8:11 PM on Jun 24, 2020 CDTCity and county leaders will meet Thursday with the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council to discuss opening a pop-up medical facility at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations continue to rise.After Gov. Greg Abbott announced the convention center in late March as the site of Texas’ first pop-up hospital for coronavirus patients, officials said it would be opened as a “last resort” if hospitals became overwhelmed.Some 4,389 people with COVID-19 were in hospitals statewide on Wednesday, the 12th consecutive day of record...…8:11 PM on Jun 24, 2020 CDTCity and county leaders will meet Thursday with the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council to discuss opening a pop-up medical facility at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations continue to rise.After Gov. Greg Abbott announced the convention center in late March as the site of Texas’ first pop-up hospital for coronavirus patients, officials said it would be opened as a “last resort” if hospitals became overwhelmed.Some 4,389 people with COVID-19 were in hospitals statewide on Wednesday, the 12th consecutive day of record...WW…

8:57 AM on Jun 26, 2020 CDT — Updated at 12:20 PM on Jun 26, 2020 CDTUpdated at 9:55 a.m., June 29, 2020: to note Rep. Jonathan Stickland isn’t in Freedom Caucus anymore. AUSTIN — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday took more countermeasures to stem a tide of coronavirus infections, as he closed bars, ordered restaurants to return to 50% capacity, shut river-rafting outfits and gave local officials more control over large gatherings ahead of the Fourth of July holiday.It was a big pivot from Monday, when he said retrenchment “will always be the last option.”On Friday, Abbott called the moves...…8:57 AM on Jun 26, 2020 CDT — Updated at 12:20 PM on Jun 26, 2020 CDTUpdated at 9:55 a.m., June 29, 2020: to note Rep. Jonathan Stickland isn’t in Freedom Caucus anymore. AUSTIN — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday took more countermeasures to stem a tide of coronavirus infections, as he closed bars, ordered restaurants to return to 50% capacity, shut river-rafting outfits and gave local officials more control over large gatherings ahead of the Fourth of July holiday.It was a big pivot from Monday, when he said retrenchment “will always be the last option.”On Friday, Abbott called the moves...WW…

12:24 PM on May 29, 2020 CDTAUSTIN — A conservative Houston businessman and longtime critic of Texas’ ruling Republicans is challenging Gov. Greg Abbott’s power to issue executive orders during the coronavirus pandemic.An emergency petition to the state Supreme Court filed Friday contends Abbott’s orders violate the Texas Constitution by suspending laws enacted by the state Legislature.“Shockingly, after almost three months, Abbott has not convened the Legislature to address legislation related to ‘extraordinary occasions’ surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic,” says the petition, signed by...…12:24 PM on May 29, 2020 CDTAUSTIN — A conservative Houston businessman and longtime critic of Texas’ ruling Republicans is challenging Gov. Greg Abbott’s power to issue executive orders during the coronavirus pandemic.An emergency petition to the state Supreme Court filed Friday contends Abbott’s orders violate the Texas Constitution by suspending laws enacted by the state Legislature.“Shockingly, after almost three months, Abbott has not convened the Legislature to address legislation related to ‘extraordinary occasions’ surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic,” says the petition, signed by...WW…

2:10 PM on Jul 17, 2020 CDT — Updated at 5:30 PM on Jul 17, 2020 CDTUpdated at 5:30 p.m.: Revised to include comments from Todd Webster, former acting Texas Education Commissioner and current lobbyist at HillCo Partners.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a guidance letter to the state’s private religious schools on Friday stating that they “need not comply” to recent local and county health orders barring in-person instruction until after Labor Day.“As protected by the First Amendment and Texas law, religious private schools may continue to determine when it is safe for their...…2:10 PM on Jul 17, 2020 CDT — Updated at 5:30 PM on Jul 17, 2020 CDTUpdated at 5:30 p.m.: Revised to include comments from Todd Webster, former acting Texas Education Commissioner and current lobbyist at HillCo Partners.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a guidance letter to the state’s private religious schools on Friday stating that they “need not comply” to recent local and county health orders barring in-person instruction until after Labor Day.“As protected by the First Amendment and Texas law, religious private schools may continue to determine when it is safe for their...WW…

4:41 PM on May 15, 2020 CDTAUSTIN — Barbershops and salons that defied a statewide order to close will not be penalized by state regulators after Gov. Greg Abbott changed shutdown rules in response to the jailing of a Dallas salon owner.The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has dropped 200 enforcement cases against barbers and cosmetologists who allegedly kept working in April and early May, despite Abbott’s order to close amid the coronavirus outbreak. The agency also dismissed around 180 complaints that had been filed but not yet investigated, spokeswoman Tela Mange said.The...…4:41 PM on May 15, 2020 CDTAUSTIN — Barbershops and salons that defied a statewide order to close will not be penalized by state regulators after Gov. Greg Abbott changed shutdown rules in response to the jailing of a Dallas salon owner.The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has dropped 200 enforcement cases against barbers and cosmetologists who allegedly kept working in April and early May, despite Abbott’s order to close amid the coronavirus outbreak. The agency also dismissed around 180 complaints that had been filed but not yet investigated, spokeswoman Tela Mange said.The...WW…

10:23 AM on Apr 21, 2020 CDTAUSTIN -- A month after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick faced the economy reopen while older people fend for themselves amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Republican feels vindicated.“I’m sorry to say that I was right on this, and I’m thankful that we are now, Tucker, finally beginning to open up Texas and other states because it’s been long overdue,” Patrick “And what I said when I was with you that night, there are more important things than living and that’s saving this country for my children and my grandchildren and saving this country for all of us,” said Patrick, who...…10:23 AM on Apr 21, 2020 CDTAUSTIN -- A month after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick faced the economy reopen while older people fend for themselves amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Republican feels vindicated.“I’m sorry to say that I was right on this, and I’m thankful that we are now, Tucker, finally beginning to open up Texas and other states because it’s been long overdue,” Patrick “And what I said when I was with you that night, there are more important things than living and that’s saving this country for my children and my grandchildren and saving this country for all of us,” said Patrick, who...WW…

12:58 PM on Apr 27, 2020 CDT — Updated at 7:45 PM on Apr 27, 2020 CDTUpdated at 1:52 p.m., April 28, 2020: to correct that Abbott lifted the 14-day self-quarantine order only on road and air travelers from Louisiana, not on air travelers from New York and other COVID-19 hotspots.AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday said his statewide stay-at-home order on coronavirus will expire on Thursday as scheduled, while Texas malls, stores, movie theaters and restaurants may open the next day — with 25% occupancy.Barber shops, hair salons, gyms, massage establishments, tattoo parlors, video arcades...…12:58 PM on Apr 27, 2020 CDT — Updated at 7:45 PM on Apr 27, 2020 CDTUpdated at 1:52 p.m., April 28, 2020: to correct that Abbott lifted the 14-day self-quarantine order only on road and air travelers from Louisiana, not on air travelers from New York and other COVID-19 hotspots.AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday said his statewide stay-at-home order on coronavirus will expire on Thursday as scheduled, while Texas malls, stores, movie theaters and restaurants may open the next day — with 25% occupancy.Barber shops, hair salons, gyms, massage establishments, tattoo parlors, video arcades...WW…

6:00 AM on May 18, 2020 CDTAUSTIN — When Gov. Greg and residents to stay home amid the coronavirus pandemic, he gave local officials power to jail and fine those who defied the order. But when big cities led by Democrats tried, he and other state GOP leaders called it government overreach.Two days after Dallas salon owner Shelley Luther was jailed, . The governor overrode Houston’s policy to fine residents who didn’t wear masks before it could be enforced. And last week, against local policies he’s deemed “unlawful.”Meanwhile, those same leaders have been silent about far more aggressive...…6:00 AM on May 18, 2020 CDTAUSTIN — When Gov. Greg and residents to stay home amid the coronavirus pandemic, he gave local officials power to jail and fine those who defied the order. But when big cities led by Democrats tried, he and other state GOP leaders called it government overreach.Two days after Dallas salon owner Shelley Luther was jailed, . The governor overrode Houston’s policy to fine residents who didn’t wear masks before it could be enforced. And last week, against local policies he’s deemed “unlawful.”Meanwhile, those same leaders have been silent about far more aggressive...WW…

4:47 PM on Feb 11, 2021 CSTAUSTIN — Four former high ranking agency officials are accusing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton of swapping political favors for a donor’s help with a home remodel and The new, more detailed allegations, , were laid out in an updated court filing in a whistleblower lawsuit . The lawsuit accuses Paxton of repeatedly abusing his position as the state’s top lawyer to help Nate Paul, an Austin real estate developer and campaign donor.The four ex-officials said they received information “suggesting” Paul “either personally or through a construction company he owns...…4:47 PM on Feb 11, 2021 CSTAUSTIN — Four former high ranking agency officials are accusing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton of swapping political favors for a donor’s help with a home remodel and The new, more detailed allegations, , were laid out in an updated court filing in a whistleblower lawsuit . The lawsuit accuses Paxton of repeatedly abusing his position as the state’s top lawyer to help Nate Paul, an Austin real estate developer and campaign donor.The four ex-officials said they received information “suggesting” Paul “either personally or through a construction company he owns...WW…

12:51 PM on Feb 17, 2021 CST — Updated at 4:49 PM on Feb 17, 2021 CSTFrom snow to severe thunderstorms to 100-degree heat, Dallas-Fort Worth gets it all. Stay up to date with important alerts.By signing up you agree to our…12:51 PM on Feb 17, 2021 CST — Updated at 4:49 PM on Feb 17, 2021 CSTFrom snow to severe thunderstorms to 100-degree heat, Dallas-Fort Worth gets it all. Stay up to date with important alerts.By signing up you agree to ourWW…