Past Contributions

• Texas educators urge Gov. Greg Abbott to prioritize teachers, school staff for coronavirus vaccine

  By Stacy Fernández Dec. 3, 2020

  Texas is expected to get enough vaccine doses for about 1.4 million people in mid-December. Healthcare workers who directly interact with patients will be the first eligible for vaccination. Full Story 

• San Antonio and Bexar County issue partial curfew for Thanksgiving weekend

  By Stacy Fernández Nov. 25, 2020

  Officials in the San Antonio area are following in the footsteps of El Paso County, which issued a similar order earlier this week. The curfews come as coronavirus infections surge to new levels in Texas. Full Story 

• Texans still can’t buy liquor in Walmart, after U.S. Supreme Court rejects bid

  By Stacy Fernández Nov. 24, 2020

  Texas is the only state that does not let publicly traded companies, like Walmart, sell liquor. Full Story 

• A North Texas superintendent is openly defying the state mask mandate in schools. No one is stopping him.

  By Stacy Fernández Nov. 23, 2020

  The Texas Education Agency declined to take action, saying it's up to local enforcement. A county official tried to intervene but said it should be up to TEA to enforce. Full Story 

• 68 members of the Texas House call for STAAR exams to be canceled this year

  By Stacy Fernández and Aliyya Swaby Nov. 18, 2020

  The state has yet to decide how the STAAR exam will be administered and used to rate school districts as the pandemic continues. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott doesn't acknowledge Joe Biden as president-elect, calls for vote-counting and recounts to continue

  By Stacy Fernández Nov. 9, 2020

  Abbott didn't raise any accusations of malfeasance in the election but said election winners "are certified by designated governmental bodies, not by media outlets." Full Story 

• Despite polls showing a close race, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick claims if Democrats win on Election Day, it will be "because they stole it"

  By Stacy Fernández Oct. 29, 2020

  Voter fraud in absentee voting, as with any type of voting, is rare. Many states, including many run by Republicans, have expanded mail-in voting options during the pandemic. Full Story 

• Families of some special education students in Texas may be eligible for $1,500 in aid to offset pandemic challenges

  By Stacy Fernández Updated: Oct. 22, 2020

  The state program will help families pay for services like tutoring, therapy and digital resources. It is not a replacement for services students get through their school as part of their individualized education plan. Full Story 

• Some Texas school districts are requiring in-person instruction again, leaving parents scrambling for options

  By Stacy Fernández Oct. 21, 2020

  As the numbers of people infected and hospitalized by the coronavirus tick back up across the state, dozens of Texas school districts eliminated the option for remote learning and forced students, faculty and staff to return to the classroom, with few exceptions. Full Story 

• Texas joins Trump administration's lawsuit against Google, arguing the tech company has a monopoly

  By Stacy Fernández Oct. 20, 2020

  Attorney General Ken Paxton said the multibillion-dollar company engaged in anti-competitive and exclusionary practices that eliminate competition for internet searches and search advertising. Full Story