Coronavirus in Texas: State reports largest daily increases in cases and deaths
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ccbc98008bb8edf0bd3af4dbceba422c/Coronavirus%20May%20REUTERS%20TT%2001.jpg)
-
![A member of the Texas National Guard speaks to a patient at a coronavirus testing site at the McNease Convention Center in San Angelo on May 6, 2020.]()
Credit: Colin Murphey/San Angelo Standard-Times via REUTERS -
Texas bar owners say they're going broke and are desperate for Abbott to lay out a reopening plan
Last month, the governor said he hoped to reopen bars "on or no later than mid-May.” He has since walked back the timeline for when bars can open their doors to customers, saying he needs more input from doctors. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a52daf892c790da283cc14865a9b7bbf/Empty%20Austin%20Restaurants%20EG%20TT%2009.jpg)
![The School House Pub in Austin remains closed as a result of Gov. Greg Abbott delaying the reopening of barbershops, hair salons, bars and gyms. May 4, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Coronavirus tests are supposed to be free. Some Texans are still being saddled with large bills.
Congress directed most insurance companies to cover test costs for insured patients in March, and has promised to reimburse providers for testing those who are uninsured. But experts say there are gaps in the protection that can leave patients surprised with bills. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2d8fa60999f9a8da81e4b2d796aa7de5/Mark%20Sonego%20RJ%20TT%2003.jpg)
![Mark Sonego at his apartment in Leon Springs on May 11, 2020.]()
Credit: Robin Jerstad for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: In Abbott’s hands, executive orders look like suggestions
Even as Gov. Greg Abbott is loosening his pandemic restrictions on people and businesses, he is buckling to opponents who protest that he's moving too slowly. He's undermining his own authority — and enforcement of the rest of his rules. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a687f84605a0f3ba2bd3b5852ff19491/ATX%20Covid%20May%20MG%20TT%2003.jpg)
![A sign requiring masks is posted at Cosmic Cowboy on South Congress Avenue on Austin. May 8, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Photos of a state in crisis: Deserted highways, swamped food banks and health care workers at risk
COVID-19 has changed the world in ways few imagined possible. As the virus spread across the globe and found its way to Texas, Tribune journalists and photojournalists have been there every step of the way, documenting the changes the new coronavirus has brought into all our lives. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/273145663921e82c561f54efd520ee96/ATX%20Night%20Coronavirus%20MG%20TT%2006.jpg)
![Downtown Austin during the COVID-19 pandemic on April 12, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: The coronavirus hits Texans of color harder. You can see it in public opinion polling.
The coronavirus disproportionately affects people of color. And judging by what voters said in the last University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll, it's evident that Texans of color express greater concern about it. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3bf1d8e1a6a4f5a7ae8e3bdd650ad863/ATX%20Night%20Coronavirus%20MG%20TT%2008.jpg)
![A coronavirus message on a TXDOT sign off of I-35, near Stassney Lane on April 12, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas has billions in its rainy day fund. But legislators say they won’t use it until January.
Lawmakers widely agree that the Legislature will tap into the Economic Stabilization Fund next session. But under the weight of a crippled economy, many Texans want relief now. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8dbdceb05066f64badfd6e4d912b9553/02_Capitol_Building_AP_TT.jpg)
![Texas State Capitol, June 12, 2017. State Capitol in the late afternoon on June 12, 2017.]()
Credit: Austin Price for The Texas Tribune -
Coronavirus in Texas: San Antonio expands free testing to asymptomatic residents; state to test all nursing home residents
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/28273f8b54495471084c4982c1f5b322/Disinfecting%20Crew%20COVID%20JV%20TT%2029.jpg)
![A worker for Code 4 Event Management sprays disinfectant on a staircase as he and his colleagues disinfect a building during the COVID-19 pandemic.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Reopening just a little bit isn’t really a big boon for the economy
Reopening Texas businesses in a contained way gives the appearance of thawing out a frozen economy while keeping crowds at bay. That might make people feel better, but it's no way to supercharge an economy. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1a3959ff79eda5c96bfcfae1090ea912/Waco%20COVID%20Closures%20AP%20TT%2010.jpg)
![A hand written signs alerts costumers that Jake’s Texas Tea House is closed indefinitely in Waco. March 25, 2020.]()
Credit: Angela Piazza for The Texas Tribune -
As coronavirus shutdowns sink city budgets, Dallas furloughs almost 500 employees
Experts and local leaders have warned that the next fiscal year will be a historically hard one for cities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e3bd7a15ff52473c07353a752456373e/Dallas%20Skyline%20iStock%20TT.jpg)
![Aerial View of Downtown Dallas.]()
Credit: Getty Images/iStock -
They just want someone to talk to: This mental health hotline is helping Texans navigate the pandemic
The Harris Center, a health authority in the Houston area, and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission — which had seen a 500% jump in traffic to its webpages on mental health and substance abuse resources — joined forces and provided the service to callers statewide March 31. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1db05e63cc0c3cc1e4a9e07dad436139/Mental%20Health%20COVID%2019%20IS%20TT.jpg)
![A woman wearing a protective mask looks out of a window during the COVID-19 pandemic.]()
Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto -
Business has reopened in Texas, but the economy won’t be back anytime soon, experts say
The Texas energy sector has helped insulate the state's economy during national downturns. This time, experts say the industry could hold the economy back. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/615b6d1d10199ae0585409089e71eb92/Eagle%20Ford%20Oil%20Patch%20JV%20TT%2032.jpg)
![A gas flare in the Eagle Ford oil patch south of San Antonio, TX.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for the Texas Tribune -
Language barriers, absence of bank loans leave Latino small-business owners struggling
Before the pandemic, mom-and-pop stores at the Latino-oriented mall La Gran Plaza, in Fort Worth, saw crowds of thousands every day. Now, tenants are worried about evictions and not making ends meet. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0550604d5a977d5b4ef4995a77166356/La%20Gran%20Plaza%20Forth%20Worth%20ST%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Customers visit La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth on the first day that shopping malls, restaurants, retail outlets and movie theaters were reopened on May 1, 2020.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
Coronavirus in Texas: Austin extends stay-at-home orders to end of May
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4801de8249fe4a005c4e15efc4318023/Disinfecting%20Crew%20COVID%20JV%20TT%2009.jpg)
![Prior to disinfecting a building, workers for Code 4 Event Management have their temperatures checked, to ensure they are not exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
President Donald Trump applauds Gov. Greg Abbott's handling of Texas reopening during White House visit
During the visit, Trump also inquired about Dallas salon owner Shelley Luther, who was freed from jail Thursday after being sentenced to seven days for violating a court order to close. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7b28f722fe27fe3661c2b4e3bf5a5a55/Trump%20Abbott%20May%207%20REUTERS%20TT%2005.jpg)
![President Donald Trump makes remarks as he meets with Gov. Greg Abbott in the Oval Office on Thursday, May 7, 2020.]()
Credit: Sipa USA via Reuters Connect/POOL -
Coronavirus in Texas: Seven Corpus Christi beef plant employees test positive
Our staff is closely tracking developments on the new coronavirus in Texas. Check here for live updates. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/97d13f7ac505d1655b4148c2a5b319ae/Barton%20Creek%20Mall%20Reopens%20JV%20TT%2005.jpg)
![The parking lot of Barton Creek Square Mall in Austin on May 1, 2020, the same day some Texas businesses began reopening on a limited basis.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Dallas salon owner released from county jail after defying orders by reopening early
The order followed Gov. Greg Abbott’s announcement that he was eliminating jail time for Texans who violate stay at home orders. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fd64c7a43115cd075922e93986499163/Shelley%20Luther%20Release%20TT%2001.jpg)
![Shelley Luther after being released from jail in Dallas.]()
Credit: via Twitter -
247,179 more Texans filed for unemployment, but their jobs might not be waiting for them when they return
The Texas Workforce Commission relaxed guidelines so high-risk workers and people without child care can refuse work and still receive benefits. But that doesn’t protect workers from being fired in the meantime. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1163ab061e3db1928cff8d2a0a2a5331/Mochas%20and%20Javas%20EG%20TT%2005.jpg)
![Mochas and Javas in San Marcos.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texans could soon have to start looking for work to keep unemployment benefits if reopening continues
The Texas Workforce Commission's executive director told lawmakers that it plans to reinstate work-search requirements once stores and restaurants are allowed open to 50% capacity. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a22c7645b46d0e7b757350259a2bfe5d/Texas%20Workforce%20MG%20TT%2002.jpg)
![The Texas Workforce Commission Building in Austin on March 30, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas hair salons, barbershops and other beauty businesses can reopen Friday. Here are the rules they have to follow.
Limited services, face coverings and smaller occupancies are among the new rules businesses will follow if they open this Friday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f3f72ebf7d5d39c8632e6611b076baf6/San%20Marcos%20COVID%20File%20EG%20TT%2030.jpg)
![Downtown San Marcos during the COVID-19 pandemic on April 10, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune