GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT

AdWalker, the chair of the Public Utility Commission of Texas and a former senior policy advisor to Abbott, contributed $7,620 to Texans for Greg Abbott from 2009 to 2015, state campaign records show. Oliver told KSAT that he was also unaware of any recent criticism levied toward ERCOT by Abbott. Texas Ethics Commission records, however, show that three of the 13 representatives on the House Committee on State Affairs have accepted contributions from ERCOT board member Clifton Karnei. Rep. Chris Paddie, chair of the state affairs committee, also did not respond to calls and an email seeking comment. Other ERCOT board members are listed in TEC records as having contributed to several energy-related PACs.

AUSTIN, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott is mourning the loss of his mother-in-law, Maria de la Luz “Lucy” Phalen, according to a statement from his office. The governor said Phalen, 86, died Saturday evening while surrounded by her family. Maria de la Luz "Lucy" Phalen has been a constant... Posted by Office of the Governor Greg Abbott on Saturday, November 7, 2020Gov. Abbott said she was a “constant source of love, strength, and support” for his family and will be greatly missed. That love surrounded her today as she passed with her family and loved ones by her side.

LAKE JACKSON, Texas. – A disaster declaration was issued by Gov. Greg Abbott on Sunday for Brazoria County after Naeglera Fowleri, a deadly amoeba, was found in the city of Lake Jackson’s water supply, according to the governor’s office. “The state of Texas is taking swift action to respond to the situation and support the communities whose water systems have been impacted by this amoeba,” said Governor Abbott. RELATED: Deadly microbe water warning lifted for final Texas city

SAN ANTONIO Although Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order Friday, forcing bars to close at noon due to the uptick in COVID-19 cases, one North Side gentlemans club decided to keep its doors open anyway. Video shows the Monte Carlo Gentlemens Club, located on Cherry Ridge Drive and Interstate 410, was open for business Friday night, despite the governors order to close. The business also posted on its Facebook page Friday night about staying open for business, saying, The only place still open for late night entertainment in San Antonio! The club did receive several calls from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission; however, its unclear what measures, if any, will be taken to ensure the business closes under Abbotts order. Greg Abbott says bars must close by noon, restaurants to scale back capacity

SAN ANTONIO Restaurants can expand their occupancy level to 75% starting Friday, but some local restaurant owners said its impossible to expand occupancy due to social distancing guidelines. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, restaurants can operate at 75% capacity for dine-in service. Its very frustrating because the 75% really isnt going to make a difference for us. So keeping everything six feet apart, we really only have enough room to maybe put four more seats in, Capparelli said. The full list of health protocols for restaurants can be found here.

KSAT Q & A: Governor Greg Abbott talks to anchors Steve Spriester and Isis Romero about current issues in the state of TexasPublished: June 8, 2020, 7:19 pmKSAT Q & A: Governor Greg Abbott talks to anchors Steve Spriester and Isis Romero about current issues in the state of Texas

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

Amarillo – Texas Governor Greg Abbott was in Amarillo Wednesday to address the high rate of COVID-19 cases in the region. He attributed the high rate of COVID-19 cases in Amarillo to the increase of people testing positive in nursing homes, meat packing plants and jails and prisons. Since then, Abbott said numbers have since trickled down to “zero people who tested positive (on Tuesday)." “You see an early spike, for the number of people testing positive and then you see a slow decline in those testing positive," said Abbott. Abbott also said that while Texans are suffering from the coronavirus, there are many more who are suffering economically.

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

AUSTIN, Texas BREAKING NEWS:Breaking News: Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Monday announced Phase 2 of reopening Texas to include bars, bowling alleys, summer sports camps and childcare services with restrictions. Abbott announced over 700 cases of the virus were reported in Amarillo and detailed his containment plan. The governor deployed mobile testing teams for free COVID-19 tests for Amarillo and surrounding communities earlier this month. Abbott:WATCH: KSAT interview with Governor Greg Abbott about plan to reopen TexasGov. Abbott: Over 700 COVID-19 cases confirmed in one day in AmarilloMassage therapists urge Governor Abbott to allow their businesses to reopen

While places like salons, barbershops and gyms have been allowed to reopen, doors at other businesses across the state of Texas remain shut. Governor Greg Abbotts current orders are only allowing massage therapists to operate with a doctors note. Valdez said massage therapy is an essential service and not a luxury. Like many other massage therapists across the state, he hopes to be back to work soon. Texas governor says new announcement on reopening businesses will come next week

Senator John Cornyn agrees with Governor Greg Abbott’s plan to reopen TexasPublished: May 1, 2020, 12:33 pmSenator John Cornyn, of Texas, says the state needs to reopen slowly but surely so people can get back to work.

SAN ANTONIO – Some local health experts have said reopening San Antonio businesses right now may be a bit premature. This has led to some concerns among workers that don’t feel comfortable going back to work just yet. Governor Greg Abbott addressed these concerns and announced the Texas Workforce Commission has issued new guidance to unemployment claimants concerned about their eligibility for benefits, should they choose not to return to work right away. Greg Abbott has released his plans to reopen Texas. Report: Texas sees one of the largest increases in unemployment in the U.S. amid COVID-19 outbreak

SAN ANTONIO – Although Texas Gov. Although Whataburger restaurants are currently offering drive-thru service and curbside pickup orders, we reached out to see when the restaurant chain plans to reopen its dining rooms. In a statement to KSAT 12, a Whataburger representative confirmed that all restaurants are still working on a plan to reopen its dining rooms, but “only when the time is right.”Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has released his plans to reopen Texas. Here’s what we knowThe full statement can be read below:“While we’re seeing some states lift stay-at-home orders, Whataburger is still working on a plan to reopen our dining rooms only when the time is right.

(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Greg Abbott, in an effort to reopen Texas, announced an executive order which allows non-essential retail businesses to operate via pick-up and delivery service starting on April 24. Since the announcement was made, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) received many questions on how the order impacts the alcoholic beverage industry. Here are the TABC’s guidelines for to-go alcohol sales:

AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Health and Human Services will provide more than $168 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food benefits to help people in the state during the COVID-19 response, Gov. HHS got federal approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide the maximum allowable number of SNAP benefits to recipients based on family size, according to a news release. Anyone receiving SNAP benefits is included. “SNAP, commonly referred to as the food stamp program, supplements the budget of the working poor. "The additional food subsidy announced today by Governor Abbott, although still supplemental, will help fill a portion of the financial gap created by the economic crisis resulting from this pandemic.

He said while the rate for positive cases is still less than 10% of those tested, the dramatic increase of positive cases and deaths from a week ago is concerning. Today the positive cases have more than tripled over last week, and there are now 70 deaths. While the U.S. is expected to see cases peak in about two weeks, the crest in Texas could be a week or 10 days after that, Abbott said. “There has never been this many people applying for unemployment in Texas,” Abbott said. Map: Track COVID-19 cases in Texas, county-by-county updatesCOVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new virus, stands for coronavirus disease 2019.

Greg Abbott released a video on Wednesday with a message to Texans about his executive order that went into effect Thursday amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “I know this is a great sacrifice, and we must respond to this challenge with strength and with resolve,” Abbott said. Abbott asked people to work from home unless they are providing essential services. There are exceptions for essential activities and services based on the Department of Homeland Security’s guidelines on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce. Exceptions include healthcare, grocery stores, banking and financial services, utilities, child care for essential service employees, and government services.

Greg Abbott announced a public health disaster Thursday at noon, there were three coronavirus-related deaths reported in the state. Abbott talked about the need to implement his disaster declaration to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 throughout Texas during a virtual town hall meeting held in Austin on Thursday evening. Abbott also touched up on the impact on the economy, the decision to close schools and price gouging complaints. Here’s a few of the questions Abbott answered during the town hall. Abbott said the federal government is in the process of approving Texas’ small business loan applications.

SAN ANTONIO – UPDATE:A spokesperson for Texas Governor Greg Abbott confirmed Tuesday morning that, as of Tuesday, 1,264 Texans had been tested for COVID-19. Greg Abbott said that 200 Texans have been tested so far for COVID-19, the rapidly spreading respiratory disease that’s impacting the lives of Americans more each day. And we are currently testing 300 Texans for the possibility they may test positive for COVID-19,” said Abbott. During the press conference at the San Antonio Emergency Operations Center, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said an updated emergency declaration now prohibits the gathering of more than 50 people in the city limits. At least three people in San Antonio have tested positive for COVID-19, not including the 12 evacuees at JBSA-Lackland.