Texas

Texas is one of the few states with a pandemic-related disaster declaration still in place | Houston Public Media

Published

2 years ago

October 28, 2022

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Texas is one of the few states with a pandemic-related disaster declaration still in place | Houston Public Media

Christopher Connelly

Because the COVID-19 pandemic developed, governors throughout the nation declared disasters of their respective states.

These sorts of declarations can open up funding alternatives from the federal authorities, in addition to empower govt branches to make a spending and public well being selections quicker. Decisions that may in any other case take months to approve – or that fell to metropolis or county governments – can as a substitute be executed briefly order by the governor’s workplace.

Most states have ended their catastrophe declarations associated to the pandemic. However Texas is an exception. Final week, Gov. Greg Abbott prolonged the declaration for an additional month.

Cayla Harris, Texas politics reporter for Hearst, spoke to the Texas Commonplace concerning the ripple results of the extension.

This transcript has been edited calmly for readability:

Texas Commonplace: There are 11 different states apart from Texas that also have some type of catastrophe declaration in place due to the pandemic. Have you learnt which of them?

Cayla Harris: Yeah. So the Nationwide Academy for State Well being Coverage has an enormous tracker that goes via all of the states and sees which of them nonetheless have emergency orders in impact. So different states like Georgia, Connecticut, Illinois, California – which we heard goes to finish their emergency order on Feb. 28 – Washington, states like that.

And why precisely are these declaration orders being issued or stored in place?

So in Texas, the emergency order offers Abbott tremendous, tremendous broad authority to reply to the pandemic. So this implies issues like bypassing regular bidding processes for procuring gear or one thing like that – in the course of the peak of the pandemic, keep in mind after we wanted a bunch of ventilators and masks and different private protecting gear? However now, since we’re up to now out from the pandemic begin, the reason being usually because Governor Abbott desires to maintain in place some govt orders that he issued final yr, stopping native governments from instituting masks mandates, occupancy limits and vaccine mandates in like Austin and Houston and all the large cities that have been keen on doing that.

Are we speaking about energy right here? Does this come all the way down to the authority of the governor?

Just about. I imply, Abbott and different Republicans – as you are most likely effectively conscious; a lot of listeners are effectively conscious – have lengthy feuded with native governments about who can institute roles when and the place and what they’re. Usually instances, Abbott has taken steps to extend his personal energy and take it away from native governments, particularly Democrat-controlled governments.

How will this have an effect on the coverage choices of metropolis and county governments?

It does not change a lot, actually, as a result of we have been below this catastrophe declaration since 2020. The ban on masks mandates and vaccine mandates was instituted final yr. The Legislature additionally codified the ban on vaccine mandates. So that is extra to do with the masks mandates and the occupancy restrictions. So it is just about simply the established order that we have been residing below for a yr, I suppose, two years at this level.

What’s the catastrophe declaration’s relationship to the pandemic in the best way that we’re experiencing in actual life? How do you the way do you sq. the order with what Texans are experiencing in the true world?

So such as you talked about, I imply, folks aren’t interested by COVID as a lot. I keep in mind in the course of the 2020 elections, we heard about it rather a lot on the marketing campaign path. We’re simply not listening to that as a lot anymore. That does not imply that COVID is over, although. Folks ought to nonetheless be defending themselves. Clearly, well being consultants advocate sporting masks and distancing your self from different folks – all of the issues we discovered in 2020. And with all of those new variants that we do not know a ton about, they’re saying, you understand, get vaccinated and be ready, as a result of in the course of the winter months we’re gathering inside extra. We’re in nearer contact with folks, particularly older folks, who is perhaps weak.

So in these conditions after we would possibly see a spike in COVID circumstances this winter, then in idea, Governor Abbott may use this catastrophe declaration to hurry up sources to counties that want it, make beds out there in hospitals, or, you understand, ship gear to them, get extra gear, purchase extra gear, that kind of factor.

I discover that the Hearst papers have picked up on the governor’s renewal of COVID order. Not lots of different media shops have. I ponder what affect, if any, this might need on the general public’s notion of the place we’re with the pandemic. Does this reinforce the underlying message from well being consultants, or does it shake issues up in any significant method?

Truthfully, no. I feel, like I stated earlier than, that is simply type of the established order at this level. Abbott does not have any plans to finish the order. You are seeing some whispers in different states that they’re. And so I extremely doubt we’ll see any motion on this from anybody. This would possibly come up within the legislative session subsequent yr; we’re again in January. However on a broad scale, I actually do not assume there’s going to be a lot of an affect.

Why would the Legislature take this up, and in what respect?

I can not predict what the Legislature goes to do, clearly. However within the final legislative session, you will keep in mind some lawmakers have been speaking about codifying these bans on masks mandates or taking some energy away from the governor’s workplace. Some conservative lawmakers and even Democratic lawmakers have been involved concerning the stage of energy that Governor Abbott had in the course of the pandemic. However final legislative session, they declined to realign these powers. And so there is perhaps one other dialogue about that this time round. Whether or not it is going to go anyplace is a query mark.

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Texas

Gov. Abbott updates ongoing response to severe winter weather in Texas

Published

5 hours ago

January 8, 2025

Press Room

Gov. Abbott updates ongoing response to severe winter weather in Texas

AUSTIN – Texas Governor Greg Abbott will be briefed Wednesday morning on the latest in the severe winter weather that will affect a large area of the state. He will then hold a news conference in Austin around 10:30 a.m. to announce any updates.

The Governor will be joined by Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, Texas Department of Transportation Deputy Executive Director Brian Barth, Electric Reliability Council of Texas CEO Pablo Vegas, Public Utility Commission Chair Thomas Gleeson, and other state officials and emergency management personnel.

Get news, weather and so much more on the new FOX LOCAL app

Winter Storm Warning

What we know:

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for parts of North Central and Northeast Texas from 6 a.m. Thursday until Noon on Friday.

The National Weather Service expects heavy mixed precipitation with a transition to all snow on Thursday evening. Total snow accumulations will be between 2 and 4 inches. The NWS says isolated snowfall amounts could top 8 inches within more intense bands of snow.

Another aspect of a warning is what this weather will impact. Travel could be very difficult for the Thursday morning and evening commutes.

RELATED STORY: Dallas weather: Winter storm watch upgraded to warning, when to expect snow tomorrow

State Emergency Response Resources

Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to increase the readiness level of the Texas State Operations Center (SOC) to Level II (Escalated Response) ahead of winter weather expected to impact the state, with the greatest impacts beginning Wednesday through the weekend.

What they’re saying:

“With below-freezing temperatures beginning to impact large portions of the state, Texas is increasing the readiness level of the State Operations Center to ensure resources are swiftly deployed to communities,” said Governor Abbott. “As the State of Texas mobilizes the emergency response resources Texans need to stay safe and warm, I urge everyone to remain weather-aware, regularly monitor road conditions before traveling, and heed guidance from state and local officials. I thank all the first responders and emergency management personnel for their efforts to help Texas communities brace for winter weather.”

Winter Storm Watch

The National Weather Service has also issued a Winter Storm Watch which remains in effect from now through Friday night.

What they’re saying:

Heavy mixed precipitation is possible with a transition to snow expected late Thursday. Total snow and sleet accumulations of up to two inches and ice accumulations of around one tenth of an inch are possible.

Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Thursday morning and evening commutes.

Dig deeper:

Texans can locate winter weather safety tips by visiting TexasReady.gov, find warming centers opened and operated by local officials at tdem.texas.gov/warm, and check road conditions at DriveTexas.org.

The Source: Information in this article is from the Texas Governor’s Office and the National Weather Service.

Severe WeatherGreg Abbott

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Texas

Texas A&M vs Oklahoma: Preview, prediction, how to watch men’s basketball game

Published

13 hours ago

January 8, 2025

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Texas A&M vs Oklahoma: Preview, prediction, how to watch men’s basketball game

For the first time since December of 2017, Texas A&M basketball is ranked inside the top 10 in national polls.

The Aggies manhandled the rival Texas Longhorns on Saturday and surged up the rankings. They sit ninth in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll and 10th in the AP Poll, released Sunday.

Despite national recognition, the Aggies know they have a lot of work to do if they’re going to stay there, and the next challenge will be daunting. Wednesday night, the Aggies travel to Norman to take on the No. 16 Oklahoma Sooners (13-1, 0-1) in their first SEC road test of the year.

WATCH MULTIPLE TEXAS A&M GAMES HERE

No. 9 Texas A&M (12-2, 1-0) won eight games in a row and will put the streak to the test against a good Sooners team looking to bounce back from a 107-79 loss to the No. 5 Alabama Crimson Tide.

Now, the Aggies are fully entrenched in a grueling conference schedule. Can Texas A&M continue their winning ways Wednesday on the road against Oklahoma? Here’s what you need to know for the matchup:

Texas A&M vs Oklahoma time

Day: Wednesday

Start time: 8 p.m.

Location: Lloyd Noble Center in Norman.

How to watch Texas A&M vs Oklahoma

TV channel: SEC Network

Livestream: Fubo, ESPN+, SEC+

Aggies capitalizing on ‘mature group’

Texas A&M entered the season returning 78% of last year’s total production. That familiarity in Buzz Williams’ sixth season has allowed the Aggies to flourish early this year. With experience a clear advantage for A&M, the team’s maturity has allowed them to get off to the start they’ve had.

“We have a very mature group. We have a group that has really good character, and that’s important. When we’re together, our ideas have to be based on the truth,” Williams said on his weekly radio show Monday.

A&M’s starting five against Texas (Wade Taylor, Zhuric Phelps, Hayden Hefner, Solomon Thomas, Henry Coleman III) have combined to play 460 games for the program, and that familiarity has helped the Aggies play well together when it matters most.

“The margins are just so thin. You always have to figure out a way to get better,” Williams said Monday. “We’re thankful for Saturday. There’s very little margin over the next nine weeks.”

Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma prediction

Twenty-point wins will be hard to come by in the SEC this season, and the Aggies know it. Wednesday against the Sooners will provide A&M with another measuring stick game, a test they’ve continued to pass. I expect it will be much closer than the Longhorns game was, with Texas A&M finding a way to grind out a one-possession road win over Oklahoma, 77-74.

Reach Texas A&M Beat Reporter Tony Catalina via email at ACatalina@gannett.com. Follow the American-Statesman on Facebook and X for more. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Get access to all of our best content with this tremendous offer.

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Texas suicide-prevention hotlines buckle as mental health crisis increases

Published

21 hours ago

January 7, 2025

Press Room

Texas suicide-prevention hotlines buckle as mental health crisis increases

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Two years ago, when the suicide prevention hotline launched, it was called a “game-changer.”

However, 988 systems in Texas are now beginning to buckle under the weight of a multi-million dollar budget deficit.

The Texas Tribune’s mental health reporter, Stephen Simpson, joined Eyewitness News to break down what caused this deficit and the impact on health care across the state.

Most of the money comes from a federal grant but was never meant to support the system long-term.

“This was just to get the 988 systems up and running until the state stepped in to take over the funding,” Simpson said.

The state of Texas has not dedicated any funds to the suicide prevention hotline.

Texas only has five centers dedicated to answering calls for help, compared to Florida, which has 13. As a result, 20% of calls from Texans in crisis in Texas are answered by out-of-state counselors.

“The more you’re transferred out of state, the more likely you are going to drop the call. Currently, Texas has the 5th highest number of dropped calls in the nation. Without the number of crisis counselors, the text and chat features we have here don’t really work,” Simpson said.

Texas has one of the highest numbers of calls into 988 centers across the country, mental health resources are low, and the suicide rate is climbing. The suicide rate in Texas jumped 37% from 2000 to 2022.

Senator José Menéndez, D-San Antonio, has filed a bill to create a state trust fund for the upcoming legislative session, which begins Jan. 14.

The 911 call centers are funded similarly. A surcharge on cellphone bills would support the 988 trust fund. Other states use money from Medicaid expansion to fund their 988 centers.

For updates on this story, follow Briana Conner on Facebook, X and Instagram.

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