Past Contributions

• Food banks rely on donations from grocery stores. But as Texans rush stores, grocers have less to give.

  By Stacy Fernández April 8, 2020

  Demand for assistance from food banks is off the charts. But volunteers are staying at home, and grocery stores, which typically are key donors to pantries, are seeing their shelves depleted. Full Story 

• Rent is due. But thousands of Texans have lost their jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic.

  By Naomi Andu and Stacy Fernández April 1, 2020

  Evictions across the state are halted until at least April 20, thanks to a Texas Supreme Court moratorium. But both renters and landlords are worried about what comes next. Full Story 

• Texas gun stores are essential businesses, may stay open during the pandemic, attorney general says

  By Stacy Fernández March 27, 2020

  City and county officials cannot prohibit the sale of guns during an emergency declaration, according to the Texas Attorney General. Full Story 

• Grocery workers are risking their health during the pandemic to keep stores open. They want better pay and protections.

  By Stacy Fernández March 24, 2020

  Union members are advocating for government benefits like priority child care and better access to testing. Workers also want hazard pay and expanded sick leave policies. Full Story 

• Houston-area nursing home resident and Dallas man in his 60s die from coronavirus

  By Stacy Fernández Updated: March 19, 2020

  There were a total of five reported deaths in Texas related to COVID-19 as of Thursday. Full Story 

• Collin County man’s death marks third Texas fatality from new coronavirus

  By Stacy Fernández March 18, 2020

  This is is the second death in North Texas related to COVID-19. Full Story 

• As coronavirus stops people from gathering, Gov. Greg Abbott suspends part of open-meetings law

  By Stacy Fernández March 17, 2020

  All sections of the Texas Open Meetings Act remain in place except for the requirement of a physical gathering space for people to watch the meeting and ask questions. Full Story 

• Coronavirus prompts Dallas and Houston to close bars and clubs, make restaurants takeout only

  By Stacy Fernández and Sami Sparber Updated: March 16, 2020

  Restaurants in Dallas and Harris counties for now may remain open for drive-through, takeout and delivery, but dine-in service will be prohibited. Full Story 

• Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says to expect "exponential" increase in positive coronavirus cases

  By Stacy Fernández Updated: March 16, 2020

  As the virus that causes COVID-19 increasingly spreads through Texas communities and the state's testing capacity increases, the number of positive cases will rise. Full Story 

• Donald Trump to nominate U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe to become director of national intelligence

  By Stacy Fernández and Patrick Svitek Feb. 28, 2020

  Ratcliffe was previously considered for the role but withdrew his name after he was accused of exaggerating parts of his biography, like his role as the leader of an immigration crackdown while he was a federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of Texas. Full Story