Stories by Texas Tribune fellows

Midway through 2016, Texas Republicans had $20.9 million more for their U.S. House campaigns than Democrats. This year, Democrats have a $7.5 million advantage. Full Story 

Many local governments have implemented their own measures to protect tenants from eviction during the pandemic, and there are groups that help tenants navigate what can be a complicated and traumatic process. Full Story 

The CARES Act's $600 weekly unemployment benefit expires in Texas on Saturday, leaving out-of-work Texans in a period of uncertainty as Congress debates what to put in new federal relief legislation. Full Story 

Aug. 21 is the deadline for vacancies that trigger a November election to fill open seats. If Green’s replacement is not on this year’s ballot, the next general election will be in November 2022. Abbott will appoint someone to fill the rest of the term. Full Story 

Without money to pay rent, facing pressures from landlords and afraid of courts, people without legal immigration status have limited options. Full Story 

Williams, an Austin Republican, says he didn't hear or participate in a heated exchange involving Ocasio-Cortez and a Republican colleague. Full Story 

Green's term ends Dec. 31, 2022. Gov. Greg Abbott will appoint his successor. Full Story 

City leaders are asking for more spending flexibility to address the financial shortfalls caused by the pandemic. Full Story 

Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez issued a new shelter-at-home order Monday night, but it “has no enforcement mechanism” according to Abbott’s office. Full Story 

West unseated Texas GOP Chair James Dickey, who has served in the role since 2017, in a vote early Monday. Full Story 

The number of COVID-19 deaths has reached 4,000 in Texas, and public health experts say that’s an undercount because not all people who died with coronavirus symptoms were tested. Full Story 

We sat down for an interview with Hegar to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on Texas' economy and the challenges the Legislature will face when setting the two-year budget. Full Story 

Early hot spots have been eclipsed by new regions in crisis. Now that so much of Texas is battling major coronavirus outbreaks, some severely ill patients have to travel long distances to receive the care they need. Full Story 

On Wednesday, TEA officials confirmed that school districts wouldn't be penalized for barring students on campuses if local health officials mandated that schools stay closed, as long as remote instruction is offered. Full Story 

The Texas Tribune sat down for a virtual conversation with Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly to talk about the coronavirus outbreak’s impact on air travel, the state of the airline industry and the company’s future. Full Story 

Texas' June unemployment rate fell to 8.6% — but experts say the improvement may be short-lived with recent surges in coronavirus hospitalizations and deaths. Full Story 

Distillery, winery and some restaurant owners say their businesses are different from traditional bars, which Abbott closed after COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations began to climb in June. Full Story 

Julián Castro said Abbott made three consequential mistakes: reopening the state too early, not pushing hard enough to get adequate testing or contact tracing, and banning local officials from requiring masks in the earlier months of the pandemic. Full Story 

Other notable winners Tuesday night included Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls and Austin attorney Mike Siegel. Full Story 

Two other incumbents — Democrats Lorraine Birabil and Harold Dutton — were also on the ballot Tuesday. Full Story