AUSTIN — With only slight tweaks, the state is responding to threats posed by the new omicron variant of the coronavirus the same way it handled the virus’ delta mutation last summer: It’s setting up COVID-19 antibody treatment infusion centers, “ramping up” vaccination efforts and surging personnel and equipment to hospitals and nursing homes, according to Renae Eze, spokeswoman for …

Dallas County reported 63 more COVID-19 deaths and 3,784 new coronavirus cases in the past week. The weekly case total was the county’s highest in about two months and comes as local officials warn of a new wave of illness fueled by the omicron variant of the virus. Of the new cases, 2,989 were confirmed and 795 were probable. The numbers bring …

AUSTIN – State Sen. Dawn Buckingham is well positioned in the crowded Republican primary for Texas land commissioner, a race that’s expected to inflame culture clashes over how exactly to remember the Alamo. The job that includes looking after the legendary battle site in Texas’ war for independence is open because current officeholder George P. Bush is running for attorney …

Wednesday begins chilly with some patchy fog possible. The fog will give way to a mix of high clouds and sunshine with highs in the mid 60s. Thursday will feature sunshine with highs in the low to middle 70s. Even warmer weather is in store for North Texas in the coming days which will lead to record breaking high temperatures …

An omicron-fueled COVID-19 surge due to hit North Texas could spell trouble for an exhausted health care system and for non-coronavirus patients looking for hospital beds and doctor’s appointments in coming weeks, public health experts warn. As seen in previous surges, more coronavirus-designated beds mean fewer options for patients coming to hospitals with other medical issues — and patients who defer care …

Embattled state District Judge Amber Givens drew two challengers in the Dallas County Democratic primary. Former state district judges Teresa Hawthorne and Andrew Chatham are seeking to unseat Givens, who was accused this year of ordering one of her staff members to pretend to be her and oversee an online proceeding. A group of defense lawyers filed a complaint with …

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — State numbers show Texas is headed into another COVID-19 wave. Medical professionals said the virus’ omicron variant is the reason why, as it’s spreading fast. Numbers compiled by the Texas Medical Center https://www.tmc.edu/coronavirus-updates/tmc-key-takeaways/ show last week on average, 2,095 tested positive for COVID. Compared to the month before, the number was 515. The Texas Department of State …

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — This is Houston, not Whoville, but somehow a Grinch made his way to a southwest Houston apartment, and ruined a family’s Christmas. “I have nothing to steal,” said a frustrated Cheryl Boone, who shares an apartment with her son, Sean Davis. Getting around is hard for Davis, who barely survived after he was shot in the …

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — About $2,500 in holiday catering tips was stolen from Gabby’s BBQ in Garden Oaks Sunday morning by thieves who cut a hole in the safe. Holly Waters, the owner of Gabby’s BBQ, said someone broke the glass to their drive-thru window on the backside of the restaurant, crawled inside and slid across the floor to their …

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Police are investigating an attempted robbery that ended with one person dead and two others injured in northeast Houston. At about 8 p.m. Tuesday, Houston police officers were dispatched to the 9600 block of Homestead Road in response to an attempted robbery. At the scene, police found three people had been shot, and one had died …