Your Voice, Your Vote Archives

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…

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…

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…

Energy CEO criticizes Texas governor’s ‘appalling’ decision on masks

March 4, 2021 4:48 PM CNN

Katie Mehnert is CEO of ALLY Energy, ambassador to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Equity in Energy program and author of Grow with the Flow.…

Abbott blames migrants for spreading Covid, but stalls federal testing offer

March 4, 2021 3:06 PM CNN Newsource

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is stalling efforts by the Biden administration to provide federal funds for Covid-19 tests for migrants…

Texas migrant family detention centers to become rapid-processing hubs

March 4, 2021 11:50 AM Texas Tribune

WASHINGTON, DC — The Biden administration is preparing to convert its immigrant family detention centers in South Texas into Ellis-Island-style…

3 of Abbott’s 4 virus medical advisers not directly consulted prior to lifting mask mandate

March 4, 2021 11:04 AM Texas Tribune

AUSTIN, Texas — In April 2020, an optimistic Gov. Greg Abbott announced at the Texas Capitol that he would soon take initial…

CEO of Texas power grid operator ‘terminated’ in aftermath of storm outages

March 3, 2021 8:00 PM Jim Parker

AUSTIN, Texas — The board overseeing the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the independent nonprofit entity that operates and manages the…

Texas Education Agency says schools still may require masks – but don’t have to

March 3, 2021 2:07 PM Texas Tribune

AUSTIN, Texas — Masks are still required in Texas public schools unless local school boards decide to make them optional, the Texas Education Agency…

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott faces backlash after lifting virus restrictions

March 3, 2021 6:43 PM CNN Newsource

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is facing a torrent of criticism over his surprise decision to roll back his state’s mask mandate…

New Mexico governor signs relief bills with $600 payout to low-income workers, restaurant tax break

March 3, 2021 3:58 PM Associated Press

SANTA FE, New Mexico — New Mexico’s Democratic governor has signed economic relief legislation that provides $600 rebates to low-income…

Biden: Texas decision to reopen ‘Neanderthal thinking’

March 3, 2021 1:52 PM CNN

WASHINGTON, DC — President Joe Biden sharply criticized states such as Texas and Mississippi for lifting Covid-19 restrictions against pleas…

Gov. Abbott to lift mask mandate, other Texas virus restrictions on March 10

March 2, 2021 12:28 PM ABC News, Texas Tribune

LUBBOCK, Texas — Gov. Greg Abbott will end Texas’ statewide mask mandate and allow all businesses to reopen at full capacity as of next Wednesday,…

University of Texas donors threatened to withhold money if ‘The Eyes of Texas’ dropped

March 2, 2021 5:03 PM Texas Tribune

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Longhorns had just lost to rival Oklahoma for the third time in a row — this time after a quadruple overtime. The…

Public Utility Commission of Texas chair resigns amid criticism over power outages

March 1, 2021 3:48 PM Texas Tribune

AUSTIN, Texas — DeAnn Walker, the chairwoman of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, the agency that regulates the state’s electric,…

State of Texas sues utility over customers’ sky-high bills

March 1, 2021 12:28 PM Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas’ attorney general said Monday he’s suing electricity provider Griddy for passing along massive bills to its customers during…

Trump returns to the spotlight with CPAC speech

February 28, 2021 1:37 PM Associated Press

ORLANDO, Florida — Taking the stage for the first time since leaving office, former President Donald Trump on Sunday called for Republican Party…

New Mexico Senate takes up recreational marijuana legalization after House passage

February 27, 2021 8:02 PM Associated Press, ABC News

SANTA FE, New Mexico — Efforts to legalize marijuana in New Mexico took center stage Saturday as a state Senate panel considered creating a taxed…

photo of no trespassing sign in downtown El Paso

Public hearing on downtown El Paso historic district draws just 5 speakers, including developer Paul Foster

February 27, 2021 10:12 PM Dylan McKim

EL PASO, Texas — On Saturday, El Paso County Commissioners Court held a public hearing to clarify confusion surrounding a proposed national historic…

Respected El Paso federal Judge Philip Martinez dies at 63

February 27, 2021 12:13 PM El Paso Matters

EL PASO, Texas — El Paso has suddenly lost one of its most respected jurists. U.S. District Judge Philip Martinez, who presided over several major…

Biden surveys Texas storm damage, urges virus shots

February 26, 2021 11:55 AM ABC News, Associated Press

HOUSTON, Texas — President Joe Biden heard firsthand from Texans clobbered by this month’s brutal winter weather on Friday and pledged to stick…

Federal judge in Texas rules eviction moratorium is unconstitutional

February 25, 2021 10:38 PM CNN Newsource

HOUSTON, Texas — A federal judge in Texas on Thursday ruled that the federal moratorium on evictions is unconstitutional, according to court…

New Mexico’s governor unveils plan to boost vaccines for seniors, others vulnerable

February 25, 2021 3:33 PM Associated Press

SANTA FE, New Mexico — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and state officials said at a briefing Thursday that they have a plan to…

Gov. Abbott says Texas mask order, other virus restrictions could end ‘pretty soon’

February 25, 2021 3:39 PM Texas Tribune

AUSTIN, Texas — Gov. Greg Abbott said Thursday that Texas is looking at when it will be able to lift all statewide orders related to the coronavirus…

Texas Gov. Abbott, in statewide address, promises answers on winter storm disaster

February 24, 2021 4:04 PM Texas Tribune, ABC News

AUSTIN, Texas — Gov. Greg Abbott, speaking Wednesday evening in a rare statewide televised address, sought to reassure Texans that the state…

WATCH: Las Cruces mayor gives State of City Address

February 24, 2021 12:06 PM KVIA ABC-7

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico — Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima delivered his annual State of the City Address on…

Texas judge blocks Biden’s moratorium on most deportations

February 24, 2021 11:05 AM Associated Press

HOUSTON, Texas — A federal judge has indefinitely banned President Joe Biden’s administration from enforcing a 100-day moratorium on…

5 power grid board members who live outside Texas resign in aftermath of storm outages

February 23, 2021 2:25 PM Texas Tribune

AUSTIN, Texas — Five board members of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas — the entity that manages and operates the electricity grid that…

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton traveled to Utah during devastating winter storms

February 23, 2021 5:09 PM CNN Newsource

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, left Texas and traveled to Utah last week while the…

Biden coming to Texas on Friday in the wake of storm, power outages

February 23, 2021 10:56 AM CNN Newsource

HOUSTON, Texas — President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will travel to Houston on Friday as the state of Texas works to recover from…