Coronavirus

"Governor Abbott has been clear that the time for mask mandates is over; now is the time for personal responsibility," says the governor's press secretary in a statement in response to Texas City ISD and Paris ISD adding masks to their dress codes as a loophole to the governor's executive order.

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education approved a one-time $500 stipend for employees who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The TEA will also need to approve the stipend.

"Some state governments have adopted policies and laws that interfere with the ability of schools and districts to keep our children safe during in-person learning," President Joe Biden said in an executive order, adding that some states "have gone so far as to try to block school officials" from adopting safety measures.

FOX 26's Kaitlin Monte speaks with Dr. Felicia Harris from the University of Houston Downtown, a communications expert, who believes that breaking this plateau of interest in getting the vaccine is going to come down now to communication tactics, not just medicine.

Wednesday afternoon's heavy downpour wasn't enough to stop a deputy with the Harris Co. Sheriff's Office from ensuring Houston residents wouldn't go hungry.

As the new school year begins, at least four school district in Texas have already closed campuses due to COVID-19 outbreaks.

From now through August 31, residents who receive their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine from a Harris County Public Health site can get a $100 cash card.