What you need to know about Colin Allred and Victoria Neave, two of the DNC’s “rising stars”
The Dallas lawmakers are among a group of 17 participating in Tuesday night's keynote address at the Democratic National Convention. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0900456d2fd8e96179e3f291469139ff/Allred%20Neave%20TT%2001.jpg)
-
![U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, and state Rep. Victoria Neave, D-Dallas.]()
Credit: Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson and Juan Figueroa for The Texas Tribune -
Texas becomes fourth state to surpass 10,000 COVID-19 deaths
New Jersey, New York and California have also exceeded 10,000 known COVID-19 fatalities. Experts say official death tolls are all but certain to be undercounts. Full Story
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick blames the presence of Confederate monuments at the Texas Capitol on Democrats after being urged to remove them
Senate Democrats want the symbols taken down, but Patrick said that the party is not committed to a “sincere” or “serious conversation” about the future of the monuments. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fb97a5463f32a222c40c02f1d615cc25/02_Confederate_Monuments_at_State_Capitol_MG_TT.jpg)
![The 1903 Confederate monument at the south entrance to the state Capitol grounds in 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
As the Democratic National Convention begins, some Texas Democrats wish their state had a bigger role
Some party leaders have pushed for convention organizers to give more prominent slots to Texans in the convention lineup, eager to show it is a battleground in November. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/458f9e4a11987e5833b400eb4b08b95b/Democratic%20Party%20Office%20EG%20TT%2006.jpg)
![The Travis County Democratic Party office in Austin.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Voting in Texas is different from other places. It’s a hassle.
Lots of states make it as easy as possible to register and vote, whether there's a pandemic or not. Texas is not one of those states. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8f160191a60012d1d3ac46dfe02aba58/July%2014%20Runoff%20Houston%20MS%2041%20TT.jpg)
![A Houston voter waits to cast his ballot on July 14, 2020.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
UT planning to limit stadium capacity to 25%. Here's what you need to know about Texas college football during the pandemic.
Texas schools in the Big 12 and SEC are still planning to play this fall. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c90f85f0ba758c6bea495788475adf48/TAMU%20File%20AG%20TT%2014.jpg)
![People take photos with the 3-ton bronze replica of the Haynes Aggie Ring at Texas A&M University on Monday, June 15, 2020 in College Station. The ring is located outside the Clayton W. Williams Jr. Alumni Center near Kyle Field.]()
Credit: Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribune -
When sharing pencils isn’t safe, this San Antonio teacher is helping crowdfund extra school supplies
In the weekend edition of The Brief podcast, listen to why Ambra Hernandez felt compelled to launch a Facebook group to help teachers fulfill their longer-than-normal wish lists. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c722f3b54b8aa5ace9d715295c84ad3e/Ambra%20Mask%20Parking%20Lot%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Ambra Hernandez, left, poses with a student and parent outside of Stevens High School in the San Antonio-area.]()
Credit: Courtesy Ambra Hernandez -
The Texas Rangers' lore spurred cultural fawning and sports namesakes that have long masked a history of violence and racism
This year's prevalent and ongoing protests against police brutality have sparked calls for the Rangers' name to be stricken from the modern-day Texas Department of Public Safety investigative agency, North Texas’ Major League Baseball team and college mascots. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b2be21c117f7bbb5114decc5446cc412/Arlinda%20Valencia%20Provenir%20JAJ%2007.jpg)
![Arlinda Valencia, 68, holds a photograph taken in 1918 of her great-grandfather Longino Flores, left, great-grandmother Juana Bonilla Flores, center, and aunt Rosa Flores Mesa, right, while she poses for a portrait at her home in Horizon City, Texas, on Thursday, August, 6, 2020. Longino Flores was among the 15 men and boys killed in the 1918 Porvenir massacre. Juana Bonilla Flores would later take her own life two years after the massacre following a battle with post-traumatic stress disorder according to Arlinda Valencia. Photo credit: Joel Angel Juarez for The Texas Tribune]()
Credit: Joel Angel Juarez for The Texas Tribune -
Why voting matters to these Texans — then and now
Hear Texas advocates describe their takes on the practice of voting and its importance to themselves and their generation. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2c4b73cecf5f29bce32b4d90c5db61f8/Lead-Generations-Split-3.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Marion S. Trikosko for the Library of Congress / Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Democrats, local election leaders fear Donald Trump’s attacks on mail-in voting foreshadow voter suppression
Changes at the U.S. Postal Service have raised concerns about whether ballots will be delivered on time, but local officials and Democrats stress that mail-in voting remains a vital and safe way to cast a ballot. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/93cb8b6b8d8c387f7a566beb34321c8b/USPS%20Truck%20EG%20TT%2001.jpg)
![A USPS delivery truck in Austin on April 21, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
USPS warns Texas that some mail-in ballots may be delayed in November
It is unclear how many Texas voters may be affected should delays occur. Texas was among 46 states that received a warning from the United States Postal Service, according to The Washington Post. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1b9990fd391bf1dc1d9111450f4cec4f/COVID%20USPS%20EG%20TT%2010.jpg)
![USPS employee Sweetie Dionne delivers mail on her usual route in the Cherrywood neighborhood in Austin on April 6, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas officials blame coding errors and a system update for recent COVID-19 testing data issues
Earlier this week, Texas disclosed more than 124,000 previously unreported COVID-19 tests, at a time when the proportion of positive tests results was drawing attention. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ce83d0ebd35fba22b922ea04c0200e7a/Houston%20Covid%20Testing%20AM%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Kroger pharmacists explain and collect self-swab COVID-19 tests at a testing site in the Fifth Ward in Houston on June 27, 2020.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Advocates urge a legal review of Trump's immigration policies after report finds two top officials are not eligible to serve
A federal report determined that two Department of Homeland Security officials, including the acting secretary, aren’t legally qualified to hold those posts. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/257806ff8a62cd3fd13ce4daeb10f50f/DACA%20Dreamers%20REUTERS%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Protesters gathered as the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on whether the 2017 Trump administration decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program is lawful. Nov. 12, 2019.]()
Credit: USA TODAY NETWORK -
The crushing isolation of nursing homes during the pandemic
Texas eased restrictions on visitation in long-term care facilities last week, but many families remain unsure if they will be allowed to visit. For those cut off from their loved ones for almost five months, isolation is becoming another very real threat. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2b69808ea88cf4eb882210d7c5a24763/Genny%20Lutzel%20Nursing%20Home%20BT%20TT%2015.jpg)
![Genny Lutzel holds a photograph of her mother Paula Spangler, 80, outside her home in Rockwall on Aug. 06, 2020. Lutzel hasn't seen her mother, who lives in a nursing home and suffers from Alzheimer's, since March due to COVID-19.]()
Credit: Ben Torres for The Texas Tribune -
Texas’ largest cities spend more on police than anything else. Activists want more of those funds spent on the social safety net instead.
Austin officials slashed their police department's budget this week as other Texas cities are rethinking how general fund dollars are spent — and whether spending so much to combat crime addresses the poverty that can cause it. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/cb769832458f2e6a19ea3a1e5dee1603/Floyd%20Rally%20Houston%20PYH%20TT%200113.jpg)
![Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo responds to demonstrators about police accountability at a rally for George Floyd at Houston City Hall.]()
Credit: Pu Ying Huang for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Shopping for students without schoolrooms, Texas is spending $250 million to narrow the digital divide
In a state where an estimated 30% of the state's 5.5 million public school students don't have the right technology for online learning, switching to virtual classrooms is daunting. And expensive. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9ef809150fb8c6ea1f5c019e332451e2/Virtual%20Learning%20MS%20TT.jpg)
![Eagle scout and high-school graduate Will Clarkston, 20, logged into The Bridge School from his bedroom in Houston Tuesday, October 4, 2011. He is taking classes there get ahead before going to community college in the spring.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Austin City Council cuts police department budget by one-third, mainly through reorganizing some duties out from law enforcement oversight
Gov. Greg Abbott said Austin officials' vote “puts the brave men and women of the Austin Police Department and their families at greater risk" — and vowed that the Texas Department of Public Safety will "stand in the gap." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4a32657f7daef3cf7714adbb0eb917ef/Austin%20Protest%20June%204%20EG%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Police look on as demonstrators gathered outside Austin Police headquarters for another night of protest against police violence on June 4, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas Legislative Black Caucus unveils the George Floyd Act to ban chokeholds and limit police use of force
In a press conference featuring Floyd's brother, the lawmakers said they hope their bill wins the support of Gov. Greg Abbott. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/43b59b57d692e2f5f6bbb66fefe2845c/Texas%20Legislative%20Black%20Caucus%20CROWN%20ACT%20MS%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Members of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus at a press conference supporting the CROWN Act in Houston on Feb. 6, 2020.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott says coronavirus hospitalizations, positive cases must decrease before he’ll allow bars to reopen in Texas
Abbott also applauded the Big 12 for allowing Texas college football to resume this fall. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9f0be826613771974949e59d59f245cb/Abbott%20April%2017%20Presser%20MG%20TT%2007.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott announced a strike force in charge of laying steps to re-open the Texas economy at a press conference in the capitol on April 17, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott says Texas is investigating its high proportion of coronavirus tests coming back positive
The governor also said that testing is down statewide possibly because of the closure of some temporary testing sites created in July that targeted various coronavirus hotspots. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/62c5e36ad7909708ae3fee44ccad0156/North%20Texas%20COVID%20Testing%20SL%20TT%2016.jpg)
![A health care worker administers a coronavirus test on a patient at a drive thru testing site at Exceptional Medical Plaza in Garland on June 30.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a1410a41a992f0019007e2864fc9f9e6/DHR%20COVID%20Ward%20Edinburg%20MG%20TT%2029)