About this time yesterday, we were on the air telling listeners about changes in the federal Centers For Disease Control's stance on masks. The agency's new revised guidelines recommend that vaccinated people should wear masks indoors in areas where the virus is surging, like Texas, as a result of the contagiousness of the COVID-19 delta variant. That's not the only new directive from the CDC, however. With the resumption of school looming large, the agency is also recommending indoor masks for all teachers, staff, students and visitors regardless of vaccination status. You may recall last fall, as schools struggled to accommodate classroom instruction amid the pandemic, officials claimed that COVID spread would not be much of an issue among children. But in the time since (and especially with this season's experience of many unmasked summer campers and the virus' rapid spread), that once-conventional wisdom has been upended. Now, the Texas State Teachers' Association is among groups calling for Gov. Greg Abbott to withdraw his ban on mask coverings. But the governor said Tuesday he has no plans to back down from his order barring schools and most government entities from mask mandates. Texas schools are now scrambling to come up with alternatives. At least one major district (Austin ISD) has announced plans to resume remote learning for some students , though without state funding support, the budgetary impact could be profound. With vaccination rates in Texas lower than many states (around 43%), and the delta variant continuing to drive up positive cases and hospitalizations to levels not seen since the winter pandemic peak, health experts fear the worst. In the meantime, the best advice for all Texans is to take steps immediately to get vaccinated if you're not, and mask up when leaving home regardless of vaccination status. We expect to see rapid developments in this story over the next few weeks, and we'll be staying on top of the latest news. You can check out more of this week's top stories in the newsletter below. Until next Wednesday, we'll see you on the radio.

- David Brown

Work safe, Texas. Texas Work Comp Insurance

Public Utility Commission, ERCOT Promise ‘Wholesale Change’ To Electricity Market

There are few details yet about what will change. But the organizations argue fixing the market will lead to a stronger Texas grid.

Texas Telemedicine Rules Are Changing: What To Expect

Texas' pandemic-related state of emergency is set to expire on July 31. And that could mean some adjustments for patients who have come to rely on virtual doctor visits.

When Most Texas Democrats Walked Out, A Few Stayed Behind. Here’s Why.

Dems that didn't break qourum cite their "constituents that are more moderate – and they’re trying to represent those interests.”

Federal Agency Tasked With Investing Chemical Incidents Is Struggling To Keep Up

Investigations by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board “slowed to a crawl” in recent years because of budget cuts.

2 Dead, 30 Hospitalized After ‘Mass Casualty’ Incident At LyondellBasell Chemical Plant Near La Porte (Houston Public Media)
After Judge's Ruling on DACA, Many Urge Congress To Act On A Permanent Solution (KERA)
Austin's Plan For City-Backed Homeless Encampments Could Be Derailed By Pushback, New State Law (KUT)
In Midland-Odessa, Health Officials Urge Vaccinations As COVID-19 Cases Spike And The Delta Variant Spreads (Marfa Public Radio)

Hey everybody! My name is Miranda Suarez, and I’m the Fort Worth reporter at KERA. The station is based in Dallas, but I cover the western side of the Metroplex. I moved to Fort Worth in May 2020 – a really weird time to move to a new place – but I’ve gotten to know and love the city through long drives, bike rides and lots of reporting. Some reporters focus on a specific topic, but I write about a little bit of everything. Right now, I’m following the race for the 6th Congressional District seat, left vacant by the death of U.S. Rep. Ron Wright. He’s the only member of Congress to die after testing positive for COVID. And despite an endorsement from the former president, Ron Wright’s widow lost to challenger Jake Ellzey in a race I’m sure lots of people will be scrutinizing. In the past year, I’ve also reported on a legal battle over church buildings and the demolition of an iconic public housing development. Fort Worth is a vast, fun and weird city, and I love living here and reporting on my community. If you ever have an idea for something I should follow, or just want to say hi, hit me up at [email protected] (or DM me on Twitter!).

-Miranda Suarez
@MirandaRSuarez

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