Analysis: Returning to normal before the Texas herd has immunity
Texas is still about 13 million people away from herd immunity to the coronavirus. The state is chasing that goal even as Texans begin to act like the pandemic is over. Full Story
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![Fans watched a game between the Texas Rangers and the San Diego Padres at Globe Life Field on April 11, 2021.]()
Credit: Tim Heitman/USA TODAY Sports via REUTERS -
Senate passes bill to curb Texas governor’s power to shut down state for extended time during emergency
The Senate action, which must still be approved by the House, would require the governor to call a special session in order to declare a state emergency that lasts more than 30 days. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a press conference about the state's response to the coronavirus on Tuesday in Austin on March 24, 2020.]()
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Gov. Greg Abbott nominates new chair to Public Utility Commission after power crisis resignations
The announcement came shortly after the Texas Senate Nominations Committee on Monday voted unanimously in favor of accepting Will McAdams’ nomination to serve on the PUC board. Full Story
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![Snow surrounds an Austin Energy station in Austin on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021.]()
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Texas Supreme Court voids orders that jailed Dallas salon owner for disregarding COVID-19 precautions
Dallas County issued Shelley Luther a temporary restraining order to close her business. But the Texas Supreme Court said the order was too vague. Full Story
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![Shelley Luther, owner of Salon a la Mode in Dallas, was recently issued a citation after reopening her business in violation of local and state stay at home orders. Luther spoke to a crowd of supporters at an Open Texas rally against coronavirus pandemic restrictions outside of the City Hall in Frisco on April 25, 2020.]()
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Texas Republicans say their proposed voting restrictions are color blind. But many see "Jim Crow in a tuxedo."
An outraged Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick castigated those implying that GOP efforts to restrict Texas voting are racist. But the state has a history of marginalizing voters of color, and many business leaders, voting rights advocates and Democrats see it taking another step down that path. Full Story
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![Herb Kelly and his wife Linda Simien Kelly, who is an artist in Houston, wait in line at the Metropolitan Multi-Services Center on W. Gray Street during the first day of early voting in Houston on Oct. 13, 2020.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Advocates back Gov. Greg Abbott's call for greater oversight at migrant shelters. But they question his timing and motivations.
Abbott largely remained silent despite reports of widespread abuse in migrant shelters during former President Donald Trump’s administration. Full Story
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![A group of unaccompanied minors wait to be transported by U.S. Customs and Border Protection after crossing the Rio Grande into the United States from Mexico in Roma on April 7, 2021.]()
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At least 1 dead after multiple people shot in Bryan, Texas
The shootings began at Kent Moore Cabinets, and one Texas Department of Public Safety trooper who was later shot is in serious, but stable condition. The shooting occurred the same day that President Joe Biden released a list of executive orders to address gun violence. Full Story
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![Multiple injuries were reported after a shooting at Kent Moore Cabinets in Bryan.]()
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Texas lawmakers want to ban dangerous radioactive waste. The proposal would give a nuclear waste company a big financial break.
A bill advancing in the House seeks to ban spent nuclear fuel, one of the most dangerous types of radioactive waste, from coming to Texas. Full Story
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![The entrance to the Waste Control Specialists site, where radioactive and hazardous waste is being stored on Jan. 17, 2021.]()
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Texas investigating allegations that unaccompanied migrant children are being abused, sexually assaulted in San Antonio
The governor did not know the identities of those who alleged assault, nor did he provide many details. He said he was concerned more than one child may have been assaulted. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott bans state agencies and state-funded organizations from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination
This comes as vaccine credentials, often referred to as vaccine passports, are being developed around the world as a way to quickly prove someone’s vaccination status, particularly with private companies. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott holds a press conference in Dallas on unaccompanied minors crossing the southern border on March 17, 2021.]()
Credit: Carly May for The Texas Tribune -
As Republicans hammer Biden on border policy, Democrats question the authenticity of their concern for migrants
As apprehensions of migrants soar again at the border, Texas Republicans blame Biden's immigration moves, while Democrats question what they call the GOP's newfound concern for migrants' well-being. Full Story
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![Unaccompanied migrants at the Customs and Border Protection migrant processing center in El Paso on March 29, 2021.]()
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Gov. Greg Abbott publicly slammed Facebook. Privately, he’s courting the social media giant to build a second data center in Texas.
The effort comes as Abbott and some Texas legislators are pushing a proposal to punish social media companies for “canceling conservative speech.” Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott holds a press conference in Dallas on unaccompanied minors crossing the southern border on March 17, 2021.]()
Credit: Carly May for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says he will boycott Major League Baseball events after the league pulled its All-Star Game from Georgia
Abbott also said Monday he was declining to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Texas Rangers' home opening game. Full Story
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![A view of the stands and the open roof at Globe Life Field.
Sep. 24, 2020.]()
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It will take more than a pandemic to stop Tim League and the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: “I’m going to fight like hell”
Although the iconic theater chain is facing bankruptcy, League is optimistic about the future of his Texas-born business. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast. Full Story
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![The closed-down Alamo Drafthouse Ritz Theater in Downtown Austin on March 31, 2021. Alamo Drafthouse filed for bankruptcy earlier in the month, due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.]()
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After saying he has “no plans” to run for governor, Beto O’Rourke quick to clarify he might
“Nothing’s changed and nothing I said would preclude me from considering a run in the future,” he told the Tribune. Full Story
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![Presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke delivers a campaign address in El Paso on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2019. The speech marked his return to campaigning, suspended after the mass shooting in El Paso.]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott names former aide to retired House Speaker Dennis Bonnen to post regulating power grid
Will McAdams has also worked as an aide to three state senators. He must be confirmed by the Senate before taking the position at the Public Utility Commission. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed Will McAdams, President of the Associated Builders and Contractors, to the Public Utility Commission of Texas.]()
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Texas will provide rapid COVID-19 tests for summer camps
Many parents rely on summer camps — which were largely shuttered last year — for child care while school is out. Full Story
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![James Miller, 9, finishes his kinetic energy project during Secret Scientists summer camp at the Austin Children's Museum in Austin on June 27, 2012.]()
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Bills restricting abortion, including one that bans procedure as early as six weeks, gets Texas Senate OK
The slate of bills must still go to the House for approval. Full Story
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![A women’s health clinic in Texas.]()
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After slow start, Texas lawmakers pick up the pace on GOP priorities as legislative session passes halfway mark
After some early tension, the Legislature's Republican leaders say they are on the same page with the business that remains. Full Story
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![Newly-elected Speaker of the House Dade Phelan addresses the House Floor on opening day of the 2021 Legislative Session on Jan. 12, 2021.]()
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When Texas ended its mask mandate, the event cancellations started — and the losses are adding up
At least four conferences were canceled in Austin because of the lack of a statewide mask mandate. The cancellations have caused the Hilton Austin hotel to lose out on $350,000 of revenue, according to Austin Convention Enterprises. Full Story
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![Pedestrians walk across the South Congress bridge with the Capital in the background in Austin on March 3, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune
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