Texas Archives

Fact check on Cruz, Durbin argument: No, not all undocumented immigrants will get relief checks. Yes, some of them probably will

March 12, 2021 11:18 AM CNN Newsource

WASHINGTON, DC — Last weekend, a prominent Republican senator, Ted Cruz of Texas, and the second-ranking Democratic senator, Dick Durbin of Illinois, had an argument on the Senate floor about whether undocumented immigrants are eligible to receive checks from the pandemic relief bill President Joe Biden signed on Thursday, the American Rescue Plan Act. Cruz

Texas attorney general files lawsuit against Austin leaders over mask requirement

March 11, 2021 3:58 PM CNN Newsource

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas’ top law enforcement officer is suing leaders in the state’s capital for maintaining local coronavirus mask requirements, saying they illegally defy the governor’s order ending a statewide mandate. The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Travis County District Court, names Austin Mayor Steve Adler, Travis County Judge Andy Brown and Mark Escott, the

Austin police officer indicted for murder in fatal shooting

March 11, 2021 3:06 PM CNN Newsource

AUSTIN, Texas — A grand jury has indicted an Austin police officer on a first-degree murder charge in the fatal shooting of 42-year-old Michael Brent Ramos in last April, Travis County District Attorney José Garza said in a statement released Thursday. The case against Austin Police Department Officer Christopher Taylor is the first known indictment

AP analysis: No evidence migrants at border significantly spreading virus

March 11, 2021 2:16 PM Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas — As he ended Texas’ coronavirus restrictions over the objections of public health officials, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has tried shifting concern about the virus’ spread to migrants with Covid-19 crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, though without evidence they are a significant factor. The focus by Abbott and other Republicans on migrant families has

Texas attorney general threatens to sue unless Austin leaders rescind mask requirement

March 11, 2021 1:31 PM CNN Newsource

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas’ top law enforcement officer has threatened to sue leaders in the state’s capital for maintaining local coronavirus mask requirements, saying they illegally defy the governor’s order ending a statewide mandate. Attorney General Ken Paxton, in a letter to Austin Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Andy Brown, said he would

Matthew McConaughey says running for Texas governor is ‘a true consideration’

March 11, 2021 11:47 AM CNN Newsource

AUSTIN, Texas — Matthew McConaughey says he is seriously considering a run for Texas governor. The “True Detective” star, whose home state is Texas, says he is thinking it over and it may be what he wants to do with the next chapter of his life. On a recent episode of Crime Stoppers of Houston’s

9 migrants flown to El Paso from Rio Grande Valley test positive for virus

March 10, 2021 6:31 PM Saul Saenz

EL PASO, Texas — ABC-7 has learned that as many as nine migrants flown into El Paso from the Rio Grande Valley have tested positive for Covid-19. The nine are among hundreds being brought to El Paso by the U.S. Border Patrol because of a surge in migrants requesting asylum in southern Texas, which has

A University of Texas report confirms its alma mater’s complicated history but finds ‘no racist intent’

March 10, 2021 6:15 PM CNN Newsource

AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas has long faced allegations that its famous alma mater, “The Eyes of Texas,” had a racist past, but a committee tasked with researching the tune’s history and intent found it’s not as clear as it seems. UT President Jay Hartzell established The Eyes of Texas History Committee in

MLB’s Texas Rangers could be 1st team with a full house since the pandemic stopped sports

March 10, 2021 4:19 PM CNN Newsource

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers could become the first major US sports team to play before a full house since the coronavirus pandemic began shutting stadiums and arenas a year ago this week. The Major League Baseball club announced Wednesday that Globe Life Field will be “fully open” to its 40,518 capacity for the

Texas vaccine eligibility expands to 50 & up starting March 15

March 10, 2021 2:29 PM Texas Tribune

AUSTIN, Texas — Texans age 50 and older will be eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine beginning March 15, state health officials announced Wednesday. “Expanding to ages 50 to 64 will continue the state’s priorities of protecting those at the greatest risk of severe outcomes and preserving the state’s health care system,” said Imelda Garcia,

Texas authorities investigating allegations of racism and bullying of a 13-year-old by his classmates during sleepover

March 10, 2021 7:06 AM CNN Newsource

PLANO, Texas — Texas school and law enforcement officials have launched investigations after videos surfaced showing a 13-year-old allegedly being bullied by classmates during a sleepover in a home in Plano. “To call it bullying minimizes the gravity and the horror of this attack,” said Kim T. Cole, the attorney representing Summer Smith and her

As Texas governor lifts state mask mandate, here’s what we know

March 9, 2021 10:26 PM CNN Newsource

AUSTIN, Texas — Texans will no longer be under a statewide mandate to wear masks in public as of Wednesday, but they shouldn’t be too quick to throw out their face coverings. Gov. Greg Abbott last week announced he would be loosening restrictions meant to stop the spread of Covid-19, including doing away with the

CBP rebuts Abbott’s claim that U.S. Border Patrol lacks access to virus vaccine

March 9, 2021 10:50 AM Jim Parker, Brianna Chavez

MISSION, Texas — Gov. Greg Abbott, during a news conference Tuesday at the Texas-Mexico border to discuss the state’s border security efforts amid what the governor claimed was an “ongoing humanitarian crisis,” alleged that the Biden Administration was not providing access to Covid-19 vaccines to U.S. Border Patrol staff. Abbott’s remarks came after he took an

City of Austin to defy Gov. Abbott, will keep mask requirement despite Texas mandate lift

March 9, 2021 12:06 PM ABC News

AUSTIN, Texas — City of Austin leaders announced Tuesday that they will continue to require wearing masks amid Gov. Greg Abbott lifting the statewide mask mandate starting Wednesday, ABC affiliate KVUE reported. “In Austin, we’re committed to saving lives. Period. If state officials don’t want to do their jobs protecting people from the virus, then

Texas grocery store’s act of kindness sets off a chain reaction of positivity in the wake of deadly storm

March 9, 2021 11:33 AM CNN Newsource

LEANDER, Texas — When Tim and Deb Hennessy decided to go on a grocery run during last month’s deadly winter storm in Texas, they had no idea the generosity they were in for. Tim Hennessy told CNN he immediately regretted the trip when he saw the line of people outside, waiting to get into the

A Mexican restaurant in Texas is requiring people to keep wearing masks; some are threatening to call ICE on the staff

March 8, 2021 6:15 PM CNN

HOUSTON, Texas — As Texans look ahead to the mask mandate ending and businesses reopening fully on Wednesday, one Houston restaurant is dealing with hateful comments because it said it will require customers to keep wearing masks. A co-owner of Arnaldo Richards’ Picos Restaurant told CNN that while the majority of customers have been supportive,

Dallas Cowboys agree on 4-year, $160M contract with Dak Prescott

March 8, 2021 5:26 PM ABC News, Associated Press

DALLAS, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys have agreed to terms on a new contract with quarterback Dak Prescott, the team confirmed to ABC affiliate WFAA on Monday. ESPN is reporting that the contract is four years for $160 million. The contract also means no franchise tag. Prescott played on a $31.4 million franchise tag in 2020

Texas Democrats urge Abbott to accept federal funds to help border communities

March 8, 2021 4:08 PM CNN Newsource

AUSTIN, Texas — Democratic lawmakers from Texas are urging the state’s governor to accept federal funds to help with the testing and quarantining of migrants released from U.S. Border Patrol custody, according to a letter obtained by CNN. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has blamed migrants for spreading Covid-19, without evidence, while blocking federal plans to

Migrants being flown to El Paso from overwhelmed Rio Grande Valley

March 8, 2021 2:24 PM El Paso Matters - Rene Kladzyk

EL PASO, Texas — El Paso will begin receiving planes full of migrants from the Rio Grande Valley for processing, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, said. “What we are seeing is families continue to arrive at our nation’s front door and the only difference today than a year ago … is the pandemic, and so

At least 6 hospitalized after natural gas explosion and fire in Texas

March 6, 2021 1:02 AM CNN Newsource

SPRING, Texas — At least six employees of CenterPoint Energy were transported to local hospitals Friday after what the company described as a “natural gas incident.” Company spokesperson Olivia Koch told CNN the incident occurred in Gleannloch Farms, near Spring. According to a post on Twitter by the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office, investigators were

Is there a border crisis? Depends who you ask in Texas, but it’s clear more migrants are crossing into U.S.

March 5, 2021 10:04 PM CNN Newsource

MISSION, Texas — An American flag blew in the South Texas wind as Father Roy Snipes prepared to welcome 100 migrants to the school close to his church. He set the church bells to chime just in time for the migrants’ arrival and play “Santa Maria del Camino,” a hymnal honoring traveling pilgrims. But the

Albertsons reverses policy, will still require masks for Texas store customers

March 3, 2021 5:18 PM Saul Saenz, Jim Parker

UPDATE, March 5: Albertsons changed course on Friday, saying it would now continue to mandate masks for customers in its Texas grocery stores when a state requirement expires next week. Just a couple days ago, the chain drew a flurry of attention when a spokesperson told ABC-7 it would lift the mask requirement when the

Texas schools won’t lose state funding this academic year for pandemic attendance declines

March 5, 2021 4:47 PM Texas Tribune

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas will fully fund school districts that have seen student attendance drop during the pandemic, as long as they maintain or increase the rate of students learning in person, Gov. Greg Abbott and state education officials have announced. School superintendents have been awaiting the news for months, with the pandemic and switch to virtual learning causing

Beto O’Rourke is criss-crossing Texas, igniting Dems hopes he’ll run for governor

March 5, 2021 11:55 AM ABC News, CNN

(Editor’s note: In the video player above is Beto O’Rourke’s unedited responses during an ABC News Live interview on Friday.) EL PASO, Texas — Beto O’Rourke is on the road again, criss-crossing Texas and broadcasting his stops in small towns live. His efforts have been focused on the crises that have gripped the state: Widespread

Leaders and businesses say masks are essential as Texas lifts Covid-19 restrictions

March 5, 2021 2:56 PM CNN Newsource

Leaders and businesses across the United States are pushing back against states lifting mask mandates by doubling down on their commitment to enforcing Covid-19 precautions as variants continue to cause concern. This week, Texas and Mississippi joined the list of states expanding business capacity and lifting the mandates for residents to wear masks. In Texas,

Active Covid-19 cases in Texas nursing homes drop by 80% since December

March 5, 2021 12:34 PM Brianna Chavez

El Paso, Texas — Once known Covid-19 hotspots, active virus cases at nursing homes in Texas have dropped nearly 80 percent since late December to early March, according to data complied by ABC-7 from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/5399313/ (Data complied using information from Texas DHHS. Region 2, includes El Paso

Dallas police officer faces two capital murder charges

March 4, 2021 9:59 PM CNN Newsource

A Dallas police officer is accused of offering to pay another person to kidnap and kill two people in 2017, Dallas Police Chief Eddie García announced Thursday. Officer Bryan Riser, a 12-year veteran of the department, faces two counts of capital murder, the chief announced at a news conference. “This criminal investigation dates back to

Leeser recounts family virus deaths in asking Abbott to allow El Paso mask mandate

March 4, 2021 7:40 PM Jim Parker

EL PASO, Texas — In a highly personal letter where he recounts the Covid-19 deaths of his mother and brother, El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser wrote to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday evening seeking authority for the city to impose its own mask mandate when the state’s is lifted next week. Leeser shares with

In 1st legislative session since El Paso massacre, Moody aims to target gun access

March 4, 2021 4:55 PM Stephanie Valle

EL PASO, Texas — An El Paso state lawmaker is intent on changing gun regulations in the first legislative session since the deadly mass shooting at the El Paso Cielo Vista Walmart 19 months ago. Rep. Joe Moody, (D – District 78), told ABC-7 that while lawmakers are intent on addressing the fallout from the

Gov. Abbott responds to criticism over end of mask mandate

March 4, 2021 6:39 PM ABC News

HOUSTON, Texas — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sought Thursday to respond to the criticism over his decision to rescind the statewide mask mandate, despite warnings from health experts that the pandemic is far from over. Texas is the largest state to end its mask order and other Covid-19 restrictions that were intended to prevent the

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