First Texas case of more contagious coronavirus variant identified in Harris County
It does not cause a more severe disease, and vaccines “are expected to be effective against it,” the health services department said of the strain. Full Story
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![A sign urges resident to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hidalgo County. Dec. 7, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas House Democrats ask Gov. Greg Abbott to overhaul COVID-19 vaccine distribution process
“The dearth of reliable public information leads to skepticism over the government’s ability to look out for the public health,” state Rep. Vikki Goodwin wrote in the letter, which 37 other House Democrats signed. Full Story
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![Eager valley residents look amongst the rows of cars lined up at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show Grounds in Mercedes. Area residents lined up overnight to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Jan 5, 2021.]()
Credit: Jason Garza for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Congressman Kevin Brady says he’s tested positive for COVID-19
Brady, a ranking member of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, said he will begin treatment Wednesday. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, spoke on a panel for the Lincoln Reagan Dinner, at the Bayou City Events Center in Houston in 2017.]()
Credit: Spike Johnson for The Texas Tribune -
Texas gives Medicaid recipients using Planned Parenthood until Feb. 3 to find new health care provider
The extension comes after the conservative U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in November sided with Texas officials who have long tried to block Planned Parenthood from participating in Medicaid, the federal-state health insurance program for the poor. Full Story
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![The exterior of Planned Parenthood's Downtown Austin Health Center on Jan. 14, 2020. The location was being renovated at time of capture.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
More vaccines on the way to Texas this week as the state's COVID-19 situation worsens
COVID-19 hospitalizations in Texas are at record levels, while just under half of the vaccine doses shipped to Texans have been given out, according to state numbers. Full Story
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![Vials of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are ready to be administered on Dec 30, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Early in the pandemic, Texas banned most abortions. After the ban lifted, second-trimester abortions jumped, a new study shows.
Texas officials cited a need to preserve medical supplies as a reason to crack down on abortions. A new study finds that many Texans left the state during this time seeking the procedure. Full Story
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![A women's health clinic in Texas.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Congresswoman Kay Granger tests positive for coronavirus
Granger tested positive for the respiratory disease after arriving in Washington, D.C. and is “asymptomatic and feeling great,” her office said in a statement. Full Story
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![Incumbent U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, speaks to supporters at the Blue Mesa restaurant in Fort Worth during the 2020 primary election on March 3, 2020.]()
Credit: Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson for The Texas Tribune -
Dan Patrick says senators will be tested for coronavirus, seating will be limited for opening day of the Texas Senate
An announcement of protocols for the Jan. 12 event did not mention masks. Full Story
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![The state Senate floor in Austin on Mar. 4, 2019.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Texas’ medical marijuana program is one of the most restrictive in the country. Advocates hope the Legislature will change that.
There are 3,519 Texans registered with the state to use medical marijuana, though advocates say 2 million people are eligible based on current law. Full Story
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Eligible Texans can’t get answers about the COVID-19 vaccine. It’s not clear who — if anyone — has them.
Getting the COVID-19 vaccine to the people eligible to receive it has proven far from easy. Its rollout in Texas has been marred by poor messaging from state officials, technical errors, logistical delays and supply shortages. Full Story
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![A patient received a COVID-19 vaccine at DHR Edinburg Conference Center. Dec. 19, 2020.]()
Credit: Jason Garza for The Texas Tribune -
Greg Abbott and Ken Paxton tell Austin restaurants to defy COVID-19 order banning overnight dine-in services
A judge ruled Austin and Travis County can restrict on-site dining overnight from Thursday until Sunday. Gov. Greg Abbott says restaurants should ignore the curfew. Full Story
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![Elia Montoya serves breakfast dishes to U.S. Representative Chip Roy and his family at Juan In A Million, located in East Austin, on May 1, 2020. This was the first phase of Gov. Greg Abbott’s order to gradually reopen Texas businesses during the coronavirus outbreak.]()
Credit: Bronte Wittpenn/Austin American-Statesman via USA TODAY NETWORK/REUTERS -
The coronavirus vaccine rollout in Texas is leaving some with more questions than answers
While all eligible Texans under the first phase of the rollout can now receive the COVID-19 vaccine, doses remain in short supply and many Texans who are desperate to get vaccinated can't get clear answers. Full Story
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![Critical Care Pharmacist Jennifer Cortes prepares the first Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Medical Center in Houston on Dec. 15, 2020.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Ken Paxton sues after Austin bans late on-site dining for New Year’s weekend amid COVID-19 surge
Mayor Steve Adler said the severity of the COVID-19 situation in Austin requires more drastic measures. El Paso County announced a similar order earlier this month. Full Story
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![A positive message is spray painted on a business on Sixth Street in Austin. Many businesses have closed their doors on the strip as a result of the recent coronavirus outbreak. March 25, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Disabled Texans worry loss of Affordable Care Act could cost them programs that help them live independently
Texas is leading a group of conservative states in a legal battle to have the sprawling health care law struck down. Without it, disabled Texans stand to lose programs that have allowed more people to stay in their homes, rather than state-run institutions. Full Story
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![Laura Halvorson at her home in San Antonio on Nov. 30, 2020.]()
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Texas officials push hospitals, local health authorities to administer COVID-19 vaccines faster as infection rate reaches "red flag" levels
Texas officials' push for providers to administer more vaccines comes as Texas’ seven-day average COVID-19 positivity rate has remained above 15% for one week, according to data the state released Tuesday. Full Story
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![Medical personnel wear personal protective equipment as they register residents at a COVID-19 testing site at Nations Tobin Park in El Paso on Nov. 19, 2020.]()
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Lone Star State sees dramatic increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations
The previous high of nearly 10,900 was broken as more than 11,300 Texans with COVID-19 were hospitalized Monday. Full Story
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![The COVID-19 unit at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Health System in Edinburg on June 30, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
"We need to be at the table": Texans with disabilities worry changes in legislative process during the pandemic could shut them out
COVID-19 rules and accommodations are still uncertain in the Capitol, though many people with disabilities don't plan to give testimony in person because of fears of exposure. Full Story
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![Adapt of Texas, a grassroots disability rights organization, held a rally and march to protest proposed cuts and changes to health care in 2017.]()
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Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen tests positive for coronavirus
“We are unable to pinpoint our initial exposure, as we ... made the difficult decision to celebrate Christmas with just our own household this year,” Bonnen, who is retiring from the House, wrote on his Facebook page. Full Story
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![House Speaker Dennis Bonnen during a press conference on a Domestic Terrorism Task Force roundtable held at the Capitol on Jan. 7, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
A grieving daughter, a dedicated teacher and a former bar owner: We check back in with Texans about the pandemic and 2020
Like so many people, everyone we spoke to for this special edition of The Brief podcast said they're ready for this year to be over. Full Story
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One Texas health district received 900 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Then, it closed for Christmas.
The move in Williamson County drew a sharp rebuke from local leaders, who felt that health officials shirked their duties by failing to promptly administer doses of the vaccine. Full Story
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![Holly Ainsworth, a nursing intern at the University of Texas, prepares to administer a COVID-19 vaccine to Stephanie Vasquez, a PACU Nurse at UT HS-ASC, on Dec. 15, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune