The State of Texas: More than twice as many Texas families applied for federal food assistance in March as last year

Plus, a county judge allegedly violated his own stay-at-home order, and how you can have barbecue shipped to your door. [View in browser]( [Texas Tech University](  [Texas Monthly][Texas Monthly](    The State of Texas   April 14, 2020 In today's State of Texas: Twice as many Texas families filed for SNAP assistance in March compared to the same month last year, a county judge allegedly violated his own stay-at-home order, and how you can have barbecue shipped to your door. Editor's note: We want to hear from health care workers and anyone else impacted by the coronavirus outbreak in Texas. Send tips to tips@texasmonthly.com. –Leif Reigstad  Editor's Pick   politics [How to Erase a Neighborhood]( The East End neighborhood in Freeport was once a thriving community. Today, its few remaining residents are about to be pushed out. What happened? [Read Story]( By amal ahmed Quote of the Day "This is not the time to reopen the economy." —Vaccine expert Peter Hotez to the [Houston Chronicle]( on Governor Greg Abbott hinting Monday that he may be planning to ease restrictions on businesses soon.  The State of Texas  More than 230,000 Texas families applied for SNAP last month Twice as many Texas families applied for SNAP, the federal food assistance program, in March compared to the same period last year, the [Texas Tribune]( reports. Texas received just over 230,000 applications for SNAP benefits, an increase of 114,000 compared to the same month last year. As the Tribune notes, the number of applicants could be even greater in April. Hundreds of thousands of Texans have filed for unemployment since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and food banks across the state have been experiencing huge upticks in demand. Census may be delayed The coronavirus outbreak may cause the 2020 U.S. census to be postponed, according to the [Washington Post](. On Monday, New York congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, who chairs the House Oversight Committee, said Trump administration officials were requesting that all census field operations be postponed until June 1, and that the deadline be pushed back to October 31. (Field operations had been suspended since March, but were set to continue this week). Though Texans have typically been undercounted in the census, the [state is putting few resources into making sure everyone here is counted](. That could put federal funding and extra congressional seats at risk. Williamson County official accused of violating his own order A central Texas attorney filed a complaint Monday against Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell, alleging that the county executive broke his own shelter-in-place order. The complaint alleges that Gravell had an off-duty sheriff's deputy drive him to a fire department on April 7—the same day he extended the county's shelter-in-place order until April 30. Gravell then allegedly borrowed a firefighter's outfit and breathing apparatus, which he wore to his grandson's birthday party. Attorney Robert McCabe, who filed the complaint, told the [Austin American-Statesman]( that Gravell admitted to him in a phone call later that day that he had "made a mistake," and had done it because he hadn't seen his grandson in three weeks. SPONSORED [Give A Little Optimism]( Do you know a family member, friend, coworker, community leader, or health care professional that you think could use some encouragement during these trying times? Brighten someone’s day by nominating them to receive an Optimism care package here. [Learn More](    politics [A User's Guide to How Texas's Top Elected Officials Are Handling Coronavirus]( In the best of times, our politicians can be a frustrating bunch. How are they doing in an unprecedented crisis? By christopher hooks    bbq [How to Have Barbecue (and Future Barbecue) Shipped to Your Door]( A roundup of Texas joints and meat suppliers that can send you smoked meat as well as meat for you to smoke yourself. By daniel vaughn    the culture [The Nine Texans Honored With Guggenheim Fellowships]( Novelists, composers, photographers and other creatives living and working in Texas were awarded this year. By arielle avila    Top Headlines  - [How to Erase a Neighborhood]( - [Inside the Story of How H-E-B Planned for the Pandemic]( - [Joe Exotic: A Dark Journey Into the World of a Man Gone Wild]( - [Texas Anti-Vaxxers Fear Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccines More Than the Virus Itself]( - [COVID-19 May Be Silently Spreading Across Rural Counties, University of Texas Researchers Believe](   [Texas Tech University](    Let's get social [Facebook](  [Instagram](  [Twitter](    [Texas Monthly]( PO Box 1569, Austin, TX 78767 You are receiving this message because you signed up for our newsletters. Want more? Check out our [other newsletters](. [Manage your preferences]( or [unsubscribe]( Â