FDA head: Baby formula factory could reopen by next week
WASHINGTON (AP) — The head of the Food and Drug Administration told lawmakers Thursday that a shuttered baby formula factory could be up and running as soon as next week, though he sidestepped questio[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]
sanmarcosrecord.comBiden invokes Defense Production Act to boost baby formula manufacturing to ease shortage
The Abbott manufacturing facility in Sturgis, Michigan, on May 13, 2022. President Joe Biden on Wednesday invoked the Defense Production Act to increase baby formula manufacturing to ease a nationwide shortage caused by the closure of a key plant in Michigan. Biden is requiring suppliers of ingredients used in baby formula to direct those goods to key manufacturers before any other customers. The president has also directed the Health and Human Services Department and Department of Agriculture to use aircraft from the Defense Department to pick up infant formula from overseas that meets U.S. health and safety standards. Please check back for updates.
cnbc.comBaby formula shortage is making low-income mothers struggle to pay for a product usually covered by the state
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 swap, sell baby formula as Biden focuses on shortage
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden stepped up his administration's response to a nationwide baby formula shortage Thursday that has forced frenzied parents into online groups to swap and sell to ea[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]
sanmarcosrecord.comGov. Greg Abbott replaces Texas military leader who has overseen heavily criticized border mission
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.
New hurdle for COVID-19 home testing — the holiday season
WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions more home tests for COVID-19 are hitting store shelves, but will there be enough for Americans hoping to screen themselves before holiday gatherings?Gone are last year's lon[San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]
sanmarcosrecord.comLETTERS: Back-alley abortions
The question we need to ask is how many women in Texas will die having to resort to back-alley abortions. I’ve heard horror stories from my aunts and their friends of young girls they knew who had back-alley abortions. They would tell of having a hanger used on them to have the abortion done. They also would go on to say that three of their friends bled to death after having one of these illegal abortions.
myrgv.comTexas colleges and universities get more than $3 billion for campus construction projects under bill headed to Gov. Greg Abbott
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.
Texas Companies Are Stuck Between Mandates. What Now?
Texas businesses face risk and uncertainty as the state and federal government spar over Covid-19 vaccine mandates for employees. Governor Greg Abbott signed an executive order Oct. 11 outlawing such requirements in the second-largest U.S. state. That immediately set up a clash with President Joe Biden, who issued an executive order Sept. 9 calling for employers with more than 100 workers to require Covid vaccines or weekly testing once the federal workplace health and safety regulator creates f
washingtonpost.comLETTERS: Governing not complex
The Romans knew with their 2,000 years of experience that the governing racket isn’t complicated. All you’ve got to do is to suppress the unwashed people out of the political decisions by keeping their NFL and NBA going and the price of gasoline swallowable, and with plenty of Doritos. And the big guys will take care of the real game.
myrgv.comGov. Greg Abbott adds property tax relief, bail to special session agenda
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.
Gov. Greg Abbott calls special legislative session for redistricting, other conservative priorities starting Sept. 20
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.
Texas to spend $25 million on 2-mile concrete barrier amid Gov. Greg Abbott’s push for a state-funded border wall
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.
North East ISD students start school year same day as American Academy of Pediatrics announce mask recommendations
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.
Gov. Greg Abbott says more apprehensions, drug seizures justify a border wall. Advocates say he's misrepresenting the numbers.
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.
Life-changing bills for those with diabetes headed to Gov. Abbott’s desk for signature
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.
One year ago this week, life as we know it changed in San Antonio as the COVID-19 pandemic started
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.
Watch state leaders give COVID-19 guidance to Texas employers in virtual town hall March 10 at 11:30 a.m.
(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.
Texas teachers’ unions say Abbott’s mask mandate reversal could have ‘disastrous consequences’
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.
H-E-B will require workers to wear masks, can only ask customers to do the same
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.
Bexar County homeowners affected by winter storm can now apply for Federal Disaster Assistance
(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.
Some Bexar County businesses can now increase occupancy to 75% under Gov. Abbott’s executive order
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.
White House grants Federal Emergency Declaration for Texas amid severe winter weather, Abbott says
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.
After weeks as one of the nation's worst COVID-19 hot spots, Laredo leaders see no easy way out
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.
Gov. Abbott says during keynote that he wants to make Texas a ‘Second Amendment Sanctuary State’
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
Coronavirus update San Antonio, Dec. 29: 975 new COVID-19 cases reported; 11 deaths confirmed
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.
Coronavirus update San Antonio, Dec. 28: Leaders report 43 new COVID-19 cases; positivity rate at 19.2% this week
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)
Bexar County bars must close; restaurants, businesses decrease to 50% capacity per Gov. Abbott’s executive order
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 announces new cutbacks, closures due to COVID-19 hospitalizations, per Gov. Abbott’s executive order
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:
Texas’ second round of COVID-19 vaccines earmarked for smaller hospitals and long-term care facility residents
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.
Texas is on track for record turnout in this election after breaking early voting records
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%.
Decades-old New Braunfels bar welcoming customers for first time in months
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.
Analysis: With schools opening, Texas enters a critical two weeks of the pandemic
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.
Mayor Nirenberg says Gov. Abbotts property tax freeze plan wont change how city looks at changes to policing
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.
Texas hospitalizations below 7,000 for first time in weeks
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.
Texas Legislative Black Caucus unveils the George Floyd Act to ban chokeholds and limit police use of force
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.
Restaurants, bars and breweries scramble to reinvent themselves to get around Gov. Greg Abbott's bar shutdown
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.