TexProgBlog Wrangle, midweek edition

With a few updates and some new developments since Monday, here's the second post of the best blogs, tweets, and lefty news from around and about our Great State.

Celebration of Life! Beautiful Service!#georgefloydfuneral pic.twitter.com/h3WR7imHHV

— Cricket Taylor (@Cricket_UKy) June 9, 2020

As the TPA feared, COVID 19 is making a comeback.

Texas’ percentage of coronavirus tests coming back positive — a metric @GovAbbott and White House officials have pointed to as indicative of a state’s readiness for reopening — is increasing. https://t.co/NCbUA02y89 pic.twitter.com/adlpsfdDl9

— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) June 9, 2020

Here's more on Texas COVID-19 hospitalizations being up 36% since Memorial Day as Texas plans expanded business reopenings on Friday. https://t.co/baK0z4w2IM

— Jeremy Wallace (@JeremySWallace) June 9, 2020

And while Greg Abbott would rather ignore the contagion's spread, others aren't.

Texas health officials are refusing to say which nursing homes are dealing with coronavirus outbreaks, saying privacy laws prevent them from releasing that information.

That didn't stop federal officials from publishing their own nursing home data: https://t.co/BBQs9yZqpB

— John Tedesco (@John_Tedesco) June 6, 2020

Update: The city of Dallas' last council meeting broke down in a wave of insults and recriminations over recent allegations of police abuse of force, but CMs there voted today to put off a decision regarding a police department budget increase.  Houston's leaders, meanwhile, passed a raise despite serious disagreements.

Here's the letter five Houston City Council members put out on changes they want in the wake of George Floyd's death and the subsequent protests: https://t.co/MGqQlqO57w

— Matt Schwartz (@SchwartzChron) June 9, 2020

“It doesn't tear anyone down. It doesn't take anything from anyone," @CMPlummer4 said. "It gives layers of power and strength and it gives opportunity to people who just don't have a voice right now." #Houston #hounewshttps://t.co/UOfhCqPXrd

— MUNIRA BANGEE (@MuniraBangee) June 8, 2020

"We are fighting against a brick wall here," Plummer says, citing the mayor's opposition to her amendments.

— Dylan McGuinness (@dylmcguinness) June 9, 2020

Jay Jenkins of @TexasCJC on holding Houston police leadership accountable: "In the last few days, HPD has killed six different folks...Accountability is not going on Wolf Blitzer to talk about a police killing in Minneapolis when you have six of these killings [here]." pic.twitter.com/wHYu5tEzj7

— The Appeal (@theappeal) June 9, 2020

Updates:

We started the conversation on police reform. Not one of my amendments passed but I know that I stand on the right side of history. THAT is the most important take away. I answer to the people who elected me. I will be holding the task force accountable. #Houston #hounews pic.twitter.com/b7d5NHjGeP

— Council Member Letitia Plummer (@CMPlummer4) June 10, 2020

To sum up what happened here: a Houston CM proposed to cut $356K from @SylvesterTurner's $5.1B budget plan, and Turner accused her of "micromanaging," "encroaching on my job," and suggested she was being disrespectful.

— Jasper Scherer (@jaspscherer) June 10, 2020

The TexTrib also updated on the latest from Dallas, Austin, and Houston, which Grits for Breakfast had posted about earlier today.  San Antonio is still talking about what they might do.

The July runoff elections are moving into tighter focus.

🗓 20 Days until you can head to the polls for #EarlyVoting 🗳️ for the July 2020 #PrimaryRunOffs!

Don’t forget to follow our page for the latest updates this election season. ✅#KnowYourDates #HarrisVotes pic.twitter.com/EZef5tpMIj

— Harris County Clerk (@HarrisVotes) June 9, 2020

Bernie has inspired this campaign in so many ways.

We are fighting for #MedicareForAll & a #GreenNewDeal. To challenge the foundations of a corrupt political system.

Most of all, his commitment to "fight for someone you don't know." That's why we do this.

Thank you, Senator. https://t.co/XTYR8Mwbor

— Mike Siegel (@SiegelForTexas) June 9, 2020

More news! @TexomasHomepage and @KAMRLocal4News will also host a debate between the Democratic congressional candidate for #TX13. Two debates in one night. Exciting stuff! #txlege @texasdemocrats pic.twitter.com/poKf2GbJLZ

— Brittney Cottingham (@bbcott) June 10, 2020

...so we voting for Mary Jane Hegar or Joint West? 🥴 #TXSen pic.twitter.com/grDfUKLT9i

— (JOE)ANNE (@joematica) June 8, 2020

Last night in Arlington, environmentalists scored a win.

Arlington City Council votes against permit for French oil major Total https://t.co/3mTKJTdlL4 #BarnettShale #DFW #txlege pic.twitter.com/K3nK5RpFs7

— Sergio Chapa (@SergioChapa) June 10, 2020

The TPA's Sharon Wilson had the live-Tweeting.

Some good legal news on the protest front:

Harris County DA dismisses cases for hundreds of arrested protesters - https://t.co/hnZVcGoM4G#txlege https://t.co/u5C6Zso3Ro

— Armando Walle (@RepWalle) June 10, 2020

But some bad also; another officer-involved choke-out came to light, and the reality show "Live PD" may suffer the same fate as "Cops".

Javier Ambler failed to dim his headlights and ended up dead. "I can't breathe" were among his last words. For a year, nothing was done about his death, and his family knew nothing. Now, dogged reporting by @tplohetski and @statesman is changing that. https://t.co/xJsuvPWxLo

— John Bridges (@JohnBridges) June 8, 2020

Newly released police body cam footage shows the arrest of a black man in Texas who died in police custody. Javier Ambler is seen being tased 4 times before he died. His death is raising questions about shows like "Live PD," which was filming at the time.@cbsmireya reports. pic.twitter.com/FuKFPdB8GW

— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) June 10, 2020

And PRIDE Month converges with coronavirus, with adversities for the trans community.

Before the pandemic, trans Texans experienced higher rates of poverty and uninsurance than others in the state. The coronavirus crisis is exacerbating inequalities.

From @TexasMonthly: https://t.co/pnjwGxyqn1

— Texas Observer (@TexasObserver) June 7, 2020

The Screwston Anti-Fascist Committee has some really cool T-shirts for sale.

We spoke to three young leaders who spearheaded police brutality protests in Alpine, Keller and Vidor, Texas.

Here's what they told us: https://t.co/ktes17zUMd

— Texas Standard (@TexasStandard) June 9, 2020

And to fade out this Wrangle ... Traces of Texas.

Virgil Ingram, left, and Harold Ringer, right, were photographed for the cover of Texas Highways magazine in 1957, when they worked as painters for TxDOT, climbing over and under the Rainbow Bridge that connects Port Arthur and Bridge City. Awesome!@TexasHighways @TxHistComm pic.twitter.com/7En0iUUUmD

— Traces of Texas (@TracesofTexas) June 9, 2020