PHOTOS: Moments from the Reopening of Balmorhea Pool

The week in stories from the Texas Observer.

The Lede The People's Scientist Five years ago, a team led by Maria Elena Bottazzi, co-director of Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, developed a vaccine for SARS, caused by a coronavirus similar to that which causes COVID-19. But they couldn't get funding for clinical trials, and it languished in a Houston freezer. In 2020, they drew from these years of research to quickly develop a COVID-19 vaccine that could be cheaply produced in large enough quantities to help vaccinate the rest of the world, pulling donations from the Kleberg Foundation, Tito's Vodka, and more. View this email in your browser. Must-Reads Moments from the Reopening of Balmorhea Pool   In June, after two years of closures for construction and repairs, the 85-year-old pool reopened, providing a much-needed reprieve from the summer's triple-digit heat. Dive into these photos of the reopening from photographer Sarah M. Vasquez. A Place Where Two Things Can be True at Once   The governor gives second life to the GOP's elections crackdown, along with a smattering of other right-wing priorities that failed to pass in the spring. More This Week Drawing Power: How the Special Session Will Focus on Redistricting   Poem: 'Late Night at the Lege'   Texans With Disabilities Fear Voting Will Get Harder for Them as Special Session on GOP Restrictions Nears   Support the Texas Observer with a tax-deductible donation or subscribe to the magazine. The Issue Introducing the new Texas Observer Get Involved: Support hard-charging investigative journalism. For 65 years, the Texas Observer has shined a spotlight on the dark corners of Texas. Our reporters and editors work to ensure that we cover issues that are often ignored or underreported by other media. Join as a member, donate, or shop today. Join Donate Shop You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. Copyright © 2021 Texas Observer, All rights reserved. Thank you for subscribing to The Texas Observer's weekly newsletter. Our mailing address is: The Texas Observer P.O. Box #6421 Austin, Texas 78762 The Texas Observer, a nonprofit, tries to save paper and money by contacting you via email.