Texas Tribune Brief

Colt McCoy joined forces with rich UT-Austin alumni to help pressure university to keep "The Eyes of Texas," latest emails show Apr 01, 2021

The new emails reveal more powerful donors and alumni than were previously known who mobilized on the issue in June right after the student athletes went public with their demands to get rid of the song.

Bills restricting abortion, including one that bans procedure as early as six weeks, gets Texas Senate OK Mar 31, 2021

The slate of bills must still go to the House for approval.

Sweeping legislation to overhaul electricity market in response to winter storm heads to Texas House after Senate's unanimous approval Mar 30, 2021

Senate Bill 3 would require all power generators, transmission lines, natural gas facilities and pipelines to make upgrades for extreme weather. Its prospects are uncertain in the House, which is scheduled to take up a series of related, standalone bills on Tuesday.

All Texas adults eligible for COVID-19 vaccine, but there aren’t enough doses Mar 29, 2021

It still may be hard to secure a vaccine appointment, but doctors hope increasing supply will help meet demand.
Learn more at trib.it/VaxQA

COVID vaccine brings home health worker some hard-fought stress relief Mar 27, 2021

Nancy Gallegos says she's endured debilitating job stress, but the San Antonio nurse has managed to find a few silver linings amidst the pandemic. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast.
www.texastribune.org

At least 111 people died in Texas during winter storm, most from hypothermia Mar 26, 2021

The newly revised number is nearly twice the 57 that state health officials had estimated last week and will likely continue to grow.
www.texastribune.org

Ken Paxton refuses to release messages about attendance at pro-Trump rally before Jan. 6 insurrection Mar 25, 2021

The Texas Tribune joined several other news organizations in an effort to obtain copies of emails and text messages that Paxton sent or received while in Washington for the rally.

COVID-19 vaccine to everyone 16 and older in Texas on March 29 Mar 24, 2021

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.

Migrants, including children, face cramped conditions at South Texas Border Patrol facility Mar 23, 2021

Images released by a Democratic U.S. representative show settings similar to those that Democrats hammered former President Donald Trump over two years ago, when that administration encountered an increase of migrant apprehensions

Republicans in Texas begin pursuing new voting restrictions as they work to protect their hold on power Mar 22, 2021

Hearings are set to begin today on the first major bill in a push by Republican lawmakers to further tighten the state's already restrictive voting rules and raise new barriers for some voters.

Black and Hispanic Texans are still underrepresented in vaccinations Mar 19, 2021

White Texans are being vaccinated at nearly twice the rate of Hispanic Texans and more than six times the rate of Black Texans, according to state data.
Plus, the latest on the fallout
www.texastribune.org

Gov. Greg Abbott says Texas will target human traffickers in response to "humanitarian crisis" at the border Mar 18, 2021

The governor asked the federal government to let Texas law enforcement interview migrant children in FEMA shelters to investigate human trafficking.

At least 57 people died in the Texas winter storm, mostly from hypothermia Mar 17, 2021

The deaths occurred in at least 25 counties. And 25 of the fatalities occurred in Harris County. Some Texas deaths were caused by carbon monoxide poisoning and medical equipment failure.

State Senate scrambles to advance bill that would force ERCOT to reprice energy charges from winter storm Mar 16, 2021

Senate Bill 2142 had not even been filed when the day started Monday, but lawmakers suspended their rules to hastily push it through the Senate.

Texans 50 and older will be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine starting March 15 Mar 15, 2021

The new category — labeled 1C — means that vaccine availability is ramping up across the state.

Houston man supports his community as attacks on Asian Americans persist across U.S. Mar 13, 2021

In cities with diverse populations, people of Asian descent say they continue to be encouraged to help their fellow Texans weather the health crisis. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast.
www.texastribune.org

Joe Biden signs COVID-19 relief bill that will give millions of Texans $1,400 checks Mar 12, 2021

The bill, which also includes billions in aid for state and local governments, now awaits President Joe Biden’s signature.

Texans 50 and older will be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine starting March 15 Mar 11, 2021

Before the Wednesday announcement, between 10 million and 13 million people — more than one-third of Texas’ population — were eligible, according to state health officials.

No more statewide mask mandate in Texas. But face coverings are still required in some businesses and public places. Mar 10, 2021

Texas’ statewide mask mandate has ended as of March 10. Businesses are also now allowed to operate at full capacity as long as the hospitals in their region haven’t been treating a large share of patients for COVID-19. Here’s a look at what the loosened restrictions mean for Texans.

Texans recovering from COVID-19 relied on machines to help them breathe. Then the power went out. Mar 09, 2021

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.

Gov. Greg Abbott rejects aid from Biden administration in dispute over coronavirus testing for migrants Mar 08, 2021

Abbott said it is the federal government’s responsibility to test the migrants.

A year into the pandemic, many Texans still struggling financially and emotionally Mar 06, 2021

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.

For some Texans who lost loved ones to the coronavirus, lifting the mask mandate is a “slap in the face” Mar 05, 2021

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.”

Texas teachers, child care workers now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine Mar 04, 2021

The change in eligibility comes the day after the Biden administration urged all states to prioritize teachers.

Gov. Greg Abbott says he's rescinding statewide mask mandate and capacity limits on businesses Mar 03, 2021

The change, which comes as the seven-day average of new coronavirus deaths remains above 200, will go into effect March 10.

Public Utility Commission chair resigns after Texas officials criticize management of power outages Mar 02, 2021

On Monday, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called for PUC Chair DeAnn Walker and Electric Reliability Council of Texas CEO Bill Magness to resign.

The state of Texas expects to receive more than 200,000 initial doses of newly approved Johnson & Johnson vaccine Mar 01, 2021

The Food and Drug Administration on Saturday approved the vaccine, the first that requires one dose instead of two.

Rural Texas communities face long recoveries and stretched budgets without federal aid Feb 27, 2021

Debbie Gosnell, city manager of Cross Plains, said it could take months for her community to recover from the winter storm. Without approval for federal aid, Gosnell worries the town's budget will not cover the numerous broken pipes and damaged buildings.

House and Senate holding hearings about last week's winter storm in Texas Feb 26, 2021

Catastrophic Texas power outages prompt finger pointing and blame shifting at legislative hearings.

Citrus and dairy farmers in Texas urge patience as they rebuild after the winter storm Feb 25, 2021

The historic winter storm wiped out most of South Texas' citrus crop and halted dairy processing in the Panhandle for days. Consumers will likely continue seeing short-term shortages, producers say.

ERCOT board members who live outside of Texas are resigning in the aftermath of the power outage, winter storm Feb 24, 2021

Five board members, including the chair, who do not live in Texas will resign. A candidate for another position on the board has withdrawn his application. The vacancies will not immediately be filled.

Here's how Texans can apply for federal help to recover from the devastating winter storm Feb 23, 2021

Texas sustained between $45 and $50 billion in damage and economic loss from the storm, according to AccuWeather. So far, people in more than 100 counties can begin applying for federal assistance.

Gov. Greg Abbott says state leaders are moving to alleviate massive energy bills following winter storm Feb 22, 2021

The meeting came after numerous reports of Texans receiving exorbitant electric bills despite not having power during the storm

Texans who experienced winter storm, power outages share their stories Feb 20, 2021

After days without power or running water, many Texans say they're frustrated, but determined to overcome the latest challenge thrown their way. We caught up with several people to hear about what they endured as a historic winter storm with catastrophic consequences swept across the state.
There's Victoria Forton, a new mom trying to keep her baby warm in Pflugerville. And Sara Deraud, a Grapevine woman concerned about her grown son five hours away.
Jose Cabral cozied up with his wife and pets in Salado to stay warm. The lights went out on Lorraine Patino in Manor, leaving her and her husband with little more to eat than peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
Marcus Wilson lost power in Houston and with it, the ability to work virtually. And Astrid Lang, a Houston Independent School District teacher worried about her less fortunate students, and her parents, who risked missing their second COVID-19 vaccine doses because of the weather.
www.texastribune.org

After being hit hard by the pandemic, Black and Hispanic communities are feeling the blow of a winter storm Feb 19, 2021

Texans of color have not only been more devastated by death and unemployment during the last year, but also tend to live in disinvested neighborhoods, with older homes and less food options to withstand the cold temperatures and outages.

Officials in Texas warn of low water supply; nearly 3 million households without electricity Feb 18, 2021

A massive winter storm in Texas has brought widespread power outages and transportation problems.

Power outage leaves Texans desperate for heat and safety Feb 17, 2021

As Texas utility operators and politicians squabbled over responsibility for "load shedding" and "rolling blackouts" Tuesday, many residents scrambled simply to stay warm and alive.
www.texastribune.org

At least 2 million Texas households without power as massive winter storm drives demand for electricity Feb 16, 2021

Utility companies that deliver electricity to Texans are telling customers that power outages could last well into Tuesday

Former top aides say Attorney General Ken Paxton received assistance with home remodel, job for alleged girlfriend in return for helping pol Feb 12, 2021

A court filing documents what Paxton’s whistleblowers believe led to an alleged “bizarre, obsessive use of power.”

Three FEMA-run vaccination sites aimed at underserved Texans to open later this month, Abbott says Feb 11, 2021

Combined, the three sites are expected to administer more than 10,000 shots per day, with doses supplied by FEMA.

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