Texas Senate opens redistricting debate with proposed map one senator labels “intentional discrimination”

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• Biden administration speeds up deportation flights for Haitians in growing Texas migrant camp

  by Lomi Kriel, The Texas Tribune and ProPublica, and Uriel J. García, The Texas Tribune 10 hours ago

  The situation in Del Rio spiraled this week as more than 15,000 migrants, many of them from Haiti, arrived at the border in recent days, settling in a makeshift camp as they waited for CBP agents to process their petitions to stay in the U.S. Full Story 

• Delta variant, lax mask policies delay Plano family’s return to school

  by Alana Rocha and Todd Wiseman Sept. 18, 2021

  Parents remain divided over whether to require masks in the classroom. For Carmen Campbell, there’s just too much uncertainty right now to feel comfortable sending her son back. Listen in the weekend edition of The Brief podcast. Full Story 

• Federal government announces funding for emergency contraception for Texans impacted by near-total abortion ban

  by Kate McGee Sept. 17, 2021

  The Biden administration also issued memorandums detailing two federal statutes officials says they would enforce to provide protection for patients who may need an abortion and health care providers who assist pregnant patients in certain situations. Full Story 

• Thousands of Haitian migrants fleeing disaster and unrest seek asylum at Del Rio bridge

  by Uriel J. García and Jolie McCullough Updated: Sept. 17, 2021

  With an estimated 12,000 migrants already crowded under the international bridge and thousands more expected, Del Rio’s mayor declared an emergency Friday and requested state assistance. Full Story 

• We’re tracking COVID-19 cases in Texas schools. There are far more this fall than last year.

  by Kalley Huang, Mandi Cai and Brian Lopez Sept. 17, 2021

  About a month into this school year, the number of reported coronavirus cases among students is approaching the total from the entire 2020-21 school year. But state data on school cases is incomplete and likely an undercount. Full Story 

• After Texas A&M student died from COVID-19, students and faculty rally for more safety precautions

  by Kailyn Rhone and Kate McGee Sept. 17, 2021

  University leaders have encouraged mask-wearing and getting vaccinated, but they say Gov. Greg Abbott has prevented them from requiring either. Full Story 

• One in 480 Texans have died of COVID-19 as the state's death toll surpasses 60,000

  by Texas Tribune Staff Updated: Sept. 17, 2021

  The Texas Tribune is using daily data from the Texas Department of State Health Services to track coronavirus vaccinations, cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Full Story 

• Bill tripling Texas’ border security budget and allocating $750 million to wall construction becomes law

  by James Barragán Sept. 17, 2021

  Gov. Greg Abbott said Texas was stepping up to do the federal government’s job after Biden’s immigration policies had “opened the floodgates” to illegal immigration and crime. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott signs bill restoring the funding that he vetoed for the Texas Legislature and its 2,100 state employees

  by Cassandra Pollock Sept. 17, 2021

  Abbott vetoed the funding earlier this year as retribution for the House Democrats’ walkout to block the GOP elections bill at the end of the regular session. Full Story 

• The Texas GOP lawmaker behind the abortion ban, voting restrictions bill and more

  by Patrick Svitek Sept. 17, 2021

  State Sen. Bryan Hughes authored the six-week abortion ban and the elections bill and carried other conservative priorities that grabbed national attention. Full Story 

• Dan Patrick warns Democrats are allowing in immigrants for “silent revolution,” mirroring language of far-right extremists

  by James Barragán Sept. 17, 2021

  Patrick’s comments mirrored a far-right theory that says political elites are replacing white populations through mass migration and demographic changes. He called the increase of migrants at the border an “invasion.” Full Story 

• In a changing Texas, Republicans will begin redistricting with more freedom to draw their maps

  by Alexa Ura Sept. 17, 2021

  Facing demographic changes that work against their political dominance, Republicans will be able to redraw politically advantageous maps — and shield themselves from the change — without federal oversight for the first time in decades. Full Story 

• Gov. Greg Abbott backpedals on pledge to shut down border crossings and blames Biden administration for confusion

  by Uriel J. García and Jolie McCullough Updated: Sept. 16, 2021

  Abbott’s announcements come as thousands of migrants — mostly from Haiti — have gathered under an international bridge in Del Rio. Full Story 

• State agency awards $11 million contract to oversee construction of Gov. Greg Abbott’s Texas-Mexico border wall

  by Uriel J. García Sept. 16, 2021

  The two firms awarded the contract have previously built barriers and designed ports of entry for the federal government. Full Story 

• House Freedom Caucus member Matt Krause challenges Ken Paxton for Texas attorney general

  by Patrick Svitek Sept. 16, 2021

  The Fort Worth lawmaker, who has been close to Paxton, is the third serious primary challenger to emerge. Full Story 

• Texas doctors, seeing unprecedented numbers of pregnant patients with COVID-19, urge pregnant people to get vaccinated

  by Allyson Waller Sept. 16, 2021

  Pregnant women are getting vaccinated at lower rates than the general population. “This variant is much more aggressive, [and] pregnant women are getting sicker much faster,” one doctor says. Full Story