9b3a9c9393e4d99ab7701d/Mata%20Intermediate%20School%20PYH%20TT.jpg)
![Students leave the classroom to work in the computer lab at Mata Intermediate School.]()
Credit: Pu Ying Huang for The Texas Tribune -
State Fair of Texas canceled for 2020 because of coronavirus
More than 2.5 million people attended the fair last year. This is the event's first cancellation since World War II. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/15271b4cd948adca94cf86666771c820/Texas%20State%20Fair%20AS%20TT%2001.jpg)
![The State Fair of Texas in Dallas on Oct. 20, 2016.]()
Credit: Allison V. Smith for The Texas Tribune -
How Texans behave on July Fourth will shape the next phase of the state's coronavirus epidemic
Millions of decisions by a restive population eager to barbecue, jump in lakes and gather for fireworks could have disastrous consequences for public health. Officials are crossing their fingers, and pleading for Texans to give up a little independence. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c621739e9ffe765d6f4ecdc01ed2e3d2/Aransas%20Pass%20Fireworks%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
![Aransas Pass hosts its Fourth of July fireworks display on Thursday, July 2, 2020, over Conn Brown Harbor. Attendees were encouraged to social distance and stay in their cars during the show.]()
Credit: USA TODAY NETWORK via Reuters -
Austin City Limits music festival canceled for 2020 because of coronavirus
In 2018, the festival contributed $264.6 million to the city's economy and created or sustained at least 1,500 jobs across bars and restaurants, hotels and transportation, according to the Austin-American Statesman. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e9a78dfddb1479437cf83e5d1acd9150/ACL%20EG%20TT%2001.jpg)
![The Austin City Limits Music Festival canceled its 2020 concerts.]()
Credit: Courtesy of Eddie Gaspar