Emma Platoff
Texas Tribune
Austin, TX, United States
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Recent articles by Emma:
Gov. Greg Abbott keeps businesses open despite surging coronavirus cases and rising deaths in Texas
“We can protect Texans’ lives while also restoring their livelihoods," Abbott said this week. As cases surge, the question has become: How many Texans’ lives? → Read More
Texas lawmakers want to add more LGTBQ safeguards after U.S. Supreme Court guarantees workplace protections
A new ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court makes clear that it violates federal law to fire an employee on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation. Now Texas lawmakers want to guarantee similar protections for LGBTQ Texans in housing, health care and other spheres. → Read More
The new coronavirus has killed more than 2,000 people in Texas
The true death toll is certainly higher than the state's official count. It is now routine to add two or three dozen deaths to the tally every afternoon. And each day, more Texans are catching the virus that might kill them. → Read More
Years after a federal judge ordered fixes, Texas' child welfare system continues to expose children to harm, federal monitors say
Two independent experts appointed to scrutinize the system described “a disjointed and dangerous child protection system ... where harm to children is at times overlooked, ignored or forgotten.” → Read More
Outside of Texas' big cities, some are still waiting nearly a month for coronavirus test results from state-run mobile units
While many county leaders were grateful that Texas deployed coronavirus testing resources in their communities, others complained of a chaotic planning process and test results delayed for weeks. → Read More
Rejecting appeal, Texas Supreme Court blocks Austin's paid sick leave ordinance
The high court let stand a lower court's ruling that Austin's paid sick leave ordinance is unconstitutional because it conflicts with the Texas Minimum Wage Act. → Read More
Gov. Greg Abbott says Texas ranks high in coronavirus recoveries, but many large states don’t report that figure
Texas’ recovery total is not a tally of the patients no longer experiencing symptoms, but rather an estimate based on a string of assumptions about the virus’ longevity. → Read More
Texas passes grim threshold, marking more than 1,000 COVID-19 fatalities
Texas seems to have fewer to mourn than some of the hardest-hit states. But experts say the official state death toll is likely an undercount. → Read More
In 50 Texas counties without cases, is it a lack of the coronavirus or a lack of testing?
In rural areas where the presence of the virus has yet to be confirmed, testing has been scarce — raising questions about whether the virus is lingering undetected. → Read More
Is this rural community really Texas’ sickest county?
State data indicates that Donley County in the Panhandle has the highest coronavirus infection rate in Texas. But county Judge John Howard — also the only local doctor — believes that's because he's testing far more than other counties. → Read More
Federal appeals court once again allows Texas to block many abortions, but allows some pregnant women to proceed
In the latest turn in a whiplash-inducing federal court battle over a near-ban on abortions during the coronavirus pandemic, a federal appeals court once again handed Texas a victory, blocking the procedure in all but a few narrow circumstances. → Read More
Texas can enforce abortion ban during coronavirus pandemic, federal appeals court rules
Republican state officials have said barring the procedure in almost all cases is essential for preserving hospital resources during the pandemic. Abortion providers call it political opportunism — and unconstitutional. → Read More
Coronavirus pauses many Texas court proceedings. For some, that means more time in jail.
Courts have slowed across the state, and jury trials are on hold. Defense attorneys worry the outbreak could leave their clients sitting in jail waiting for justice — and vulnerable to catching the virus. → Read More
For Texas' ill and immunocompromised, coronavirus brings a new threat and familiar precautions
“We are perpetually at risk,” said Shelby Chiles of Lewisville, who has a rare autoimmune disease. → Read More
Gov. Greg Abbott orders state agencies to reduce licensing regulations, cut fees
Abbott has set a Dec. 1 deadline for agencies to tell his office how they plan to limit regulations, reduce fees and, "where appropriate," remove licensing barriers for people with criminal records. → Read More
Empower Texans helped topple House Speaker Dennis Bonnen. Did it further the conservative movement?
The hardline conservative group can claim a victory for ousting Bonnen. But will that be good for its ideological interests? → Read More
Top Texas Republicans order investigation into mother who supports child’s gender transition
A bitter child custody dispute became a flashpoint in the state’s culture wars this week as Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton urged state involvement. → Read More
Crystal Mason's ballot was never counted. Will she still serve five years in prison for illegally voting?
Her lawyers say if her sentence stands, it could discourage low-information voters from going to the polls at all. → Read More
Texas Democrats sue over Michael Quinn Sullivan and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen meeting
In their lawsuit, the Democrats contend Bonnen, Sullivan and state Rep. Dustin Burrows violated campaign finance laws and demanded that Sullivan produce a recording of the meeting that he has so far played only for select Republicans. → Read More
U.S. Senate confirms Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeff Brown to the federal bench
The nod creates a vacancy on the state's highest civil court, giving Gov. Greg Abbott his third opportunity to make an appointment. → Read More