Texas GOP convention will happen in person — but Republican leaders will speak via video
As the state has seen a surge in coronavirus cases, calls have been growing over the past week for the party to cancel its Houston event. Full Story
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![James Dickey, Texas GOP Chairman is seen on a large video screen during the final afternoon of the 2018 Texas GOP Convention in San Antonio.]()
Credit: Robin Jerstad for The Texas Tribune -
He was supposed to be in prison less than a year. Instead, he died after catching the coronavirus.
At least 84 Texas state prisoners have died after contracting the coronavirus, including men who were serving short sentences or set to soon go home. As the death count rose, advocates unsuccessfully called on the governor and parole board for early release. Full Story
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![James Allen Smith, 73, died after contracting the coronavirus in a Texas prison. He was only supposed to be in prison for a months-long rehabilitation program.]()
Credit: Courtesy of Jami Smith Hanchey -
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner urges Texas GOP to cancel its convention
The in-person event is scheduled for next week, even as the coronavirus continues to spread through Houston. Full Story
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![Texas Republican Convention attendees stand for the Pledge of Allegiance in Fort Worth in 2012.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Several Texas cities worry hospitals may run out of beds in two weeks or sooner
As local officials express concerns that their hospitals could be overloaded with coronavirus patients, some are urging Gov. Greg Abbott to empower local governments to issue stay-at-home orders. Full Story
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![The emergency center at Ben Taub Hospital in the Texas Medical Center in Houston on June 26, 2020.]()
Credit: May-Ying Lam for the Texas Tribune -
How Texans celebrated July Fourth during the coronavirus pandemic
Four Texas Tribune photographers went out to see how Texans were celebrating the holiday as the new coronavirus surges and new restrictions are imposed to stem its rise. Here's what they saw. Full Story
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![People watch a fireworks display from the parking lot of Church of the Springs in Dripping Springs on July 4, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Ector County GOP censures Abbott over executive power amid coronavirus, state Sen. Charles Perry calls for special session
The developments came two days after Abbott announced an executive order requiring Texans to wear masks in most public places. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott speaks about the categories of medical surge facilities during a press conference at the Texas Department of Public Safety on Tuesday, June 16, 2020.]()
Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell/Pool via Austin American-Statesman -
Ten out of the 12 hospitals in Texas' Rio Grande Valley are now full
"We are now at the point of grave concern," said the CEO of one hospital system in deep South Texas as local hospitals began diverting patients away from their emergency rooms amid a crush of COVID-19 infections. Full Story
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Bar exam for Texas' aspiring lawyers canceled in July due to coronavirus concerns
Following pleas from law school deans and prospective lawyers, the Texas Supreme Court has canceled the July bar exam and will plan for an in-person exam in September and an online exam in October. Full Story
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![The Texas Supreme Court on Jan. 15, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
How Texans behave on July Fourth will shape the next phase of the state's coronavirus epidemic
Millions of decisions by a restive population eager to barbecue, jump in lakes and gather for fireworks could have disastrous consequences for public health. Officials are crossing their fingers, and pleading for Texans to give up a little independence. Full Story
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![Aransas Pass hosts its Fourth of July fireworks display on Thursday, July 2, 2020, over Conn Brown Harbor. Attendees were encouraged to social distance and stay in their cars during the show.]()
Credit: USA TODAY NETWORK via Reuters -
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's statewide mask mandate exempts voting sites and churches
As for the voting exemption in his mask order, Abbott says it was designed to make sure Texans do not lose their right to vote "simply because they don't have a mask." Full Story
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![A man exits Toney Burger stadium in South Austin where early voting has begun for the July 14th runoff and special election, in Austin on June 29, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
“How many more are coming?” What it’s like inside hospitals as coronavirus grips Texas’ Rio Grande Valley
The surge in coronavirus cases has slammed hospitals in the Rio Grande Valley. Additional wards have opened. Doctors and nurses pull extra shifts. And the stream of sick people, some gasping for air, keeps growing. Full Story
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Gov. Greg Abbott orders Texans in most counties to wear masks in public
Abbott previously resisted calls for such an order and at one point banned local governments from requiring masks. First-time violators will be issued a warning, though repeat offenders could be fined up to $250. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott gives an update on Texas hospital bed capacity and the state's strategy for fighting COVID-19 during a press conference at Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin on Tuesday, June 16, 2020.]()
Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell/Pool via Austin American-Statesman -
Number of Texans filing for unemployment benefits increases by 7% over previous week
For the past two months, the number of people filing claims in Texas has trended downward. But last week, the number of people who filed for claims increased 7% over the previous week. Full Story
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![Pueblo Viejo in Austin closed its dining operations following an executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott which limits social gatherings to 10 people. March 20, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
High school coaches’ convention will draw thousands to San Antonio as pandemic rages across Texas
To stop the spread of the new coronavirus in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott closed bars and banned nonessential surgeries in counties that are hot spots. But indoor conventions that will draw thousands of people are still moving forward. Full Story
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![Purell hand sanitizer at the track prior to the NCAA Indoor Championships at Albuquerque Convention Center on Mar 12, 2020.]()
Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports via REUTERS -
Texas won’t specify where hospital beds are available as coronavirus cases hit record highs
As coronavirus caseloads soar across Texas, hospitals are seeing a surge of new patients. But getting information on which hospitals are hardest hit is nearly impossible. Full Story
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![Texas Children’s Hospital and other buildings in the Texas Medical Center in Houston on June 26, 2020.]()
Credit: May-Ying Lam for The Texas Tribune -
Vanilla Ice cancels Fourth of July weekend concert near Austin as coronavirus cases surge
Plans for the concert drew outrage due to public health warnings that large gatherings can accelerate the spread of the coronavirus. But as of Wednesday night, only 84 tickets had been sold. Full Story
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![Vanilla Ice performs at Las Vegas on June, 22 2019.]()
Credit: PA Images via Reuters -
TribCast: Early voting begins as coronavirus surges in Texas and a debate over sex ed curriculum
In this edition of TribCast, Emma talks to Matthew, Aliyya and Ross about the state's latest efforts to mitigate spread of the new coronavirus, and the State Board of Education’s ongoing debate over Texas’ sex ed curriculum. Full Story
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![Pharmacy technician Ashley Perez passes a self-swab coronavirus test to a patient at a drive thru testing site at a Walmart in McKinney on Tuesday, June 29, 2020.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
Internal messages reveal crisis at Houston hospitals as coronavirus cases surge
Texas was one of the first states in the nation to ease social distancing mandates. In Houston, the number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 has quadrupled since Memorial Day. “It’s time to be alarmed,” one expert said. Full Story
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![A man on a stretcher is put into an ambulance at the Texas Medical Center in Houston on June 26, 2020.]()
Credit: May-Ying Lam for the Texas Tribune -
Austin City Limits music festival canceled for 2020 because of coronavirus
In 2018, the festival contributed $264.6 million to the city's economy and created or sustained at least 1,500 jobs across bars and restaurants, hotels and transportation, according to the Austin-American Statesman. Full Story
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![The Austin City Limits Music Festival canceled its 2020 concerts.]()
Credit: Courtesy of Eddie Gaspar -
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says Dr. Anthony Fauci “doesn’t know what he’s talking about”
Fauci and other top medical leaders have flagged Texas as a COVID-19 hot spot, but Patrick said the infectious disease doctor has “been wrong every time on every issue.” Full Story
Credit: Nick Wagner/POOL via American-Statesman
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