The State of Texas: Governor Abbott will let his stay-at-home order expire this week, despite lack of testing

Plus, Rosa Jimenez may get a new trial, and the last patient from the El Paso Walmart shooting dies in the hospital. [View in browser]( [Give a Little Optimism ](  [Texas Monthly][Texas Monthly](    The State of Texas   April 28, 2020 In today's State of Texas: Governor Abbott will let his stay-at-home order expire this week, Rosa Jimenez may get a new trial, and the last patient from the El Paso Walmart shooting dies in the hospital. –Leif Reigstad  Editor's Pick   the culture [I Love Paulette Jiles's Novels. So Why Won't She Talk to Me?]( My up and down encounters with the brilliant, beloved, and very grouchy western novelist. [Read Story]( By emily mccullar Quote of the Day "An exit strategy, as we call this, is sort of difficult to suppose right now. The risk being that as soon as we lift restrictions, whatever that strategy is, if it's gradual or tiered or certain sectors of the economy or population are released first, we can certainly expect to see a spike in cases." —Rebecca Fischer, infectious disease epidemiologist at Texas A&M University School of Public Health, to the [Texas Tribune]( on the dangers of easing restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 too soon.  The State of Texas  Abbott will let stay-at-home orders expire this week Governor Greg Abbott announced Monday that he will lift more restrictions on public movement by the end of this week. Abbott will not renew his statewide stay-at-home order after it expires on Thursday, and Texas malls, stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and restaurants will be allowed to open the following day at 25 percent occupancy. Outdoor sports with four or fewer participants, like golf and tennis, can resume so long as those playing follow social distancing requirements, while some businesses, including barber shops and gyms, must wait until mid-May at the earliest to reopen. For a more detailed breakdown of Abbott's announcement and what it means for Texas, [read R.G. Ratcliffe's story for]( Monthly](. New trial recommended for Rosa Jimenez Travis County district attorney Margaret Moore's office recommended a new trial for Rosa Jimenez, the latest development in a controversial case that has drawn international attention. In 2003, Jimenez was arrested in Austin after a toddler she was babysitting choked to death. She was subsequently convicted of murder and sentenced to 99 years in prison. Criminal justice advocates, judges, and state legislators have since called into question her conviction, citing new evidence suggesting the toddler's death may have been accidental. In a letter sent Monday to Jimenez's attorneys, Moore said her office determined that "newly developed potential testimony could be credible to a jury." But before Jimenez can be granted a new trial, Texas attorney general Ken Paxton would have to drop his appeal of a federal judge's ruling that tossed her conviction last year (the federal judge's ruling is on hold during this appeal). For more on Jimenez's post-conviction saga, [read Michael Hall's story on the case from earlier this month](. El Paso Walmart shooting claims another life The last remaining patient who was hospitalized after being shot during a domestic terrorist attack at an El Paso Walmart last summer died on Sunday, according to the [El Paso Times](. Guillermo "Memo" Garcia, a local girls' soccer coach, had been hospitalized since August 3, when a gunman opened fire at the Walmart store, in what investigators believe was an attack motivated by racism. Garcia is the 23rd person to die from the shooting. "His courage, his strength and his story have touched many lives, including those of our caregivers, who tirelessly fought with him and for him every step of the way," David Shimp, chief executive officer for Del Sol Medical Center, said. "We are grieving with his family and with our community." SPONSORED [G]( A Little Optimism]( Do you know a family member, friend, coworker, community leader, or health care professional that you think could use a smile? Brighten someone’s day during these unprecedented times by nominating them to receive an optimism care package, courtesy of the Texas Optimism Project. [Learn More](    the culture [The Best Thing in Texas: Willie Nelson Is Autographing the Face Masks People Send Him to Raise Money for More Face Masks]( The redheaded stranger is socially distancing—thank you for your concern. By dan solomon    the culture [He's the One Who Likes All Their Pretty Songs: Post Malone Performed a Nirvana Cover Set]( Sure, why not? By dan solomon    being texan [What It's Like Getting Paid to Risk Catching the Coronavirus]( A professional shopper, who delivers groceries for those who can afford to stay at home, shares her story. By nancy nusser    Top Headlines  - [Should Neiman Marcus Exist?]( - [The Majority Agrees: Lifting Stay-Home Orders Won’t Bring Normalcy (But It Will Get People Killed)]( - [The FBI Agent Who Can’t Stop Thinking About Waco]( - [I Visited a State Park This Week. Here’s What I Found.]( - [When The Fire Came to ‘Waco’](   [Give a Little Optimism ](    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