Surge in coronavirus cases linked to more Texans in their 20s getting sick, officials say
Gov. Greg Abbott and health experts say young adults may be taking social distancing less seriously. Full Story
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![Customers wait in line to enter Chupacabra Cantina in downtown Austin as Texas bars reopened on May 22, 2020.]()
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Joshua Howell doesn’t want “thoughts and prayers.” He wants Austin police to take responsibility for critically injuring his brother at a recent protest.
While Howell says he’s pleased Austin police have vowed to stop using such tactics in crowds, he hopes his brother's story sparks real change. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast. Full Story
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![Austin police officers stand guard as the Austin Fire Department puts out a car that was set on fire by protesters in downtown Austin on May 30, 2020.]()
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For these Texas organizers and officials, defunding the police means remedying effects of racism
Some Texas cities are eyeing cuts to police department budgets to fund social services like housing assistance, mental health services and job training. Full Story
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![A protester holds a sign towards a line of Dallas police at a march and rally for George Floyd in Dallas on May 29, 2020.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune
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With coronavirus cases climbing, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says "no real need" to scale back business reopenings
He cited the number of hospital beds available in the state as a reason. Full Story
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![Signs posted on the door of Ruth's Chris Steak House outline the restaurant's social distancing guidelines on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 in Austin.]()
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UT-Austin football players demand school rename buildings named after racist figures, donate to Black Lives Matter
Athletes say they will forgo participating in recruiting and donor-related events if campus and athletic leadership fails to implement their demands, which are aimed at supporting students of color. Full Story
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![The University of Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal Memorial Stadium in Austin.]()
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Austin City Council unanimously limits police officers' use of force and asks for cuts to department budget
The moves came after the department was criticized for how it responded to police brutality protesters and as residents continue calling for the police chief's resignation. Full Story
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![Protesters raise their arms and chant, “Don’t shoot!” after Austin police officers fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the crowd. May 30, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Video: Behind the scenes of The Texas Tribune's new salaries explorer
Watch members of the data visuals team take you behind the redesign and guide you through the new features of the Tribune's database of compensation for Texas state employees. Full Story
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Texas reports largest single-day increase in coronavirus cases
The state recorded a total of 2,504 new cases Wednesday, hitting a new high. Full Story
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![Licensed vocational nurse, Amber Phillips, notes information for the patient regarding their COVID-19 test at the Austin Regional Center in Kyle on March 31, 2020.]()
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Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo tells U.S. House committee defunding police is "not the answer"
George Floyd's brother Philonise Floyd was also a featured witness at the hearing, where he spoke about the pain of losing his brother. Full Story
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![Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo responds to demonstrators about police accountability at a rally for George Floyd at Houston City Hall.]()
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Houston officials increase police budget as Dallas and Austin officials consider decreases in wake of police brutality protests
Some of Texas' biggest cities appear headed in different directions with police budgets during nationwide calls to cut law enforcement funding. Full Story
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![Dallas police officers during a march against the death of George Floyd on May 29, 2020.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
In rural Texas, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought more accessible mental health care
Mental health services have always been scarce in Texas' vast rural stretches. But the pandemic has caused the state to lift restrictions on providing care online or by phone. Full Story
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![A view of downtown Moody.]()
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Texas A&M and University of Texas at Austin will require everyone to wear masks inside campus buildings
The two flagships are among the first Texas higher education institutions to announce mask requirements this fall. Full Story
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![The Texas flag flies on the south lawn of The Univerisity of Texas at Austin campus on Dec. 3, 2019.]()
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George W. Bush won't support Donald Trump’s reelection, report says
Former President George W. Bush — and some other prominent Republicans — won't be voting to reelect Donald Trump, The New York Times reports. Full Story
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Dallas, San Antonio lift curfews as protests continue
Dallas and San Antonio announced Saturday they are lifting downtown-area curfews, though protests against police brutality and racism continue. Full Story
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![Protesters gather at the Solidarity Rally and March for George Floyd and Breonna Taylor in Dallas on May 29, 2019.]()
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Harris County GOP chair-elect resigns after sharing racist Facebook post juxtaposing an MLK quote with a banana
Outcry over his racist post on Facebook prompted Keith Nielsen, the chair-elect of the Harris County Republican Party, to say he won't take the job in August. Full Story
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![Keith Nielsen.]()
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Conspiracy theories and racist memes: How a dozen Texas GOP county chairs caused turmoil within the party
On Friday morning, five GOP county chairs were facing backlash for sharing racist social media posts. The Texas Tribune identified seven other GOP county chairs across the state who shared similar posts. Full Story
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![The Republican Party of Texas office in downtown Austin.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texans still face obstacles to collecting unemployment benefits months into the coronavirus pandemic's economic crisis
Last week, another 106,821 Texans filed for unemployment. Already, the agency has processed more than four typical years' worth of unemployment claims since mid-March. Full Story
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![The Texas Workforce Commission Building in Austin on March 30, 2020.]()
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Texas colleges expect larger online summer classes as students lose jobs, internships
School officials, still reeling financially from shutting down their campuses mid-semester, are unclear what the summer surge signals for their fall enrollment. Full Story
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![Rising sophomores Macy Waldman, left, an Integrative Studies major at the University of North Texas and her sister, Barry Waldman, a pre-nursing student the University of Texas at Arlington, do not plan to return to campus out of concern for COVID-19. Portrait taken on June 2, 2020.]()
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University of Texas at Austin to offer 2,100 classes online, limit classrooms to 40% capacity
About 20% of classes at the University of Texas at Austin will be taught remotely this fall. Students who choose not to return to campus can take all their courses online but will pay the same tuition rate as they would for in-person classes. Full Story
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![The University of Texas at Austin campus on March 23, 2016.]()
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Texans could receive up to a year of unemployment benefits under second extension of aid
The state triggered an extended benefits period, adding an additional 13 weeks of unemployment starting in July. It is the second benefits extension this year. Full Story
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![Kerbey Lane Cafe’s empty dining room during the coronavirus pandemic on March 30, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune
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