Fentanyl poisoning is a crisis that continues to surge across the United States. Fentanyl-related deaths have increased over the last four years and are responsible for taking the lives of 7,000 Texans alone.

The parents of Kentucky baby who died last fall after drinking bacteria-tainted infant formula are the latest to sue manufacturer Abbott Nutrition.

Abbott is warning that sensors on some of its blood sugar monitoring systems may need to be replaced to prevent inaccurate readings.

The U.K.’s first Black female member of Parliament will be allowed to stand for the Labour Party in the upcoming general election, leader Keir Starmer says, following a fractious few days over her political future.

A quick rundown of Tuesday night's results and winners, who now advance to the General Election in November.

Get the latest election results for the Texas Primary runoff on May 28, 2024.

U.S. authorities say a border crossing on the most direct route from Phoenix to the nearest beaches will reopen Thursday, one month after it closed in response to a large migrant influx.

Adelson wasted little time reaching out to the state’s business leaders since news of the deal broke, visiting Austin on Thursday to address the Texas Association of Business, the state’s largest business lobby.

The runoff features two Republicans from dueling factions of the party, Jill Dutton and Brent Money, vying to finish the term of former state Rep. Bryan Slaton, R-Royse City.

If elected next year, Woodfill also plans to run for House speaker. His campaign accuses his 2024 opponent, conservative state Rep. Lacey Hull, of conspiring with incumbent Speaker Dade Phelan to work against conservatives.

Violations could bring a $50,000 fine under an amendment adopted Wednesday. The bill’s sponsor said the ban would be the strongest in the nation.

A Texas judge has denied a request for a new trial for a U.S. Army sergeant convicted of killing an armed protester during a Black Lives Matter march.

Ahead of Governor Greg Abbott's inauguration, Uvalde families are vowing not to give up on fighting for gun reform changes.

The announcement signals a shift in Abbott’s approach to fighting the opioid epidemic. He had previously pushed back against bills calling for the decriminalization of fentanyl testing strips.

A Montana judge said he would decide Tuesday whether to continue temporary limits on wolf hunting in the state or to restore quotas and hunting methods before a trial over whether the public was given an adequate opportunity to weigh in on changes in the way the state estimates the size of the wolf population.

As public debate intensifies over how the state will divvy up billions in new money, community groups that treat children for mental illness fear they’re not a priority.

The chair of the Bexar County Democrat and Republican parties both spoke with KSAT 12 News about the priorities, the focus, and the future of the respective parties.

Early voting is just around the corner, and there are competitive elections across Texas. Professor Jon Taylor, Professor of Political Science and Chair of the Department of Political Science and Geography at UTSA, joined Leading SA to dive into some election detail.

KSAT 12 and more than a dozen media organizations have filed a lawsuit against the City of Uvalde, the Uvalde County Sheriff’s Office and the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District seeking access to records related to the May 24 shooting at Robb Elementary School.

The relatives spent Saturday urging Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special session to raise the minimum age to purchase an automatic rifle from 18 to 21 years old.

New U.S. recommendations call for three home tests for people exposed to COVID-19 to improve accuracy.

HHSC said it was initially told the plan was “not approvable.” Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a statement Friday saying Texas’ plan to extend coverage to six months was not rejected but still under review.

State Senator Roland Gutierrez is suing the Texas Department of Public Safety for access to records related to the massacre at Robb Elementary School.

A massive recall is getting most of the blame for the U.S. baby formula shortage, but experts say the products have long been vulnerable to this type of crisis.

Lawyers representing families under investigation said they heard from the agency Thursday about continuing the investigations that had previously been halted by a statewide injunction.

Many questions remain about the shuttered Abbott baby formula plant at the center of a nationwide shortage.

The state’s poorest mothers are paying hundreds of dollars out of pocket when they find baby formula because they say they can’t risk waiting for the exact brand and size container covered by Texas’ Women, Infant and Children program.

Parents across the U.S. are scrambling to find baby formula because of supply disruptions and a massive safety recall by manufacturer Abbott.

Gov. Greg Abbott will hold a news conference with the Chihuahua, Mexico, Gov. María Eugenia Campos Galván after meeting Thursday in Austin. They will discuss the latest developments on the border.

Maj. Gen. Thomas M. Suelzer will take over as the military department’s new leader. He replaces Maj. Gen. Tracy Norris, who was criticized for her handling of Operation Lone Star, as adjutant general of the Texas Military Department.

Ever since Gov. Greg Abbott directed the state’s child welfare agency to investigate parents who provide gender-affirming care to their children, LGBTQ-affirming family lawyers statewide have been deluged with calls.

U.S. health officials warned parents not to use infant formulas manufactured at an Abbott plant that they've linked to bacterial contamination.

Texas faces a new winter storm a year after a deadly freeze left millions without power. Here’s the latest.

Governor Greg Abbott came to speak in front of an energetic crowd in San Antonio as part of his Celebration of Texas tour, meanwhile, Beto O'Rourke spoke with reporters in Austin Friday.

It’s unclear whether the local mandate, which requires businesses to post signs outlining their safety guidelines, is in conflict with Gov. Greg Abbott’s previous pandemic orders.

Holiday season could strain COVID-19 home test supplies as more Americans try to screen themselves before Thanksgiving and other family gatherings.

Before ending the special session Tuesday, Texas lawmakers reached a deal to allocate roughly $3.3 billion to higher education institutions for capital projects. The price tag went up from the Senate's original proposal.

The borders were closed to nonessential travel in March 2020, which hurt businesses in Texas border cities that rely on Mexican shoppers.

Chants of “bans off our bodies” and “vote out Abbott” could be heard from hundreds of people who attended a women’s rights march at Milam Park on Saturday.

Abbott has faced pressure from his right to prioritize property tax relief. One of his challengers in the Republican primary has slammed him for not including it earlier in the agenda, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called it his top priority this session.

On top of redistricting, Abbott wants lawmakers to take up bills on restrictions for transgender student athletes and the allocation of billions of dollars in federal COVID-19 relief funds.

After two months, the donations had petered out around $1 million. But the effort saw a major boost in August.

The bill would nearly triple border security funding from the last biennium. The legislation needs one more vote of approval from the House before moving to the Senate.

Biden said he will use the U.S. Department of Education’s civil rights enforcement authority to deter states from blocking mask mandates in classrooms.

The barrier in Eagle Pass is the first glimpse into how much a state-funded border wall could cost. But Abbott’s office says it’s a “concrete barrier” that is separate from his border wall push.

Reynolds is among the Texas House Democrats who fled to Washington, D.C., last month to block a state voting restrictions bill.

From multiple infrastructure projects in the works, to an uptick in COVID-19 cases locally, there is a lot happening in and around San Antonio.

Monday is the first day of school for kids at Castle Hills Elementary and it happened to fall on the same day the American Academy of Pediatrics announced new recommendations for the 2021-2022 school year.

The governor said Texas needs to build a border wall to reduce migrant apprehensions and fentanyl seizures. But immigration and drug treatment experts say Abbott's oversimplifying the issue.

State Sen. Roland Gutierrez, a Democrat from San Antonio, on Friday will speak about “his own plan for a Texas wall” in response to the governor’s latest push for the barrier.

Two bills that will bring some financial relief to those with diabetes that use insulin are headed to the governor’s desk for a signature. If enacted, the bills would lower the cost of prescription insulin starting in September.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced to the U.S. Department of Labor on Monday that the state will be opting out of further federal unemployment compensation related to the COVID-19 pandemic, effective June 26, 2021.

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff called Governor Greg Abbott’s allegations of sexual abuse at the Freeman Coliseum migrant facility “completely false” on Monday.

SAN ANTONIO – Editor’s note: This story is a look back at some of the biggest developments of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Here’s a look back at some of the dramatic changes that occurred from March 11 to March 18 in San Antonio as COVID-19 officially became a crisis. March 11, 2020The San Antonio Spurs’ 2019-2020 season was cut short when the NBA decided to suspend the season until further notice. Universities and colleges across San Antonio announced an extension to spring break. Some of the malls in San Antonio and many of the retailers began to close or limit hours.

(AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)State agencies are teaming up to provide guidance to Texas employers on Wednesday in a virtual town hall as state-mandated COVID-19 restrictions on businesses are removed. Watch the one-hour virtual town hall livestream above, which starts at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 10. The town hall was organized by the Texas Worfkorce Commission and the Office of the Governor. “Texas Employers: Join us for a virtual town hall to discuss Governor Abbott’s new Executive Order, which includes opening Texas businesses 100%. Entrepreneurs and business owners will be hoping Wednesday’s town hall will help them navigate a difficult issue moving forward.

Ad“Abbott’s callous new orders throw our public schools, students, and teachers into chaos, because it leaves open the question of whether masks will be required in all schools. But the teachers’ unions say the mask reversal leaves school safety protocols unclear. Read the full statements issued Tuesday from the teachers unions below:Full statement from Texas State Teacher’s Association President, Ovidia Molina:Like Gov. The Texas State Teachers Association urges the governor to keep his mask mandate in place, especially in our public schools, and see that it is enforced. Recent findings by the CDC that noted low transmission rates of COVID-19 in public schools have been touted to encourage in-person learning in Texas schools.

Ruth Flavelle wears a mask and gloves as she enters an H-E-B grocery after waiting in line with more than 150 people Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Spring, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)Though Texas’ mask mandate will soon be lifted, H-E-B will urge its customers to continue wearing masks until more Texans are vaccinated. Until those numbers improve, H-E-B will require workers to continue wearing their masks and asked customers to help keep them safe by wearing their masks too. “As an essential service provider during the pandemic, H-E-B is focused on the health and safety of our Partners and customers. The governor also said Texans now know how to prevent the spread of the virus, making the state mandates unnecessary.

(FEB 16 2021 FILE PHOTO Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. FILE - In this Feb. 16, 2021 file photo, Morgan Handley, left, helps move people to a warming shelter at Travis Park Methodist Church to help escape sub-freezing temperatures, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)Bexar County homeowners and residents in 77 other designated counties that were affected by this week’s devastating winter storm can now apply for federal assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Abbott’s request for major disaster declarationAccording to officials, If you have insurance and are applying for disaster assistance, you must also file a claim with your insurance company as soon as possible. If insurance does not cover all of your damages, you may be eligible to receive federal assistance.

FILE - In this May 27, 2020, file photo, visitors to the River Walk pass a restaurant that has reopened in San Antonio. Abbott’s order, some Bexar County businesses are now able to increase their occupancy to 75% after coronavirus cases and hospitalizations have continued to decrease over the last week. Mayor Ron Nirenberg announced in Friday’s coronavirus briefing that area hospitals have dropped under 15% of total COVID-19 hospitalization rates for seven consecutive days. The city of San Antonio has 8% of available beds and 61% of available ventilators. Abbott’s order, as San Antonio and Bexar County “is no longer considered an area with high hospitalizations.”For more information, visit the city’s website at covid19.sanantonio.gov.

AUSTIN – Update:Governor Greg Abbott announced Sunday that the White House has granted a Federal Emergency Declaration for Texas in response to the severe winter weather throughout the state. “This disaster declaration provides Texas with additional resources and assistance that will help our communities respond to this winter weather.”This comes after Gov. Abbott held a press briefing Saturday, saying he was filing a request for the federal aid just one day before the winter weather set in Central and South Texas. Greg Abbott is asking for a federal emergency declaration from the federal government as the state begins to combat severe winter weather that has set in this weekend across Texas. The declaration will provide more resources and assistance at the federal level for the state during the expected deep freeze.

Health care worker Mary Carreon administers a COVID-19 vaccine to an elderly patient in Laredo on Feb. 1. During an emergency city council meeting last week, Laredo officials passed a motion to request that the federal government send National Guard troops to help distribute vaccines. Treviño, the Laredo health authority, has repeatedly argued against stricter measures because of the economic damage they can cause. Martinez, the city council member, said many residents live paycheck-to-paycheck and don’t have savings to help them survive a city lockdown. “The little carnita asadas, the barbecues — as a result, we have high numbers of infections, and so one begets the other.”Richard Chamberlain, the city’s health director, said the best way out of the city’s COVID-19 crisis is through vaccinations.

Greg Abbott speaks during a news conference where he provided an update to Texas' response to COVID-19, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)AUSTIN – Texas Governor Greg Abbott said he aims to make Texas a “Second Amendment Sanctuary State,” to ensure that no government officials can take guns away from owners in the Lone Star State. Abbott discussed his reasoning during a keynote presentation hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation on Jan. 17. Abbott said that he believed it was essential to secure the core liberties for state residents expressed in The U.S. Constitution. Greg Abbott pledges to make it ‘fiscally impossible’ to defund police

SAN ANTONIO – As the year’s end inches closer, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg confirmed 975 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday night. In Bexar County, there are now 114,362 total COVID-19 cases and 1,521 total deaths in Bexar County, an increase of 43 new cases as of Tuesday. Eleven new deaths tied to COVID-19 were reported on Tuesday. Bexar County bars must close; restaurants, businesses decrease to 50% capacity per Gov. In the past day, Bexar County hospitals had 157 new admissions related to COVID-19, Nirenberg said.

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff updated the community about the local response to COVID-19 in their daily briefing Monday night. Nirenberg reported 112,261 total COVID-19 cases and 1,510 total deaths in Bexar County, an increase of 43 new cases as of Monday. Abbott’s executive orderThe mayor said many cities, including San Antonio, could not download COVID-19 case data from the state on Sunday, which contributed to the lower number of cases. Nirenberg said the positivity rate increased to 19.2%, up from 14.4% last week. The county’s COVID-19 risk level is “severe.”COVID-19 Risk Level: Week of 12/28/20 (COSA/Bexar County)

SAN ANTONIO – Bexar County officials announced Monday that the county’s businesses now operating at 75% capacity will have to cut back to 50% capacity and all bars must close due to a rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations in the region. County officials said that threshold was met on Sunday. Bexar County is located in Trauma Service Area P.The order states that 50% occupancy limits are now in effect for most businesses. Earlier on Monday, Comal County officials announced the same restrictions there. The following counties are in Trauma Service Area P and are affected by this order:AtascosaBanderaBexarComalDimmitEdwardsFrioGillespieGonzalesGuadalupeKarnesKendallMore on KSAT:

COMAL COUNTY, Texas – Comal County officials announced Monday that the county’s businesses now operating at 75% capacity will have to cut back to 50% capacity and all bars must close due to COVID-19 hospitalizations in the region. County officials said that threshold was met on Sunday. Comal County is located in Trauma Service Area P, along with Bexar County. Bexar County officials are expected to announce the new restrictions during the daily 6 p.m. briefing. The following counties are in Trauma Service Area P and are affected by this order:AtascosaBanderaBexarComalDimmitEdwardsFrioGillespieGonzalesGuadalupeKarnesKendallMore on KSAT:

Nearly a quarter-million doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine arrived at hospitals and health care facilities around Texas this week. Questions remain about who will be first in line for the vaccine once healthcare workers and long-term care residents have had their chance to be inoculated. Decisions on how vaccines are allocated are made by a state panel of advisers — composed of lawmakers, local and state health officials, and medical experts and researchers — and finalized by Hellerstedt. Texas is participating in the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program, a federal program to vaccinate residents and staff of long-term care facilities. Vaccine doses will be distributed free to those facilities, which are set to receive them starting on Monday, Abbott’s office said last week.

Voters wait in line at a polling site at Austin Oaks Church during early voting. Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas TribuneAfter the conclusion of three weeks of early voting, 9.7 million Texans have cast ballots, crushing previous early voting totals in the state and setting Texas on a course for record turnout in this Tuesday's general election. Early voting, which Gov. Texas has added 1.8 million registered voters since the 2016 election. Among large counties, Collin County outside of Dallas has the highest early voting turnout with 69%.

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas – The doors to the Old Ice House, a decades-old neighborhood spot in New Braunfels, welcomed it’s first customers in roughly seven months Wednesday afternoon. “It’s been tough, especially with adjusting to making way less money,” said Jennifer Hitchens, a bartender at the Old Ice House. During the shutdown, many bar owners applied for restaurant licenses to be able to operate at limited capacity. But Jack Alves, who has been manager at Old Ice House for 30 years, said that wasn’t an option for them because they don’t have a kitchen. Bexar County initially decided not to reopen, but County Judge Nelson Wolff on Wednesday night approved the reopening as early as next week.

The number of COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals has been falling, to 4,203 on Aug. 31 from a peak of more than 10,000 a few weeks ago. Abbott pointed at those three things schools, the holiday and hurricanes as areas of concern as he and other government officials decide whats next. School is a place for regular meals and a haven from turbulent homes, as well as a place for learning. Texas Christian University in Fort Worth reported 429 cases on campus Tuesday, and university officials suggested last week that parties and large gatherings were a cause. Disclosure: Baylor University and Texas Christian University have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

SAN ANTONIO San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said Gov. Greg Abbotts proposal to freeze property tax revenue for cities that de-fund their police departments wont limit what changes the city considers for its own department. Any city that de-funds police departments will have its property tax revenue frozen at the current level. They will never be able to increase property tax revenue again if they de-fund police, Abbott said Tuesday. Local activists have made clear their frustration with the current budget proposal, which includes a raise for police officers.

AUSTIN, Texas Texas reported fewer than 7,000 hospitalized coronavirus patients for the first time in six weeks Thursday, but that encouraging sign was clouded by questions over testing as schools reopen and college football teams push ahead with playing this fall. Demand has curtailed to the point that in Austin and Dallas, health officials have expanded eligibility for testing, including those who are asymptomatic. Were not having enough people step forward to be tested as we did before.Numbers from Texas health officials this week, however, offered a hazy picture of how much testing has fallen. On Wednesday, the seven-day infection rate average in Texas hit a record 24%, suggesting that roughly one in every four coronavirus tests in Texas was coming back positive. Falling testing demand is also a factor, said Lara Anton, a spokeswoman for the Texas Department of State Health Services.

The legislation, spearheaded by members of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, is named after Floyd, a Black man killed in Minneapolis police custody. Floyd died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes until and after he lost consciousness. Abbott has previously said he is committed to working with Floyds family on legislation, and has even floated the possibility of a George Floyd Act at the Legislature. The caucus George Floyd Act would limit the use of force by officers, requiring them to attempt to de-escalate the situation and banning lethal force if another lesser level of force could have worked, said state Rep. Jarvis Johnson, D-Houston. Rodney Floyd, the youngest brother of George Floyd, applauded lawmakers Thursday for the proposal, thanking Thompson during the news conference and saying the legislation has so many great things [that are] way overdue way overdue.Jolie McCullough contributed reporting.

Hundreds of Texas bars and restaurants are scrambling to change how they operate, maneuvering through loopholes that will allow them to reopen after being closed by Gov. It allows bars and restaurants to use projected sales numbers instead of requiring past sales to determine if alcohol sales exceed food sales. The Texas restaurant industry is already struggling, with Knight projecting that up to 30% of restaurants in the state could go out of business. Kaufman estimates that the entire process, from hiring new chefs to deal with increased food sales to applying for the permits cost him around $10,000. However, the TABC later released a clarification saying that businesses with more than 51% alcohol sales were not eligible.

SAN ANTONIO COVID-19 related hospitalizations are still declining, according to numbers provided by the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District and city officials. On Saturday, Bexar Countys COVID-19 case load increased as the city announced 232 additional COVID-19 cases. The additional cases bring Bexar Countys cumulative total to 42,531 cases since the start of the pandemic. Officials reported 743 Bexar County residents are hospitalized due to COVID-19, down from 770 on Friday. Numbers released by city officials indicate that 15% of staffed hospital beds and 52% of ventilators are available in Bexar County.

SAN ANTONIO Governor Greg Abbott announced an extension of the State Disaster Declaration for all Texas counties for COVID-19. The declaration was originally issued on March 13 and provides the state a variety of resources to aid Texas in mitigating the spread of the virus. Abbott said the extension was made to aid communities responding to COVID-19 case surges. Renewing this Disaster Declaration will provide communities with the resources they need to respond to COVID-19, Abbott said in a statement. Greg Abbott sets off another debate over whether local or state officials are in control

As the Rio Grande Valley grapples with an onslaught of coronavirus infections and hospitalizations, Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez is pushing hard for residents to stay at home. But the emergency order he issued Monday mandating that people shelter in their residences, restricting travel and limiting gatherings remains an unenforceable recommendation, according to Gov. In the new Hidalgo emergency order, it also is “highly encouraged and recommended that all commercial businesses” cease their activities, unless they are essential, like activities related to health, safety or necessary supplies. “However, this order does not force businesses to shut down in the Rio Grande Valley.”Cortez did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday. U.S. Navy teams were deployed Sunday to the Rio Grande Valley, a region that includes Hidalgo County.

Distilleries, wineries and even some restaurants with high alcohol sales say they are unfairly being caught in the crossfire of the statewide bar shutdown. Abbotts order required any business that gets 51% or more of its revenue from alcohol sales to close. RestaurantsThe bar shutdown has also closed many restaurants that have high alcohol sales, industry experts said. Because its revenue generated from alcohol sales outpaces food sales, the ice house was also forced to close down. She said she doesnt think the bar shutdown was intended to target a business like hers.

Join The Texas Tribune at noon CT July 15 for a discussion with former Democratic presidential candidate Julin Castro and U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, moderated by Tribune CEO Evan Smith. We will be asking the brothers about the recent surge of coronavirus cases in Texas, the federal and state response to the growing outbreak and what it means for Texans and for the Texas economy. In recent weeks, the number of reported coronavirus cases in Texas has reached record levels. He is chair of the Texas Democratic Caucus. Castro started the political action committee Opportunity First and has taught at the University of Texas at Austin LBJ School of Public Affairs.

The following afternoon, during Abbotts weekly call with members of the Texas legislature, the question went unanswered, according to Bernal, D-San Antonio. Especially if they were challenging questions or questions that maybe put science ahead of the economy, said Bernal. On June 17, as new daily COVID-19 cases climbed over 3,000, Bernals staff again reached out to the Governors office and asked if Abbott was reconsidering his reopening strategy. Not only did the states positivity rate continue to increase after Bernals inquiries, but so did the number of daily cases statewide and in San Antonio. The KSAT 12 Defenders reached out to Abbotts office for more information on these weekly calls with legislators.

SAN ANTONIO A remix of rules for testing for COVID-19 is underway to clarify what is known about the disease and account for the massive surge of cases in San Antonio. In March, only those with symptoms like fever and cough were allowed COVID-19 testing at public sites, and UT Health San Antonio says the surge has forced those sites to return to a more-disciplined test approach. UT Health San Antonio is trying to get the word out that contact with a person who tests positive for COVID-19 is no longer considered an automatic exposure. Metro Health: City expanding COVID-19 testing capabilities with mouth swab testsAutomatic exposure is now defined as being within 6 feet of someone who tested positive for more than 15 minutes of continual contact or conversation. To view the new UT Health San Antonio COVID-19 testing video, click here.

SAN ANTONIO The Texas State Teachers Association is urging state officials to slow down the reopening of campuses, as back to school season is just around the corner. With districts considering a wide array of options for the upcoming school year, the Texas State Teachers Association President Noel Candelaria says schools must reopen with caution to prevent another spike in COVID-19 cases. At the end of June, local school districts were still locking down calendars for the 2020-21 school year. Candelaria has said no school campuses should reopen until the pandemic begins to subside. Some local school districts will have variations of intersessions and virtual learning.

Mayor Nirenberg, Judge Wolff asking Governor Abbott for more authority over local regulationsIf you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241.

A line of nearly 100 cars formed at a COVID-19 testing site Friday at Barbara Jordan Elementary School in Austin. Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas TribuneEditor's note: If you'd like an email notice whenever we publish Ross Ramsey's column, click here. Greg Abbotts key measures of how things are going: How many beds are still available for treating COVID-19 patients? And Abbott, who blocked local governments from acting on their concerns about the coronavirus, waited until case numbers, infection rates and hospitalizations jumped. Dan Patrick was whistling through the graveyard, saying on talk TV on Thursday that the Texas numbers are rising, but not alarming.

Local bar owners have mixed reactions to Gov. Abbott's new executive order amid Texas' COVID-19 case spikeIf you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241.

SAN ANTONIO Hundreds of people are expected to fill the parking lot of the Freeman Coliseum for an electronic dance music festival Friday and Saturday amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 350 vehicles will be allowed to enter San Antonios first-ever EDM Drive-In. According to the festivals spokesperson, Sid Zuber, its a chance to party safely during the pandemic. There will be two parking spaces between each vehicle and dance zones will be clearly indicated with orange cones. For more information on the EDM Drive-In festival, click here.

TEA officials said the personal protective equipment is expected to start arriving at public schools between mid-July and early August. But officials said school districts arent required to use PPE, which is a big problem for a school workers union in San Antonio. The state has given the option for remote learning for families with health concerns, which Lopez said is a positive. Lopez said going forward, she hopes that the state listens to teachers, staff and students who will be impacted during the new normal in an effort to keep everyone safe. RELATED: Texas teachers union president wants students to wear masks in classroomLopez said keeping funding flexible is key to safety.

HAYS COUNTY As cases in Texas surge, Gov. Greg Abbott placed some of the blame on the process of data input in Hays County. As of Wednesday, Texas Department of State Health Services reported a total of 96,335 cases of COVID-19 in the state. Please see my statement below regarding Governor Abbott's inaccurate statements today about Hays County COVID-19 cases. pic.twitter.com/pIgkQ3rIyl Erin Zwiener (@ErinForYall) June 16, 2020Case counts in Hays County have increased more than 5 fold in a week, Zwieners post stated.

SAN ANTONIO For the first time in a week, San Antonio reported less than 100 new COVID-19 cases. On Monday, 44 new cases were confirmed in Bexar County, marking a total of 4,437 cases. On Monday, city officials reported 187 COVID-19 patients in hospitals. As of Monday, 46% of the reported COVID-19 cases are still active. Read also:More than 1,800 new Texas coronavirus cases, 19 new deathsGovernor Abbott disagrees with Wolffs request to mandate facial coverings33 H-E-B stores in San Antonio, New Braunfels area report employees with COVID-19 in JuneAll-time high COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations reported in San Antonio, Bexar County this week

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. has announced a phased reopening (with capacity limitations) of SeaWorld San Antonio set for Friday, June 19. Aquatica San Antonio opened to the public June 6. The reopening of the park will include enhanced health and safety protocols for cleaning and sanitizing, physical distancing, face-covering requirements and temperature screening. To help manage the capacity to ensure physical distancing within the parks, all parks will require advance online reservations. According to SeaWorld San Antonio, the phased reopening plan was approved by the state of Texas.

SAN ANTONIO David Ceballos dropped his protest notice in the drop-box outside the Bexar County Appraisal District (BCAD) on Thursday. RELATED: Governor Abbott: Texas will not suspend property appraisals this tax year despite pandemicFor people who appeal, the process looks a little different this year. If you still arent satisfied, you can get an in-person formal hearing -- only its 2020 style. The formal hearings likely wont happen until after August because of volume and a process slowed by precautions. MORE: Texas wont freeze property appraisals amid coronavirus pandemic

Harris County Health Department nurse Harriet Lewis administers a test at a Harris County testing site located at Stallworth Stadium in Baytown on March 21, 2020. Reggie Mathalone for The Texas TribuneAs Texas moves forward with a new phase of Gov. Greg Abbotts plan for reopening businesses, the daily number of confirmed coronavirus cases is on a steady, upward trend. But determining exactly how much of the statewide increase comes from recent prison testing is complicated because DSHS does not include all prison cases in the statewide total. Brazoria County officials also said Friday they would no longer report prison cases in their county reports, according to Community Impact.

Families on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or whose children receive free or reduced meals at school may be receiving an extra $285 this month per child. "The benefit is for families that are currently receiving SNAP benefits. But it's also been extended to any families that receive free and reduced-price meals within their school district," said Deborah Rice, assistant director of child nutrition at South San Antonio Independent School District. Abbott extends emergency SNAP benefits due to COVID-19 pandemicFamilies with children ages 5 to 18 years old that received SNAP benefits in March will automatically receive $285 per child in their Lone Stone Cards account. Families should check with their child's school district website for a link on how to apply for the P-EBT program.

Governor Abbott announced Thursday that he was extending SNAP benefits due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Human Services Commission (HHSC) will provide approximately $177 million in emergency SNAP food benefits for the month of June. “As we continue the process of safely and strategically opening Texas for business, we are committed to ensuring families across the state have access to nutritious food,” said Governor Abbott in a press release. “We’ll continue to be flexible in our response to this pandemic to make sure Texans can access the services they need as this situation evolves.”By June 12, SNAP households will see the additional amount on their Lone Star Card. RELATED: Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer program to provide $1 billion in food benefits to some Texas families

He is working seven days a week and approximately 50 hours for the health commission, and at least 30 hours for the river authority, said spokespeople for both organizations. HHSC spokesperson Christine Mann said Wilsons job at the health agency remains temporary, and said he chose not to accept a salary or benefits for the position. River Authority spokesperson Clara Tuma said Wilsons in touch daily with the organizations leadership. The river authority and health commission have no overlapping business or operations, she said. Like Wilson, chief of staff Greg Cox is similarly splitting his work days between the two organizations while remaining on river authority payroll.

Abbott is deploying thousands more troopers and National Guard staff to cities throughout Texas to help combat protest violence in response to the killing of George Floyd. The governors office announced Sunday that the FBI has also deployed tactical teams to assist state and local law enforcement. This is in addition to the governors actions Saturday when he deployed DPS troopers to Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin and activated the Texas National Guard. The governor also declared a State of Disaster for all Texas counties on Sunday as well. More on the overnight protests:Photos show evolution of San Antonio protest over police brutality, George Floyds killingAt least six arrested as protests turn to destruction in downtown San AntonioSan Antonio issues disaster declaration, curfew for downtown following protests

Backyard on Broadway readies for reopening under Gov. Abbott’s orderIf you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241.

As Mayor Nirenberg aligns orders with Gov. Abbott, city keeps eye on its own indicatorsPublished: May 21, 2020, 5:24 pmAs Mayor Nirenberg aligns orders with Gov. Abbott, city keeps eye on its own indicators

Massage therapists urge Governor Abbott to allow their businesses to reopenIf you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241.

SAN ANTONIO If youre looking to venture out of the house, beginning this weekend, several tourism spots in San Antonio have reopened for business amid the coronavirus pandemic. Whats open:San Antonio ZooThe San Antonio Zoo is reopening and offering a once-in-a-lifetime drive-thru zoo experience." For more information, click hereSan Antonio Botanical GardenThe San Antonio Botanical Gardens is set to reopen its doors Sunday, May 3. Topgolf San AntonioTopgolf San Antonio will reopen its doors at 10 a.m., Monday, June 8. For more information, visit the museums website hereSan Antonio Museum of Art Although you may not be able to visit the San Antonio Museum of Art in-person, you can still enjoy the artworks it has to offer, all on its website.