The governor allowed counties with 20 active cases or fewer to opt out.

Good morning, Red River Valley! With a warm and humid start to the day coupled with abundant sunshine and south southwest winds 5 to 10 mph, today is going to be a hot one.

More than 3,000 Texans have died from the coronavirus and counties are preparing for even more deaths by expanding their capacities to store bodies.

The Republican parties in some of the state's biggest red counties are rebuking the governor over his use of executive authority during the pandemic.

Good morning, Red River Valley! Very hot conditions are expected to continue through the weekend as temperatures return to the mid to high 90s and heat index values climb above 105 degrees.

Good morning, Red River Valley! With a subtropical summer high pressure system just off to our west, we're going to see hot and muggy conditions continue for a few days. A heat advisory is issued through Saturday.

Good morning, Red River Valley! Rain chances will dwindle today as better moisture gets pushed farther eastward, but a 20% chance for showers will linger through the day over the Red River Valley. 

The federal government released the names Monday of 51,250 companies and organizations in Texas that received the loans, which were designed to keep the economy afloat during the coronavirus.

Good morning, Red River Valley! Heating today should increase our chances of seeing a shower or thunderstorm. There is a 50% chance of that happening after 1 p.m. 

The Texas Workforce Commission said that incorrect filings and fraud can lead to overpayments, but the money must be paid back even if it was the state's mistake.

For the past two months, the number of people filing claims in Texas has trended downward. But last week, the number of people who filed for claims increased 7% over the previous week.

Good morning, Red River Valley! Rain reenters the forecast this morning and chances remain strong through at least Saturday night.

As for the voting exemption in his mask order, Abbott says it was designed to make sure Texans do not lose their right to vote "simply because they don't have a mask."

Good morning, Red River Valley! A heat advisory remains in place for today through 7 p.m. as heat index values are expected to reach 107 degrees. 

The North Texas Food Bank will take another swing through Delta County on July 7.

UPDATED W/ LOCAL STATEMENT: Abbott previously resisted calls for such an order and at one point banned local governments from requiring masks. First-time violators will be issued a warning, though repeat offenders could be fined up to $250.

While collections from restaurants were depressed, Comptroller Glenn Hegar said that take-out and delivery sales, along with online purchases, helped buoy revenue in the restaurant and retail sectors.