Stories by Texas Tribune fellows

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 

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 

He cited the number of hospital beds available in the state as a reason. Full Story 

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 

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 

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 

The state recorded a total of 2,504 new cases Wednesday, hitting a new high. Full Story 

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 

Some of Texas' biggest cities appear headed in different directions with police budgets during nationwide calls to cut law enforcement funding. Full Story 

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 

The two flagships are among the first Texas higher education institutions to announce mask requirements this fall. Full Story 

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 

Dallas and San Antonio announced Saturday they are lifting downtown-area curfews, though protests against police brutality and racism continue. Full Story 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

Doctors, nurses and other health workers are increasingly reaching out for mental health support as they risk exposing themselves or their families to the novel coronavirus. Full Story