Texas lifts yearlong ban on prison visitation beginning March 15
State prisons shut down visitation last March due to the coronavirus pandemic. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/69df9e6ac06f7fbf1128db43e7238bb5/Huntsville%20SF%20TT%2001.jpg)
-
![The exterior of Huntsville Unit, a prison in Huntsville, on Nov. 14, 2019.]()
Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune -
Texans recovering from COVID-19 relied on machines to help them breathe. Then the power went out.
After COVID-19 hospitalizations peaked, the number of Texans dependent on home oxygen equipment was at “an all-time high” when a winter storm overwhelmed the state’s power grid in February, leaving many struggling for air. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/967684bf4971f0baaac82d9cce3aa1a7/NBC%20PPTT%20texas%20covid%20freeze%201.jpg)
![RICHMOND, TX - MARCH 3: Mauricio Marin poses for a portrait at his home in Richmond, TX, on Wednesday, March 3, 2021.
Mauricio Marin thought his worst days were behind him after his month-long stay in a Covid ICU late last year. Doctors sent the 44-year-old home to his wife and kids in Fort Bend County with oxygen tanks, a CPAP machine and strict instructions to avoid cold weather and the flu. But after four days mostly without power, no heat and inadequate oxygen that left him gasping for air, he told his wife, “Honey, at least I’m going to die with you and my kids and not alone at the hospital.’”
Marin survived the ordeal, only thanks to a neighbor who showed up at the last moment with a backup oxygen tank, but his doctors say days spent shivering in a cold house without supplemental oxygen have vastly set back his already tenuous recovery.]()
Credit: Brandon Thibodeaux for NBC News -
Point of Order: Unmasked
In the latest episode of our podcast about the Texas Legislature, Evan Smith talks to Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo about Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to end coronavirus restrictions — including the mask mandate — as well other points of conflict and tension between cities, counties and the state. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ee3b23c67609fb74b29eb60f2b7d02d0/TT-PointofOrder-podcast-launch-art.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Texans don’t have to prove they’re eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, and some are jumping the line. Here’s why.
Providers are not allowed, under state health guidelines, to require vaccine recipients to prove a medical condition that would qualify them because it could create barriers at a time when Texas is trying to vaccinate most of its 29 million residents. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fc1d25db86c0459f5c593fd4619a8e57/Wilco%20Mass%20Vaccination%20SF%20TT%2004.jpg)
![Maria Diaz receives her vaccine against COVID-19 at a 24-hour vaccination event at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex on 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 -
A Mexican restaurant in Houston is keeping its mask rule. People threatened to call ICE on the staff.
Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to lift the statewide mask mandate has not come easily for many businesses that are navigating enforcement of mask rules while facing backlash. “It was just horrific,” said Monica Richards, co-owner of Picos. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5c0534369c1c0f3b314e435a5a2aa5a1/ATX%20Mask%20Signage%20EL%20TT%2007.jpg)
![A sign outside of a store in Downtown Austin asking customers to wear a mask inside the business on March 3, 2021.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
A year into the pandemic, many Texans still struggling financially and emotionally
Monica Jimenez is still weathering the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic that started with her husband losing his oil field job. But the Brownfield native says she’s managed to find a few bright spots along the way. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/afe0e682b512e71fc4fc96c84a95cde3/TheBriefPodcast_CMS-March%206.jpg)
![Pump jacks at sunset in West Texas.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott rejects aid from Biden administration in dispute over coronavirus testing for migrants
Abbott said it is the federal government’s responsibility to test the migrants. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0d6b20facc3b7f52b0451cc421d81189/El%20Paso%20MPP%20Lift%20JH%20TT%2004.jpg)
![Migrants in MPP cross the Paso del Norte International Bridge from Ciudad Juárez to El Paso on Feb. 26, 2021.]()
Credit: Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribune -
Several Texas college campuses to keep mask mandates after governor’s order
Under Gov. Greg Abbott’s order, universities are able to choose whether they will retain and enforce mask-wearing and other COVID-19 safety measures. UT-Austin, Baylor, Southern Methodist University, Rice and the Texas A&M System are among those that will still require face masks. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/702deed7898e38eda14701042c834154/TAMU%20Commencement%20JV%20TT%2007.jpg)
![Graduates at a Texas A&M University commencement ceremony at Reed Arena in College Station on Dec. 17, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
For some Texans who lost loved ones to the coronavirus, lifting the mask mandate is a “slap in the face”
One woman whose husband died said Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to end the mask mandate makes the convenience of not wearing a mask seem more important than loss of life. Abbott's spokesperson says he “joins all Texans in mourning every single life lost.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/516f05cb6188086e93813e1772df507d/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 -
Texas’ largest cities will keep requiring masks in municipal buildings even after statewide mandate ends
In Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Houston and San Antonio, libraries and convention centers won't allow visitors without face coverings. Full Story
Credit: Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribune -
Three of Gov. Greg Abbott’s four coronavirus medical advisers say they weren’t directly consulted before he lifted mask mandate
One adviser said he thinks it's too soon for the state to stop requiring masks in public. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8dbb0e471673f26d61faacbd0d06114f/DHR%20COVID%20Ward%20Edinburg%20MG%20TT%2054.jpg)
![The COVID-19 unit at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Health System in Edinburg on June 30, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas businesses must decide whether to require face masks. Some worry they could lose customers either way.
A day after Gov. Greg Abbott announced plans to fully reopen businesses and end the state’s mask mandate, small business owners across Texas found themselves struggling to decide what to do next. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c6d14a44f6d9c95efcc5d01a04bff711/Bar%20Peached%20JV%20TT%2016.jpg)
![Server Ashleigh Roessler dons a new pair of gloves as part of safety measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. Aug. 13, 2020 at Bar Peached in Austin.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
TribCast: Gov. Greg Abbott drops Texas' mask mandate
On this week's TribCast, Matthew speaks with Ross, Patrick and Kate about Gov. Greg Abbott's decision to rescind statewide coronavirus orders and the fight over "The Eyes of Texas" at the University of Texas at Austin Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4b9b29d56fcd9ef69a17731a20d0bbd6/TribCast%20March%203.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott adjusts his mask after giving an update on the categories of medical surge facilities at a press conference at the Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin on June 16, 2020.]()
Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell/Pool/Austin American-Statesman -
President Joe Biden says Texas made "big mistake" by lifting mask mandate, suggests "Neanderthal thinking"
The president's comments came the day after Gov. Greg Abbott announced he was ending the statewide mask requirement and letting businesses reopen at 100% capacity. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bf57bced83cd9680e14528d7822670b3/Biden%20Oval%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
![President Joe Biden speaks with House Democratic leaders and chairs of House committees working on COVID-19 aid legislation during a meeting in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 5, 2021.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque -
Analysis: Abbott’s icebreaker
Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to end his pandemic restrictions on masks and business capacity was a surprise — and a convenient change of subject for an executive under scrutiny for statewide blackouts last month. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2d9e5de74d6d96a42ecf91277d8bfc93/Abbott%20El%20Paso%20Presser%20IPA%20TT%2013.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott meets with local El Paso leaders to discuss the coronavirus situation for the city and state on Aug. 13, 2020.]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
Pentagon review says U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson made sexual comments, violated alcohol policy while White House physician, CNN reports
The former top White House physician defended his actions in a statement to The Texas Tribune, calling the Defense Department inspector general report "a political hit job because I stood with President Trump." Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/56f11d8c549014da778d9596a5a8740a/Ronny%20Jackson%20CPAC%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
![U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Amarillo, speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Orlando on Feb. 28, 2021.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Joe Skipper -
“It’s putting us in the firing line”: Some small-business owners worry about Gov. Greg Abbott lifting coronavirus restrictions
Abbott’s order will leave it to business owners to decide whether to require customers wear masks inside their establishments. Some say they will keep coronavirus restrictions in place, but some business owners worry those decisions could anger potential customers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1d19aba32dce8c5491b234d18453d083/Austin%20COVID%20Restaurants%20REUTERS%20TT%2002.jpg)
![Juan Meza take a to-go order at Juan In A Million located in Austin, on May 1, 2020. Meza decided to open the restaurant's doors during the first phase of Gov. Greg Abbott's order to reopen Texas businesses.]()
Credit: Bronte Wittpenn/American-Statesman via USA TODAY NETWORK -
Texas' local officials blast Gov. Greg Abbott for "irresponsible action" of lifting coronavirus restrictions
City and county leaders urged residents in their areas to still follow recommendations from health experts and officials that call for wearing face masks in public. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ded2259734acc50801786a4a94a839ff/ATX%20COVID%20File%20June%2024%20MG%20TT%2004.jpg)
![Pedestrians wearing masks to protect against COVOD-19 in downtown Austin on June 24, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Keep wearing your mask, health officials say after Gov. Greg Abbott lifts mask mandate
Some variants of COVID-19 are more contagious and researchers believe they can reinfect people who already have gotten the virus. Doctors and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still recommend wearing masks. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3b9ef1575416eedea39601cd741a1fc4/Austin%20Thunderbirds%20Flyover%20EG%20TT%2006.jpg)
![Austin residents take photos on Congress Avenue bridge in Austin on May 13, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Pandemic response tops Texas voters’ legislative priorities, poll finds
Texas voters also think the state spends too little on mental health, and public education, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/83e0671ef088233c44f659119f483e64/UT-TT%20Legislature.jpg)
![The Senate Floor on Jan. 13, 2021.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/da92a255c349ce25b111f0a8e9cbd3c7/.crookedbye)