TribCast: Texas rushes to get more residents vaccinated
On this week's Tribcast, Matthew talks to Karen, Patrick and Ross about the race to reach herd immunity in Texas and the early maneuverings in the 2022 election cycle. Full Story
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![Dr. Annamaria Macaluso Davidson holds a COVID-19 vaccine registration card at Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Medical Center in Houston on Dec. 15, 2020.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Republican state House speaker backs expanding Medicaid to cover mothers for a year after they give birth
The number of reported maternal deaths has increased nationwide in recent decades. Health experts and advocates say giving low-income moms Medicaid coverage for a year after delivery, rather than two months, could save lives. Full Story
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![Patients wait to be seen at the People's Community Clinic in Austin, which provides state-subsidized women's health services to low-income women on July 15, 2020.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: A Texas state budget — minus $38.6 billion in federal stimulus money
The state budget approved by the Texas Senate on Tuesday is just the start: Lawmakers still have to decide what to do with billions in federal COVID-19 relief money. Full Story
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![Levi Pedrick peaks out of his kindergarten class window on the first day of in-person classes at Highland Village Elementary on Sept. 8, 2020.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate approves a $250 billion state budget — but questions remain about how federal aid will be used
The budget does not factor in over $35 billion in federal aid. Senators said they don't yet know when that money will come in and what strings could be attached. Full Story
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
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 -
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.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
As vaccine eligibility widens, some vulnerable Texans are still fighting for access
The state is still directing providers to prioritize older and vulnerable Texans, and cities are continuing their efforts to reach Texans who have trouble accessing vaccine doses. Full Story
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![Healthcare worker Mary Carreon administers a COVID-19 vaccine to an elderly patient in Laredo. Feb. 1, 2021.]()
Credit: Jessica Nicole Rodriguez for The Texas Tribune -
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.]()
Credit: Erich Schlegel for The Texas Tribune -
Empty chairs tell the story of pandemic's toll at Texas kidney dialysis centers
Early on, coronavirus transmission exploded at dialysis clinics, especially in the Rio Grande Valley. It has subsided some since, but many patients have no choice but to show up at clinics for the life-sustaining treatments. Full Story
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![Michelle Adams-Walton poses for a portrait at TownPlace Suites by Marriott in Austin on March 6, 2021.]()
Credit: Montinique Monroe for The Texas Tribune -
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.]()
Credit: Stephen Spillman for The Texas Tribune -
All adults in Texas are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. But there still aren’t enough doses for everyone.
It still may be hard to secure a vaccine appointment, but doctors hope increasing supply will help meet demand. Full Story
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![People waited for hours to receive their drive-thru COVID-19 vaccine at the Fair Park vaccination site in Dallas. Feb. 8, 2021.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
COVID vaccine brings home health worker some hard-fought stress relief
Nancy Gallegos says she’s endured debilitating job stress, but the San Antonio nurse has managed to find a few silver linings during the pandemic. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast. Full Story
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![Nurses prepared to enter a COVID-19 unit at the DHR Health in McAllen in 2020. Because of the risk of exposure to COVID-19, health workers are required to wear personal protective equipment.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Experts hopeful about state’s economic recovery, but jobless Texans still face problems filing for benefits
Some businesses are already seeing customers return. But the numbers of people seeking unemployment aid surged in recent weeks to levels not seen since July. Many of them still face problems getting through to the Texas Workforce Commission. Full Story
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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 -
Hispanic Texans are still struggling to get vaccines. Here’s how Dallas is trying to change that.
Grassroots organizers and county employees are organizing registration events in some of the underserved neighborhoods in the city. But they still worry it won't be enough. Full Story
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![Volunteers and officials with the Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services register people for the COVID-19 vaccine at an event in Irving on March 19, 2021.]()
Credit: Carly May for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Texas to expand vaccine eligibility to all adults
On this week’s TribCast, Matthew talks to Karen and Julián about the state’s plan to expand vaccine eligibility starting Monday and the increase in apprehensions at the border. Full Story
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![Maria Diaz received her Coronavirus vaccine at a 24 hour vaccination event at Kelly Reeves Athletics Complex in Austin on March 6, 2021.]()
Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune -
White Republicans are refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine more than any other demographic group in Texas
In Texas, 59% of Republicans either said they are reluctant to get the vaccine or would refuse it outright, according to the February University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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![Protesters at the Governor's Mansion protest government mandates on wearing face masks in businesses and recent bar closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. June 28, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Vaccinated Texas nursing home residents can now hug their families and receive more visitors after a year of isolation
For many residents, birthday parties and holiday celebrations took place largely through windows and over video calls. Full Story
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![The Austin Retirement and Nursing Center in Austin on July 24, 2020.]()
Credit: Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribune -
Texas opens COVID-19 vaccine to everyone 16 and older on March 29
The Texas Department of State Health Services is asking providers to prioritize appointments for people 80 and older, and to prioritize walk-ins from anyone in that age group who shows up without an appointment. Full Story
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![A person receives a band-aid after getting their vaccine injection at a 24-hour vaccination event at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex on Saturday, March 6, 2021, in Austin. Family Hospital Systems hosted the drive-thru vaccine event with an 80s theme and equipped to vaccinate 7,000 people.]()
Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune -
Widows of the pandemic: Three South Texas women lost their husbands but found solace in one another
Ricardo Ramos, Ramon Fuentes III and Andres Arguelles were all 45. Loving husbands. Strangers who died with the coronavirus in neighboring South Texas cities. They left behind young widows who found each other in Facebook groups and bonded over the similarities in their stories. Full Story
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![From Left, Delia Ramos, Betty Fuentes, and Ana Flores embrace in prayer in Harlingen on March 11, 2021.]()
Credit: Jason Garza for The Texas Tribune
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